United States, North America

Chicago in December

Festive and cold: Christkindlmarket, ZooLights, and store windows. Dress for real winter.

TradeoffsCold, highs near 36F (2C), snow

Chicago skyline, United States — ChicagoPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

December is a month of real tradeoffs in Chicago. Festive and cold: Christkindlmarket, ZooLights, and store windows. Dress for real winter.

Weather: Cold, highs near 36F (2C), snow
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What December is like in Chicago

December is festive and cold. Highs are near 36F (2C), snow is common, and the days are short. Holiday lights, store windows, and the Christkindlmarket give downtown a warm glow in the evenings. Crowds pick up around the holidays, and prices are moderate outside the week between Christmas and New Year's.

This month suits families and couples who love the holidays and are ready to dress for real winter. It is a poor pick for outdoor time or river tours, which are paused. If you want warmth, save your trip for June or September.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Chicago this month.

Christkindlmarket

The Christmas market in Daley Plaza runs through late December. Weekday afternoons are calmer than weekend evenings.

ZooLights

The Lincoln Park Zoo lights up for the holidays. It is a favorite family evening, so dress very warmly.

Holiday store windows

The windows along State Street and Michigan Avenue are a classic December walk, best right after dark.

What to pack for December

A heavy insulated coat
Waterproof, insulated boots
A warm hat, gloves, and scarf
Hand warmers for evening markets and lights

Our timing tip

Do the holiday markets and lights in the first half of December, before the Christmas week crowds, and go on a weeknight when you can.

Book Chicago for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Chicago
Opens a hotel search for Chicago in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Chicago
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Chicago
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Chicago for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Christkindlmarket

Mid November through late December

A German-style Christmas market in Daley Plaza. Weekday afternoons are least crowded.

Things to do in Chicago

Full guide

Chicago Architecture Center river cruise

Runs roughly spring through fall. The first and last departures of the day are the most comfortable in summer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Art Institute of Chicago

One of the great museums anywhere. Go at opening and head straight to the Impressionists before the crowds.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Millennium Park

Cloud Gate (the Bean), Crown Fountain, and free summer concerts at the Pritzker Pavilion. Early morning for photos.

Tickets and tours →

Field Museum

Home of SUE, one of the most complete T. rex skeletons ever found. Plan at least half a day.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Museum of Science and Industry

A real U-boat, a coal mine, and a huge model railroad. Best on weekdays outside school field trip season.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Wrigley Field

A Cubs day game in summer is the classic Chicago afternoon. Tour days run when the team is away.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the convention calendar at McCormick Place. Big shows can double hotel rates for a week.
Buy museum tickets online and arrive at opening. The Field, Shedd, and MSI fill fast on summer weekends and during school breaks.
Stay in a neighborhood like Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, or the West Loop and ride the L downtown. Rates are often better than the Loop and River North.
September gives you summer weather with far fewer visitors. It is the best-value warm month.

Know before you go

Architecture boat tours and many river cruises run roughly spring through fall and pause in winter.
Beaches are officially open with lifeguards from about Memorial Day to Labor Day. Outside that window, swimming is not supervised.
Winter never shuts the city down. Museums, theater, and restaurants run full schedules, and the L keeps moving in all but the worst storms.
Wrigley Field and Sox park tours depend on the baseball schedule; check game days before you plan.