Free Activities at Millennium Park, Chicago

Chicago's Millennium Park offers visitors year-round entertainment and much of it is free to the public. Exciting lectures, singing and winter sports are all offered in this picturesque setting by the lake. Visitors need not fear the cold because the city provides warming houses and the shops hot chocolate. If the cold becomes too much, a visit to the world famous Chicago Art Institute may be just the thing. By the way, the museum is free on Thursday nights from 5-8 p.m.

Lurie Garden Workshops

Garden lovers rejoice winter no longer means the long slumber to spring. The Chicago Cultural Center across the street from Millennium Park is offering a series of winter gardening programs. Pre-registration is required, but they're free events.

All lectures take place across the street from Millennium Park. Lectures are free and open to the public. No pre-registration required. The following horticultural lectures will take place this winter.

Lurie Garden Adult Workshop - Top 10 Autumn Plants of the Lurie Garden
November 14, 10 a.m. - Noon
Chicago Cultural Center

Millennium Park's Garden Horticulturist Colleen Lockovitch will be taking garden lovers on a tour of Lurie Gardens. The tour and lecture will be geared towards fall plantings and how to include them into a garden plan.

Lurie Garden Adult Workshop - Inspired by the Garden: Herbal Blends
Saturday, December 5
Please call (312)742-8497 for time.

This workshop will use the herbs from the Lurie Garden to make teas, bath soaks, lip, and balms. Attendees will also learn about the plants used to create these items.

Lurie Garden Adult Workshop - The Lurie Garden's Winter Superstars
Saturday, February 6
Please call (312)742-8497 for time.

Are you tired of looking out your window at dirt patch instead of a garden? Then join the Lurie Garden staff as they introduce visitors to the plants that perform best throughout coldest of months of winter.

McCormick Tribune Ice Rink

The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink has drawn more than 100,000 skaters annually since its opening in 2000. Skaters can enjoy free skating and those who don't own skates can rent them for $10.00. The Rink open November 18 and will stay open through March 14. Operating hours are from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m..

Caroling at Cloud Gate

Thanks to the Comer Foundation a Chicago's holiday caroling tradition starts again this winter on Fridays, from November 27 through December 19, at 6 p.m.. Carolers meet at the Chase Promenade Central in Millennium Park. This year some of Chicago's favorite choral groups come back to lead the festivities.

Apollo Chorus of Chicago - November 27
Chicago Children's Choir - December 4
Old Town School of Folk Music - December 11
The Wooten Choral Ensemble - December 18

Everyone is welcome to sing along with the choral groups. Visitors can then warm up with a complimentary coffee or hot cider from Caribou Coffee. For more information on these and other free events sponsor at Millennium Park visit their website.

References:

Millennium Park
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street 312.742.TIXS (8497)