# ART on THE MART: Winter Holiday Projections

> Event for families in the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin area (IL / IN). Times are Central Time.

- When: Nov 19 – Dec 27 · 7:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Where: The Chicago Riverwalk (between Wells & Franklin St), 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654
- Ages: All ages (free public viewing; fully paved, stroller-friendly riverwalk with ramps)
- Price: Completely free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations required.
- Organizer: ART on THE MART / City of Chicago
- Official page: https://artonthemart.com/
- Last checked: Wed, Nov 4

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/art-on-the-mart-winter-holiday-projections--listing-2d5c605da7d90b1f79b64cde

## About

The world's largest permanent digital art projection installation, ART on THE MART transforms the 2.5-acre riverfront facade of THE MART (formerly the Merchandise Mart) into a mesmerizing open-air canvas. During the holiday season, the massive facade lights up four nights a week with animated scenes from The Joffrey Ballet's critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker, set to Tchaikovsky's unforgettable orchestral score.

The best viewing location is along the Chicago Riverwalk jetty between Wells Street and Franklin Street, where synchronized stereo audio is broadcast through permanently installed outdoor speakers. Families can bundle up with thermal cups of hot cocoa, listen to the music bouncing across the river, and watch gigantic dancing sugar plums and toy soldiers illuminate the city water. The 30-minute show is completely free and requires no tickets.

## Similar picks in Chicago

- [Illuminate 900: Holiday Tree Lighting at 900 North Michigan Shops](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/illuminate-900-holiday-tree-lighting-at-900-north-michigan-shops--listing-5d017d764f51220deb046137) — Thu, Nov 19 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · 900 North Michigan Shops · All ages · From $5 · checked Oct 21. On Thursday, November 19, 2026, the shopping center at 900 North Michigan Avenue hosts Illuminate 900, an indoor holiday tree lighting at the north end of the Magnificent Mile…
- [Holiday Lights / Luces Festivas at Welton Plaza — Gurnee](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/holiday-lights-luces-festivas-at-welton-plaza-gurnee--listing-226c16806a928a51cbf7575b) — Fri, Nov 20 · 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · Welton Plaza, Gurnee · All ages · Free · checked Oct 16. Gurnee's sixth annual Holiday Lights kicks off the season at Welton Plaza on Friday, November 20, 5:30–7:30 p.m., with a holiday light display, horse-drawn trolley rides…
- [Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (Michigan Avenue)](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/wintrust-magnificent-mile-lights-festival-michigan-avenue--listing-6abaff34f64c1caac1804837) — Sat, Nov 21 · 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM · North Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile) · All ages · Free · checked Nov 4. Ranked as the third largest parade in the United States and the nation's largest nighttime parade, the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is Chicago's official holiday kickoff…
- [Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/wintrust-magnificent-mile-lights-festival--listing-e8e0d8b6f13d73d1c8ab314a) — Sat, Nov 21 · 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM · North Michigan Avenue (Oak St to Wacker Dr) · All ages · Free · checked Nov 4. Marking the official grand opening of the holiday season in Chicago for 35 years, the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival draws more than one million spectators to North…
- [Flossmoor's Holiday Glow Tree Lighting with Santa](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/flossmoor-s-holiday-glow-tree-lighting-with-santa--listing-0d1318eed8d432253d655da6) — Fri, Nov 20 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Flossmoor Park · checked Oct 30. The Village of Flossmoor's annual tree lighting: the Fire Department delivers Santa to the park, followed by photos with St. Nick. Kids can explore emergency vehicles decked out…
- [Lincoln Park ZooLights](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/lincoln-park-zoolights--listing-a46f5e5b30aed379a1b63656) — Nov 20 – Jan 3 · 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM · Lincoln Park Zoo · All ages · From $7 · checked Nov 4. Celebrating its 32nd annual season, Lincoln Park ZooLights illuminates the heart of Chicago with more than three million glowing LED lights, synchronized musical light tunnels…

## More for families

- [Things to do with kids in Cook County, IL](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/counties/cook-county-il) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/counties/cook-county-il.md)
- [Christmas lights and holiday events for kids in Chicago](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/christmas) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/christmas.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Chicago — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/events/2026-11.md)
- [This weekend in Chicago](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/this-weekend.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Chicago](https://grassyknees.com/chicago) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/chicago.md)