Here’s the final installment – activities 20 through 24, plus some bonuses. You can also see my previous posts in this series, Holiday Lights, Holiday Meals (Dining with Santa), Holiday Performances, and Holiday Festivals.
Holiday Fun
20. CTA Holiday Train – Specially decorated and lit 6-car train with Santa and elves delivering candy canes to passengers.
- When: November 28 through December 23
- Where: On Chicago CTA train rails. See the website for a full schedule of the lines it will be traveling on.
- Cost: Regular CTA rates apply.
21. Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza – An open-air, German-themed Christmas market with gifts and food.
- When: November 21 through December 24
- Where: Daley Plaza
- Cost: Free
22. Wonderland Express at the Chicago Botanic Garden – Wonderland Express train, indoor greenhouses, and 750,000 LED lights.
- When: November 28 through January 4
- Where: Chicago Botanic Gardens
- Cost: Adults: members/nonmembers: $10/$12, Children 3 to 12: members/nonmembers $8/$10, Children 2 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased online. Parking at the Chicago Botanic Garden is $25.
23. Frosty is Lost in Safety Park in Schaumburg – Search for Frosty by flashlight n Safety Park and win a prize when you find him, plus play games and have s’mores.
- When: December 11
- Where: Safety Park in Schaumburg
- Cost: $8 for residents, $12 for non-residents.
24. Snowflakes and Stories at the Adler Planetarium – Crafts, stories, photo booth and more in the world’s largest snow globe.
- When: December 13
- Where: Adler Planetarium
- Cost: $25/adult, $20/child. Members: $15/adult, $10/child.
And some bonus activities:
*25. Family Night Out at Cantigny Park – Sleigh rides, cookie decorating, and more.
- When: December 18
- Where: Canton Park
- Cost: Admission is free; parking is $5.
*26. A Christmas Story Reunion at Hollywood Palms – Watch the movie and get photos and autographs with the actors who played Flick, Scut Farcus, and Randy.
- When: December 19-21
- Where: Hollywood Palms Theater
- Cost: $8
*27. Skate with Santa at the Oak Lawn Ice Arena – Join Santa on the ice.
- When: December 21
- Where: Oak Lawn Ice Arena
- Cost: $6 admission, $3 skate rental.
