Hello December! We are in full blown Christmas mode over here and I wanted to put together the ultimate holiday bucket list. There are SO many fun things to check out this month, so I wanted to put then all together so you can plan your holiday’s accordingly and not miss anything!
However, some of these things require tickets so don’t wait till the last minute!
BasicallyB’s Ultimate Holiday Bucket List
Visit a Christmas Bar
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Best way to do that is at a crazy decked out Christmas bar. I am talking some of the most insane Christmas decor you will ever see! Here are a list of crazy Christmas bars to check out this year!
Frosty’s Christmas Pop Up Bar – The OG Christmas pop up bar
Elf’d Up – Wrigleyville
Santa Baby at Deuce’s – Wrigleyville
Nutcracker Pop Up – Gold Coast
8 Crazy Nights at The Graystone Tavern – Chicago’s first Hanukkah-themed pop-up, Lakeview
Reindeer Room at Tack Room – Thalia Hall in Pilsen
Rudolph’s Holiday Rooftop – London House in the Loop
Tinseltown at Pink Squirrel – Logan Square
Winter Wonderland at JoJo’s Shake Bar – River North
Holly Jolly Pop Up – West Loop
Jingle All The Way– Cork Wine Bar, Joliet
One Of A Kind Holiday Show
Looking for something to do this weekend, head to the Merchandise Mart for the One Of A Kind Holiday Show. With 500 artists and artisans showcasing their seasonal handcrafted goods and gourmet food. Browse selections of fine art, ceramics, clothing, pet supplies, toys and tons of other wares, or check out live music and other activities throughout the weekend. Mom and I go every year, and sometimes buy more for ourselves than the people on our lists!
Christkindlmarket
Get in the Christmas spirit by stopping at one of the 3 locations of Christkindlmarket, Christkindlemarket has a fun theme of an old german outdoor market during the holidays. You’ll find festive holiday gifts to purchase, European holiday decorations, food, and drinks for the whole family. Don’t forget to get your yearly mug of mulled wine or hot chocolate!
There are three locations for this event Daley Plaza, Wrigleyville, and Aurora.
See a Christmas Show
Have a night out on the town enjoying the Chicago theaters. Here are a few shows to see:
Goodman Theatre is hosting A Christmas Carol in Chicago
Auditorium Theatre – is hosting Cirque Dreams: Holidaze in Chicago
Dury Lane Theatre is hosting Elf In Oakbrook Terrace IL
Marriott Theatre is hosts A Christmas Story in Lincolnshire IL
Rosemont Theatre is hosting Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet in Rosemont IL
Paramount Theatre is hosting I Saw Mommy Kissing the Second City in Aurora IL
Ice Skating
Lace up your skates and hit the ice!
Rosemont Parkway Bank Park – Free ice skating
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink – located in Millenium Park
Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon – in Maggie Daley park located just east of Millenium Park
Light Up the Lake – located on Navy Pier and is an indoor ice rink.
Winterland at Gallagher Park – This is located right next to Wrigley Field. You will also find the Wrigley Christkindlemarket here too. So you can do these two events together.
Jack Frost Winter Pop Up– located in Chicago
Holiday Lights
There are so many magical holiday light displays throughout the city of Chicago and its suburbs during this festive season. It’s on the top of our list of things to do at Christmas in Chicago because you’re sure to have a light show close to where you live. Here are a few of the big ones!
Amaze Light Festival is an immersive storybook event that makes you feel like you’re in another world. Newly relocated to Odyssey Fun World in Tinley Park.
Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo hosting its Zoolights event. The entire zoo is lit up with 2.5 million twinkling lights that you’ll see as you wander around the zoo.
Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic event will be the 41st year and it boasts being Chicagoland’s largest and longest-running lights festival.
Chicago Botanical Garden’s Lightscape Event -The whole garden lights up with beautiful light displays. Visitors will walk through a 1.25-mile-long lighted path around the garden’s main island, through a lighted tunnel and unique lighted displays.
Morton Arboretum’s Illumination Tree Lights – guests will enjoy exploring over 50 acres of twinkling colored lights, a one-mile paved walking path, plus six new holiday displays added onto the usual holiday favorites.
Holiday Movie Trivia
Test your holiday movie trivia at one of these local trivia events. Grab your friends for a fun night of beer and trivia!
- Thurs Dec 1 7pm – Saddle Up at Q, Aurora
- Tues Dec 6 7:30pm – Mickey Finn’s Brewery, Libertyville
- Sun Dec 11 3pm- Noon Whistle, Lombard
- Tues Dec 13 7pm – Red Barn Restaurant and Brewery, Mount Prospect
- Thurs Dec 15 7pm – Riverlands Brewing Company, St Charles
- Thurs Dec 15 7:30pm – Elmhurst Brewing Company, Elmhurst
- Mon Dec 19 7pm – Fat Pour Tapworks, Chicago
- Tues Dec 20 7pm – Pollyanna, St Charles
- Tues Dec 20 7pm – Global Brew Tap House, Schamburg
- Tues Dec 20 7pm – North Ave Pub, West Chicago
- Tues Dec 20 7:30pm – Beer Shop, Oak Park
- Wed Dec 21 7pm – Pollyanna Lemont
Jack Frost Winter Pop Up
Located in Chicago you’ll find this cool Christmas event pop-up that all ages will enjoy. Head over there to find the perfect Christmas tree and stay for the activities.
Enjoy Ice Skating, carnival games, ice bumper cars, Axe throwing, tons of fun holiday photo-op backgrounds, cocktails, and craft beer. Plus it’s all under 10,000 twinkling lights.
Immersive Nutcracker A Winter Miracle
This cool immersive experience at the Lighthouse Artspace in Chicago is a really unique holiday event.
Previously this was done with a Van Gogh exhibit and the creators will now be hosting a Nutckcracker event. Your family will be surrounded by the sights and sounds of your favorite songs from the Nutcracker Ballet.
What are you adding to your holiday bucket list this season!?
Leave a Reply