12 Things to Do in Chicago in December

Known as Chi-Town or the Windy City, Chicago is home to contrasting architecture, an exciting dining scene, a bustling business center, high-quality museums and a host of cultural, arts and entertainment activities.

From marveling at holiday light displays to ice skating, there are plenty of options to include on your list of things to see and do in Chicago in December.

Looking for a unique and fun way to explore Chicago? With these tours you'll travel back in time to the 1920s to visit the Palmer House Hotel - Chicago's oldest hotel with a reputation for being "haunted". You will explore historic sites related to Al Capone, hidden tunnels, Prohibition-era speakeasies and other places where gangsters were the protagonists of the most sordid and controversial crimes.

Finally, the tour will show you the paranormal activity of the city's dark past as you search for Chicago' s ghosts in the best month, December, when they are supposedly most active. There are several options for this type of tour, both on foot and by bus. In both cases, guides will lead you through the legendary streets of Chi-town.

A tour of Chicago in December is not complete without including the Morton Arboretum. It's over 100 years of preserving trees typical of the region such as the bur oak, maple tree and faux cypress pines. In the last month of the year, strolls through this park are transformed into a marvel of light and color at its outdoor Christmas lighting festival.

The Morton Arboretum becomes a glowing oasis. It's perfect to include among the things to do in Chicago at night if you're traveling in winter.

The exhibit takes visitors on a paved walking trail. The lighted trail offers experiences such as the Enchanted Gateway, a gateway of glowing lights leading to Meadow Lake. Also, you can continue on to the Golden Glade, a meadow of lights at the top of the Conifers.

Details of interest

• When: Illumination season is from the last week of November until the arrival of the Three Kings.
• Price: from 7 €. Tickets can be reserved as early as October.
• Address: 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle.

Chicago has a great cultural offer and the city has dozens of museums and cultural centers. Museums are always a good option when the weather is bad, which will probably be the case during the month of December. So, take note of the following museums you can visit:

• Museum of Natural History: this museum contains a collection of up to 24 million objects and daily guided tours with experts who will tell you about up to 13 thousand years of American history, from the Ice Age to the Aztecs. Buy your tickets for the Museum of Natural History here.
• Chicago History Museum: the museum holds some 23 million objects, artifacts and historical documents of some of the city's most important figures as well as key events, their evolution over the years... :::link|text=Buying tickets for this museum|element=pa-5816::: will give you access to all temporary and permanent exhibitions.
• Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA): a free tour where you will see all kinds of paintings, sculptures, plays, and also, by purchasing these tickets, you will have access to all permanent exhibitions.
• Museum of Ice Cream: you can visit up to 14 magical rooms with decorations that will make you want to eat them. And best of all, you can eat all the ice cream you want in infinite shapes and flavors. You can book your tickets here.
• Chicago Museum of Illusions: millions of optical illusions await you. The visit is free so you can make your own tour. It is an ideal activity for the whole family and you will be able to take really funny pictures. You can book your tickets here.

The Chicago Bulls are the NBA basketball team of the city and if there is a game on any of the days you are there we recommend you go to see it because it is a spectacle.

Probably one of the few times in life that you have the opportunity to see a basketball game of these characteristics, to see firsthand some of the best basketball players in the world and also live the atmosphere that is created in the stadium throughout the event. If you dare to buy tickets to see a Chicago Bulls game it can be a super fun family experience. Are you up for it?

To close out the month in the midst of Chi-town's best event, head to the famous Navy Pier for its epic New Year's Eve fireworks display, a must-see activity among things to see and do in Chicago at Christmas.

Colossal glowing sculptures are on display in the Windy City thanks to 600,000 multicolored lights all around them. The fireworks are launched from a barge located a short distance from the end of the pier, so you can watch them from the shore or attend the Resolution Gala ball, which is held on the pier itself.

Instead if you prefer to opt for the enjoyment of panoramic views, go aboard a cruise on Lake Michigan with dinner included. You'll cruise the harbor while enjoying the fireworks show with your glass of champagne, signature cocktails, seasonal beers or the beverage of your choice.

In the Windy City one of the December classics is ice skating and, among the options available, there are a couple of places that stand out:

Millennium Park Ice Rink

Its official name is McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, but thanks to its location in the Millennium Park entertainment center, it adopted that moniker.

From downtown Chicago, in the shadow of the most popular icon in Chi-town - the statue of **The Bean -**the Crown Fountain and the lights of Michigan Avenue, you can easily reach its facilities on Chicago's tour buses...

Maggie Daley Park Roller Skating Rink

This rink is twice as long as traditional rinks, which translates into twice the fun for skaters.

The Maggie Daley rink is located in Chicago's Loop community area, bounded by Columbus Drive, Randolph Street, Monroe Street and Lake Shore Drive. To enjoy its charms , reservations are required. The idea is to eliminate the stress of waiting in lines.

It's the most wonderful time of the year and in Chicago that calls for a trip to be dazzled by the Zoolights at the Lincoln Park Zoo, an entertainment venue that opened in 1868.

Throughout December theLincoln Park Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland decorated with more than 2 million lights. Trees, the central pavilion and other zoo structures wear a multicolored glow in a space set to Christmas carols.

The Lincoln Park Zoo tour is recommended for families to share, especially when looking for things to see and do in Chicago with children. Along the way, you can also see ice sculptures, shop for some curiosities at their outdoor exhibits, ice skate, take a short train ride and even get your picture taken with St. Nick.

Interesting details

• Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
• Price: Free admission.
• Address: 2001 N Clark St.

Chicago was the center of train travel in the early 20th century in the United States and maintains this form of transportation as a favorite among locals. The seasonal train tradition began in 1992 and annually draws smiles among its visitors ever since.

CTA Christmas Train

The CTA Holiday Train consists of six cars with an open-air platform featuring St. Nick and his reindeer illuminated with LED lights.

The Holiday Train usually runs Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. on weekends. Check their calendar of activities, routes and schedules.

Polar Express

Save the iconic golden ticket in a modern Polar Express, in the best style of Chris Van Allsburg's classic, capable of enchanting adults and children alike.

Christmas magic transcends the ages and this 2-hour journey recreates the magical movie of the same name with its colorful characters. They guide the scene through a reading from the book, carols, hot chocolate, cookies, visits from Santa Claus and surprises for the family.

The train departs from Union Station Chicago. Reserve your tickets and live the experience.

First held in 1996 and inspired by the historic Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg. This classic outdoor Christmas market presents its visitors with an authentic European flair, full of holiday cheer for all.

This event, the largest outdoor Christmas market in the United States, is named after the Chicagoan Christkindlmarket, a mythological fairy-like creature who is the bringer of gifts to German children, according to legend.

Inside you can try schnitzel, potato pancakes, hot dogs, hamburgers, baked stollen or strudel, pretzels and currywurst accompanied with a mug of Germanic beer or a Glühwein, a traditional German Christmas market mulled wine. You won't be able to resist the tantalizing aroma of the market.

What could be more traditional than A Christmas Carol? Nothing better in December than to see this Charles Dickens classic and at the Goodman Theatre it has been performed every year for the past five decades.

• A Christmas Carol: On Christmas Eve, a miser is visited by three ghosts who help him see his actions and consequences from a different perspective to identify his evil deeds.
• The play by the cantankerous Ebenezer Scrooge: The play jumps on stage in English, but being a musical and after an exquisite staging, it overcomes the language barrier. This charming and touching local production is notable for its fabulous costumes, special effects and delightful musical numbers.

This is a treat for all ages. In addition, some of the actors repeat annually with the same role bringing character and unique style to their characters.

Details of interest

• Where: at the Goodman Theater, 170 N Dearborn St, Chicago,
• Price: from $35.
• Hours: evening. Check their calendar

One of the largest holiday lighting events in the country, the AMAZE Light Festival of Rosemont promises magnificent themed light shows, joyful music and outdoor fun.

Get ready for outdoor holiday activities for all ages and a display of more than one million lights programmed with themed worlds. Do your shopping at the holiday flea market, let the festive atmosphere fill you with joy through its aromas, ambiance and special activities.

If you are out and about with children, enter Santa's Workshop to make Christmas crafts. When the artwork is finished, hop on a train to the Arctic Express. For those in search of more things to do for adults, I advise buying VIP or Premium tickets. These allow access to the Leinier Lodge tent at Impact Field, where you can purchase specialty cocktails and see the timed light shows firsthand.

Details of interest

• When: the market season starts from the last week of November until 01 - 02 January.
• Price: from 18 €. Book your tickets inadvance.
• Address: 9850 Balmoral Ave (Pearl St) Rosemont.

Did you think Europe was only present in Chicago with Germany? No, the presence of the old continent also passes through Swedish roots with the charming Andersonville. Its stores and restaurants emulate the Nordic country and each year surprise visitors by dressing up.

In addition to the traditional festivities, there is a special celebration of St. Lucia Day on December 13. On that date a group of young girls - specifically the **Lucia Girls -**sing in long white robes and bright wreaths to venerate the patron saint of the blind.

Andersonville is recognized as the local commerce capital of Chicago, with the largest network of local and independent businesses in the heart of Late Night Andersonville. In December you can ride the free Christmas trolley. Also open for business is the Swedish American Museum' s annual Christmas bazaar with traditional Scandinavian and contemporary crafts, games, a visit from St. Nick, entertainment and special events.

Chicago is famous for its winter weather with heavy snowfall and very low mercury measurements.

The average temperature in December varies between 3° and -3° Celsius. But this is no reason to stay at home, numerous Christmas events take place all over Chicago and the snow-covered skyscrapers are an impressive backdrop that entices visitors to Chi-Town.