# Best Things To Do in December 2026

> Find the best December 2026 events — holiday markets, light displays, theater & more. Book tickets now with OnesToWatch Live.

**Published:** 2026-10-10 | **Updated:** 2026-10-27 | **Author:** onestowatch
**URL:** https://onestowatch.com/live/best-chicago-december-holiday-activities/
**Type:** post

**Categories:** Concerts by city

![Best Things To Do in December 2026](https://resources.onestowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/10/1791540866071-10cca44b69cf-1024x572.webp)

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## Content

## Key Takeaways

- Chicago’s December 2026 holiday season centers on four major events: Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza, ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo, the Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker, and Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol.
- Additional holiday markets in Wrigleyville and Aurora, plus the Millennium Park Christmas Tree, give visitors several free outdoor options throughout the month.
- Light displays and museum exhibits such as ZooLights and the Museum of Science and Industry’s Christmas Around the World create a citywide seasonal atmosphere.
- Theater and concert highlights include A Christmas Carol, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical, Bluey’s Big Play, and performances by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Handel’s Messiah.
- OnesToWatch Live publishes a dated, ticket-linked calendar that helps visitors match specific shows to their travel plans.

[Browse December Tickets on OnesToWatch Live](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2F)

## Featured December 2026 Ticket Picks

These featured picks highlight a few December 2026 performances from the OnesToWatch Live calendar that often sell quickly.

- **A Christmas Carol — Tue, Dec. 15 | Goodman Theatre – Albert, Chicago**
[Reserve A Christmas Carol Tickets](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fevent%2FZ7r9jZ1AAZy8N&utm_medium=affiliate)
- **Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical — Wed, Dec. 16 | James M. Nederlander Theatre, Chicago**
[See Tickets for The Grinch in Chicago](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fdr-seuss-how-the-grinch-stole-chicago-illinois-12-16-2026%2Fevent%2F070064EDC1CD3613&utm_medium=affiliate)
- **Chicago Symphony Orchestra — Tue, Dec. 15 | Symphony Center-IL, Chicago**
[Find Seats for Chicago Symphony Orchestra](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fevent%2FZ7r9jZ1AAZkOt&utm_medium=affiliate)
- **Handel’s Messiah — Thu, Dec. 17 | Symphony Center-IL, Chicago**
[Book Handel’s Messiah Tickets](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fevent%2FZ7r9jZ1AAZ8q7&utm_medium=affiliate)
- **Bluey’s Big Play (Chicago) — Fri, Dec. 18 | Cadillac Palace, Chicago**
[Get Tickets for Bluey’s Big Play](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fblueys-big-play-chicago-chicago-illinois-12-18-2026%2Fevent%2F0700645BE83EADED&utm_medium=affiliate)
- **Ratboys — Sat, Dec. 19 | The Salt Shed Indoors (Shed), Chicago**
[Check Tickets for Ratboys at The Salt Shed](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2F93xrt-winter-jam-presents-ratboys-w-chicago-illinois-12-19-2026%2Fevent%2F040064F1E76E55A2&utm_medium=affiliate)

## Holiday Markets And Outdoor Highlights

Chicago’s holiday markets and outdoor displays give visitors free, walkable ways to experience the season between ticketed shows.

1. **Christkindlmarket Daley Plaza** — This central Loop market sits at 50 W. Washington St. The Daley Plaza location runs Nov. 20–Dec. 24, 2026. [Regular hours are Sundays through Thursdays 11 a.m.–8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m.–9 p.m.](https://www.christkindlmarket.com/daleyplaza/) The market follows special hours on select dates such as Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, when it operates from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and this downtown site functions as the flagship Christkindlmarket through Christmas Eve.
2. **Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville** — The Wrigleyville outpost at Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St., extends the season for visitors staying later in December. This location runs Nov. 20–Dec. 31, 2026. Standard hours are Monday through Thursday 3–9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.–9 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.–7 p.m. The market closes on Dec. 25 and follows shortened hours on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For travelers arriving after Dec. 24, Wrigleyville offers a Christkindlmarket experience through New Year’s Eve.
3. **Christkindlmarket Aurora** — Suburban visitors can explore the Aurora edition at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway in Aurora. This location runs Nov. 20–Dec. 24, 2026. [Regular hours are Thursdays 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m.–9 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m.–6 p.m.](https://www.christkindlmarket.com/aurora/) The Aurora market also offers special hours on dates such as Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., along with select weekday openings from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free, which makes it a budget-friendly option for families.
4. **Millennium Park Christmas Tree** — The city’s official tree anchors downtown holiday photos and meetups. [Chicago’s 2026 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20, 2026](https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/10/02/search-underway-for-chicagos-next-christmas-tree), in Millennium Park near N. Michigan Ave. and E. Washington St. The tree remains on display as a free, centrally located holiday landmark through the holiday week.

## Light Displays And Museum Exhibits

Light shows and museum programs add indoor and outdoor options that pair well with market visits and theater nights.

1. **ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo** — ZooLights 2026 runs Nov. 20–Jan. 3, 2027, and features more than 3 million lights, a Ferris wheel, a light tunnel, and Santa at the Pepper Family Wildlife Center. ZooLights operates from 4:30–9 p.m. on open nights, with last entry at 8 p.m. The event closes on Tuesdays, except for Dec. 22 and Dec. 29, and it also closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Fixed Date Admission tickets cost $7 to $12 in advance, depending on the date. Same-day Fixed Date Admission tickets cost $20. Free admission Mondays include Nov. 23, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, and Dec. 14, which gives budget-conscious visitors specific dates to target.
2. **Museum of Science and Industry — Christmas Around the World** — The Museum of Science and Industry’s annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibition remains a December staple. The program typically features decorated trees and displays that highlight global traditions. Check the museum directly for 2026 dates and hours, because MSI follows its own holiday schedule.

## Seasonal Shows And Theater In December 2026

Chicago’s December stage calendar mixes classic holiday titles with family productions and comedy, giving visitors options for nearly every night of a holiday trip.

1. **Goodman Theatre — A Christmas Carol** — [The 2026 production runs Nov. 13–Dec. 31, 2026](https://goodmantheatre.org/show/a-christmas-carol-2026), at the Albert Theatre. [Malkia Stampley directs the 2026 staging, adapted by Tom Creamer.](https://www.goodmantheatre.org/show/a-christmas-carol-2024/) [Tim Hopper makes his debut as Ebenezer Scrooge in this production.](https://www.goodmantheatre.org/show/a-christmas-carol-2026/) The show offers multiple performances each week through the holiday period, including the week of Dec. 15–22.
2. **Joffrey Ballet — The Nutcracker** — The Nutcracker runs Dec. 4–27, 2026, at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Upper Wacker Dr. [The production features live music by the Lyric Opera Orchestra, conducted by Scott Speck, Music Director of The Joffrey Ballet.](https://joffrey.org/behind-the-scenes/the-joffrey-ballet-celebrates-the-10th-anniversary-of-christopher-wheeldon-s-the-nutcracker/) Christopher Wheeldon’s staging places the story at Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair, which gives the ballet a local historical frame. [Single tickets start at $36.](https://joffrey.org/behind-the-scenes/joffrey-celebrates-the-holidays-with-return-of-christopher-wheeldon-s-the-nutcracker/)
3. **Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical** — This touring production runs Dec. 9–27, 2026, at the James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago, 24 W. Randolph St. The schedule includes multiple performances each week, which gives families flexibility when planning a downtown theater night.
4. **The Sound of Music** — [The Sound of Music’s North American tour plays Dec. 22–27, 2026, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago](https://www.networkstours.com/show/the-sound-of-music/), 151 W. Randolph St. The stage adaptation draws on the Rodgers and Hammerstein score familiar from the 1965 film directed by Robert Wise.
5. **Bluey’s Big Play (Chicago)** — Bluey’s Big Play runs Dec. 18–20, 2026, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, as part of its global tour. The production adapts the Emmy Award-winning children’s TV series for the stage with large-scale puppetry and interactive moments designed for young audiences.
6. **Potted Potter (Chicago)** — Potted Potter runs Dec. 15, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027, at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St. The show condenses all seven Harry Potter books into a 70-minute parody, which makes it a compact option for an evening near the Magnificent Mile.
7. **Second City** — [Second City’s Chicago Mainstage presents sketch and improv revues on select nights, with Monday performances at 7:00 p.m. and, beginning March 2026, Friday and Saturday performances at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.](https://www.secondcity.com/chicago-mainstage-showtimes) The venue schedules multiple shows each week through the holiday period, offering a comedy counterpoint to traditional holiday programming.

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## Structured Data

### Article

- **Headline:** Best Things To Do in December 2026
- **Description:** Find the best December 2026 events — holiday markets, light displays, theater & more. Book tickets now with OnesToWatch Live.
- **DateModified:** 2026-10-09T10:14:04.455Z
- **InLanguage:** en-US
  **Organization:**

  - **Name:** OnesToWatch Live
  - **Url:** https://onestowatch.com

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- [Best Las Vegas Concerts & Shows in December 2026](https://onestowatch.com/live/best-las-vegas-concerts-december/)
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