Sleigh bells? Ringing. Streets? Frozen. Plans? Loading… Here’s everything festive, boozy, and potentially regretful happening around Chicago this holiday season.

Celebrate December at Noche Buena at Moe’s Cantina with the city's first Latin-themed Christmas bar featuring festive drinks, Latin holiday touches, and good company. Enter to win a $100 gift card giveaway for your night out.*

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

• Chicago’s getting a tropical party for the holidays, and we’ve got the hookup. Win a sun-sational prizes at Jewel-Osco’s Hot Holidays takeover at Water Tower Place this weekend, featuring festive games, treats galore, and tropical vibes. Enter to win!*

• Jingle juice, trivia nights, and sparkly chaos. The Christmas Inn at Hubbard Inn is a full-blown holiday experience with crafts, dinner parties, festive brunch, and cocktails worth caroling about, happening now through January 1st. Reserve your spot now.*

• Chicago’s got your holiday haul on lock. Choose Chicago’s Ultimate Holiday Guide is packed with only-in-the-city gifts, festive inspo, and the vibes that make shopping here magic. Enter to win an exclusive prize.*

• Cousin Eddie, Clark Griswold, and bottomless laughs: Brew & View is screening National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at Ramova Theatre tomorrow with drinks, holiday chaos, and no cleanup required. Enter now to win tickets!*

• Plus other just announced shows from LCD Soundsystem, North by North, Jackson Wang, Yellowcard, Gully Boys, The Maine, Clinton Kane, Varials, Beauz, and more!

BEST NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS

Skip the basic ball drop. We found the best NYE parties in Chicago, with rooftop views, epic lineups, midnight champagne, and loud music to ring in 2026. Start the year where the fun people are.

• GOLD COAST GATSBY - Party where the greats did at Ambassador Gold Coast (win)*

• ON THE HHUNT NYE - Jam it out with Hhunter at Concord Music Hall (win)*

• NYE Party - Just $50 for all-you-can-drink at Cardozo’s Pub*

• NYE CELEBRATION - Ring in the night the Italian way at Cafe Bionda*

• GIMME GIMME DISCO - Dance into the New Year at The Salt Shed (win)*

• BOOTS NYE W/ ONLYFIRE - 5 hours of hard music and dim lights at Outset (win)*

• LEMOYNE ALEXANDER - Rock out at Reggie’s*

FOR THE HOLIDAYS

FEATURED SPOTLIGHT

ZooLights is back at Lincoln Park Zoo, and yes, it’s more magical than ever. We’re talking 3 million lights, skyline Ferris wheel rides, fireside s’mores, and not nearly enough churros.*

LOCALS ONLY

• This NYE, Bar La Rue transforms into a French Alps après-ski dream, with an open bar, DJ, bites, and winter glam vibes all night. Come dressed like you're rich in Europe. Grab tickets now!

• Yes, you can still get a drink on Christmas. These Chicago businesses are open December 25th, perfect for post-dinner hangs, pre-dinner sanity, or skipping the whole thing entirely. View our full guide now.

• The drinks are strong, the music’s loud, and everything is wrapped in 6,000 feet of garland. Welcome to the city’s best holiday pop-ups, equal parts festive and feral.

• If you're not wandering a market with a hot cider in hand and a scarf around your neck, are you even wintering? We rounded up Chicago’s best winter and holiday markets guaranteed to make spirits bright.

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