Holiday Events in Chicago

If you plan on being in Chicago, Illinois for the 2006 holiday season, there are plenty of events and celebrations scheduled this year. You don't need to look very far for something to get your in the spirit of the holidays. Tree lighting events, Christmas parades, holiday music and festivities for the entire family can be found. Many events are free and some charge an admittance fee, but there will be something for everyone, both young and old. Just get ready to go out and enjoy the beauty of the season in Chicago, Illinois this year.

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
This annual parade takes place on November 23rd this year. Admission is free and the parade starts at 8.30am-11am and marches down State Street - from Congress Street north to Randolph Street. Put on a warm coat and gloves and get ready to watch one of the best Thanksgiving parades in the country.

It dates back to 1934, and the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade usually draws some 350,000 people onto the streets, with another 1.5 million viewers watching the parade on TV. Last year's parade included more giant helium inflatables than the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Roughly 100 groups participate each year, including marching bands, giant helium balloons and floats.

Christkindlmarket Chicago
A German American Holiday Festival opens Friday November 24th.

Chicago's largest open-air Christmas festival was first held on Pioneer Court in 1996. Inspired by the famous German Christmas Market in Nuremberg, which dates back to 1545. This huge market event is 4 weeks long and is the largest and most well known Christmas/holiday market in the US attracting more than one million visitors and shoppers from around the Chicagoland area, both coasts and around the world.

Since 1999 Christkindlmarket's Grand Opening is a special event during the celebration of the City of Chicago Annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony which always takes place on the First Friday after Thanksgiving Day. The Christkindl, the Christmas Fairy, is a cherished highlight during the Holiday Tree Lighting. The Christmas Fairy proclaims the opening of Christkindlmarket Chicago.

There are hand blown ornaments, hand made toys, nutcrackers and cuckoo clocks. You can also find laces, scarves, sweaters, and jewelry from around the world.
German & European delicacies include hearty dishes such as brats, sauerkraut, potato pancakes, meat loaf, pork loin and goulash. The famous Glühwein, a hot spiced red wine, is also served. Sweet specialties from bakeries include Gingerbread, Stollen (a German sweet bread with candied fruits, nuts and raisins), holiday cookies, waffles, roasted almonds, candies and German chocolates.

Music and entertainment, live demonstrations of glass blowing and wood engraving are also everywhere. A brass band plays on the weekend, and a folk band at the Festival Tent on Friday and Saturday nights. There are choirs and dance groups. For children Christkindlmarket offers a merry-go-round, the City's Santa House and model train on Daley Plaza to the popular Children's Lantern Parade. This amazing holiday event is something you and your family will enjoy and remember for years to come. There are more sights to see than you can possibly pack into a day or even two, so if you can, make plans to spend several days at the market and let yourself get inspired by the magical spirit of the season.

Sneak Peak! First Taste of the Holidays
This event starts on Thanksgiving Day, November 23 and hours of operation are from 11am to 4pm. The State Street Thanksgiving Parade marches from 8:30 am to 11am.

City of Chicago's 93rd Annual City of Chicago Holiday Tree Lighting
There will be live entertainment, fireworks and the 11th Christkindlmarket Chicago Grand Opening on November 24th. For more information on the City of Chicago's holiday tree lighting tradition visit www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents

Whatever your preference, whatever makes the holidays special for you, Chicago will most likely have it ready and waiting this year. Whether it's the soft glow of twinkling lights on fragrant pine trees or a cup of hot chocolate while you watch the Christmas parade, you can find it here. Put on your hat, warm coat, gloves, and a smile and head out into the holiday season ready to experience the joy in Chicago, Illinois this winter. The magic of the holiday is just around the corner.