Chicago’s cultural scene doesn’t slow down when the temperature drops. Winter in Chicago is packed with tons of exciting happenings, including blockbuster museum exhibits, hit shows, and unique cultural events in every corner of the city.

Chicago winter culture preview

If you’re looking for things to do this winter in Chicago, mark your calendar for these top cultural events:

Bundle up and explore the best ways to experience Chicago’s arts and culture scene this season.

Unique cultural events

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Nov. 20 – Dec. 24, 2026
Daley Plaza
Grab a mug of hot spiced wine and immerse yourself in German culture during this open-air holiday bazaar, styled after traditional European Christmas markets.

City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday, Nov. 20, 2026
Millennium Park
The 113th annual tree lighting ceremony will include live music, performances, and a fireworks display as officials flip the switch to illuminate this year’s towering tree.

Explore more: Mark the calendar for more holiday light displays around Chicago, including ZooLights, Illumination, Lightscape, and more.

Winter Flower Show at Garfield Park Conservatory

Nov. 25, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027
Escape the cold and explore the Winter Flower Show, which showcases stunning flowers and lush greenery throughout the indoor greenhouses.

St. Lucia Festival of Lights in Andersonville

Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026
Swedish American Museum
Join a beloved Andersonville tradition that showcases the neighborhood’s Swedish roots with an evening candlelit procession.

Candlelight House Tours in Pullman

Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026
Pullman National Historical Park
For one night only, Pullman’s historic homes open their doors to showcase their holiday decorations by the glow of candlelight.

A South Asian Christmas at Kalapriya

Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026
Kalapriya, a South Loop arts organization, celebrates the holidays with a multicultural Christmas show blending dance, music, and storytelling.

The Banchet Awards

Sunday, Jan. 31, 2027
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
These prestigious awards celebrate culinary excellence in Chicago. Grab your tickets to the red-carpet ceremony and after party.

Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebration

Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027
Chinatown
Welcome the Year of the Goat during the Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebration, with lively cultural performances, a colorful parade, traditional lion dances, and more.

Architecture & Design Film Festival

Feb. 18 – 21, 2027
The Chicago Architecture Center hosts this annual film festival that highlights innovation and sustainability in architecture, design, and fashion.

Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration

Argyle Street, Uptown
The Uptown neighborhood will celebrate the Lunar New Year with its annual parade, featuring community groups, cultural institutions, dancers, and performers.

Chicago Irish Film Festival

Feb. 25 – 28, 2027
A tradition for more than two decades, the Chicago Irish Film Festival brings some of the year’s best movies and documentaries from Irish filmmakers to Chicago audiences.

Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration

Washington Park
Honor Kwanzaa in Washington Park with family-friendly cultural programming. There will be live music, food and drink, community activities, and more.

Theatre

Jane Krakowski in OH, MARY! on Broadway, photo by Emilio Madrid

A Christmas Carol

Nov. 13 – Dec. 31, 2026
Goodman Theatre
A classic Chicago tradition, the Goodman Theatre is staging its annual holiday production of this beloved Charles Dickens tale.

The Nutcracker

Dec. 4 – 27, 2026
Lyric Opera House
Head to the Lyric Opera House for a special Chicago-inspired holiday performance of The Nutcracker, performed by the acclaimed Joffrey Ballet.

Oh, Mary!

Jan. 19 – Feb. 7, 2027
CIBC Theatre
The Broadway smash hit comes to Chicago, with a limited run at the CIBC Theatre starring Tony Award-winning J. Harrison Ghee.

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival

Jan. 20 – 31, 2027
Various venues
Celebrate the unique art of puppetry during this annual showcase highlighting both national and international puppet performers.

Chicago Theatre Week

Feb. 4 – 14, 2027
Various venues
Theatre lovers won’t want to miss this annual event, when they can score discounted tickets for $15 or $30 (or less) for dozens of productions across the city.

Illinoise

Feb. 9 – March 14, 2027
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
The Tony Award-winning dance musical, inspired by the hit Sufjan Stevens album, will return to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in February after a successful Broadway run.

The Who’s Tommy

Feb. 16 – 28, 2027
Cadillac Palace Theatre
A rock opera based on The Who’s 1969 concept album, this all-new production is a fresh spin on the classic tale.

Loading...

Music

Handel’s Messiah

Dec. 17 – 19, 2026
Symphony Center
A quintessential holiday tradition, this uplifting performance by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra features classic holiday melodies and stunning vocals.

Tomorrow Never Knows Festival

Jan. 8 – 30, 2027
Various venues
The winter indie music festival returns to Chicago in January, hosting shows at Lincoln Hall, Schubas, Hideout, and Sleeping Village and highlighting a variety of up-and-coming artists.

Haydn’s The Creation

Jan. 22 – 23, 2027
Lyric Opera House
The acclaimed Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus performs this astonishing musical retelling of the original creation story, featuring star soloists.

Wicked in Concert

Jan. 30, 2027
The Auditorium
This live-concert experience at the landmark Auditorium Theatre will include a screening of Wicked: Part One, with the score performed by a full orchestra.

University of Chicago Folk Fest

University of Chicago
This year is the 67th annual University of Chicago Folk Fest, with musical performances and workshops on quilting, puppetry, fiddle, dance, and more.

Music Frozen Dancing

Empty Bottle
Bundle up and rock out at this free winter music festival, hosted outdoors at the legendary music venue Empty Bottle.

Museum exhibits

Pokemon Fossil Museum at the Field Museum
Pokemon Fossil Museum at the Field Museum, photo
by Peter Pawinski

Christmas Around the World

Opens Nov. 7, 2026
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
The Christmas Around the World exhibit features more than 50 holiday trees representing dozens of Chicago’s cultural communities, complete with faux snow showers.

Mary Cassatt: After Impressionism

Through Jan. 3, 2027
Art Institute of Chicago
Marking the centennial of her death, this new exhibit examines Cassatt’s paintings, pastels, and prints during the artist’s most innovative and pivotal period.

Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition

Opens Jan. 18, 2027
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
The nation’s longest-running exhibition of African American art has been a tradition at the Museum of Science and Industry since 1970.

To Be Remembered: Woven Matters of the Heart

Through Feb. 28, 2027
Chicago Cultural Center
This free exhibit spotlights the unique fiber practices of five contemporary textile artists, each with their own distinct style.

Pokémon Fossil Museum

Through April 11, 2027
Field Museum
This family-friendly interactive exhibition arrives in North America for the first time with a stop at the Field Museum, featuring “fossil” versions of popular Pokémon.