Holiday Markets in Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL's best holiday markets include Chicago Folk & Roots Festival (Free), Logan Square Farmers Market (Free), and Pilsen Taco Vendors ($2). Most run from late November through December 23rd — weekday visits avoid the biggest crowds.
Free for IL residents first Sunday and Monday of each month. On Navy Pier.
700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 · Daily 10am-5pm, Thu until 8pm · Ages 0–10
Free. Every single day. 365 days a year. One of the last free zoos in the country.
2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 · Daily 10am-5pm (summer hours extended to 6:30pm)
There's a captured WWII U-boat inside. Also a coal mine ride. Free for IL residents on select days.
5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637 · Daily 9:30am-4pm
Beluga whales, penguins, touch pools. Polar Play Zone is built for under-5s.
1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 · Daily 9am-5pm
SUE the T. rex upstairs. Fossil dig and beaver dam building downstairs (ages 2-6).
1400 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 · Daily 9am-5pm · Ages 2+
Free. Climbing walls, slides, skating ribbon in winter. Regularly called the best playground in the country.
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Daily 6am-11pm
Free to walk around. Free fountain for kids. Fireworks Wed + Sat nights in summer.
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 · Sun-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm (seasonal)
Completely free. Kids dig in soil, play in a stream, climb a vine sculpture.
300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624 · Wed-Mon 10am-5pm, Wed until 8pm
Entire floor dedicated to kids. Free storytime, crafts, STEM -- daily.
400 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605 · Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm
Renovated playground, splash pad, free Park District programs. Toddler and big-kid areas separate.
1425 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Park open 6am-11pm, fieldhouse hours vary
Walk through a greenhouse full of live butterflies. Small enough for toddlers to handle.
2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 · Daily 10am-5pm · Ages 0+
Free 1.25-mile riverwalk. Play fountains in summer. Kayak rentals. Architecture boat tours.
E Riverwalk S, Chicago, IL 60601 · Daily 6am-11pm (May-Oct for full amenities)
Kids pretend to be zookeepers at Play Zoo. 216 acres. 14 miles from downtown.
8400 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513 · Daily 10am-5pm
1,700 acres. Tree-climbing structures, splash pad, hedge maze. 25 miles from downtown.
4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532 · Daily 9am-5pm (extended summer hours to 7pm)
Free. 46 acres of actual prairie, wetland, and forest inside city limits.
5801 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60646 · Trails: daily 8am-5pm, Nature Center: daily 10am-4pm
Free on Tuesdays. First museum in the US dedicated to African American history.
740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637 · Wed-Sun 10am-4pm, Tue free day 10am-4pm
50+ free pools across Chicago. Indoor pools open year-round. No membership needed.
Multiple locations citywide · Hours vary by location and session -- check Park District schedule
Best for under-8s. Water play, grocery store, construction zone. 17 exhibits.
2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026 · Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm · Ages 0–8
Free zoo inside a city park. Ducks, alpacas, goats. Fieldhouse with free programs.
2500 W Lunt Ave, Chicago, IL 60645 · Park: 6am-11pm, Zoo: daily 9am-4pm, Fieldhouse varies
Free kids zone at the Sunday market. Face painting, crafts, music.
3107 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647 · Sundays 10am-3pm, May-Oct
Free. 91-acre peninsula. Prairie trails, skyline views, bird watching.
1521 S Linn White Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 · Daily 6am-11pm
Sky shows for kids as young as 4. The rooftop terrace has the best skyline view in Chicago.
1300 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 · Daily 9am-5pm · Ages 3+
Free ice skating under the Bean. Just bring your own skates or rent there.
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602 · Daily 12pm-8pm (seasonal, Nov-Mar)
Not a rink -- a winding quarter-mile skating path. Free with your own skates.
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Daily 12pm-8pm (seasonal, Nov-Mar)
NHL-size ice rink, indoor pool, basketball, tennis -- all Park District prices.
3843 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-6pm
Recently renovated courts. Best public outdoor basketball on the South Side. Free.
1440 W 84th St, Chicago, IL 60620 · Daily 6am-11pm
219 acres. Basketball, soccer, tennis, pool, baseball -- all free. Most complete free sports park in the city.
1400 N Sacramento Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Park: 6am-11pm, Fieldhouse: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm
Free open gym hours. Bocce ball courts. Strong youth sports programs.
2333 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 · Park: 6am-11pm, Fieldhouse: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm
30,000+ sq ft of climbing. $30 day pass. No membership needed. Beginner classes available.
3516 N Spaulding Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · Mon-Fri 6am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm
$35 day pass. Climbing, yoga, fitness, and a coworking lounge. West Loop.
100 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60607 · Mon-Fri 6am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm
Olympic-size 50-meter pool. Free. Open year-round. Park District prices.
4100 N Long Ave, Chicago, IL 60641 · Hours vary by session -- check Park District schedule
372 acres. Free pool, basketball, tennis, baseball. DuSable Museum is on the grounds.
5531 S Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Chicago, IL 60637 · Park: 6am-11pm, Pool: summer only 11am-7pm
Free open fields near the Nature Museum. No reservation. Pickup and league play.
2045 N Lincoln Park W, Chicago, IL 60614 · Daily dawn to dusk
Free outdoor gym equipment at multiple parks. QR codes link to guided workouts.
1805 N Humboldt Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647 · Daily 6am-11pm
Tennis, pools, basketball, squash, gym, spa -- all under one roof. $50 day pass.
2444 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 · Mon-Fri 5am-10pm, Sat-Sun 6am-9pm
Free outdoor climbing up to 40 feet. Bouldering, lead, and top-rope. Downtown.
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Seasonal, daily 10am-7pm (weather permitting)
Lighted tennis courts. Good pickup basketball. Free. North Side.
2741 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · Park: 6am-11pm, Courts: lighted until 10pm
Free sand volleyball courts on the lakefront. Permit for organized groups; pickup is free.
1603 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 · Beach: Memorial Day-Labor Day 11am-7pm
Free outdoor pool on the South Side. Open 7 days a week in summer 2026.
2725 W 41st St, Chicago, IL 60632 · Summer only: daily 11am-7pm
Indoor turf fields. Drop-in soccer $15. Leagues available. Open year-round.
3900 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618 · Mon-Fri 9am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm
Free open gym hours. Basketball, volleyball, badminton. Lakeview location.
833 W Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60613 · Fieldhouse: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm
Free beach, bird sanctuary, dog beach, kayak rentals. Less touristy than North Ave.
4400 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60640 · Beach: Memorial Day-Labor Day 11am-7pm
Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and dozens more started here. $10 shows available nightly.
1616 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60614 · Shows nightly, box office opens at noon
Al Capone's hangout. Jazz 7 nights. Cash only. No talking during sets.
4802 N Broadway Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 · Daily 4pm-4am (5am on Sat)
American Gothic, Nighthawks, Seurat's Sunday -- all here. Kids under 14 free. Chicago teens under 18 free.
111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603 · Daily 11am-6pm, Thu until 8pm
The marquee sign. The grand staircase. $32 tour takes you backstage.
175 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Tour at 12pm, show times vary
Free concerts all summer. Frank Gehry bandshell. Bring a blanket and a picnic.
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Park open daily 6am-11pm, concerts typically 6:30pm-9pm
Two stages, simultaneous blues bands, until 5am Saturdays. Open since 1968.
2548 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614 · Mon-Thu 7pm-4am, Fri 7pm-5am, Sat 7pm-5am, Sun 7pm-4am
Two doors from Second City. Touring headliners. Two-drink minimum. Thu-Sun.
1548 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 · Shows Thu-Sun, doors open 1 hour before show
Improvised Shakespeare Company performs here. Cheaper and weirder than Second City.
1501 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60642 · Shows nightly, schedule varies
Founded by Gary Sinise and John Malkovich. New in-the-round theater. Rush tickets available.
1650 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614 · Show times vary, box office Tue-Sun 12pm-5pm
311 seats, full bar, $16 tickets. Touring headliners most nights.
3175 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657 · Show times vary, check schedule
Free Monday shows. Dive bar vibe. The underground music scene runs through here since 1992.
1035 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Mon-Sat 5pm-2am, Sun varies
100 capacity. Prohibition-era bar. Shows sell out fast. Regulars are fiercely loyal.
1354 W Wabansia Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 · Wed-Sat shows, doors vary
In the Second City building. Stand-up format. $15-40. Zanies is next door.
1608 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60614 · Show times vary, check schedule
Buddy Guy's own club. Live blues nightly. The man himself plays every January.
700 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 · Mon-Thu 11am-2am, Fri-Sat 11am-3am, Sun 12pm-2am
Chicago's oldest theater. $15 tix-at-six rush. Collaborations with David Byrne.
170 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Box office daily 12pm-5pm, show times vary
50 years of original African American musicals — 2026 season includes Muddy Waters
4450 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 · Show times vary, check schedule
500 capacity. Sister venue to Schubas. Best mid-size room on the North Side.
2424 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 · Show nights, doors vary
165 capacity. The room where everyone plays before they blow up. $10-20.
3159 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 · Show nights, doors vary
Smashing Pumpkins played their first big shows here. 1,100 capacity. Still going since 1982.
3730 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613 · Show nights, doors vary
World's largest magic venue. Inside the historic McCormick Mansion. Opened 2026.
430 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 · Show times vary, check schedule
The building tour that launched a thousand architecture buffs. Boat tours from $47.
111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601 · Daily 10am-5pm, boat tours seasonal
Live jazz since 1951. Two sets nightly. $10-15 cover. Downtown location.
11 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60611 · Mon-Sat 5pm-1am, Sun 5pm-12am
Free on Tuesdays for IL residents. Rooftop sculpture garden. Wednesday late nights.
220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 · Tue 10am-9pm, Wed-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mon
1892 opera house turned concert hall. Ornate interior. Czech and Mexican neighborhood heritage.
1807 S Allport St, Chicago, IL 60608 · Show nights, doors vary
$2 tacos from sidewalk stands — best Mexican food neighborhood in Chicago.
18th St between Ashland and Western, Chicago, IL 60608 · Varies by vendor, most active lunch through dinner
17-course omakase served in a hotel suite — 75 minutes, reservations only.
Hotel Julian, 168 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 · By reservation only, check availability
Cocktail bar hidden inside a hair salon — you have to know it's there.
3462 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657 · Check social media for hours
$4 boat ride to Chinatown — cheaper and more fun than a rideshare.
Michigan Ave at Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601 · Mon-Fri 6:30am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm (seasonal)
Free folk and roots music festival in Humboldt Park — summer weekend.
Humboldt Park, 1400 N Sacramento Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Weekend event, check schedule
Dry cleaner and tailor in Rogers Park. Suits, dresses, leather, delicates. Hemming from $12, suit jacket alterations from $30. Precise work, reasonable prices.
7100 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60626 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm
Lakeview dry cleaner on Broadway. Suits, shirts, dresses, comforters. Same-day if you drop off before 10am. $5-8 per garment. Also does minor alterations.
3000 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-5pm
Self-service laundromat in Lakeview on Broadway. Multiple machine sizes, clean. Small loads from $2.50, large from $6. Wash-and-fold drop-off available.
3475 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657 · Daily 6am-10pm
Dry cleaning and shoe repair in one shop on the far South Side. Heel replacement, sole repair, shoe stretching, leather conditioning. Shoe repair $15-50. Hard to find a shop that still does cobbler work this well.
10457 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60655 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 8am-3pm
Custom tailor in Lakeview offering suit alterations, hemming, tapering, and custom fitting. Pants hemming starts around $12, suit jacket sleeves from $25, full suit alterations from $60. Known for precise work on both men's and women's garments. Walk-ins welcome but appointments recommended for custom work.
3748 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613 · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
Full-service pet grooming salon on the Northwest Side offering baths, haircuts, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and breed-specific grooming. Small dogs typically $50-80, large dogs $80-130. Also offers self-wash stations for DIY baths. Appointments recommended, especially on weekends.
3908 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-4pm
Dog grooming salon on the Northwest Side specializing in breed-specific cuts, hand scissoring, and creative grooming. Offers full grooming packages, bath-only options, nail trimming, and teeth brushing. Small dog grooming starts around $55, large breeds from $85. Known for handling anxious dogs with patience.
7500 W Belmont Ave, Ste A, Chicago, IL 60634 · Tue-Sat 8am-5pm, closed Sun-Mon
Tailor and dry cleaner in Lincoln Square. Simple hems to wedding dress alterations. Pants hemming from $10, dress alterations from $30.
2722 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm
Modern pet grooming salon in the West Loop offering full-service grooming, bathing, nail trimming, and spa treatments for dogs and cats. Located in a convenient West Loop location near the 90/94 expressway. Small dogs from $60, large dogs from $90. Also offers de-shedding treatments and puppy grooming introductions.
1010 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60607 · Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Shoe, leather, and handbag repair in the West Loop. Sole replacement, heel repair, leather conditioning, dyeing, bag restoration. Heel replacement from $25, full resoling from $60. Appointments for complex work.
215 N Aberdeen St, Chicago, IL 60607 · Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm
Longtime neighborhood dry cleaner in North Center with a 4.2-star rating and a loyal following. Handles suits, shirts, dresses, comforters, and household items. Same-day service available on drop-offs before 9am. Basic dry cleaning from $5 per garment. Also does minor alterations and wedding dress preservation.
4335 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-5pm
Self-service laundromat in Wicker Park on North Ave. Large-capacity machines, free Wi-Fi. Small loads from $3, jumbo $7-8. Wash-and-fold drop-off at $1.50/lb.
1648 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Daily 6am-10pm
Family-run tailor and dry cleaner in Logan Square with a 4.7-star rating. Handles everything from basic hems to suit alterations and bridal gowns. Pants hemming from $10, suit jacket sleeves from $20. Known for careful work and honest pricing. Walk-ins welcome.
3253 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm
Full-service dog grooming salon near Wrigley Field offering baths, breed-specific cuts, nail trimming, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, and de-shedding treatments. Small dogs from $55, large dogs from $90. Also offers daycare and boarding. Appointments required -- this place stays booked, especially on weekends.
3740 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat-Sun 8am-5pm
Highly rated tailor on the Southport corridor with a 4.9-star rating. Specializes in same-day and next-day turnaround for basic alterations. Pants hemming from $12, waist adjustments from $18, full suit alterations from $50. Walk-ins welcome for most jobs. A go-to for Lakeview residents who need something done fast.
3517 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
Modern self-service laundromat in Lakeview with eco-friendly detergent dispensers, large-capacity machines, and a clean waiting area. Small loads from $2.75, triple-load machines $5.50. Wash-and-fold drop-off at $1.75 per pound. Free Wi-Fi. Open seven days a week with extended hours.
1101 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 · Daily 6am-11pm
Old-school cobbler in Andersonville. Heel replacements, resoling, shoe stretching, zipper repair, leather conditioning. Heel caps $10, half-soles $35, full resoling $50. Quick turnaround on basic repairs.
5309 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm
Neighborhood pet grooming salon in Bucktown with self-wash stations and full-service grooming. Self-wash from $20 (includes shampoo, towels, and dryers). Full grooming for small dogs from $50, large dogs from $80. No appointment needed for self-wash. A low-key, friendly shop that does not try to upsell you.
1656 W Cortland St, Chicago, IL 60622 · Tue-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Self-service laundromat in Pilsen with Spanish-speaking staff, multiple machine sizes, late hours. Small loads from $2.50, large from $6.50. Wash-and-fold available. Clean, well-lit.
1827 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 · Daily 6am-10pm
A long-running cobbler shop in Hyde Park serving the University of Chicago neighborhood. Handles resoling, heel replacement, shoe stretching, zipper repair, and leather conditioning. Full resoling from $45, heel caps from $10. Also repairs bags and belts. Quick turnaround on basic jobs.
1512 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615 · Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm