CHICAGO, IL. Wednesday, October 24, 2012. It seems holiday events kick off a little earlier each year. Even before we have fully recovered from Halloween, it’s tree lighting, holiday fests, bazaars, entertainment and more with the holiday event calender growing fatter than Santa’s sack.
Here is our list of don’t miss annual holiday events for November, December and early January 2013. Watch for detailed information on many of the events listed below in upcoming Show Me Chicago posts.
Macy’s Great Tree Lighting, Saturday, November 3, noon. 7th floor, Walnut Room, State Street Store.
The Symphony in Lights Show, The Promenade Bolingbrook, Premiere Show and Holiday Festival (with Santa) on Saturday, November 10, 2012. Light show continues nightly at dusk to 9p.m. through December 31, 2012.
Millennium Park Ice Rink opens on Friday, November 16 through mid-March 2013, weather-permitting.
Vienna Boys Choir, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Avenue, select dates from November 16 through December 31, 2012.
The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival®, North Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Water Tower, Saturday, November 17, 2012.
Christmas Around the World, Museum of Science and Industry, November 17 through January 8, 2013.
Official City of Chicago Holiday Tree Lighting, Daley Plaza, Wednesday, Nov 21, 4:30 program; 5p.m. lights.
Santa House, Daley Plaza opens Nov. 21 through December 24, 2012.
Zoolights, Lincoln Park Zoo, Opens November 23 and continues every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 23. Following December 25, open nightly from December 26 though January 6.
Caroling at Cloud Gate will be every Friday at Cloud Gate (aka the Bean) in Millennium Park, November 23 through December 21. 6p.m.
Wonderland Express, Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe, November 23 through January 6, 2013.
Annual Wreathing of the Lions, Art Institute of Chicago, November 23, ceremony 10a.m. various activities inside the aic from 10:30a.m. to 3p.m.
Julmarknad (Christmas Bazaar), Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark Street, December 1 and 2.
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo, 1st Avenue between Ogden Avenue 31st Street, Brookfield, Saturdays and Sundays, December 3 through December 18, daily December 26 through December 31, 4 to 9p.m.
Joffery Ballet Nutcracker, the Auditorium Theatre, December 7 through December 27, 2012.
Do-It-Yourself Messiah 2012, Harris Theatre, December 17 and December 18, 7p.m.
Dance Along Nutcracker, Preston Bradley Hall in Chicago Cultural Center, December 9 at noon and 3p.m.
Christkrindlmarket, Daley Plaza in the Chicago Loop (between Dearborn, Washington and Clark Street), November 21 through Dec. 24, 2012. Open Daily Sun – Thu 11am – 8pm Fri – Sat 11a.m. – 9p.m. Special Hours: Thanksgiving Day: Nov. 22nd 11am – 4pm Christmas Eve: Dec. 24th 11a.m. – 4p.m.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes, Akoo Theatre, Rosemont, December 14-30.
Welcome Yule!, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Avenue, December 21, 22, and 23.