Things to do in Chicago in December 2021
1. Christkindlmarket
After going virtual in 2020, the iconic German-inspired holiday market at Daley Plaza returns to Chicago this year for just over a month of Christmassy celebrations. Details about specific vendors are still relatively light at the moment, but you can expect stalls stocked with handmade gifts, German food and plenty of hot beverages (including spiced glühwein, though jury’s out on whether we’ll get to sip from one of the market’s famous boot mugs). Similarly, you can expect to see more information about COVID-19 safety protocols in the coming weeks, though organizers have announced that they’ll bring back a virtual component to the market. We’ll keep you posted about updates, but in the meantime, we’re counting down the days until this holiday tradition returns.
2. Light Up the Lake
Too cold outside? Navy Pier brings all of the winter fun indoors, filling its gigantic 170,000-square-foot Festival Hall with a regulation-size Alpine ice skating rink, a holiday beer garden, kiddie train rides, Santa’s Village and a gift market. The centerpiece of Light Up the Lake (which replaces Navy Pier’s Winter Wonderfest) is a collection of oversized light sculptures, including a giant Teddy Bear, 25-foot-tall deer, a 60-foot light tunnel and 40-foot tree. Boasting more than 600,000 lights, Navy Pier claims that it’s “the area’s largest indoor lights show.” Plus, each Light Up the Lake ticket includes a ride on Navy Pier’s 200-foot Centennial Wheel—don’t worry, all of the gondolas are fully enclosed and heated!
3. City of Chicago Christmas Tree
Every year, Millennium Park is adorned with an epic Christmas tree that remains on display until the beginning of the new year. The larger-than-life attraction is festooned with twinkling lights and crowned with an illuminated star. Spectators can check out the festive tree near Washington Street and Michigan Avenue through Sunday, January 9th. The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will return in-person this year on Friday, November 19 starting at 6pm, featuring special guests and performances ahead of the illumination of the 108th Chicago Christmas Tree.
4. Amaze Light Festival
If you’re looking for a holiday destination, Amaze Light Festival brings a twinking display, a holiday market and a tubing hill to Rosemont. Situated in Impact Field (the home of the Chicago Dogs), this seasonal attraction features light shows and seven illuminated worlds to explore, plus a variety of separately-ticketed experiences, including visits ot Santa’s Workshop and Polar Peak tubing rides. Guests can also fill up on food and hot beverages before visiting a candy shop stocked with festive treats.
5. Art on theMART
Projecting a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of the Merchandise Mart, Art on theMart’s holiday program includes works by Chicago teens, stills from the Joffrey Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker and an AI-generated display from Ouchhh Studios. Take in a series of mosaics created by kids in Chicago’s After School Matters before experiencing images from The Nutcracker set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score and the Harmonic AI animations, inspired by some of Chicago’s best jazz musicians. Art on theMART’s array of 34 digital projectors display the 30-minute program at 7:30 and 8pm every evening. The show is best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.
Original article HERE
Written by Zach Long and Emily Krupp for Time Out 10/8/2021
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