Chicago Holiday Events

Whether or not you have lived in Chicago Illinois your entire life or are a recent transplant, with the holidays fast approaching once again there are some fantastic events you can experience in town. Many are free, too, so you don't have to worry about fun taking a bite out of your budget. Even if you have been to some of them before they are still worth going to again, and if you bring along a child, older relative, family member or friend who hasn't had the pleasure before it will be even more fun for you to see it through their eyes.

Perhaps the most well known and biggest event is the Christkindlmarket in Chicago. This annual holiday spectacular is a huge German-American festival that runs from November 27th through December 24th in the Daly Plaza. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 8pm and Friday and Saturday from 11am to 9pm, although they are stressing that they will close early at 4pm on the 24th, which is Christmas Eve. Admission is free, so you can't beat the price.

Lots of people go to Christkindlmarket just to walk around and experience the sights and sounds. There are crafters and venders of every imaginable kind, from many different cultures all over the world, and you can find the most unique gifts there. It's almost like taking a quick trip around the world and getting to sample the sights, smells and foods without leaving Chicago. You'll also get to see the annual city Christmas tree.

Some of the items you'll find at the market are old fashioned hand made toys, hand blown glass ornaments, cuckoo clocks from Germany, jewelry, clothing and just about anything you can imagine. The food choices are just as varied with all kinds of holiday cookies and candy, roasted nuts, gingerbread, brats and sauerkraut, pork dishes, hot chocolate and mulled wine. You can also watch craft demonstrations like glass blowing and woodworking. There is live music to get you in the holiday spirit and plenty of activities and rides for the kids.

On a smaller scale but very enjoyable, there is the Lincoln Square Christkindle Market that runs December 5th through 7th. Admission is free and you will get to experience the festive holiday atmosphere complete with live holiday music, German foods like brats and apple strudel, check out the many venders with one-of-a-kind gifts and crafts. The kids can participate in a cookie and craft making session and the lights will be turned on the tree December 6th.

On December 13th and 14th you can enjoy a trip back in time at the Glessner House Museum with their Historic Holidays, Holiday Bazaar and Candlelight Tours on Prairie Avenue. The Holiday Bazaar is free to attend and the hours of operation are 12pm to 7pm on those dates. You can gift shop from a selection of crafts, antiques, candy, jewelry and lots of other merchandise.

The Historic Holidays event will run from 1pm to 4pm on those dates at the Museum. Admission is $2.00 per adult and $10.00 per child. participants will be treated to a sleigh ride with horses and experience a Victorian holiday with period games, craft lessons, stories, music and even get to see Santa.

Then you can take a candlelight tour of the Museum at 5:30pm, 6:00pm, 6:30pm or 7pm on the above dates. Tickets are $18.00 per adult and $14.00 per child. The program is an hour and a half and gives a detailed look into the holidays and traditions from trees to mistletoe and ending with an example of a traditional holiday meal.

If you enjoy the crisp air outdoors, the Chicago Park District is hosting dozens of holiday and winter events at nearly every park location in the city. Schedules are too long to list here, but you can check with their website for exact events, locations and dates. Everything from music concerts, plays, craft lessons, ice skating and of course visits with Santa are planned.

The annual Christmas Around The World and Holidays of Lights at the Museum of Science and Industry will run from November 14th, 2008 to January 4th, 2009. You don't have to be a science buff to enjoy this event. It's the Museum's 75th anniversary and they are celebrating with style. Tons of decorations, roving carolers, a stunning 45 foot decorated tree along with 50 different other decorated trees are all waiting to be experienced. Admission is the standard Museum admission price.

You can always count on Millennium Park ice skating for some great exercise and fun this winter. The ice is open from November 19th through March 15th, 10am to 10pm, so you can pretty much go anytime. The rink will close at 4pm on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day though. Admission is free and if you need to rent skates you can for $9.00.

Chicago is packed with excitement and events all year long, and the winter months are no exception. If you already live there you probably don't have any problem finding something fun to do, but rather deciding among all the possibilities. And if you have always wanted to live in the city, there are some good deals right now on Chicago real estate. You can check out some of the best condo developments by looking through the Chicago new construction condos listed here http://www.bestchicagocondos.com/new-construction-condos/index.html