Some of Chicago’s Best Holiday Events

From a Sound of Music sing-a-long to a German Christmas market, it’s hard not to find something fun to do in Chicago during the holidays.

Starting now through the end of the year, nearly every day there is a holiday event, festival or party worth checking out.

Here is a sampling of some of the city’s best holiday celebrations. Look for posts throughout November and December highlighting more of Chicago’s holiday events.

Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music at the Music Box Theatre on Southport Avenue (map it) – If you love Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, then you won’t want to miss this sing-a-long to subtitles. The movie’s biggest fans usually get there early and in costume no less. For show times and ticket prices go here. Show runs November 27 – 29.

Ice skating at Millennium Park (map it) – Come out and skate for free under some of Chicago’s most impressive skyscrapers. This outdoor skating rink debuts this week and is open daily. Go here for hours. Skate rentals are available for $10. Afterwards have lunch or dinner at the Park Grill located behind the rink. Ice skating at Millennium Park runs through March, weather permitting.

Christkindlmarket Chicago at Daley Plaza (map it) –  One of Chicago’s most popular events is the German Christkindlmarket, which was inspired by the Christkindlsmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany. The Christkindlmarket is Chicago’s largest open-air Christmas festival and includes European arts and crafts, as well as brats, spiced wine and other German specialties. The only downside to this year’s market will be the city’s Christmas tree. Due to budget cuts, the tree will be considerably smaller this year. Normally, the tree is comprised of several large Christmas trees. This year, it will just be one tree. The Christkindlmarket is open daily through December 25.

Peppermint Bar at the Double Tree Hotel (map it) – The Doubletree’s lobby bar has transformed into a Peppermint Bar with a gingerbread and hand-made peppermint candy facade. Enjoy holiday cocktails including an Egg Nog Martini, Elf Iced Tea with candy cane vodka and a Spiced Poinsettia cocktail made with honey crisp cider. The Peppermint Bar runs through the end of the year.

The Doubletree also has a Winter Wonderland Package through January 3, 2010 for $159 a night and includes:

- One guest room accommodation.
- Four tickets to view a movie of choice at the Navy Pier IMAX® theater that includes “A Christmas Carol” in 3D.
- Complimentary indoor parking for one vehicle for two nights.
- Two adult and two children drink coupons redeemable at the lobby bar.
- For stays between December 6, 2009 through January 3, 2010, four tickets to Winter Wonderland Fest at Navy Pier will be included.

Other holiday events that I have previously posted about include:

ZooLights

Thanksgiving Day Parade

Photo credit: SXC