Traditions are what keep us looking forward to the holidays year after year. Whether it’s the familiar comforts you revisit annually or the thrill of discovering something entirely new, the season has a way of inviting both nostalgia and curiosity. Chicago embraces that balance beautifully. When you visit in December, you step into a city alive with celebration, boasting both timeless traditions that locals treasure and fresh experiences that quickly become favorites. If you’re spending part of your holiday season in the Windy City, consider this your guide to the festivities that make this time of year truly magical.

CTA Holiday Train

Even Santa can’t resist hopping aboard this beloved Chicago tradition. Each winter, the CTA transforms one of its trains into a glowing sleigh on tracks, wrapped in dazzling lights, adorned with decorations, and filled with holiday cheer. The 60-foot spectacle makes its way throughout the city, offering kids and adults alike a chance to catch Santa waving from the platform or even ride along on the festive journey. It’s a month-long celebration that brightens both the skyline and the spirits of everyone who sees it.

Museum of Science and Industry: Christmas Around the World

The holidays go global at the Museum of Science and Industry, where more than 40 culturally inspired trees create a forest of tradition and history. Each tree is decorated to honor the customs of a different country, offering a rare opportunity to experience how the season is celebrated around the world all in one room. Visitors walk away inspired and in awe of the majesty of the season.

Caroling & Ice Skating at Cloud Gate

Cloud Gate, lovingly nicknamed “The Bean”, becomes the stage for a citywide sing-along in December. Local choirs fill Millennium Park with the sounds of the season, turning the area into a hub of holiday spirit. After soaking in the music and admiring Chicago’s towering Christmas tree nearby, you can rent and lace up a pair of skates and glide across the rink just steps away. With sparkling lights above and the city skyline around you, it’s a classic winter moment you’d find in any Hallmark movie, and you’ll want to relive it again and again.

Holiday Window Displays

Strolling through downtown Chicago in December feels like stepping into a storybook. Macy’s and other iconic storefronts reveal elaborate, whimsical window displays each season. These mini worlds are created with intricate sets, moving pieces, and charming characters that kids and adults alike marvel at. These windows have delighted the crowds for generations, adding a nostalgic glow to every holiday walk and giving visitors a reason to slow down and savor the magic.

Candlelight Concerts

For music lovers, the holidays bring an experience nothing short of magical. Candlelight Concerts transform familiar soundtracks into something entirely new, blending live musicianship with an atmosphere that feels straight out of a dream. Whether it’s beloved holiday classics or the iconic melodies of today’s favorite artists, each note is elevated by the warm glow of hundreds of flickering candles that fill the room with a soft, golden light. As the music echoes through the space and the candles dance around you, the entire experience becomes deeply immersive. It becomes so moving, intimate, and enchanting that it lingers in your memory long after the final chord fades.

Enjoy a Holiday Experience Unlike Any Other

Your holiday getaway should feel special, from the activities you enjoy to the meals you share, to the space you return to each night. Selecting experiences that are unique to the city ensures your trip becomes a story you’ll want to tell each year at Christmas time. At Hotel EMC2, every stay is defined by imaginative details, inspired design, and a blend of art and science that sparks a sense of wonder. Located in the heart of Chicago, it’s the perfect place to unwind after a full day of festivities (or even wait for Santa himself.) If you’re ready to make this holiday season one to remember, book your stay at Hotel EMC2 before rooms fill up and experience Chicago’s Christmas magic in a way you’ve never seen before.

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