Things to Do in Chicago in December

December in Chicago is a lovely time. The city seems to sparkle with all the holiday lights that twinkle from Daley Plaza to the Lincoln Park Zoo. While it’s definitely getting colder this month, there’s lots of indoor and outdoor fun to warm you up and put you in the holiday spirit. Here are some of the best things to do in Chicago in December.

Through December 24 – Christkindlmarkt in Daley Plaza

All month – Free ice-skating in Millennium Park

December1, 8, 15, 22, 29  – Free admission at the Art Institute from 5pm to 8pm and free admission at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum all day

Through December 16 – Caroling at Cloud Gate at 6pm in Millennium Park

December 2- January 8 – Winter Wonder Fest at Navy Pier

December 2-4, 9-11, 16–January 1 (Closed December 24 & 25) – Lincoln Park Zoo Lights from 5-9 p.m.

December 3-18 on weekends – Breakfast with Santa at the John Hancock Building

December 4, 11, 18 – DuSable Museum of African American History from noon – 5pm

December 10 – 12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl

Tuesdays, year round for IL residents – Free admission at the Museum of Contemporary Art

December 9 – Pilsen 2nd Friday Artwalk. One of my favorite monthly events, the Artwalk is held at galleries in Pilsen, around 18th and Halsted. Free wine and cheese and great art make this is an excellent (and low-cost) night out. 6pm-10pm

December 31 – New Year’s Eve Party and Fireworks at Navy Pier

Photo by Tom Gill (lapstrake)