Chicago is a great place to spend the holidays. But you might want to plan where to go when because there is so much going on in the city and suburbs.
Here are just a few suggestions.
Lincoln Park ZooLights (J Jacobs photo)
Sitting just north of Chicago’s downtown Loop and on the west side of DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Lincoln Park Zoo celebrates the holidays with more than a million colorful LEDs for the annual ZooLights.
Sponsored by Com Ed and Invesco, ZooLights casts a joyous spell on paths past animal homes and food booths from Nov. 17, 2023 to Jan. 7, 2024. The free daytime zoo now is by $7-$10 tickets at night but is free on Mondays. Festival hours: Sunday–Thursday: 4:30–9:00 p.m. Friday–Saturday: 4:30–10:00 p.m. The zoo closes at 3 p.m. for the festival so it can reopen at 4:30 p.m.
Tip: best plan is to take a bus. Number 22, 36, 151, and 156 buses stop along the western edge of the zoo.
Tunnel of Light at Brookfield Zoo (Photo courtesy of Chicago Zoological Society)
At southwest suburban Brookfield Zoo, the season is also celebrated with more than a million LEDs Holiday Magic. Those dates are Nov. 24-26, Dec. 30 and dec 1-3 and Dec.7-10, Dec. 14-17, Dec .21-23 and Dec.26-31.
Get tickets for North or South Gate entry Advance tickets needed for South entry. The zoo open from 3-9 p.m. on Holiday Magic dates. Entertainment is 5-8p.m. with “Those Funny Little People” and “Juggling Elves.”
North Gate: 8400 31st Street (1st Avenue and 31st Street),
South Gate Main Entrance 3300 Golf Rd.
Christkindle Market Daley Plaza, (JJacobs photo)
A fun place to visit during the holidays is the German-style market downtown Chicago at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St. or its branches at Gallagher Way Gallagher Way 3635 N Clark Street in Wrigleyville alongside Cubs Park or in Aurora at RiverEdge Park, 360 N Broadway.
Filled with food and gift booths, it’s impossible to walk away without a taste treat or gift. Visit Christkindlmarket.
For more holiday lights visit November Lights
Jodie Jacobs