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Walk amid thousands of outdoor lights at Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of the event
12/17/23 - By Siobhan Adcock

Looking for things to do over holiday break in Chicago? We've got you covered with holiday and Christmas break activities.

Chicago public schools are closed for the 2023-24 school year holiday break from December 23, 2023 to January 7, 2024, so there are at least two weeks of fun to be had with the kids. That's one way of looking at it ... the other way is "Oh my goodness, there are two whole weeks of days to fill with activities to keep the kids occupied!" 

Luckily, we rounded up dozens of things to do in Chicago with kids during holiday break, and they're all events and activities that keep kids active, engaged, and happy—not just busy. There's a basketball game, a winter wonderland, dinosaurs, outdoor exploration, and loads of FREE activities for Chicago kids.

Keep an eye on our event calendar for fresh ideas every day. In case of emergency, break the glass and start working your way down this list of snowy day boredom busters.

Until January 8, parents: Stay strong. You can do this!

Sign up for our free newsletters to get local events and picks delivered straight to your inbox.

 

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Celebrate the magic of Disney at Disney100: The Exhibition. Photo courtesy of Fever Productions
Celebrate the magic of Disney at Disney100: The Exhibition. Photo courtesy of Fever Productions

Ongoing Activities in Chicago During Winter Break

Art on the Mart

Daily through December 30, 2023—Downtown
Families can watch as works of art are projected on The Merchandise Mart, while listening to a variety of unique music. The show is about 30 minutes long and repeats at 7:30 and 8pm each night. READ MORE

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Daily through January 7, 2024, Free on Mondays only—Lincoln Park
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo has been a favorite holiday event for more than 25 years, with light displays and seasonal activities throughout the zoo. The event is free on Monday evenings, and $7 most other weekdays, and $10 on weekends and premium dates. READ MORE

Winter Flower Show: Celebrating Silver at Garfield Park Conservatory

Daily through January 7, 2024
The Garfield Park Conservatory hosts its annual holiday flower show. This year, the theme is Celebrating Silver, which honors the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance's 25th anniversary with beautiful silver foliage, lush poinsettias in pink and white hues, and more favorite winter flowers and plants.  READ MORE

Winter WNDRland

Daily through January 15, 2024—West Loop
WNDR Museum, Chicago’s original immersive art and technology experience, invites guests to immerse themselves in the magic of the holiday season with the return of its Winter WNDRland celebration. From November 27 to January 2, WNDR Museum features the brand-new interactive Iced In! installation. Exhibits are transformed by a shimmering blanket of snow and ice, enveloping guests in the enchanting embrace of the cold. READ MORE

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo

December 26- 31, 2023— Brookfield
Featuring more than a million LED lights, a 41-foot talking Christmas tree, and a 600-foot tunnel of lights with coordinating music, Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic highlights the holidays and loads of animals. READ MORE

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum

December 23, 2023, December 26-31, 2023, and January 2-7, 2024—Lisle
Visitors walk a one-mile path with thousands of lights in displays illuminating the trees, accompanied by music. An awe-inspiring display illuminates the new Grand Garden. Visitors can enjoy some old favorites and new displays. Stop along the way to roast s'mores around a campfire or drink a hot beverage from concession stands.  READ MORE

Lightscapes at Chicago Botanic Garden

Wednesdays through Sundays through January 7, 2024 (except December 24, 2023 and January 3, 2024)— Glencoe
Go for a stroll down a mile-long path filled with holiday wonder at the Chicago Botanic Garden. READ MORE

Open Skate at Midway Plaisance

Daily through February 19,2024— Hyde Park
Midway Plaisance offers open ice skating for the winter season. READ MORE

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Daily through January 7, 2024—Museum Campus
The Museum of Science and Industry hosts its dazzling annual Christmas tree exhibit, where guests can enjoy decorated trees inspired by customs and cultures from countries all around the world.  READ MORE

Light Up the Lake

Daily through December 31, 2023—Downtown
Enjoy an indoor winter wonderland at Navy Pier, complete with indoor light sculpture displays, ice skating, and visits with Santa. Guests can also enjoy Santa's Merry Main Street gift market and ride the iconic Navy Pier Ferris wheel. Roast marshmallows for s'mores around a fire pit or make someone a gift at a holiday workshop. READ MORE

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Daily through January 1, 2024—Schaumburg
Children can enjoy special holiday activities including taking pictures in a life-size sleigh built entirely of LEGOs, exploring holiday scenes in LEGO MINILAND, and finding all the LEGO presents throughout the center to win a prize. Tag all photos from the event with #Bricktacular. READ MORE

Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas

Thursdays through Sundays through December 31—Downtown
Based on the beloved television special originally created by legendary puppeteer Jim Henson, the family-friendly musical is about Ma and Emmet Otter, who are each trying to find a way to win Mayor Fox's Christmas talent contest so they can secretly buy each other a Christmas gift. Each must choose whether to risk damaging what they already have to go for the win. READ MORE

Winterland at Gallagher Way

Daily through January 4, 2024—Wrigleyville
Families can enjoy the winter season outdoors at the ice rink at Gallagher Way, right outside of Wrigley Field. Enjoy shopping at Christkindlmarket, ice skating at Gallagher Rink, and more attractions to be announced. READ MORE

World of Illumination: Arctic Adventure

Daily through December 31, 2023—Gurnee
Join Beti the Yeti in exploring the Arctic tundra in the parking lot of Six Flags Great America. Be immersed in the mesmerizing snowflake tunnel, and meet all of Beti’s tundra-bound friends. Holiday music and whimsical winter characters add to the nostalgic storybook adventure. READ MORE

CAMP X Doodles

Daily through January 28, 2024—Old Town
Step through the magic door at the new CAMP store to see what inventor Hap is working on. He's bringing his doodles to life, and kids can make their own doodles come to life, following him through the rainbow portal. On the other side, explore gloopy caverns, slide down rainbows, and play in rivers, fluffy clouds, a crashed spaceship, a ball pit, and tons more. READ MORE

Disney100: The Exhibition

Daily through January 28, 2024—Logan Square
The Walt Disney Archives opens its vault of historical and special treasures, works of art, artifacts, costumes, and memorabilia with Disney100: The Exhibition in Chicago! This once-in-a-lifetime event celebrates the magic of Disney, which is capturing the hearts of audiences of all ages around the globe. READ MORE

Kwanzaa Celebration at Dan Ryan Woods

December 26, 2023- January 7, 2024—South Side
Families who celebrate Kwanzaa can enjoy seven days of music and nature-based activities following the seven principles of the holiday. Learn and practice Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujaama (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose),Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Unity)  over the week following Christmas. READ MORE

Jurassic Quest

December 28, 2023- January 1, 2024—Rosemont
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center hosts Jurassic Quest, a dinosaur adventure for the whole family, featuring an exhibit with realistic, life-size animatronic dinosaurs and rides, realistic scenes, crafts, coloring stations, an excavation station, face painting, bounce houses, and more.  READ MORE
Enjoy a nature hike and more at Winter Exploration Day at Dan Ryan Woods. Photo courtesy of the Forest Preserve of Cook County
Enjoy a nature hike and more at Winter Exploration Day at Dan Ryan Woods. Photo courtesy of the Forest Preserve of Cook County

Single-Day Activities During Chicago's Winter Break

Little Miss Ann Concert at Uncommon Grounds

December 23, 2023—Wrigleyville
Join Chicago children's musician Little Miss Ann as she performs live at the Uncommon Grounds. Little Miss Ann has made seven family music albums that span different genres such as folk, rock, punk, country, bluegrass and more. Her songs about letting your light shine within yourself, with your friends and family and in your community will also inspire kids to jump, clap, sing, dance and more! READ MORE

Ben's Bubble Show at North Pulaski Library

December 26, 2023—Humboldt Park
Using his bare hands and a few simple tools Ben creates beautiful, humorous, and mind-boggling soap bubble sculptures, does bubble magic, makes giant bubbles, and more. Families must register in advance. READ MORE

Candlelight Ballet: “Nutcracker” from Tchaïkovsky & More

December 27, 2023—Pilsen
Beautiful classical music and ballet dancing by candlelight at Thalia Hall enthrall audiences. The show includes numbers from Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Offenbach, and more. No musical or ballet knowledge required. READ MORE

Harlem Globetrotters in Chicago

December 27, 2023—South Loop
The Harlem Globetrotters 2024 World Tour presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs is coming with game like never before. Your favorite Globetrotter stars are bringing out their amazing basketball skills, outrageous athleticism, and a nonstop LOL good time. Join the Globetrotters as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals, who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the world’s winningest team. READ MORE

Glow in the Dark Holiday Skate Party

December 28, 2023—South Side
Skate or bowl with glow-in-the-dark equipment at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and Family Entertainment Center. Skate or shoe rental is $4, Skate Mates can be rented for $5. READ MORE

A Poetic Kwanzaa with Oba William King

December 28, 2023—Washington Heights
Celebrate Kwanzaa with stories, folk tales, poetry, spoken word, drumming, dance, and cultural songs. The presenter tells about the seven principles of Kwanzaa and demonstrates the language of Kiswahili using call and response with the audience. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve Palos Heights

December 29, 2023—Palos Heights
Little revelers who can't make it to midnight can watch the ball drop at noon at the Palos Heights Recreation Center. Festivities include crafts, games, a bounce house, and food. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Family Party at Enchanted Castle

December 31,2023—Lombard
Ring in 2024 at Chicago’s greatest New Year’s Eve family party on Sunday, December 31 from 6 to 10 pm. Enjoy a New Year’s buffet, including soft drinks and dessert, plus each paid guest receives $15 in game play, unlimited select video games, four hours of unlimited go-karts, laser tag, miniature golf, bumper cars, catapult thrill ride and Quest II Adventure Playland plus a balloon drop, party favors, New Year’s toast, and countdown celebration. Advance reservations are required READ MORE

Winter Play Day at Crabtree Nature Center

December 30, 2023—Barrington
Outdoor and indoor family fun take over Crabtree Nature Center with a variety of stations. Families can discover seasonal nature through the self-directed activities. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Sonic Odyssey: New Years Eve Baby Rave

December 31, 2023—Lincoln Park
Little rock stars can count down to the new year early at Schuba's Lincoln Hall. Mr. Dave and DJ Matt Roan play a set through vibrant realms of music, color, and movement. Complete with glow sticks, beach balls, obnoxious light-up rave accessories (ahem, adult beverages), and a countdown to noon—this action-packed family show will not disappoint! READ MORE

Winter Exploration Day

January 3, 2024—Dan Ryan Woods
Forest Preserves of Cook County teaches families about snowshoeing, nature hikes, art, campfires, and more. Celebrate winter in the forest preserves. READ MORE

Family Winter Scavenger Hunt and Campfire

January 4, 2024—River Forest
The Trailside Museum of Natural History invites families to take a self-guided scavenger hunt and enjoy warm refreshments to celebrate winter. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Morton Arboretum
Exhibition Hub Art Center Chicago
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Family Entertainment Center
Palos Heights Recreation Center
Enchanted Castle Family Entertainment Center
Trailside Museum of Natural History