12 Things to Do in Chicago in December

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

From marvelling at festive 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'll explore historic sites related to Al Capone, hidden tunnels, Prohibition-era speakeasies and other places where gangsters were at the centre 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 a visit to the Morton Arboretum. For over 100 years, the Morton Arboretum has been preserving trees typical of the region, such as the bur oak, the maple tree and the mock cypress pines. In the last month of the year, strolls through this park are transformed into a wonderland of light and colour 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 travelling in winter.

The exhibit takes visitors on a paved walking trail. The illuminated trail offers experiences such as the Enchanted Gateway, a gateway of glowing lights leading to Meadow Lake. You can also 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 booked from October.
• Address: 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle.

Chicago has a great cultural offer and the city has dozens of museums and cultural centres. Museums are always a good option when the weather is bad, which will probably be the case during the month of December. So, make a note of the following museums to 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, artefacts 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 the permanent exhibitions.
• Museum of Ice Cream: you will be able to visit up to 14 magical rooms with decorations that will make you want to eat them. And best of all, you'll be able to eat all the ice creams you want in infinite shapes and flavours. You can book your tickets here.
• Chicago's 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 city's NBA basketball team and if there happens to be a game on any of the days you're there we recommend you go and watch it because it's quite a spectacle.

It's probably one of the few times in your life that you'll have the chance to see a basketball game of these characteristics, to see first hand some of the best basketball players in the world and also to experience the atmosphere that is created in the stadium during the whole event. If you buy tickets to see a Chicago Bulls game it can be a fun family experience. Are you up for it?

To close 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, an unmissable activity among things to see and do in Chicago at Christmas.

In the Windy City, colossal glowing sculptures are displayed with 600,000 multi-coloured lights surrounding them. The fireworks are launched from a barge just off 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.

If you'd rather enjoy the scenery, take a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. You'll cruise around the harbour while enjoying the fireworks display with your glass of champagne, signature cocktails, seasonal beers or the drink 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 the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, but thanks to its location in the Millennium Park entertainment centre, it adopted that nickname.

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 the rink on Chicago's tour buses...

Maggie Daley Park Roller Skating Rink

This rink is twice as long as traditional rinks, which means 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. A reservation is required to enjoy its charms. The idea is to take the stress out of queuing.

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

Throughout DecemberLincoln Park Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland decorated with more than 2 million lights. Trees, the central pavilion and other structures at the Zoo wear a multi-coloured 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 curiosities in their outdoor exhibits, ice skate, take a short train ride and even get your picture taken with St. Nick.

Interesting details

• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 8am to 7pm.
• Price: Free admission.
• Address: 2001 N Clark St.

Chicago was the centre of train travel in the early 20th century in the United States and maintains this form of transportation as a favourite among locals. The seasonal train tradition began in 1992 and has been drawing smiles from visitors annually 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 by LED lights.

The Holiday Train usually runs Monday to Friday from 13:00 to 19:00 and from 13:00 to 20:00 on weekends. Check their calendar of activities, routes and timetables.

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 film of the same name with its colourful characters. They guide the scene through a reading from the book, carols, hot chocolate, biscuits, visits from Father Christmas and surprises for the family.

The train departs from Union Station Chicago. Book your tickets and experience it.

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

This event, the largest open-air Christmas market in the United States, is named after the Chicago Christkindlmarket, a mythological fairy-like creature that brings gifts to German children, according to legend.

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

What could be more traditional than A Christmas Carol? There's nothing better in December than seeing this Charles Dickens classic and it's been performed at the Goodman Theatre every year for 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 curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge: The play is staged in English, but as 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 in the same role, bringing character and unique style to their characters.

Details of interest

• Where: at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N Dearborn St, Chicago,
• Price: from 35 €.
• Times: 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. Shop at the Christmas market, let the festive atmosphere fill you with joy through its aromas, ambience and special activities.

If you're out and about with the kids, head to Santa's Workshop to make Christmas crafts. When the artwork is done, hop on a train to the Arctic Express. For those in search of more things to do for adults, I advise you to buy VIP or Premium tickets. These allow access to the Leinier Lodge tent at Impact Field, where you can buy special cocktails and see the timed light shows first-hand.

Details of interest

• When: 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 old continent 's presence also extends to its Swedish roots in charming Andersonville. Its shops and restaurants emulate the Nordic country and surprise visitors each year by dressing up.

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

Andersonville is recognised 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. The Swedish American Museum' s annual Christmas bazaar is also open 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 that's no reason to stay at home. Numerous Christmas events take place all over Chicago and the snow-covered skyscrapers provide an impressive backdrop to entice visitors to Chi-Town.