My family has a long-standing tradition of celebrating Christmas in Chicago. It started when we were young and lived in the suburbs, and my parents would bring us into the city to see The Nutcracker every year. After we moved away from the Chicagoland area, my family took trips back to Chicago whenever we could. I have fond memories of one particular trip – a spontaneous Saturday road trip from Ohio, in which my youngest sister (who was around four at the time) declared that her favorite part of the trip was dodging the taxis! There’s a reason my family loves Elf so much – The yellow ones don’t stop!
Fast-forward to adulthood, when I began dating and later married a man from the Chicago suburbs. He too had great memories of celebrating Christmas in the city, and we quickly incorporated Chicago into our family traditions. We lived in Chicago when we were first married, and when we moved away, we tried to incorporate Chicago into our holiday celebrations every year, either with one of our families or as a special trip for the two of us.
Here are my five favorite family-friendly ways to celebrate Christmas in Chicago:
1. Eat in the Walnut Room
The Walnut Room is the signature restaurant of the State Street Macy’s store, and features the beautiful, 45-foot tall Great Tree decorated with over 6000 lights and 2000 ornaments. I always get the chicken pot pie and the souvenir mug! See the FAQ for information about the menu or how to get a table! Pro tip: Visit for breakfast or during the week for shorter wait times!
2. Visit the Macy’s on State Street
Formerly Marshall Field, the Macy’s on State Street is a Chicago tradition. While you’re waiting for your table at the Walnut Room, be sure to take in the atmosphere on State Street while viewing the beautiful window displays. Each year, the windows display a unique theme and story. Then, visit Santaland on the 5th Floor for a personal, private visit with the Big Guy!
3. Shop and View the Lights of the Magnificent Mile
The weekend before Thanksgiving, Michigan Avenue lights up with over a million lights in the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, as Mickey and Minnie lead the parade down Michigan Ave from Oak Street to Wacker Drive, followed by fireworks over the Chicago River. Even if you can’t make the parade, the lights of the Magnificent Mile are spectacular. Window shop and view the lights as you walk the Magnificent Mile. At the north end of the Magnificent Mile sits the Water Tower in Jane Byre Park and Water Tower Place, home of the American Girl Store and a huge Lego store among the seven floors of shops. The American Girl Store has its own array of holiday activities, like Santa Brunch or Holiday Tea, so be sure to check those out if you have a doll-lover in your family!
4. See a Holiday-Themed Show
My memories of Chicago Christmas start with The Nutcracker, so I think a holiday show is a must in Chicago! Chicago has several theaters offering holiday and non-holiday themed shows alike. The Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place hosts family-friendly shows throughout the year, and the Lookingglass Theatre one block over has specific family-friendly events. Of course, the theatre district hosts at least one holiday show every year, so visit Broadway in Chicago to see what’s playing when you visit.
5. Go Ice Skating in Millennium Park
We are not ice skaters in my family, but we sure have fun at this outdoor rink! More than 100,000 people visit this rink each year, so it can get crowded and waits can be long. Or, head to Maggie Daley Park next door to try out the skating ribbon! Pro tip: Skating is free, but skate rentals are not, so bring your own if you can!
Bonus: Ride the CTA Holiday Train
The CTA Holiday Train or bus is a fully-functioning train (or bus) that gets decked out for the holidays. Fares are the same as they are for a regular trip on the CTA. The route changes daily, and the route and approximate arrival times at each station can be found on the CTA’s website. If the Holiday Train is full, never fear – the Elves’ Workshop Train follows immediately behind the Holiday Train on Saturdays and is just as festive! Pro Tip: Walk North along the Magnificent Mile to see the lights, and then ride the Red Line back to the Loop/Theatre District. The train runs underneath State Street and has stops at Chicago Avenue (just a few blocks to Water Tower Place) and Lake Street (for the Walnut Room).
Christmas in Chicago is one of my absolute favorite ways to get in the holiday spirit, and there is so much to do! What are your favorite ways to celebrate the holidays in Chicago?
