Every yearChicago · The Windy City

Every year in Chicago: month by month.

31 events in and around Chicago that come back every year, sorted by the month they usually start. Each one has its own page with the last dates we confirmed, and 23 already have their next dates posted. When an organizer announces new dates, they go on that page.

31 events · 23 with next dates posted

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

20 events

October

10 events

November

Nov14to Jan 2

Illumination

The Morton Arboretum · Lisle, IL

Holiday lights2026 dates posted
Usually
November to January
Next
Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Price (2026)
Dated tickets; price on the ticket page
Event pageOfficial page ↗
Nov20to Jan 3

ZooLights

Lincoln Park Zoo · 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614

Holiday lights2026 dates posted
Usually
November to January
Next
Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Price (2026)
$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
Event pageOfficial page ↗
Nov21to Jan 3

Holiday Magic

Brookfield Zoo Chicago · 31st St. and Golfview Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513

Holiday lights2026 dates posted
Usually
November to January
Next
Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Price (2026)
From $29.95; free for members
Event pageOfficial page ↗
Nov21to Dec 23

Santa at Holiday Magic

Brookfield Zoo Chicago · 31st St. and Golfview Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513

Santa2026 dates posted
Usually
November to December
Next
Nov 21 – Dec 23, 2026
Price (2026)
Free with Holiday Magic admission
Event pageOfficial page ↗
Nov27to Dec 20

Kohlights

Kohl Children’s Museum · 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL 60026

Holiday lights2026 dates posted
Usually
November to December
Next
Nov 27 – Dec 20, 2026
Price (2026)
$20 early, $18 regular ($15 members)
Event pageOfficial page ↗

1 event

December

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

Keep planning

More for little kids in Chicago

November: things to do in ChicagoEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in ChicagoEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in ChicagoFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in ChicagoFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in ChicagoIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in ChicagoBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in ChicagoHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in ChicagoParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in ChicagoKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas 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 flaggedChristmas markets in ChicagoChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in ChicagoWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in ChicagoDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Every year in Chicago: the FAQ

It stays up at the same address. Once the dates pass, the page shows the last confirmed dates with that year’s price and ages, and we add the next dates when the official page lists them.

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 Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.

The checked list, every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Chicago that weekend.

Chicago skyline