Top Holiday 2009 Events in Chicago

Chicago celebrates the holidays with a number of traditional festivals and events each year, and the holiday 2009 lineup of events includes parades, fireworks displays and toy fairs amongst others. From the Christkindlmarket at Daley Center Plaza to the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, here are some of the top holiday 2009 events to add to your itinerary when visiting Chicago:

McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade
Kick off your holiday revelries with the Chicago tradition the whole family is sure to enjoy. The annual McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade goes from State Street to Randolph Street and starts bright and early at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The parade includes holiday-themed floats, marching bands, balloons and performances from local and regional entertainers.

The Great Tree at Macy's
The lighting the Macy's Great Tree takes place on Thanksgiving night and is another way to kick off your Holiday 2009 celebration. The 45-foot tree takes a few weeks to decorate with over 1,200 themed ornaments and hundreds of lights. It's a Chicago holiday tradition you won't want to miss, and takes place in the Walnut Room of Macy's Chicago.

Ice Skating at Millennium Park
Millennium Park is home to one of the largest ice skating rinks in the city, and attracts over 100,000 skaters every year. Skating is usually available the week before Thanksgiving, and is a fun destination for all holiday revelers in Chicago. The rink also stays open on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

The Christkindlmarket at Daley Center Plaza
Enjoy a European-style Christams shoping trip when you visit the Christkindlmarket at Daley Center Plaza. This is the place to enjoy some hot apple cider, pick up handmade crafts and holiday gifts from around the world, and meet friends and family members for an evening of free entertainment. Daley Center Plaza is located at 50 West Washington Street in downtown Chicago. For the Holiday 2009 season, the market runs from November 26 through December 24, and is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

The Chicago Toy and Game Fair on the Navy Pier
The Chicago Toy and Game Fair is the largest toy and game event in the entire country and takes place on the Navy Pier the week before Thanksgiving. In 2009, the event takes place on November 21 and November 22, and includes previews of the latest toys and board games, group activities for toy enthusiasts of all ages, and meet-and-greets with famous characters. Call (847) 677-8277 for more information or visit www.chitag.com to order tickets online.

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Take in all of the holiday lights you can handle with the grand illumination of holiday lights down Chicago's Magnificent Mile. Over one million lights are used to decorate all of the streets from North Michigan Avenue to Wacker Drive, followed by a fireworks display over the Chicago River. For the Holiday 2009 season, the event kicks off on November 21. Visit magnificentmilelightsfestival.com for more information.