FREE Ways to Enjoy the Holidays
Don’t let the holidays blow a hole through your pocket! There are plenty of family-friendly activities to experience throughout Chicago and the suburbs.
Immerse yourself in sparkling lights.
Watch a festive show or movie.
Photo via chicago.gov
Holiday Sing-Along at Millennium Park, Chicago
For the first 3 Fridays in December, a local Chicago choral group will be leading a Holiday Sing-Along at Wrigley Square in Millennium Park. Admission is FREE and starts at 6p, so bundle up and belt out those songs for this very festive event!
Photo via ART on theMART
ART on theMART, Chicago
As the largest permanent digital art projection, ART on theMART is a 25 story tall video installation on the side of the Merchandise Mart. Programming changes seasonally and start after dusk every evening. It’s best viewed from the Riverwalk between Wells Street & Franklin Street.
Photo via allevents.in
Holiday Movie Nights at Gallagher Way, Chicago
Starting at 6p on select Thursday nights during the season, Holiday Movie Nights will be at Gallagher Way projecting movies on the video boards.. You can sit and watch them or enjoy the movie while you’re ice skating, shopping at the Christkindlmarket or eating at any of the nearby restaurants.
Photo via Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce
Holiday Matinees at Glen Art Theatre, Glen Ellyn
Catch a FREE Holiday Matinee at The Glen Art Theatre. Movies play on Saturdays, but get there early because seats are limited and on a first come, first serve basis.
Photo by Jesus J Montero
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, Chicago
Strawdog Theatre Company, in partnership with the Chicago Loop Synagogue, presents Hershel & The Hanukkah Goblins. In this 1 hr long musical adaptation of Eric Kimmel's Caldecott Honor-winning book, a traveling troupe of actors comes to town to find no one celebrating Hanukkah. To save the holiday, they must tell the tale of Hershel of Ostropol and his quest to outwit the goblins who haunt the old synagogue.
Celebrate with fun activities, food, family & friends
Photo via Daily Herald
4th Night, 4th Light at Gallagher Way, Chicago
Celebrate the 4th Night of Hanukkah by the lighting the 4th candle at Gallagher Way. There will be live entertainment, Hanukkah games, food, giveaways and more!
Photo via Sand Ridge Nature Center
Kwanzaa Celebration at Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Celebrate Kwanzaa for 7 days at Dan Ryan Woods visitor Venter. Every evening there will be music and nature-based activities following the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
Skate your way into the holidays.
Photo via Time Out
Free and open to the public, the ice rink at McCormick Tribune Plaza is one of Chicago’s largest outdoor skating rinks. Rent skates there or bring your own, and jump onto the ice for a beautiful skate in the center of downtown.