Anything special in Chicago during the holidays?
 

We moved to Champaign, IL in April, so I wondering if there is anything special that goes on in Chicago during the holidays?

Thank you for your time & Have a great week!

There's tons to do that are traditional but tons of non traditional. The Chicago Trib magazine section was devoted to activities this winter in CHicago. I enjoy seeing the windows at Macy's, going to the Christmas German Market at Daley Plaza, going to the Museum of Science and Industry Christmas around the world...tons to do enjoy.

The Tribune has been running a bunch of holiday related articles, this one has a list of the top ten holiday activities

http://www.chicagotribune.com/shoppi...ly/activities/

And this is a calendar of holiday related events

http://www.chicagotribune.com/featur...0,397049.story

Thank you for your time!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Sorry, I just need to vent. I lived in Chicago for 20 years and have SUCH fond memories of THE TREE at Marshall Field's and The Walnut Room for lunch after a visit with Santa. I had to grit my teeth when you mentioned the tree at Macy's. What happened to local retailing?? It just will never be the same.

Macy's still has the Great Tree in the Walnut Room, they still have the Chicken Pot Pie, they still decorate the windows on State Street. Don't punish Macy's for Marshall Field's failings, at least Macy's is trying to keep the State Street store traditions going. If they close that store, then you'll probably have offices and condos in the landmark Marshall Field's building...now that would be sad!

There is a KristKringle market by the big Christmas tree every year. It is a German market with amazing food (my favorites are the potato pancake and the chocolate crepes!) and they also have little shops to buy ornaments (however they are expensive!). It sits right next to the tree which makes for a nice view.

Wasn't Marshal Fields bought out something like 25 years ago by BATUS and later by Dayton-Hudson? The fact that they finally gave up the name when Federated took over is a kind of minor point. It wasn't a "family owned and run store" or "local retailing" for a great many years back."

Ok, so back to the original post. Spend a nice Sunday (or any day) in the city, take the train in or drive. Maybe even stay the night. Do all of the things mentioned above. See the windows at "Fields", eat in the Walnut room, see the KristalMarket, walk Michigan Ave, the holiday trolley usually runs between Navy Pier and Michigan Ave. Stop by Garrett for some popcorn. Make a nice day of it and see what you enjoy and then start your own traditions.

aliska, they will never "get" it.

It is totally not the same. And it hasn't been a fraction of what it was for going on 12 or 15 years now, not 25. And in the last two- the windows aren't even in the same ballpark.

Macy's is a New York originated chain and although Field's was diminished, it was charm intact as long as it was the green.

I'm sure it's just fine, but it isn't Fields.

I guess if all stores are all the same, than so are all baseball teams. And if you need to move to NYC, you automatically become a great Yankees fan and leave your Sox affiliates behind. Right! LOL, LOL, LOL!

Seriously, there are so many better things to do in winter here, and better food closely available, that I would go further North to Water Tower surrounds now.

I hear that there are special happenings in Millenium, some kids' related, on occasion. I would get out www.chicagoist.com, www.metromix.com, www.ctatattlers.com etc

JJ5, I really do GET it. And the same is true of local stores everywhere. But please name one store in the world -- no, name one THING in the world, which is the same today as it was 15 years ago. Sorry, things don't stay the same. And sometimes our memories make things better than they really were -- or at least the memories diminish the negatives or the lack of some of today's features which didn't exist back then.

I am putting together a list for a group that is going down from Madison WI on December 7.
There is great holiday theater but we won't be in town for that. I can vouch for Black Nativity at the Goodman-my 20 year old children enjoyed it with me several years ago.
Museum of Science & Industry has decorated trees from around the world. They also have a big Star Wars exhibit right now-not Christmas but very cool.
Macy's windows of course, and a visit to the nearby Cultural Center that always has something going on.
Navy Pier has a number of decorated trees and alot of activities with costs for the activities.
There's Friday evening 6pm carolling at Millenium Park Bean-and over a million lights decorating the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Have a good time!

Not the same, Patrick.

Only the same, if you think the corner of State & Madison is just a corner.

Or if old historical buildings that don't have 20 foot wide bathrooms, aren't worth saving, not even the fixtures, because the new ones work so much better.

And in this case, the memories are "less" than the reality was- honestly, I am not being sarcastic. You had to be there.

And back to our regularly scheduled programming...

One thing I have really enjoyed the past couple of years is the Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo. It's a pretty amazing light holiday light display. Admission is free from 5 to 9 & they have family activities, mulled wine & beer for sale. Good, cheap holiday entertainment.