Things to do with kids in Chicago — December 2026

Through Dec 31

A Christmas Carol 2026 at Goodman Theatre

Goodman Theatre — Albert Theatre

PaidAges 5+

Through Jan 3

A Christmas Carol at the Paramount Theatre, Aurora (2026)

Paramount Theatre

Paid

Through Dec 26

A Christmas Carol for Young Audiences — Drury Lane Theatre 2026

Drury Lane Theatre

PaidAll ages

Through Dec 30

Festival of Lights & Tree Sale at Cosley Zoo

Cosley Zoo

FreeAll ages

Through Jan 2

Illumination: Tree Lights 2026–2027

The Morton Arboretum

PaidAll ages

Mon, Nov 30 · 5:00 PM

Santa's Naperville Workshop 2026

Paddleboat Quarry Rentals building, Naperville Riverwalk

All ages

Through Jan 3

Willow Hill Lights Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show 2026–2027

Willow Hill Golf Course

From $40

Fri, Nov 20 · 4:30 PM

Christmas at Cantigny Light Show 2026

Cantigny Park

PaidAll ages

Wed, Dec 2 · 4:00 PM

Holiday Cookie Crew: Generations of Cheer — Wilmette

Mallinckrodt Center

From $12Ages 5+

Thu, Dec 3 · 6:00 PM

North Pole Elf Olympics — Westmont

Westmont Community Center

Thu, Dec 3 · 5:30 PM

Pizza with Santa — Wheaton

Ray Morrill Community Center

From $20

Fri, Dec 4 · 4:30 PM

Des Plaines Holiday Tree Lighting at Metropolitan Square

Metropolitan Square

Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM

Holiday Tree Lighting at West Lawn Park

West Lawn Park

Free

Fri, Dec 4 · 5:30 PM

Merry Museum with Santa

DuPage Children's Museum

From $15

Fri, Dec 4 · 7:30 PM

Salt Creek Ballet's The Nutcracker — North Shore Center, Skokie

North Shore Center for the Performing Arts

Paid

Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM

The Great Gingerbread Bake-Off — Aurora

Eola Community Center

From $24Ages 2+

Fri, Dec 4 · 7:00 PM

The Nutcracker — Joffrey Ballet at the Lyric Opera House

Lyric Opera House

Paid

Fri, Dec 4 · 7:00 PM

The Nutcracker: All Jazzed Up — Bartlett

Bartlett Community Center

PaidAll ages

Sat, Dec 5 · 8:00 AM

Breakfast with Santa — Gurnee

Viking Park Community Center

PaidAll ages

Sat, Dec 5 · 9:00 AM

Breakfast with Santa — Plainfield

Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (PARC)

Paid

Sat, Dec 5 · 9:00 AM

Breakfast with Santa at Cheney Mansion — Oak Park

Cheney Mansion

PaidAll ages

Sat, Dec 5 · 8:30 AM

Breakfast with Santa at The Lawn — Wilmette

Wilmette Golf Club — The Lawn

Paid

Sat, Dec 5 · 10:00 AM

Breakfast with the Grinch — Streamwood

Park Place Family Recreation Center

From $15

Sat, Dec 5 · 9:00 AM

Donuts with Santa — Naperville Park District

Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center

Paid

Sat, Dec 5 · 5:00 PM

Frosty and Friends Parade — Westmont Holly Days

Downtown Westmont (Cass Ave. from Chicago Ave. to Quincy St.)

All ages

Sat, Dec 5

Lions Charities Reindeer Run 5K — Wheaton

Downtown Wheaton

Paid

Sat, Dec 5 · 5:00 PM

Parents' Night Out: Winter Wonderland — Northbrook

Techny Prairie Activity Center

From $35Ages 4–11

Sat, Dec 5 · 12:00 PM

Photos with Santa at Bird Haven Greenhouse

Bird Haven Greenhouse

FreeAll ages

Sat, Dec 5 · 11:00 AM

Santa Photos & Workshop — Frankfort

Founders Community Center

From $13All ages

Sat, Nov 28 · 1:00 PM

Santa's Cottage Visits — St. Charles 1st Street Plaza

Santa's Cottage, 1st Street Plaza

Free

Sat, Nov 28 · 10:00 AM

Santa's Craft Corner at Cosley Zoo

Cosley Zoo — Kiebler Room

From $20

Sat, Dec 5 · 12:00 PM

The Nutcracker 2026 — M3 Dance at the Hemmens

Hemmens Cultural Center

Paid

Sat, Dec 5 · 2:00 PM

Winter Wonderland — Highland Park

West Ridge Community Center

From $15All ages

Sun, Dec 6 · 1:00 PM

Dazzle Dance Party: Nutcracker Remix — Gurnee

Hunt Club Park Community Center

Sun, Dec 6

Do It Yourself Messiah & Carol Sing-Along — Waukegan

Orlin Trapp Auditorium, Waukegan High School Brookside Campus

With admissionAll ages

Sun, Dec 6 · 4:00 PM

Gingerbread Barn Raising at Winter Wonder Lights

Peck Farm Park — Orientation Barn

From $72Ages 2+

Sun, Dec 6 · 2:00 PM

Grinch Public Skate — Skokie

Skatium Ice Arena

From $7All ages

Sun, Dec 6 · 10:00 AM

Holiday Nature Crafts at Hidden Oaks

Hidden Oaks Nature Center

FreeAll ages

Sun, Dec 6 · 4:45 PM

Holly Jolly Trolley to Visit Santa

Pioneer Park (check-in) and Arlington Lakes Golf Course

Paid

Sun, Dec 6 · 1:00 PM

Polar Express Santa Train from Roselle — Carol Stream Park District

Roselle Train Station

Paid

Sun, Dec 6 · 9:00 AM

Santa Brunch at Cantigny

Cantigny Golf Clubhouse — Tribune Hall

From $10All ages

Sun, Dec 6 · 1:30 PM

Storytime with the Grinch at Blackberry Farm

Blackberry Farm

From $16All ages

Sun, Dec 6 · 1:00 PM

The Great Chanukah Cookie Decorating Party — Northbrook

Northbrook Community Center

From $19

Sun, Dec 6 · 9:30 AM

The Polar Express Storytime Train — Frankfort Park District

Hickory Creek Metra Station

From $25All ages

Sun, Dec 6 · 9:15 AM

The Santa Trolley — Oak Park

Oak Park Conservatory (boarding) — Cheney Mansion / Pleasant Home

PaidAll ages

Tue, Dec 8 · 4:30 PM

Holiday Gift Workshop for Kids — Gurnee

Hunt Club Park Community Center

Wed, Dec 9 · 4:00 PM

Cookies with Santa at Cheney Mansion

Cheney Mansion

All ages

Thu, Dec 10 · 4:00 PM

Elf Meetup at Santa's Mailbox in Mallinckrodt Park — Wilmette

Mallinckrodt Park — Gazebo

Free

Thu, Dec 10 · 5:30 PM

Gingerbread House Night — Wheaton

Ray Morrill Community Center

From $25Ages 3–12

Thu, Dec 10 · 9:45 AM

Santa Express Train Ride — Wheaton

Wheaton Train Station (departure) and DuPage County Historical Museum

From $35

Fri, Dec 11 · 6:30 PM

A Night at the Movies: Elf — Woodridge

ARC (Woodridge Park District)

From $2

Fri, Dec 11 · 5:00 PM

Crown Point Tour of Lights

Crown Point Community Library

FreeAll ages

Fri, Dec 11 · 7:00 PM

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. — Bowen Park Youth Theatre

Jack Benny Center for the Arts — Dr. Lynn Schornick Theatre

From $15

Fri, Dec 11 · 7:00 PM

The Nutcracker — Fox Valley Dance Academy

Prisco Community Center

PaidAll ages

Fri, Dec 11 · 6:00 PM

Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus — Northbrook Community Theatre

Northbrook Community Center — Northbrook Theatre

All ages

Sat, Dec 12 · 11:52 AM

Arctic Express Holiday Train — Gurnee Park District

Grayslake Train Station

Paid

Sat, Dec 12 · 8:30 AM

Breakfast & Lunch with Santa at Heritage Oaks — Northbrook

Heritage Oaks Golf Club

From $49

Sat, Dec 12 · 9:00 AM

Breakfast with Santa & Vendor Expo — Joliet

Nowell Park Recreation Center

Paid

Sat, Dec 12 · 9:30 AM

Breakfast with Santa at Villa Olivia — Bartlett

Villa Olivia

Paid

Sat, Dec 12 · 11:00 AM

Cocoa, Cookies & Carols at Berger Park

Berger (Albert) Park

FreeAll ages

Sat, Dec 12 · 11:00 AM

Family Gingerbread House Decorating at Pleasant Home

Pleasant Home

Paid

Sat, Dec 12 · 3:00 PM

Family Swim Night: Splashing in a Winter Wonderland — Waukegan

Field House Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Center

From $10

Sat, Dec 12 · 2:00 PM

Libertyville Santa Parade

Libertyville village streets (route posted the week of the parade)

All ages

Sat, Dec 12 · 10:00 AM

Photos with Santa at the Jane Addams Center — Waukegan

Jane Addams Center

Free

Sat, Dec 12 · 2:00 PM

Santa & S'mores at Commercial Club Park

Commercial Club Playground of Chicago

FreeAll ages

Sat, Dec 12 · 9:30 AM

Santa's Secret Workshop at Horner Park

Horner (Henry) Park

From $15

Sat, Dec 12 · 2:00 PM

Skate With Santa at the Skatium — Skokie

Skatium Ice Arena

From $7All ages

Sat, Dec 12 · 9:00 AM

Splashing with Santa — Vaughan Athletic Center

Vaughan Athletic Center

From $13All ages

Sun, Dec 13 · 3:00 PM

Do-It-Yourself Nutcracker at River Park

River Park

FreeAll ages

Sun, Dec 13 · 9:00 AM

Donuts with Santa at the Crawford House — Libertyville

Crawford House

Sun, Dec 13 · 11:30 AM

Streamwood Express Holiday Train Ride

Bartlett Train Station (Metra)

All ages

Mon, Dec 14 · 9:00 AM

Santa's Workshop Kids' Craft Drop-Off — Wheaton

Toohey Park Building

From $36Ages 4–6

Wed, Dec 16 · 4:30 PM

Elves and Arrows Holiday Archery at Wilson Park

Wilson (Frank J.) Park

From $10

Wed, Dec 16 · 5:00 PM

Sensory Friendly Cookies with Santa — Oak Park

Park District of Oak Park (location per registration)

All ages

Wed, Dec 16 · 6:00 PM

Silent Night with Santa — Sensory-Friendly Visit in Mundelein

Kracklauer Studio

From $19

Fri, Dec 18 · 5:30 PM

Dinner with Santa at Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield Zoo Chicago — Discovery Center

From $35

Fri, Dec 18 · 6:00 PM

Family Gingerbread House Decorating — Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights Historical Museum

From $36

Fri, Dec 18 · 7:00 PM

Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker with New Philharmonic — McAninch Arts Center

McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage — Belushi Performance Hall

Paid

Sat, Dec 19 · 9:00 AM

Breakfast with Santa — Westmont

Westmont Community Center

From $30All ages

Sat, Dec 19 · 12:00 PM

Englewood with Santa at Sherwood Park

Sherwood (Jesse) Park

FreeAll ages

Sat, Dec 19 · 10:00 AM

Go Waukegan: Santa Shuffle Walk

Field House Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Center

Free

Sat, Dec 19 · 10:30 AM

Ho Ho Ho Holiday Breakfast with Santa — Tinley Park

Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center

From $23

Sat, Dec 19 · 10:00 AM

Holiday Fun with the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who

Vaughan Athletic Center

From $5All ages

Sat, Dec 19 · 12:00 PM

Hot Chocolate with Santa at Bell Park

Bell (George, Jr.) Park

FreeAll ages

Sat, Dec 19 · 1:00 PM

Skate with Santa — Northbrook Sports Center

Northbrook Sports Center

From $7All ages

Sun, Dec 20 · 4:30 PM

Flick N Float: How the Grinch Stole Christmas — Bartlett

Splash Central

Paid

Sun, Dec 20 · 11:00 AM

Skate with Santa at The Rink at Block 59 — Naperville

The Rink at Block 59

PaidAll ages

Mon, Dec 21 · 6:30 PM

Bagpipes & Bonfire at Winter Wonder Lights

Peck Farm Park

From $5All ages

Mon, Dec 21 · 6:00 PM

Holiday Movie Night: The Grinch at Playhouse 38

Playhouse 38 Theatre

From $15All ages

Mon, Dec 21 · 6:30 AM

School's Out Kids Club: Reindeer Games — Gurnee

Hunt Club Park Community Center

Paid

Tue, Dec 22 · 4:00 PM

Swim with Santa at Mann Park

Mann (James) Park

FreeAll ages

Thu, Dec 24 · 11:00 AM

Skate with Santa — Wilmette

Centennial Ice Rinks

From $5All ages

Wed, Dec 30 · 11:00 AM

New Year's Bash: Countdown to Noon — Carol Stream

Fountain View Recreation Center

PaidUp to 12

Wed, Dec 30 · 6:00 PM

New Year's Beach Ball Drop Pool Party

Vaughan Athletic Center

From $13All ages

Wed, Dec 30 · 10:30 AM

Noon Year's Eve — Woodridge

ARC (Woodridge Park District)

From $18Ages 4–12

Through Jan 1

Crown Point New Year's Eve Ball Drop

Downtown Crown Point — The Hub

Free

Thu, Dec 31 · 11:00 AM

Family New Year's Eve Bash — Aurora

Vaughan Athletic Center

From $10All ages

Thu, Dec 31 · 12:00 PM

Kids New Year's Eve Party — Crown Point

Bulldog Park

From $5Up to 12

Thu, Dec 31 · 11:00 AM

New Year's Countdown for Kids — Frankfort

Founders Community Center

From $15Ages 4–10

Thu, Dec 31 · 10:30 AM

New Year's Eve at Noon Party at Lincoln Park Cultural Center

Lincoln Park - Cultural Center

From $5All ages

Thu, Dec 31 · 4:30 PM

New Year's Eve at ZooLights

Lincoln Park Zoo

PaidAll ages

Thu, Dec 31 · 12:00 PM

New Year's Eve Skate — Wilmette

Centennial Ice Rinks

From $4All ages

Thu, Dec 31 · 11:00 AM

Noon Year's Eve — Plainfield

Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (PARC)

From $18Ages 3–12