Suggestions for holiday cheer in Chicago please!
December 14, 2009 12:16 PM Subscribe
What to see and do next week (especially Christmas day) in Chicago?
My parents and I will be in Chicago for several days next week, including Christmas day. I'm looking for suggestions of things to see and do (I've seen this thread but the question and responses focused mostly on hotel recommendations). I've been to Chicago several times, although never during the holiday season. So, I figured I'll take them to see the typical touristy things, but what is a can't miss during the holidays? Any suggestions for places to eat Christmas day? We haven't decided whether to go out or try to cook in, so both brunch/dinner ideas are welcome, especially if there's something fabulous out there. My mom and I are thinking about going to see the Nutcracker, but other than that our plans are wide open. Help us plan our trip, Mefites!
My parents and I will be in Chicago for several days next week, including Christmas day. I'm looking for suggestions of things to see and do (I've seen this thread but the question and responses focused mostly on hotel recommendations). I've been to Chicago several times, although never during the holiday season. So, I figured I'll take them to see the typical touristy things, but what is a can't miss during the holidays? Any suggestions for places to eat Christmas day? We haven't decided whether to go out or try to cook in, so both brunch/dinner ideas are welcome, especially if there's something fabulous out there. My mom and I are thinking about going to see the Nutcracker, but other than that our plans are wide open. Help us plan our trip, Mefites!
I've never been to the Chicago Nutcracker but I've gone to see it the past few years in the Bay Area and it's such a wonderful experience! So if you are on the fence about that, by all means buy tickets!
posted by radioamy at 12:25 PM on December 14, 2009
posted by radioamy at 12:25 PM on December 14, 2009
Ann Sather is open Christmas day. Also, AIC has an excellent visiting Caravaggio painting, which you shouldn't miss!
posted by crush-onastick at 12:32 PM on December 14, 2009
posted by crush-onastick at 12:32 PM on December 14, 2009
Best answer: The Goodman is putting on a production of A Christmas Carol that I wish I had time to go see.
The Joffrey's production of the Nutcracker is pretty awesome, but I recommend springing for good seats if you can at all afford it. I've only seen it from the great heights of the Auditorium Theater balcony and it was hard to see, plus we were surrounded by kids whose parents thought it was acceptable to let their children eat crunchy snacks during a ballet performance.
CSO has a "Welcome Yule" performance on the 21, 22, and 23.
For free stuff, I agree w/Iridic about Christkindlmarket, and while you're in the area, go look at the Christmas windows at Macy's on State St. Then you can wander over the Millennium Park and watch the ice skaters (or participate if you are so inclined). If you're in town on the 18th, there is Caroling at the Cloud Gate, and I think they give away free hot chocolate.
You can also ride the Holiday Train if you can find it!
You can always go to Chinatown to eat on Christmas, which is what we did two years ago, followed by a movie. Sherlock Holmes opens on Christmas day this year, so if a movie was in my plans this year, that's probably what I'd go see. I don't know if they are open on Christmas day, but I have a Christmas season tradition of going to Russian Tea Time, so it really feels like a holiday event for me.
posted by jennyb at 1:57 PM on December 14, 2009
The Joffrey's production of the Nutcracker is pretty awesome, but I recommend springing for good seats if you can at all afford it. I've only seen it from the great heights of the Auditorium Theater balcony and it was hard to see, plus we were surrounded by kids whose parents thought it was acceptable to let their children eat crunchy snacks during a ballet performance.
CSO has a "Welcome Yule" performance on the 21, 22, and 23.
For free stuff, I agree w/Iridic about Christkindlmarket, and while you're in the area, go look at the Christmas windows at Macy's on State St. Then you can wander over the Millennium Park and watch the ice skaters (or participate if you are so inclined). If you're in town on the 18th, there is Caroling at the Cloud Gate, and I think they give away free hot chocolate.
You can also ride the Holiday Train if you can find it!
You can always go to Chinatown to eat on Christmas, which is what we did two years ago, followed by a movie. Sherlock Holmes opens on Christmas day this year, so if a movie was in my plans this year, that's probably what I'd go see. I don't know if they are open on Christmas day, but I have a Christmas season tradition of going to Russian Tea Time, so it really feels like a holiday event for me.
posted by jennyb at 1:57 PM on December 14, 2009
If you are a science type the Museum of Science and Industry is probably the best in the country. The only better one I know of is the Deutsches Museum in Munich upon which the Museum of Science and Industry was based. They are having a Christmass from around the world exhibit at this time of year. The Art Institute is a fantastic art museum and the Carravaggio sounds great. Ice skating in Grant park is another fun activity depending upon how cold it is.
posted by caddis at 1:58 PM on December 14, 2009
posted by caddis at 1:58 PM on December 14, 2009
Ooo - the Apollo Chorus of Chicago is doing Handel's Messiah on December 20 if you are here then.
posted by jennyb at 2:15 PM on December 14, 2009
posted by jennyb at 2:15 PM on December 14, 2009
Response by poster: Great suggestions so far! We'll be getting in on the 21st I believe, so the Apollo Chorus is out. I'm fairly certain we'll do the Nutcracker, but haven't purchased the tickets yet, so thanks for the suggestion jennyb. I also saw Russia Tea Time the last time I was in Chicago and thought it might be a fun place to go, so I'll suggest that to the family as well.
Keep em coming!
posted by bluloo at 2:18 PM on December 14, 2009
Keep em coming!
posted by bluloo at 2:18 PM on December 14, 2009
I don't know if you and your parents would be up for ice skating, but there are a variety of rinks around the city, including the one jennyb mentioned at Millennium Park, and additionally they're going to have a rink up at Wrigley Stadium like they did for last year's Winter Classic. It opens to the public on the 19th: http://rinkatwrigley.com.
posted by andeles at 2:43 PM on December 14, 2009
posted by andeles at 2:43 PM on December 14, 2009
Follow @explorechicago on Twitter, and check some of their past posts. It's the official feed for the Chicago Office of Tourism. They'll have some timely ideas. If you send them a specific @explorechicago message (whatever it's called), they'll probably get back to you within minutes.
posted by tenaciousd at 4:01 PM on December 14, 2009
posted by tenaciousd at 4:01 PM on December 14, 2009
Also one of the best Christmas days I spent I bundled up and wandered Brookfield Zoo in the suburbs. No crowds. All animals. Crunchy snow under foot.
posted by Gucky at 8:59 PM on December 14, 2009
posted by Gucky at 8:59 PM on December 14, 2009
Second City (which just celebrated it's 50th anniversery and has a post on the blue) has a new revue.
posted by garlic at 7:00 AM on December 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by garlic at 7:00 AM on December 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Iridic at 12:24 PM on December 14, 2009 [1 favorite]