Places you HAVE to go to appreciate the festive Christmas decor in Chicago – 900 N.
Michigan – Bloomingdale’s Mall, Christkindlemarket, Chicago Cultural Center, The
Drake Hotel, Macy’s Walnut Room on State Street, Museum of Science &
Industry – Christmas Around the World, Navy Pier Winter Wonderfest, The Peninsula Hotel, The Prudential Building,
Water Tower Place…
Oh my list could go on & on…
There really is no way for me to choose one favorite SO you
get my top ten – and if you asked me for just one to see, I’d reply, you have
to see them all - but these are the ones not to miss in alphabetical order.
900 N. Michigan – Bloomingdale’s Mall
You cannot miss the GIANT tree in the middle of this mall – gorgeous! AND if you are looking for an elegant place to have your Santa picture taken – this is it!
You cannot miss the GIANT tree in the middle of this mall – gorgeous! AND if you are looking for an elegant place to have your Santa picture taken – this is it!
Christkindlemarket in Daley Plaza
2013 will mark 100 years of lighting an official Christmas Tree in Chicago. A few years back it was decided to ask for a local volunteer to donate a giant tree to the city instead of piecing trees together as then had for years. I’ve heard comments about the new style not being as glamourous, you definitely want to see the tree at night – when the lights bring out it’s true beauty. The German Market is a treat. Enjoy the Christmas spirit here. See the giant nativity, the giant menorah, enjoy some hot cider or cocoa, see some treasures from a foreign land, and do not miss out on trying the fresh gingerbread!!! While not an overwhelmingly glamorous stop, a beautiful Chicago tradition.
2013 will mark 100 years of lighting an official Christmas Tree in Chicago. A few years back it was decided to ask for a local volunteer to donate a giant tree to the city instead of piecing trees together as then had for years. I’ve heard comments about the new style not being as glamourous, you definitely want to see the tree at night – when the lights bring out it’s true beauty. The German Market is a treat. Enjoy the Christmas spirit here. See the giant nativity, the giant menorah, enjoy some hot cider or cocoa, see some treasures from a foreign land, and do not miss out on trying the fresh gingerbread!!! While not an overwhelmingly glamorous stop, a beautiful Chicago tradition.
Chicago Cultural Center
This building alone is a hidden gem in Chicago, beautiful Tiffany domed ceiling on the 3rd floor, art exhibits, free concerts, incredible mosaic work – but their additions of Christmas trees, garland, topiaries – just perfect. If you’ve never been in this building PLEASE do yourself a favor and go visit, you will not regret it. Just march around like you own the place and explore it’s beauty. It is free and open to the public.
This building alone is a hidden gem in Chicago, beautiful Tiffany domed ceiling on the 3rd floor, art exhibits, free concerts, incredible mosaic work – but their additions of Christmas trees, garland, topiaries – just perfect. If you’ve never been in this building PLEASE do yourself a favor and go visit, you will not regret it. Just march around like you own the place and explore it’s beauty. It is free and open to the public.
The Drake Hotel
An amazing place for a Christmas Tea or to enjoy the outrageous Dickens Buffet. The staff is friendly and the décor is classic Christmas with Angels, Teddy Bears, Toy Soldiers & a large Gingerbread Village display.
An amazing place for a Christmas Tea or to enjoy the outrageous Dickens Buffet. The staff is friendly and the décor is classic Christmas with Angels, Teddy Bears, Toy Soldiers & a large Gingerbread Village display.
Macy’s Walnut Room on State Street
The tradition of Christmas in the Walnut Room goes way back – started by Marshall Field’s they decorate a beautiful large Christmas tree in the center of the restaurant. My personal suggestion is to take an elevator directly to the 8th floor and see the tree from the viewing balcony they created. Then take the escalators down and enjoy the rest of the festive décor Macy’s has put up for your enjoyment. While in Macy’s on State Street, do not miss the Tiffany ceiling installed for Marshall Field, a real treat.
The tradition of Christmas in the Walnut Room goes way back – started by Marshall Field’s they decorate a beautiful large Christmas tree in the center of the restaurant. My personal suggestion is to take an elevator directly to the 8th floor and see the tree from the viewing balcony they created. Then take the escalators down and enjoy the rest of the festive décor Macy’s has put up for your enjoyment. While in Macy’s on State Street, do not miss the Tiffany ceiling installed for Marshall Field, a real treat.
Museum of Science & Industry – Christmas Around the
World
For a real wow factor you must enjoy the Christmas Around the World exhibit. They have a tree for every country and a themed large tree in the center & I mean LARGE. A very enjoyable time.
For a real wow factor you must enjoy the Christmas Around the World exhibit. They have a tree for every country and a themed large tree in the center & I mean LARGE. A very enjoyable time.
Navy Pier Winter Wonderfest
If you have children or are just a child at heart, you have to visit this Christmas Spectacle. This was my first year to visit, and I was AMAZED, the trees are some of the best decorated in the city, the village is the product of a mastermind, the ice skating rink – indoor, with a canopy of Christmas lights – so sweet. Then there’s music, rides, activities, food booths – it is utter sensory overload, but the beauty when you first walk in – it almost brought me to tears. You have no clue what to do or what to look at first, so much to take in. You HAVE to see it to believe it. Entry to walk around is free, but to participate in activities or go on the rides you need a wristband.
If you have children or are just a child at heart, you have to visit this Christmas Spectacle. This was my first year to visit, and I was AMAZED, the trees are some of the best decorated in the city, the village is the product of a mastermind, the ice skating rink – indoor, with a canopy of Christmas lights – so sweet. Then there’s music, rides, activities, food booths – it is utter sensory overload, but the beauty when you first walk in – it almost brought me to tears. You have no clue what to do or what to look at first, so much to take in. You HAVE to see it to believe it. Entry to walk around is free, but to participate in activities or go on the rides you need a wristband.
The Peninsula Hotel
Whether you can stop and enjoy a meal, a dessert, a drink or only sight see here – just do it! The festivity begins at the outside entrance with the beautiful red bows on the Asian stone dragons with elegant gold ornaments covering the wall behind them, don’t be fooled when you walk in, the lower level is not their official lobby. Hop in the elevator and head up to the lobby level & you will enter a beautiful Christmas wonderland. The staff was SO friendly. These decorations are not to be missed!
Whether you can stop and enjoy a meal, a dessert, a drink or only sight see here – just do it! The festivity begins at the outside entrance with the beautiful red bows on the Asian stone dragons with elegant gold ornaments covering the wall behind them, don’t be fooled when you walk in, the lower level is not their official lobby. Hop in the elevator and head up to the lobby level & you will enter a beautiful Christmas wonderland. The staff was SO friendly. These decorations are not to be missed!
The Prudential Building
To experience this building the way I did, to get the true WOW factor that added it to this list, you must come up the escalator from the Millennium Metra Station. When entering this way you get the full effect of the hanging lights. I felt like I was entering Gimble’s Santaland from the movie Elf. BEAUTIFUL! They have paid attention to the details, there are several seating areas in the lobby in which they have placed lovely poinsettia arrangements. They have a centrally located large tree with 4 smaller groupings of trees. Really it’s lovely. This display is actually put on by Chicago Youth Programs and 2012 is their 17th year.
To experience this building the way I did, to get the true WOW factor that added it to this list, you must come up the escalator from the Millennium Metra Station. When entering this way you get the full effect of the hanging lights. I felt like I was entering Gimble’s Santaland from the movie Elf. BEAUTIFUL! They have paid attention to the details, there are several seating areas in the lobby in which they have placed lovely poinsettia arrangements. They have a centrally located large tree with 4 smaller groupings of trees. Really it’s lovely. This display is actually put on by Chicago Youth Programs and 2012 is their 17th year.
Water Tower Place
This shopping center is a huge attraction in any season, but at Christmas – a special treat! They already have The American Girl Store & The Lego Store, a glass elevator, a fun candy store, Crumbs Bake Shop, a great food court – but when you add the decorations – magical! Maybe I’m biased, this year they are advertising The Museum of Science and Industry – Christmas Around the World AND the Charlie Brown Exhibit. Seeing Charlie Brown and Snoopy larger than life on the glass elevator was great. They have a Water Tower made of legos on display & trees and lights everywhere.
This shopping center is a huge attraction in any season, but at Christmas – a special treat! They already have The American Girl Store & The Lego Store, a glass elevator, a fun candy store, Crumbs Bake Shop, a great food court – but when you add the decorations – magical! Maybe I’m biased, this year they are advertising The Museum of Science and Industry – Christmas Around the World AND the Charlie Brown Exhibit. Seeing Charlie Brown and Snoopy larger than life on the glass elevator was great. They have a Water Tower made of legos on display & trees and lights everywhere.
As a combined Chicago & Christmas
fan, I loved wandering the city collecting this information and taking the
pictures. I truly hope you get a chance to enjoy it was much as I did.
Merry Christmas!
