“This is a great event for families during the holiday season,” said Lincoln Park Zoo spokesperson Sharon Dewar. “There’s something for everyone to do.”

Chicago resident Kaitlynn Tolleson describes ZooLights as her favorite Chicago holiday tradition.
“It’s just so cute and so much fun to see the zoo get ready for Christmas,” she said. “My family and I always go each year.”

Admission to this popular holiday event is free, although extra activities cost a small fee.


Celebrate Christmas as they do in Germany at Christkindlmarket
Photo from christkindlmarket.com

Celebrate Christmas the German way this holiday season with Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza. This open-air European market features traditional wooden huts filled with holiday ornaments, nutcrackers, handmade sweaters, children's toys, jewelry, cuckoo clocks, German foods, choirs, carolers, and an opening ceremony.

“It’s a really unique way to spend the holiday season,” said Christkindlmarket employee, Aime Schaenzer. “You’re also likely to find some really great gifts to give your friends and family,” she added.

The Magnificent Mile is lit with millions of lights during the holidays
Photo from chicagonow.com

Can’t get enough Christmas lights? The Magnificent Mile will prepare for the holidays on Nov. 23 with an all-day celebration that ends with a parade as the city is lit up with millions of lights.

This day is packed with music, games and lots of holiday fun. Several celebrities will also be taking part in the festival, such as Mario Lopez and Deborah Gibson.

Once the streets have been lit, spectators can stick around for a fireworks display over the Chicago River. It’s the perfect way to start to holiday season.

This is a great event for families. Chicago resident Josh Morgan took his family to the festival last year for the first time.
“It was great,” he said. “The younger ones definitely get into the parade and all the lights; we had a lot of fun.”


Macy's offers festive holiday windows every year
Photo from macys.com

During the holidays, Macy’s is famous for their spectacular holiday window displays. This has been a tradition for 46 years, dating back to when the store was Marshall Field's, the store name until Macy's bought them out in 2006.

The windows feature a different theme each year, this year's being The Magic of Christmas. Spectators can walk the outside of the building to see the incredible displays, each window a different theme that reminisces about the days when Macy's was Marshall Field's.

This year’s windows will feature some of the store’s most famous holiday themes over the years: 150 Years of Fashion, Frango Factory, Great Clock, Uncle Mistletoe, Walnut Room, Tiffany Cloud, SantaLand, Parade and Believe.

While the windows may be the main attraction of Macy’s, there are other holiday events throughout the store as well. Guests can dine is the famous Walnut Room, with a view of their beautiful Christmas tree while enjoying a fine meal. There is also SantaLand, Santa’s home at the State St. Macy’s. The kids can visit Santa and have their picture taken with him at this festive winter wonderland.