Christkindlmarket Chicago 2026

Christmas in Chicago

Christkindlmarket, ZooLights and the Walnut Room on a December weekend

⏳ In 20 days · Nov 20, 2026 Remind me

The plan: Dec 11 – 133 days around Christkindlmarket Chicago 2026
Chicago, United States18 places · Couple
Facts checked Oct 31, 20268 sources, listed below

Get the plan · $5

Apple Pay · Google Pay · card 7-day refundDay 1 free below

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Skate by the skyline, browse holiday windows, see A Christmas Carol and ZooLights, then warm up with deep-dish pizza and winter ale. A festive pace with room to wander.

🎄 Holidays🎨 Art🎭 Theatre🍕 Food🏙 Architecture

Day 1 is on us

3 days · 18 stops

What it's like in DecemberExpect highs around 4°C (39°F) and lows near -3°C (26°F), with about nine rainy days. Dress in layers and bring a warm coat.

Day 1 · Fri, Dec 11 · Free

Christmas kickoff in the Loop

7 h 36 min

Market, skyline views, skating, then deep-dish dinner.

10:00 AM · 1 h

L from O'Hare or Midway to the Loop

Direct and car-free; Blue Line from O'Hare, Orange from Midway

Photo: Marc Thayer / Google

12:00 PM · 1 h 30 min

Daley Plaza

Plaza

Fri, Dec 11: market open 11:00-21:00; arrive by noon

4.5(431)Googlefree entry

9 min

Photo: The Gage / Google

2:00 PM · 1 h

The Gage

American restaurant

Cozy tavern facing Millennium Park for a warm break

4.6(5,319)Google$$$

3 min

Wikimedia Commons via Wikipedia: Cloud Gate

3:15 PM · 45 min

Cloud Gate

Sculpture

The Bean with the official tree beside it, golden hour

4.7(42,226)Googlefree

2 min

Wikimedia Commons via Wikipedia: McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink

4:15 PM · 1 h 15 min

McCormick Tribune Plaza

Ice skating rink

Classic rink beneath the skyscrapers at dusk

4.5(379)Google$

22 min

Photo: Lou Malnati's Pizzeria / Google

6:45 PM · 1 h 30 min

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

Pizza restaurant

Buttery-crust Chicago deep-dish; Friday waits are long

4.5(10,265)Google$$

Day 1 in Google Maps

Map of Chicago in December: Christmas Markets, Art and Lights: Day 1, Daley Plaza, The Gage, Cloud Gate, McCormick Tribune Plaza, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

The rest of the plan

12 stops

Day 2 · Sat, Dec 12

Art, windows, theatre and ZooLights

7 stops · Loop, Magnificent Mile, Lincoln Park

Day 3 · Sun, Dec 13

Conservatory and Wrigleyville farewell

5 stops · East Garfield Park, Wrigleyville, Lakeview

Get all 3 days

Everything below Day 1, plus offline maps and free updates until Nov 20.

3-day December weekend plan
Both Christkindlmarkets, with their hours
ZooLights and the holiday windows
Offline maps in the app

Get the plan · $5

Apple Pay · Google Pay · card 7-day refund

Give it as a gift

Good to know

The Christkindlmarket's own site says the market is back at three locations in 2026: Chicago, Aurora and Wrigleyville, and that admission to all Christkindlmarkets is free.christkindlmarket.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
Per NBC Chicago, the 2026 season opens Friday, Nov. 20 at all three sites and marks the 30th anniversary.nbcchicago.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington St.) runs daily Nov. 20 to Dec. 24: Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.nbcchicago.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
The Wrigleyville market (Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St.) runs Nov. 20 to Dec. 31: Monday to Thursday 3 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closed Christmas Day.nbcchicago.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
Wrigleyville hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-30.nbcchicago.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
NBC Chicago says many vendors do not accept credit cards, so bring cash.nbcchicago.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
Lincoln Park ZooLights runs Nov. 20, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027, 4:30 to 9 p.m. with last entry at 8 p.m.; it is closed Nov. 26, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 24 and 25, and every person including children needs a ticket.lpzoo.org · checked Oct 31, 2026
ZooLights advance tickets are $7 to $12 by date and $20 same day; flexible tickets are $20, and Mondays are free with a required reservation except Dec. 21 and 28.lpzoo.org · checked Oct 31, 2026