The city is alive with holiday cheer! Check out some of Chicago’s most festive and immersive holiday experiences this year. Whether you’re looking for a fabulous spot to snap holiday photos or love trying colorful holiday-themed cocktails at pop-up bars with friends, we’ve got you covered.
See Also: The 13 Best New Year's Eve Events In Chicago 2023
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230 N Clark Street / Website
Snag tickets for AceBounce’s festive and bottomless Saturday brunches. Holiday dishes include beignets, frosted mini churros, pork belly sliders, breakfast pizza, Margherita pizza and spinach bacon frittatas, among others. Tickets are priced at $45 per person and include three hours of bottomless plates from the brunch buffet and sips from the spiked hot chocolate bar, as well as bottomless mimosas and unlimited games, festive karaoke, and a live DJ throughout the event. Tickets can be purchased here.
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200 North Columbus Drive / Website
Explore the hotel’s entirely transformed, holiday-decked lobby for cozy vibes and seasonal cocktails. With numerous indoor fire pit-inspired tables and a seasonal menu filled with sweet and savory fondues, decadent housemade s’mores, espresso martinis and specialty hot chocolate, the lodge is a stellar spot to spend a night. Try The Grinch cocktail, which comes in a collector’s Fairmont Lodge mug, and is made with Tito’s vodka, midori and lemon lime soda, or try the Jack Frost, made with SelvaRey white rum, blue curacao, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and prosecco. The lodge will be open from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Thursday to Sunday until February 2023.
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85 E Wacker Drive / Website
Enjoy stunning views of the Chicago River as you treat your crew to an adorable afternoon holiday tea service, complete with a mouthwatering array of baked goods and teas. On the menu, choose from black, green, chai, flower, and herbal teas from Rare Tea Cellars, in addition to a basket of dark chocolate cherry scones, candied orange scones and vanilla citrus Madeleines. Savory items include viet tofu crisps and a sunchoke latke, which will be served on a photo-worthy three-tier display. There’s even a dedicated children’s menu so the whole family can take part in this holiday treat. The tea service is priced at $75 per adult and $35 per child under 10. Reservations for up to five guests can be placed here.
While you’re at LondonHouse, head up to its Rudolph’s Rooftop experience on the 22nd floor. The immersive, over-the-top bar features rentable outdoor igloos, a frosty ice bar, and numerous Insta-worthy holiday-themed photo opportunities.
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435 North Michigan Avenue / Website
Head to the Museum of Ice Cream for a colorful journey through their signature Pinkmas exhibit, open now through Monday, Jan. 9. The Pinkmas celebrations will include a bevy of interactive moments, like building your own take-home paper gingerbread house, exploring a gingerbread village, snapping photos in an incredibly Insta-worthy life-sized snow globe, and sampling holiday flavors and treats along the way. Guests will try pink peppermint soft serve ice cream topped with a maraschino cherry, red cotton candy, milk and cookies soft serve with chocolate chip cookie bites, and the museum’s signature hot dog treat. For guests over 21, check out the Sprinkle Pool as you sip spiked mulled apple cider and gingerbread milkshakes. Tickets can be booked here.
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3505 N Clark Street / Website
Visit this over-the-top holiday-themed bar for multiple levels of holiday photo opportunities. There’s an immersive rooftop perfect for snapping pictures, and ten distinct sets throughout the bar. In addition, there’s a hefty menu of holiday-themed food and drinks, like “reindeer” wings, the “clausmo”, and “elf” fashioneds, to name just a few. Tickets are required for the photo opp space and can be purchased here.
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12 S Michigan Avenue / Website
Dates: Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Explore all the best local shops and businesses Chicago has to offer with this expansive makers market. With over 40 local food, art and retail vendors, there’s a wide variety of gifts to shop for your whole gift list. From Soothsayer Hot Sauce to Funeral Potatoes to Roe & Co Irish whiskey, the market will offer gifts for food lovers and art lovers. Check out their Instagram page to learn more about vendors coming to the market.
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323 East Upper Wacker Drive / Website
Marvel in the fanciful decor of a Chicago-themed holiday suite, held in Swissotel’s expansive 2,000 square foot presidential suite. Within, find 17 glistening Christmas trees, each themed to unique aspects of Chicago, like popular landmarks and attractions, famous Chicago-style foods, and tributes to its vibrant neighborhoods. Guests will love the Chicago-style hot dog tree-lined with Portillo’s garland. Tour the space with your crew or book it for a private event with Santa or a slew of other holiday activities. Check out all of the Santa Suite events here.
Looking for more luxe stops in the city? Check out CS Editor-in-Chief J.P. Anderson's 8 Favorite Chicago Dishes Of 2022.
Photography by: megaflopp / Getty Images
