Christmas in Chicago 2009: Outdoor Family Fun
December 4, 2009
By Miriam Y. Cintron
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Dr., has transformed into a dazzling wonderland with its special ZooLights event featuring more than one million lights, visits with Santa, live ice carving, carousel rides, and much more. The free event is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Fri. to Sun., Dec. 4 to 6, 11 to 13; daily from Fri., Dec. 18, to Sun., Jan. 3, and closed Dec. 24 and 25. Call (312) 742-2000 or visit www.lpzoo.org.
The Lurie Garden Family Workshop called From Brrrr to Beautiful: Winter’s Magic will allow participants to enjoy the garden’s winter beauty before warming up with hot cocoa. Guests will meet at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Garland Room on Sat., Dec. 5, and the event will last from 2 to 4 p.m. The free event requires pre-registration. For information, call (312) 742-8497.
More Christmas in Chicago 2009
The free McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park will be open to the public through Sun., March 14, weather permitting. Now in its ninth season, the rink, which is located on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets, attracts more than 100,000 skaters annually. Skate rental is available for $10.
While at Millenium Park, enjoy the beautiful voices of different Chicago choral groups including the Chicago Children’s Choir and participate in a holiday sing-along at Caroling at Cloud Gate. The holiday sing-along performances last about 50 minutes and will be held Fri. at 6 p.m. through Dec. 18. For more information on Millenium Park events, call (312) 742-1168 or visit www.milleniumpark.org.
The Bank of America Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., returns for its ninth magical season. Visitors can enjoy more than 170,000 square feet of sparkling lights, 25,000 holiday ornaments, hundreds of beautifully decorated trees, dozens of rides, ice skating, train rides, games, music, and live entertainment through Sun., Jan. 3.
Also, Navy Pier’s free Family New Year’s Eve Bash will be held on the Winter WonderStage in Festival Hall from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 31. A fireworks display will take place at 8:15 p.m. A New Year’s Eve Concert featuring DJ Madrid will be from 9 to 11:45 p.m. on the Family Pavilion Stage. Call (312) 595-7437 or visit www.navypier.com.
While downtown, be sure to look up and appreciate the illuminated lights along North Michigan Avenue.
