Get ready for the ultimate winter adventure in Illinois! This guide is your ticket to discovering all the seasonal fun and attractions across the state. Whether you're into outdoor escapades, cozy getaways, or festive celebrations, Illinois has something for you during the winter months. From snowy landscapes to holiday markets and thrilling winter sports, we've got it all covered. Let's dive into the top experiences that will make your Illinois winter a memorable one.
Holiday Events In Illinois
Gear up to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Illinois' holiday celebrations. From the dazzling lights of ZooLights and the breathtaking Illumination: Tree Lights to the cozy ambiance of Light Up the Lake, the splendid Festival of Lights & Folepi's Winter Wonderland, and the multicultural richness of Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light, Illinois offers a wide array of festive experiences. Join us as we take you through these exceptional events that make the state sparkle with holiday magic.
1. ZooLights
Location: Chicago, IL
Popularity: Very popular.
Price: General Admission: $7 (Mondays are free). Fridays, Saturdays, Thanksgiving Eve and New Year’s Eve: $10.
Lincoln Park Zoo's beloved annual ZooLights event is back this November, featuring new LED light displays that create an interactive and enchanting experience for visitors. Along with the mesmerizing lights, guests can enjoy attractions like the Light Maze, a towering Ferris Wheel, and live ice carvers. Indulge in holiday-themed food and drinks, including festive cocktails and s'mores around fire pits.
2. Illumination: Tree Lights
Location: Lisle, IL
Popularity: Very popular.
Price: Members get early-bird rates. Tickets range from $10 to $35+ per person, and kids under two are free.
Experience the annual Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum. The event features cheery attractions and immersive installations along an accessible one-mile paved trail with festive music and captivating lighting, bringing the beauty of winter trees to life. Explore 50 acres of the Arboretum's woodlands adorned with sparkling lights, witness trees changing colors, and warm up by the fire for s'mores.
3. Light Up the Lake
Location: Chicago, IL
Popularity: Popular and very family-friendly.
Price: $15-$27+
Navy Pier's Light Up the Lake is an indoor holiday extravaganza with massive light sculptures, 600,000 twinkling lights, a regulation-size Alpine ice rink, a holiday beer garden, kids' train rides to Santa's Village, a festive gift market, and even a Jolly Olde Post Office to mail letters to Santa. You can even grab meals and snacks on the go during the event. It's an attraction the whole family will love.
4. Festival of Lights & Folepi's Winter Wonderland
Location: East Peoria, IL
Popularity: Very popular amongst locals and nearby residents. Very busy on the weekends, so plan accordingly.
Price: $10-$150/vehicle
Smile, laugh, and be dazzled at the East Peoria Festival of Lights Winter Wonderland - the Midwest's largest nighttime holiday festival with the famous Folepi's Winter Wonderland drive-thru display. This remarkable drive-thru features illuminated floats, including Rudolph, a chopper motorcycle, Clydesdale horses, Frosty, the starship Enterprise with 48,000 LED lights, and a 95-foot-long smoke-spewing dragon. And don't forget to explore other exciting Festival of Lights attractions while you're there!
5. Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Location: Chicago, IL
Popularity: Hidden gem.
Price: Included in Museum Entry.
Take on a global celebration of holiday traditions at Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago. This annual event began with a single tree in 1942 and has now grown into a spectacular display featuring a four-story Grand Tree and over 50 beautifully decorated trees and exhibits representing cultures worldwide. This unique experience brings holiday joy from around the world under one roof, open from mid-November to the first weekend of January.
Christmas Towns In Illinois
Illinois sure knows how to put on a show during the holidays! From small-town charm to city bustle, we've got some fantastic Christmas towns to explore. Rockford, Galena, and Woodstock are the cream of the crop when it comes to capturing that holiday spirit. These places have their own unique traditions, dazzling displays, and a warm, welcoming vibe that makes Christmas in Illinois extra special. So warm up, grab your hot cocoa, put on your coziest sweater, and join us for a tour through these delightful Christmas towns, where the streets are all lit up, parades are in full swing, and joy is in the air.
6. Rockford
Location: Rockford, IL
Popularity: Popular amongst locals and residents in the area.
Price: Some independent events/attractions may have a cost.
The Rockford area comes alive with holiday cheer, offering an array of family-friendly events. Notable highlights include "Stroll on State," a post-Thanksgiving celebration in downtown Rockford featuring tree lighting, parades, fireworks, horse and wagon rides, and visits with Santa. "Illuminated at Anderson Gardens" transforms the Anderson Japanese Gardens with thousands of white string lights, creating a magical landscape. The "Festival of Lights" in Sinnissippi Park showcases numerous holiday light displays. Experience the "All Aglow Holiday Display" along the Rock River's outdoor gardens. The "Rockton Christmas Walk" offers unique shopping experiences and festive events in downtown Rockton. Don't miss the "Rockford Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops," featuring classic holiday tunes and contemporary pieces, including a Christmas Pops Sing-A-Long.
7. Galena
Location: Galena, IL
Popularity: Loved by locals and residents in the area.
Price: Some independent events/attractions may have a cost.
Discover the warmth of the holiday season in Galena, where shimmering lights, festive activities, and cozy drinks await. December is a time of celebrations, luminaria displays, fireworks, and holiday concerts. Stroll along Galena's Historic Main Street, adorned with beautifully decorated storefronts and buildings.
And to keep the wintertime fun going in Galena, check out these winter adventures - Nordic Center at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa offers ice skating, sledding, and cross-country skiing, and check out Chestnut Mountain Resort for downhill skiing and snowboarding. Enjoy the holiday spirit in this charming corner of Illinois.
8. Woodstock
Location: Woodstock, IL
Popularity: Hidden gem and loved by locals.
Price: Free.
Winter in Woodstock is truly enchanting, earning it the title of "One of the Most Enchanting and Magical Christmas Towns in Illinois." Don't miss The Lighting of the Square, which takes place on Historic Woodstock Square, offering selfie spots, food trucks, carolers, and Santa, followed by the famous Flip of the Switch. The Square remains illuminated until the Groundhog Days Festival in February. And you can't forget the Woodstock Christmas Parade, featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus and welcoming participation from local groups, businesses, and residents on colorful floats.
Outdoor Activities
Illinois offers a wintery wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're gliding on the ice at Maggie Daley Park, exploring the frozen waterfalls in Starved Rock State Park, embarking on cross-country skiing adventures at Beverly Lake, or experiencing the thrill of downhill skiing at Villa Olivia, there's an activity for every winter sports lover. So let's dive into Illinois' top outdoor activities, where you'll encounter breathtaking landscapes, heart-pounding adventures, and the tranquility of nature, all in the spotlight.
9. Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon
Location: Chicago, IL
Popularity: Busy on the weekends and during the holiday season.
Price: Admission With Skate Rental: $16-$22. Bring Your Own Skates: $0-$5 (prices vary on certain days of the week and holiday season).
If you're looking for an outdoor winter activity and want to go ice skating in the heart of Chicago, Maggie Daley Park's ice skating ribbon has you covered. This isn't your average ice skating rink; it's a quarter-mile long and winds around a massive 40-foot climbing wall, all with the iconic Chicago skyline as your backdrop. And because it's in the heart of downtown, you've got easy access to hot chocolate stands to warm up before and after your skating session.
10. Starved Rock State Park
Location: Oglesby, IL
Popularity: Weekdays are the best times to go.
Price: Free.
Starved Rock State Park is a year-round natural wonder in Illinois, drawing outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers. Yet, it's during winter that the park really shows off. Snow blankets the landscape, and the frozen waterfalls of Wildcat Canyon, Tonti Canyon, and St. Louis Canyon draw ice climbers and admirers looking for a winter hike. As the cold weather takes hold, the park transforms into a frozen wonderland, a captivating sight to behold.
11. Cross-Country Skiing at Beverly Lake
Location: Cook County, IL
Popularity: Hidden gem.
Price: Free.
Explore the natural beauty of Beverly Lake in the northwestern part of Cook County. This area boasts oak woodlands, savannas, and pine plantations that were once part of reforestation efforts. With recently updated ski signage and marked trails, you can enjoy nearly 2.5 miles of cross-country skiing in Beverly Lake, within the Forest Preserves' Spring Creek complex. Wildlife sightings here include deer, small mammals, and even coyotes, and birdwatchers can spot various species, including great-horned owls. It's the perfect destination for a cross-country skiing adventure.
12. Villa Olivia
Location: Bartlett, IL
Popularity: Very popular.
Price: $16-$32+
Enjoy the thrill of downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing at Villa Olivia, conveniently located just a short drive from anywhere in the Chicago area. With 100% snowmaking capabilities, Villa Olivia offers something for everyone, including ski and snowboard lessons for all skill levels and rental equipment. The facility features seven runs, a chairlift, six rope tows, and even a tubing hill, ensuring a fantastic time during the winter months.
Winter Getaways
Winter in Illinois means it's time to plan the perfect getaway, and we've got a trio of fantastic options waiting for you. From the unique Floating Cabin, providing a secluded riverside retreat, to the sophistication of Fairmont Chicago nestled in the heart of the city, and the rustic charm of Rocky Comfort Cabins, there's something to suit every traveler's taste.
13. The Floating Cabin
Location: East Dubuque, IL
Popularity: Hidden gem.
Price: $243/night
Experience the luxury of The Floating Cabin on the tranquil Mississippi River backwaters. This newly built cabin offers three queen beds, a queen sofa sleeper, a well-equipped kitchen, one bathroom, and a rooftop deck with a hot tub. Nestled at Millennium Marina, you'll enjoy wildlife sightings right from your cabin. Additionally, kayak rentals are available during the season, and registered guests receive one free hour of kayak use. The Floating Cabin is the perfect retreat from the snow-covered Illinois winter.
14. Fairmont Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL
Popularity: Busy during the holiday season.
Price: $110+/night
Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park is your urban escape in the heart of the Windy City, offering stunning views of the skyline and Lake Michigan. Enjoy a unique brewpub experience at Columbus Tap and relax with botanical treatments at our full-service Leaf Spa. With downtown Chicago's highlights right on your doorstep, including Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile, Cloud Gate, and more, you're in the heart of it all.
A bonus - during the holiday season, the hotel transforms its lobby into a cozy lodge called the Fairmont Lodge, featuring exciting events, signature drinks, and a special menu to elevate your stay.
15. Rocky Comfort Cabins
Location: Makanda, IL
Popularity: Very popular.
Price: $119+/night
Escape to a secluded haven just a scenic stroll away from the renowned Blue Sky Vineyard on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Your getaway options include three distinctive cabins: The Creole Cabin, inspired by the historic Bolduc House, offering a wrap-around porch and breathtaking views from its spacious deck. The Cove and The Hollow cabins provide a private retreat nestled into the hillside for a unique, wonderland-like experience. Each of these cabins guarantees an exclusive and exceptional escape, perfect for those cozy winter nights.
Are you on the hunt for more Illinois winter activities? What are your favorite fun things to do in Illinois in winter? Let us know – we’d love to hear from you!
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