# Christmas break with kids in Chicago, 2026

> What to do with kids in Chicago over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by three museums, zoos and play places: three say they’re open on Christmas Day and three on New Year’s Day. Plus six dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.

- Last checked: 2026-10-26
- 3 places’ holiday hours; 14 dated outings
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/christmas-break/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/llms.txt

## Open or closed: Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1

- **Field Museum**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day Dec 25: closed; New Year’s Day Not listed. Their page says: “Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas” Source: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Kohl Children’s Museum**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day Dec 24–25: closed; New Year’s Day Not listed. Their page says: “Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas” Source: https://www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Lincoln Park Zoo**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day Open, 8am–5pm; New Year’s Day Open, 8am–5pm. Their page says: ““Open every day, 365 days a year. 8 a.m.–5 p.m.”” Source: https://www.lpzoo.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## Between Christmas and New Year’s (Dec 26–30)

- **ZooLights** at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 (closed Nov 26, Dec 1, 8, 15, 24 and 25). Time: 4:30–9pm (last entry 8pm). Price: $7–$12 ahead for set dates, $20 day-of; free Mondays except Dec 21 and 28 with tickets released a week ahead; everyone needs a ticket. A sensory-friendly night is Nov 24. Official page: https://www.lpzoo.org/event/zoolights/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Holiday Magic** at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 31st St. and Golfview Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513. When: Select nights Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: 3–9pm. Price: From $29.95; free for members. Official page: https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/events/holiday-magic (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Illumination** at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL. When: Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Time: Evening timed entry. Price: Dated tickets; price on the ticket page. A one-mile paved trail that works for strollers. A sensory night is Nov 17. Official page: https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/exhibitions/illumination/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon** at Maggie Daley Park, Loop. When: Nov 13 – Mar 7. Price: See the rink page. Bringing your own skates is free in some sessions and $5 otherwise. Official page: https://www.maggiedaleypark.com/things-to-do-see/ice-skating-ribbon (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Midway Plaisance Ice Rink** at Chicago Park District, 1130 Midway Plaisance North, Chicago, IL 60637. When: Nov 27 – Feb 15. Price: Free admission; reserve open skate online (released Mondays at noon, two weeks ahead). Open-skate hours are posted closer to opening. Sled-assisted skating is free by reservation. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/ice-rinks (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Warren Park Ice Rink** at Chicago Park District, 6601 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60645. When: Nov 27 – Feb 15. Price: Free admission; reserve open skate online (released Mondays at noon, two weeks ahead). Open-skate hours are posted closer to opening. Sled-assisted skating is free by reservation. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/ice-rinks (checked 2026-10-29)

## New Year’s Eve and Day

- **Noon Year's Eve Party at Vodak-East Side Library** at Chicago Public Library, Vodak-East Side Branch, 3710 E 106th St, Chicago, IL 60617. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11 a.m.–noon. Price: Free. A Southeast Side option with games and crafts for an hour, then a balloon drop right at noon. It's billed for kids and families, with preschoolers on the audience list, and no registration is mentioned. Official page: https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/6a87195265b929006b166f2c (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Noon Year’s Eve Storytime at Evanston Public Library** at Evanston Public Library – Main Library, 1703 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:30am–12:15pm. Price: Free. A storytime countdown to noon for ages 2 and up. Official page: https://evanstonlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6ab6943065abe8002a7c041c (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Noon Year’s Eve at Sachs Recreation Center** at Deerfield Park District – Sachs Recreation Center, 455 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL 60015. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Under 3 free; $15 per person day-of. A family morning of music and festive activities with a countdown to noon. Official page: https://www.deerfieldparks.org/m/calendar/event/detail/1269 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Noon Year's Eve Skate at the Skatium** at Skokie Park District – Skatium Ice Arena, 9340 Weber Park Place, Skokie, IL 60077. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 10:45am–noon. Price: $7 admission, $4 skate rental; season passes don't apply. A public skate that ends with a balloon drop at noon. Official page: https://www.skokieparks.org/events/noon-years-eve-skate/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Noon Year's Eve at North Riverside Village Commons** at North Riverside Village Commons, 2401 S. Des Plaines Ave., North Riverside, IL 60546. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 10am–12:30pm. Price: $3 or $5 per guest; 2 and under free. Crafts, early childhood open play, games and toys in the gym, then a confetti countdown at noon. Official page: https://www.northriverside-il.org/896/Noon-Years-Eve (checked 2026-10-30)
- **ZooLights** at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 (closed Nov 26, Dec 1, 8, 15, 24 and 25). Time: 4:30–9pm (last entry 8pm). Price: $7–$12 ahead for set dates, $20 day-of; free Mondays except Dec 21 and 28 with tickets released a week ahead; everyone needs a ticket. A sensory-friendly night is Nov 24. Official page: https://www.lpzoo.org/event/zoolights/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Holiday Magic** at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 31st St. and Golfview Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513. When: Select nights Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: 3–9pm. Price: From $29.95; free for members. Official page: https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/events/holiday-magic (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Illumination** at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL. When: Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Time: Evening timed entry. Price: Dated tickets; price on the ticket page. A one-mile paved trail that works for strollers. A sensory night is Nov 17. Official page: https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/exhibitions/illumination/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
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## FAQ

### What’s open on Christmas Day in Chicago with kids?
Field Museum (Dec 25: closed), Kohl Children’s Museum (Dec 24–25: closed), Lincoln Park Zoo (Open, 8am–5pm) post that they’re open on Christmas Day.

### What’s open on New Year’s Day in Chicago?
Field Museum (Not listed), Kohl Children’s Museum (Not listed), Lincoln Park Zoo (Open, 8am–5pm).

### What can we do with kids on New Year’s Day in Chicago?
On the calendar for Jan 1: ZooLights, Holiday Magic and Illumination. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.

### Where can kids go sledding or snow tubing near Chicago?
Lighted Forest Preserve sledding hills and Unlit Forest Preserve sledding hills. All of them need snow, so check the park’s status page first.

### What is there to do with kids between Christmas and New Year’s in Chicago?
ZooLights, Holiday Magic, Illumination, Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon and Midway Plaisance Ice Rink. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.

### How do you check these holiday hours?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 26, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).