Things to do in Chicago this weekend: Thanksgiving weekend

light up the lake at navy pier

Want to know what’s happening this weekend in Chicago? Look no further. There’s a whole calendar of exciting events, exhibits, and activities taking place all over the city during November in Chicago.

This weekend, don’t miss holiday celebrations, festive markets, major concerts, jaw-dropping art exhibits, dance performances, film screenings, and so much more.

Check out just a few of the top things to do this Thanksgiving weekend in Chicago, Nov. 25 – 27, 2022. Please note that all events are subject to change.


Light Up the Lake Navy Pier

Nov. 25 – 27

Light Up the Lake

Chicagoland’s largest indoor lights experience is back at Navy Pier for the holiday season. From November 25 to January 7, you can experience the magic…

Friday November 25, 2022 — Saturday January 7, 2023

Navy Pier
300 East Grand Avenue


City of Chicago Christmas Tree

Nov. 25 – 27

City of Chicago Christmas Tree

Chicago’s “official” Christmas tree in Millennium Park will shine brightly near the intersection of Michigan Ave. and Washington St. from November 18 through January 9.…

Friday November 18, 2022 — Monday January 9, 2023

Millennium Park
201 E Randolph St


Christkindlmarket

Nov. 25 – 27

Christkindlmarket Chicago

The Christkindlmarket Chicago is the most authentic traditional holiday market of its kind outside of Europe, offering a unique shopping experience, family-friendly events & intercultural…

Tuesday November 22, 2022 — Saturday December 24, 2022

Daley Civic Center
50 W. Washington St.


Winterland at Gallagher Way

Nov. 25 – 27

Winterland at Gallagher Way

Gallagher Way is thrilled to announce the return of Winterland and, for the first time since launching six years ago, the extension of the holiday…

Tuesday November 22, 2022 — Sunday January 8, 2023

Gallagher Way
3635 North Clark Street


Lightscape at Chicago Botanic

Nov. 25 – 27

Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden

Our acclaimed holiday event returns, with a new path and new light-filled installations created just for the Chicago Botanic Garden. Explore the whimsy of nature in winter through music, light, fire, and color.

Friday November 11, 2022
Sunday January 8, 2023

1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL 60022


McCormick Tribune Ice Rink

Nov. 25 – 27

McCormick Tribune Ice Rink

Skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park returns November 18 through March 5 (weather permitting). Admission is free, but online reservation tickets…

Tuesday November 22, 2022 — Sunday March 5, 2023

Millennium Park
201 E Randolph St


A Christmas Carol

Nov. 25 – 27

A Christmas Carol

Experience the “perfect Chicago holiday tradition” (Chicago Parent) that has delighted nearly two million theatergoers—Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol. With its “first-rate cast and marvelous staging…

Saturday November 19, 2022 — Saturday December 31, 2022

Goodman Theatre
170 N. Dearborn St.


Zoo Lights

Nov. 25 – 27

Zoo Lights

The most wonderful time of the year deserves the most wonderful event of the year! Celebrate the holidays with ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco…

Monday November 21, 2022 — Sunday January 1, 2023

Lincoln Park Zoo
Cannon Drive at Fullerton Parkway


Holidays from Hell

Nov. 26

Holidays from Hell

Put your holiday stress aside as you watch Chicago’s best comedians and improvisers make light of guest storytellers’ horrific holiday stories. Saturdays at 10:30 at…

Saturday November 19, 2022 — Sunday December 18, 2022

iO Theater
1501 N. Kingsbury St.


Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic

Nov. 25 – 27

Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic

Bright Lights. Magical Nights. Holiday Magic. Now in our 41st year, get ready to visit Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festival featuring over two million twinkling LED…

Southwest Suburbs

Event details

Friday November 25, 2022


West Town Makers Market & Bar Hop

Nov
25

West Town Makers Market & Bar Hop

Join us on Black Friday to shop local in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago! Shop 35 makers with a drink in hand at -…

Friday November 25, 2022

Great Central Brewing Co
221 N Wood St


Black Friday Night Market

Nov
25

Black Friday Night Market

The Black Friday Night Market will be held on Friday Nov. 25 at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro, 3905 N Lincoln from 5:00 to…

Friday November 25, 2022

Northcenter Neighborhood
4054 N. Lincoln Avenue


Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along

Nov. 25

Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along

The Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along will invite Chicagoans and visitors to sing out and celebrate Chicago’s diverse holiday traditions at 6pm on Fridays between November…

Friday November 25, 2022 — Friday December 16, 2022

Cloudgate Plaza in Millennium Park
201 E Randolph St


Day of the Dead exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art

Nov. 25 – 27

Día de Muertos: A Time to Grieve & Remember

Our 36th Day of the Dead exhibition remembers the numerous individuals from Mexico and the U.S. who have died from COVID and other tragedies in the last year. Artists from both sides of the U.S./Mexico border express a sense of continuity and culture during this season of remembering.

Friday September 23, 2022
Sunday December 11, 2022

National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608


Winter Bryn Market

Nov. 25 – 26

Winter Bryn Market

Come shop on Bryn Mawr where you’ll find makers and artists from across the city all gathered at The Winter Bryn Mawrkets! Shop everything for…

Saturday November 19, 2022 — Sunday February 12, 2023

Bryn Mawr Historic District
1052 W Bryn Mawr


Sanctum – Dark Music Festival

Nov 25 – Nov 27

Sanctum – Dark Music Festival

SANCTUM is a three day independent music festival happening in Chicago in partnership with independent venues to bring you a highly curated lineup of today’s…

Friday November 25, 2022 — Sunday November 27, 2022

Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport St


Passing Through: Artists From DoVA 2012-2021

Nov. 25 – 27

Passing Through: Artists From DoVA 2012-2021

Logan Center Exhibitions celebrates the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts’ 10-year anniversary with its Fall 2022 exhibition Passing Through: Artists from DOVA…

Monday November 21, 2022 — Sunday December 11, 2022

Logan Center for the Arts – Gallery 107
915 E 60th St


Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show

Nov. 26

Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show

The Dinner Detective is an interactive murder mystery set in present day and based on real cold cases. Feast on a fantastic dinner, but just…

Saturday November 19, 2022 — Saturday December 17, 2022

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown/Magnificent Mile
165 E. Ontario St.


NHL Chicago Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets

Nov
27

NHL Chicago Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets, Nov 27, 6:00PM.

Sunday November 27, 2022

United Center
1901 W Madison St


The Steadfast Tin Soldier

Nov. 25 – 27

The Steadfast Tin Soldier

Chicago’s beloved holiday tradition returns to the stage this holiday season, a classic the whole family will treasure! Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s story about…

Tuesday November 22, 2022 — Sunday January 8, 2023

Lookingglass Theatre Company
821 N. Michigan Ave.


Wicked

Nov. 25 – 27

Wicked

WICKED, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young…

Wednesday September 28, 2022 — Sunday December 4, 2022

James M. Nederlander Theatre
24 W Randolph St.


Harry Potter: Magic at Play

Nov. 25 – 27

Harry Potter: Magic at Play

This fall, wizards and witches of all ages are invited to experience and celebrate a Wizarding World of their own at Harry Potter™: Magic at…

Monday November 21, 2022 — Thursday May 11, 2023

Water Tower Place
821 N. Michigan Ave.


Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice

Nov. 25 – 27

Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice

Immerse yourself in Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice and honor the significant contributions of Black writers to American literature and history. Explore racial…

Monday November 21, 2022 — Sunday September 17, 2023

American Writers Museum
180 N. Michigan Ave.


The Princess Bride

Nov. 25 – 27

The Princess Bride

Adapted from the 1973 novel by William Goldman, Rob Reiner’s iconic film The Princess Bride brings the swashbuckling fights, giant monsters and sweeping romance of classic fairy…

Friday November 25, 2022


220 S. Michigan Ave.


Cabaret ZaZou presents LUMINAIRE

Nov. 25 – 27

Cabaret ZaZou presents LUMINAIRE

Randolph Entertainment LLC, producer of the fan favorite Teatro ZinZanni Chicago,  announced CABARET ZAZOU’s premier production, Luminaire will open on September 7, 2022. The new, groundbreaking,…

Sunday November 20, 2022 — Sunday April 23, 2023

Spiegeltent – Cambria Hotel
32 W. Randolph


RENT by Porchlight Music Theatre

Nov. 25 – 27

RENT by Porchlight Music Theatre

Porchlight Music Theatre presents the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, RENT, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., October…

Sunday November 20, 2022 — Sunday November 27, 2022

Ruth Page Center for the Arts
1016 N. Dearborn St.


The First Homosexuals + Celestial Stage

Nov. 25 – 27

The First Homosexuals + Celestial Stage

Wrightwood 659, 659 W. Wrightwood Ave. Chicago, opens two new exhibits running Oct. 1 – Dec. 17, 2022. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased…

Saturday November 19, 2022 — Saturday December 17, 2022

Wrightwood 659
659 W. Wrightwood Avenue


Floe, Carrie Hanson & The Seldoms – Photography Courtesy of Art on theMART (3)

Nov. 25 – 27

Art on theMART

Art on theMART is queuing up new projections for 2022 that will spotlight Chicago dance and the dancers, choreographers and visual artists that bring the medium to its full potential.


222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza


Dennis Watkins’ The Magic Parlour

Nov. 26

Dennis Watkins’ The Magic Parlour

Experience Jaw-Dropping Magic. Step into the grand Palmer House lobby and meet 3rd Generation Magician and Mind-Reader Dennis Watkins. Bask in the glamour of historic…

Saturday November 19, 2022 — Saturday December 31, 2022

Palmer House a Hilton Hotel
17 E. Monroe St.


Chicago Cultural Center Building Tours

Nov. 25

Chicago Cultural Center Building Tours

Building Tours reveal the storied history of the landmark Chicago Cultural Center – offered year round on Thursdays and Fridays at 1:15pm. Tours are FREE…

Thursday November 24, 2022 — Friday December 30, 2022

Chicago Cultural Center
78 East Washington Street, 5th Floor

Explore our events calendar for more Chicago events and happenings.