We found seven Christmas markets and winter events in and around Chicago with 2026 dates posted: three German-style Christmas markets, three holiday markets and one winter wonderland event. Four are free to get in. They’re spread over five areas, with the most in Chicago.
By date
Tap one for hours, prices, stroller notes and what’s there for little kids.
German-style market · to Dec 24 · Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.20NovFriChristkindlmarket AuroraGerman-style market · to Dec 24 · RiverEdge Park20NovFriChristkindlmarket WrigleyvilleGerman-style market · to Dec 31 · Gallagher Way, next to Wrigley Field20NovFriWinterland at Gallagher WayWinter wonderland · to Dec 31 · Gallagher Way, 3637 N. Clark St.5DecSatCandy Cane Lane Holiday MarketHoliday market · 3-7 p.m. · South Park Ave. between St. Charles Rd. and the Lombard train station5DecSatKris Kringle MarketHoliday market · 10 a.m.-6 p.m. · Downtown Brookfield5DecSatRoselle Winterfest Holiday Gift MarketHoliday market · 2-6 p.m.; tree lighting 5 p.m. · Petal Porch and Petal PlazaNothing matches that filter yet.
Markets
Dates, hours and prices come from each organizer’s, venue’s or city’s own page.
Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St. · Chicago, IL · about 1 mile away
RiverEdge Park · Aurora, IL · about 40 miles away
Good to know: The suburban sibling of the Daley Plaza market, set along the Fox River at 360 N. Broadway. It runs Thursday through Sunday most weeks, so check the special hours before a weekday trip.
Gallagher Way, next to Wrigley Field · Chicago, IL · about 5 miles away
Gallagher Way, 3637 N. Clark St. · Chicago, IL · about 5 miles away
South Park Ave. between St. Charles Rd. and the Lombard train station · Lombard, IL · about 20 miles away
Good to know: Run by the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce. Nutcracker dancers perform at The Schiller Team office right after the lighting.
Downtown Brookfield · Brookfield, IL · about 13 miles away
Good to know: The Brookfield Farmers Market's fourth holiday market, with a young entrepreneurs section. The day ends with the village tree lighting.
Petal Porch and Petal Plaza · Roselle, IL · about 28 miles away
Good to know: The village's Winterfest pairs a local gift market with food trucks and a stage of local acts.
Before you go
TimingGo when it opensWeekday afternoons and opening hour are the least crowded, which makes a stroller much easier.
DressLayer upOutdoor markets get cold after dark. Mittens and a blanket for the stroller help.
StrollerCheck the stroller noteSome markets get packed on weekend evenings. A carrier can be easier there.Keep planning
November: things to do in ChicagoEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in ChicagoEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in ChicagoFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in ChicagoFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in ChicagoIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in ChicagoBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in ChicagoHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in ChicagoParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in ChicagoKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in ChicagoParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in ChicagoPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in ChicagoBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas break in ChicagoWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in ChicagoDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.: Nov 20 – Dec 24. Free admission. Christkindlmarket Aurora at RiverEdge Park: Nov 20 – Dec 24. Not listed on the market's Aurora page. Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way, next to Wrigley Field: Nov 20 – Dec 31. Free admission. Winterland at Gallagher Way at Gallagher Way, 3637 N. Clark St.: Nov 20 – Dec 31. Free to enter; skating, train rides and food cost extra. Plus three more on this page.
Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza (Chicago, IL · about 1 mile away): Nov 20 – Dec 24. Christkindlmarket Aurora (Aurora, IL · about 40 miles away): Nov 20 – Dec 24. Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville (Chicago, IL · about 5 miles away): Nov 20 – Dec 31.
Winterland at Gallagher Way (Chicago, IL · about 5 miles away): Nov 20 – Dec 31, Free to enter; skating, train rides and food cost extra.
Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza: Tight aisles between huts at lunch and on weekends; weekday mornings are easiest with a stroller. Candy Cane Lane Holiday Market: true. Kris Kringle Market: true. Roselle Winterfest Holiday Gift Market: true.
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 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Chicago that weekend, holiday markets included.
