Chicago Holiday Magic: Top 5 Things To Do in the Windy City
Chicago hits different in December — lights everywhere, lakefront air that wakes you up, and the whole city moving like one big holiday movie. Whether you’re planning a family night, a date, or a full group outing with M&M Buses, these are five Holiday 2025 experiences worth bundling up for.
1. Lincoln Park Zoo – “ZooLights” Winter Display 🎄
Evening Lights • Family-FriendlyLincoln Park Zoo flips the switch every year for ZooLights — millions of LEDs, glowing tunnels, animated displays, music, and a full holiday soundtrack. You’re walking through a real zoo, but it feels like a theme park of lights.
Why it’s worth it: it’s a Chicago classic. You can do a daytime visit with the animals, grab dinner nearby, then come back for the light show. Perfect for families, dates, or a group outing with a nearby M&M Buses pickup.
See a simple sample route suggestion
Quick idea for a smooth night:
- 🚌 M&M Buses drop-off near Cannon Dr. / Stockton Dr.
- 🚶 Walk ZooLights 60–90 minutes at an easy pace.
- 🍽️ Late-night snack or dessert on Clark Street.
- 🚌 Warm pickup back to suburbs / hotel.
2. Christkindlmarket Chicago at Daley Plaza 🎁
Holiday Market • European VibesWooden stalls, German ornaments, steaming mugs of glühwein, pretzels, and lights bouncing off the downtown skyscrapers — Christkindlmarket is Chicago’s most famous holiday market, and it earns the hype.
Why it’s worth it: it feels like a European Christmas village dropped in the middle of the Loop. You can pick up gifts, grab snacks, and step straight into the rest of downtown for lights, shopping, or dinner.
Group logistics idea with M&M Buses
- 🚌 Drop near Clark & Washington.
- 🎄 60–90 minutes inside Christkindlmarket.
- 🚶 Quick walk to see State Street lights / Macy’s windows.
- 🚌 Pickup a few blocks away to avoid congestion.
3. Ice Skating at Millennium Park & Holiday Walks ⛸️
Iconic • Skyline ViewsSkating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink puts you right in the middle of downtown: skyline, Christmas tree, and “The Bean” (Cloud Gate) shining in the background. It’s one of those “if you’re in Chicago in winter, you should try this once” experiences.
Why it’s worth it: you get motion + views in the same place. After skating, you’re steps away from Michigan Avenue, the Chicago Christmas tree, and plenty of spots to warm up.
Turn skating into a full downtown loop
- 🚌 M&M Buses drop at Millennium Park.
- ⛸️ Skate for an hour.
- 🚶 Walk up Michigan Ave for lights & windows.
- 🍽️ Early dinner nearby, then warm bus pickup.
4. The Marshall Field’s Walnut Room at Macy’s State Street 🎄🍽️
Indoor • Historic TraditionThe Marshall Field’s Walnut Room is an old-school Chicago holiday ritual: dining under the giant Great Tree, surrounded by historic wood paneling, ornaments, and families who’ve been going for generations.
Why it’s worth it: warm, indoor, and built around Christmas. It’s a perfect pause in the middle of downtown holiday chaos — especially if your group has been walking the Loop or shopping.
Easy combo: Walnut Room + lights + bus pickup
- 🚶 See Macy’s windows & State Street lights.
- 🍽️ Holiday meal at the Walnut Room.
- ✨ Short walk to Daley Plaza or Millennium Park if you want more lights.
- 🚌 End the night with a warm ride home with M&M Buses.
5. Holiday Lights & Window Displays in the Loop & Mag Mile ✨
Free • Flexible RouteYou don’t need tickets to feel the holidays in Chicago — just walk. Between State Street, the Chicago Christmas tree, and the Magnificent Mile, the city is stacked with lights, decorated trees, and window displays reflecting off the glass and river.
Why it’s worth it: it’s totally customizable. You can walk 30 minutes or 2 hours and make your own route: start at Macy’s on State, pass Daley Plaza, cut through Millennium Park, then head up Michigan Avenue.
Simple “lights-only” loop idea
- 🚌 Drop near Macy’s on State.
- 🚶 Walk State Street lights & windows.
- 🎄 Cross to Daley Plaza (Christkindlmarket).
- ⛸️ Option: finish at Millennium Park or just meet your bus there.
Make Your Chicago Holiday Easy with M&M Buses 🚌
The best memories don’t come from circling for parking or fighting downtown traffic — they come from laughing on the ride in, walking under the lights together, and heading home warm and tired in a comfortable bus.
With M&M Buses, your group can hit multiple stops in one night: ZooLights → Christkindlmarket → Millennium Park → Loop lights, without anyone stressing about driving or directions.