Want to know what’s happening this weekend in Chicago? Look no further. There’s a whole calendar of exciting events, exhibits, and activities taking place all over the city this December in Chicago.
This weekend in Chicago is jam-packed with fun and festive events: classic neighbor celebrations like St. Lucia in Andersonville and Candlelight House Walk in Pullman, artisan holiday markets, jaw-dropping art exhibits, fun holiday shows like The Nutcracker by the Joffrey Ballet, dazzling holiday light displays from ZooLights to Lightscape, family-friendly fun, exciting cultural events, and so much more.
Check out just a few of the top things to do this weekend in Chicago, Dec. 12 – 14, 2025.
Saint Lucia Festival of Lights
Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood was first settled as a Swedish farming community after the Great Fire of 1871. Today, Andersonville still honors its Swedish traditions, while hosting a vibrant, diverse community with many cultures.
During the event, children dress up as St. Lucia, wearing crowns of candles, and someone will be crowned this year’s Lucia. There will have a performance by the Lucia candidates and a procession on Clark Street by all St. Lucia and Star Boy participants.
Holiday Candlelight House Walk in Pullman
For one night only, Pullman’s historic homes open their doors by candlelight. Our classic Candlelight House Walk is back with Victorian homes dressed in their holiday best. Warm up at our Wine Reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and delicious homemade desserts. Enjoy our silent auction, mingle, and discover an enchanting evening like no other.
Space is limited. Reserve your tickets today!
Holiday Festa
Step into the festive spirit at Eataly Chicago’s Holiday Festa, an evening overflowing with seasonal cheer and Italian indulgence. On December 13, sip on three…
Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol
Manual Cinema’s awe-inspiring, one-of-a-kind rendition of the Dickens classic returns to the Studebaker Theater this holiday season! Avowed holiday skeptic Aunt Trudy has been reluctantly…
SAUCED Night Market
What makes SAUCED the coolest night market in Chicago? Is it sexy vibes and sexier vendors? Is it the ability to have a cocktail on…
Winter Flower Show: Merry & Bright
This year’s Winter Flower Show “Merry & Bright” evokes the festivity of the season. While the outdoor landscape is gray (and maybe white!), the indoor Show House reveals a cheerful selection of poinsettias including ‘Viking Cinnamon’, ‘Lemon Glow’, ‘Chorus Hot Pink’, and ‘Candy Wintergreen’. Other plants include favorites such as brightly colored Coleus, flowering Lantana, and red Begonias along with freshly cut Frasier Fir trees adorned with multi-colored LED lights.
Christmas Around the World
The 83rd annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light features more than 50 trees and displays, each lovingly decorated by community volunteers who share family and cultural traditions drawing on their global heritage.
This holiday season, you can stroll through our indoor forest and light displays; take a family photo in front of the four-story Grand Tree in our Rotunda; enjoy specialty holiday treats at the Stan’s Donuts pop-up; and more.
Holiday Hurrah
Join the 99th & 103rd Street businesses in Beverly for a festive day of holiday shopping. Family-friendly crafts, shopping for the holidays, a visit from…
The Market Shop Holiday Market | Shop Local, Give Back & Celebrate Community
The Market Shop Holiday Market is a seasonal community event that brings together more than 50 local small businesses, makers, and independent artisans from across…
The Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Experience magic this holiday season with two-time Tony Award®-winner Christopher Wheeldon's 'The Nutcracker'. On a magical Christmas Eve, mere months before the opening of Chicago’s…
Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical at the Beverly Arts Center
Chicago Kids Company’s Holiday Classic returns for the 26th Year! Our biggest and most colorful show will put you in the Holiday Spirit in no…
Andersonville Holiday Trolley
The Holiday Trolley returns to Andersonville for a festive ride around the neighborhood. Enjoy carol karaoke. Special appearance by Santa on Saturday!
Winter Makers Market
It's a mini-market in a funky art space with cool people, cool products and cool vibe. Join the fun and find something unique for the…
‘Twas The Night Before… By Cirque du Soleil
Due to overwhelming success, the celebrated holiday theatrical ‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil is returning to The Chicago Theatre for a limited…
Gnarly or Nice – Holiday Ceramics Market
We're Gnarware, a community ceramics studio and school based in Pilsen. GNARLY OR NICE is our workshop's annual holiday market! This is an opportunity to…
Chicago Cultural Center Open House: Intergenerational Cultural Fun!
Intergenerational audiences welcome for music, dance performances & workshops, arts & craft workshops, Open House Bingo AND the visual arts exhibitions on display.
Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago
Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago, the first exhibition to open in Intuit’s newly-renovated museum, is part of Art Design Chicago, a citywide collaboration initiated by the Terra Foundation for American Art that highlights the city’s artistic heritage and creative communities.
Lincoln Park ZooLights
Chicagoland’s favorite holiday tradition is back and brighter than ever! ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd twinkles with more than 3 million lights, hundreds…
Christkindlmarket
What can you expect at the market? The German-style Christmas Market provides a safe outdoor experience for the whole family. All Christkindlmarkets are always free admission. The smell of roasted nuts,…
Winterland at Gallagher Way
Winterland returns to Wrigleyville this season with ice skating, ice bumper cards, Santa’s workshop, and a miniature Christkindlmarket.
Lightscape
Tickets are on sale now for all. Book in advance and secure your preferred slot; popular dates and times go fast! Step into an enchanting…
North Suburbs
Event details
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Ice skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park begins Nov. 21 (weather permitting). Admission to the ice rink will be free, but…
SIX
From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration…
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Bring family and friends to see Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum and be amazed by how light, color, and music transforms a magnificent landscape of trees.
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
George Bailey – the Everyman from small town Bedford Falls whose dreams of escape and adventure were stopped by family obligation and civic duty –…
A Christmas Carol
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” Rediscover a Dickens’ classic with an adaptation that “makes you…
Chicago River Sleigh Rides with Santa!
🎅🚢 Set sail on the iconic Chicago River this holiday season with our Santa Claus Sleigh Ride Cruises! 🌟 Join us for an unforgettable experience…
Paris in Black Exhibition Opening at the DuSable Museum
Join us at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center for the opening of Paris in Black: Internationalism and the Black Renaissance. Discover the…
Holiday Magic
We’re lighting up the night this holiday season! Returning with a brand new light display, celebrate more than 40 years of Holiday Magic. Now with…
Balloon Museum: EmotionAir
The Pop Air and Let’s Fly exhibitions continue to thrill and engage a participative audience, but EmotionAir sets an even more ambitious goal. This latest…
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind presents one of the most comprehensive exhibitions to date of Yoko Ono, the trailblazing artist, celebrated musician, and formidable campaigner…
Chicago Architecture Biennial
Explore cutting-edge projects and ideas from global contributors at North America’s largest architecture and design festival. All events are free and open to the public.
Explore our events calendar for more Chicago events and happenings.
Please note that all events are subject to change.
