Christmas is a special time of the year that offers plenty of opportunities for enjoyable activities and memorable experiences. Chicago's yearly Christmas activities have become a tradition with both visitors and locals. A festive atmosphere offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy the season becomes apparent well before Daley Plaza has a chance to place the first lights on its tree.
Santa Claus
Seeing Santa is a familiar ritual undertaken around the holiday season. Taking the kids to see this well known figure is something to do that doesn't cost anything. Santa can be seen for free at locations like Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza, the Lincoln Park Zoo and at Navy Pier. Snapping a picture with Santa is a simple activity that can become a fond Christmas memory as the years go by.
Holiday Magic
Those who visit the Brookfield Zoo during the Christmas season will be greeted with an array of spectacular shining holiday lights as the zoo celebrates this special time of the year with its annual Holiday Magic. Zoo creatures, food and shops remain as accessible during the Christmas season as they are throughout the rest of the year. Ice sculptures and live entertainment give the Brookfield Zoo a celebratory atmosphere during the holiday season that those who visit this Chicago attraction don't often have the chance to experience during other times of the year.<br /><br />Brookfield Zoo<br />3300 Golf Road<br />Chicago, IL 60513<br />708-485-2200<br />czs.org/czs/HolidayMagic-1.aspx
Free Museums
Numerous Chicago museums offer the opportunity to gain admission for free on certain days during the month of December, and the Museum of Science and Industry gives visitors the chance to see its exhibits without having to pay for admission on the sixth of December. This prominent Chicago museum has had unique exhibits pertaining specifically to the Christmas season during the month of December in the past, and those who take the time to stop by can expect a thrilling, informative time. The Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Contemporary Photography have free days on a regular basis every week. <br /><br />Museum of Science and Industry<br />5700 South Lake Shore Drive<br />Chicago, IL 60637<br />773-684-1414<br />msichicago.org?<br /><br />Art Institute of Chicago<br />111 South Michigan Ave.<br />Chicago, IL 60603<br />312-443-3600<br />artic.edu?<br /><br />Museum of Contemporary Art<br />220 East Chicago Ave.<br />Chicago, IL 60611<br />312-280-2660<br />mcachicago.org?<br /><br />Museum of Contemporary Photography<br />600 South Michigan Ave.<br />Chicago, IL 60605<br />312-663-5554<br />mocp.org?
Christkindlmarket Chicago
Christkindlmarket Chicago provides both locals and visitors in the Chicago area with the chance to experience a significant helping of German culture within the Chicago area during the Christmas season. Live acts featuring traditional Christmas carols, instrumental music and live performances give visitors the chance to partake in a truly immersive experience. German food, textiles and crafts are displayed throughout the outdoor area within Daly Plaza during the Christmas season from its grand opening on Thanksgiving until its final day on Christmas eve.
Christmas Trees
Daley Plaza is home to a Christmas tree that is lit up for the holidays every year on Thanksgiving day. Going for a walk along Washington Street on any given night during the month of December will lead those interested in celebrating the Christmas season to a large tree decorated with a dazzling array of lights and ornaments. The tree is traditionally located right in the middle of downtown Chicago and is near a number of other locations of interest.
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