Holiday Fun in Chicago area
 

Well the holiday season is around the corner and I wondered what is fun and thrilling to do this year.

What are some of your Chicago and suburban must experience traditions?

I've transplanted here by way of Dallas/Oahu and would love to get attached to some of the city offerings.

I've experienced the Kringle mart and I've seen the inside of the Walnut room and the window displays but that's it.

What do you love to do for the holidays in this area of IL?

I love going to see A Christmas Carol at the Goodman theater. The production is always very good and the theater is so cozy.

Right off the top of my head, I'd recommend Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo.

Museum of Science and Industry's Christmas Around the World with trees decorated by Chicago's ethnic communities

" Christmas Carol" at the Goodman and the Joffrey Ballet's "The Nutcracker"

Tea at The Drake Hotel

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival with a parade and fireworks.

Ice skating at Millennium Park

On New Year's Eve, head to Buckingham Fountain for the fireworks display

Lincoln Park Zoo's Zoolights. The Thanksgiving Day parade down State St.

I love Chicago in the holiday season. It has such a fun, upbeat atmosphere.
Keep in mind that the week after Thanksgiving, much of the city is taken over by the world's largest medical convention, so most of the downtown restaurants will be jammed (hotels are sold out, too, of course, but that won't affect you). The Crate & Barrel store on Mich. Ave gets packed to the rafters.
Because the downtown area is so beautifully lit, be sure to see it not only from ground level but also from the heights of the Hancock building.

Another vote for The Nutcracker.

I'm waiting to hear if I'll be off to Chicago again this year for the medical convention. Fingers crossed!

Redshoe, the previous posters have mentioned some prime options. And, by the way, I do practically all of the above every year myself. After going to the production of "A Christmas Carol" or the "Nutcracker Ballet" in the evening, I would then go to see the decorated windows at Marshall Field's (now Macy's) to avoid the crowds and take time to enjoy the workmanship.

Here are my choices for something a little more low key that have become traditions with me:

Going to the Music Box Theatre for the Christmas Sing-a-Long. And, yes, I wear my Santa hat with the jingle bells. :D

Going to the Do-It-Yourself Messiah.

Enjoy the production of The Christmas Schooner (family friendly).

Going to the Lincoln Park Conservatory for their annual winter flower show (with all the model trains running through the hundreds of poinsettas).

Going for brunch at North Pond and then taking a walk in Lincoln Park after a first (or early) snow.

Taking tours of locations with lovely stained glass: the various churches, the Stained Glass Museum at Navy Pier (as I usually attend a performance at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre sometime during the holidays) and the Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary (which was modeled after Sainte-Chappelle, Paris).

Visiting the city's tree in Daley Plaza in the evening (if only to pass through and stop briefly) and listen to the music.

Have fun during the holidays!

I don't think anyone has mentioned the Sing Along Messiah yet either. Another very fun one. It's usually sponsored by LaSalle Bank and held at the Lyric Opera.

ttt---any fun events to report yet? Have you guys done these things yet. Heading out to Daley plaza today for the christkindlemart? Will also look at the Macy's windows (sniff)

redshoe, if you live in the area and are looking for a weekend trip, the Pabst Mansion up in Milwaukee is beautifully decorated for the holidays. We're heading up this week for my 2nd visit. I've also heard the grounds of the Cuneo Mansion in Vernon Hills has a nice light display but haven't made it up there.

We were downtown last night, the Christkindl market is smaller than last year but still nice. The Mary Poppins windows are OK, haven't been inside to see the tree yet.

The Hancock has a Christmas model railway, I wouldn't make a special trip up there for it but if you are in the area, stop by.