The wind and cold may be fierce, but Chicago winters are hot with fun things to do for the whole family. Here are a few of our favorites:
Skating at Millennium Park
It wouldn’t be winter in Chicago without taking a few laps in your ice skates at McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park. The only charge is to rent skates, and the rink even offers free lessons an hour before skating time opens if you need to brush up on your spins.
Winter Wonderfest
Perfect for families, Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier is back for its 19th year featuring plenty of indoor activities from December 6 until January 12. With 170,000 square feet of attractions including indoor ice skating, a festive carousel, inflatable rides, giant slides and plenty of holiday décor, this family favorite is sure to inspire your holiday mood.
Holiday Flower Show at Lincoln Conservatory
Until January 6, the Conservatory is filled with poinsettias, trees, sparkling lights and a model train to spark your holiday spirit. This year’s free event features photos from the 1940s through the 1960s, celebrating memories of holidays past.
Bulls and Blackhawks
A night out to see the iconic Chicago Bulls in action is the remedy for a cold winter’s night. December home games include matches against Memphis, Golden State, Toronto, Atlanta, Charlotte, L.A. and Milwaukee, with tickets starting at $40. If hockey is more your style, December home games for the Blackhawks include matches against St. Louis, Arizona, Minnesota, Colorado, New Jersey and New York, with tickets starting at $32.
Holiday Bricktacular
Bring the kids and let their imaginations soar with a visit to Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Center. From December 7 until January 5, you can work with master builders to create a holiday build, visit an elves workshop, take part in a scavenger hunt, build a LEGO ornament and more. Online tickets cost $17.95, which is a great deal versus the $24.95 you’ll pay if you buy them onsite.
Take In A Show
For many of us, it’s not Christmas without seeing The Nutcracker, and few companies perform it better than the Joffrey Ballet. Goodman’s Albert Theatre’s performance of A Christmas Carol is so good it’s in its fourth decade of delighting Chicago audiences. The Oil Lamp Theater’s It’s A Wonderful Life – A Radio Play is another classic event, and attendees will love the complimentary cookies, hot chocolate and festive atmosphere in the decorated lobby. The Rosemont Theater’s remaining holiday shows offer a selection of fun including: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – The Musical, A Charlie Brown Christmas – Live on Stage, and Mannheim SteamRoller’s Christmas show.
ZooLights
The Lincoln Park Zoo is celebrating its 25th year of ZooLights, featuring more than 2.5 million lights to delight audiences through January 5. With 3D displays, strolling carolers, a musical light show at the Winter Wonderlawn and so much more, this event is worth braving even the fiercest winter night.
With these and many other events, there is plenty to do for everyone in the family this holiday season. But between the gift buying and entertainment, you might need a little help paying the holiday bills. Now is a great time to refinance, and Ed Currie, a certified mortgage planner, is here to help. For your free consultation for refinancing or a construction loan, give Ed a call at 847-214-2404 or complete a confidential request on his website. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest or Instagram for our latest tips and updates!
