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Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2022 in Chicago: Thanksgiving Parade, Turkey Trots, Christmas Shows

Holiday light parade photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Naperville
Holiday light parade photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Naperville
11/22/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this Thanksgiving weekend 2022? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Thanksgiving Day weekend.

Gobble up some activities along with your turkey this Thanksgiving weekend! There's plenty to do around Chicago to kick off the holiday season. Check out the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade along State Street or sing along with carolers in Millennium Park. Get outside to move around after turkey dinner at a Turkey Trot in Grant Park or Beverly, or Opt Outside at North Park Nature Village. The first performances of A Chistmas Carol are scheduled for this weekend at The Goodman Theater downtown and The Mac in Glen Ellyn, while The Nutcracker is playing in Hinsdale and Joliet.

With the weather staying seasonably in the 40s for the weekend, this is a great time to check out one of our favorite holiday light shows and drive-thrus, or plan a skating trip for on one of our favorite outdoor rinks. Plan out one of  your December weekends to include a showing of The Nutcracker or a ride on the CTA Holiday Train.

Let's all give thanks for our wonderful kiddos as we enter this holiday season together!

More Things To Do in Chicago this Week with Kids 

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Thanksgiving Day Parade this weekend in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thanksgiving Day Parade this weekend in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade

Things To Do Thanksgiving Weekend in Chicago

A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theater

Wednesday, November 23 and Friday, November 25- Sunday, November 27-- Downtown
Charles Dickens's holiday classic is brought to life at this annual play at the Goodman Theater. Nearly two million people have seen the show, which is now in its fifth decade. READ MORE

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Thursday, November 24—Downtown
Chicago's Thanksgiving Parade will have the theme of "Where Grateful Hearts Gather." Families can watch as floats, bands, and dignitaries travel along State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street. READ MORE

Aurora Festival of Lights

Opens Friday, November 25—Aurora
A one-mile trail of lighted displays decorates Aurora's Philips Park. Families can drive through the arcs, skate on an expanded skating rink, and visit Santa's toy factory. READ MORE

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo

Opens Friday, November 25—Brookfield
Featuring more than a million LED lights, a 41-foot talking Christmas tree, and a 600-foot tunnel of lights with coordinating music, Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic highlights the holidays and loads of animals. READ MORE

Holiday Happenings Kick Off Weekend in Downtown Downers Grove

Friday, November 25- Sunday, November 27—Downers Grove
Kick-off the season with fun for the whole family while supporting small businesses. On Friday, November 25th, enjoy the sounds of the Olde Town Carolers from 3:00-4:00pm. Join us for the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 4:30 pm, which is sponsored by the Village of Downers Grove.  Santa will arrive with the assistance of the Downers Grove Fire Department.  Mayor Bob Barnett and Santa will count down and bring a sparkle to the tree, which is decorated with over 1,000 ornaments created by the children of Downers Grove!  READ MORE

Opt Outside

Friday, November 25—North Park
The #OptOutside encourages families to skip Black Friday shopping and do something outside instead. North Park Village Nature Center will host a variety of family friendly outdoor activities like daytime sungazing with an astronomer and a walking stick making craft. READ MORE

Kohlights

Opens Saturday, November 26—Glenview
Kids can walk through a unique light display with a learning glow stick that controls and changes the lights, providing a different experience every time. Visit the pixel play meadow, rainbow arbor, color play tree, rainbow caterpillar, color walk, and rainbow art installation. READ MORE

Glen Ellyn Holiday Walk and Tree Lighting

Friday, November 25—Glen Ellyn
Glen Ellyn merchants will show off their decorated storefronts as shoppers walk through the downtown area. Santa will light the downtown Glen Ellyn Christmas tree at 6:30 p.m. For the holiday season, families can enjoy ice skating on Polar Plaza, a 60' by 40' skating rink in Downtown Glen Ellyn. READ MORE

Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along

Friday, November 25—Downtown
Sing together with other Chicagoans in this multi-cultural holiday event. A different performer will lead the sing-along each week at the Cloudgate sculpture. Songbooks will be distributed so participants can sing along. READ MORE

Annual Turkey Trot Hike

Friday, November 25—River Forest
Walk off the turkey and stuffing at this annual post-holiday hike at Trailside Museum of Natural History. The whole family is welcome! READ MORE

Happy Holiday Railway

Opens Friday, November 25—Union
Enjoy a 40-minute train ride with a visit from Santa from the Illinois Railway Museum. The train ride includes hot chocolate, treats and gifts, and kids can see an amazing light display inside the museum. READ MORE

The Princess Bride in Concert

Friday, November 25—Downtown
Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents a showing of the classic The Princess Bride on screen while the orchestra plays alongside. Mark Knopfler's score is brought to life by the musicians. READ MORE

2022 Holiday Parade of Lights Naperville

Friday, November 25—Naperville
Watch as twinkling floats and vehicles travel through downtown Naperville at this annual parade sponsored by the Naperville Rotary Club. Santa will appear at the end of the parade and be on hand at the Naperville Public Library to visit with kids after the parade. READ MORE

College of DuPage Theater Presents "A Christmas Carol"

Friday, November 25- Sunday, November 27—Glen Ellyn
The holiday classic play is adapted into a 70-minute family-friendly play starring 50 local actors and children. The high-spirited play will show in the evenings on Friday and Saturday and afternoons Saturday and Sunday. READ MORE

Elk Grove Village Holiday Tree Lighting

Friday, November 25—Elk Grove Village
Elk Grove Village's Mayor will flip the switch to turn on more than 250,000 lights on the village Christmas tree, municipal complex, library, and park district pavilion. Families can also enjoy refreshments, a holiday concert, and fireworks. READ MORE

Santa on the Green

Saturday, November 26—Oak Lawn
Santa, Mrs. Claus and Frosty the snowman and the Grinch will visit the Village Green in Oak Lawn for kids to visit and take pictures. Bring your letter to Santa, no postage necessary! READ MORE

Grant Park Turkey Trot

Saturday, November 26—Downtown
Run through Grant Park and along Lake Michigan at this annual post-Thanksgiving 5k, 10k and kids' dash. Participants receive a cider or beer at the finish line. Families can also create a team to participate in The Thankful Turkey 5K and enter to win a prize for the best team name. READ MORE

Holiday History Hike

Saturday, November 26—Wheaton
Visit Cantigny Park for songs, stories and stops that teach families about history. The event is outdoors, so families are encourages to dress warmly in their favorite holiday sweaters. READ MORE

The Nutcracker Performed by Salt Creek Ballet at Hinsdale Central

November 26-27—Hinsdale
Salt Creek Ballet performs the holiday classic The Nutcracker at various locations throughout the Chicago area, including  in both matinee and evening shows at Hinsdale Central. The ballet takes audiences on a journey through toys that come alive, dancing snowflakes, and waltzing flowers. Kids can enjoy a Sugar Plum Party after the Sunday show, giving them a chance to step onstage, meet the cast, and enjoy refreshments in the winter wonderland. READ MORE

Beverly Hill Turkey Trot

Saturday, November 26—Beverly
This 13th annual Turkey Trot leads families through 5 kilometers of the North Beverly neighborhood. Participate as an individual or as a team, and join other racers for a pancake breakfast in the gym of Christ the King for $5 after the run. READ MORE

Rialto Square Theater Holiday Movies

Saturday, November 26—Downtown
Rialto Square Theater shows three classic Christmas movies for families to enjoy again. On November 26, kids can see The Polar Express. Home Alone will play on December 11. The classic It's a Wonderful Life will be shown on December 18rd. READ MORE

Light Up the Lake

Opens Saturday, November 26—Downtown
Enjoy an indoor winter wonderland at Navy Pier, complete with indoor light sculpture displays, ice skating, and visits with Santa. Guests can also enjoy Santa's Merry Main Street gift market and ride the iconic Navy Pier Ferris Wheel. READ MORE

Holly Jolly Fest Niles

Saturday, November 26—Niles
Start the holiday season with hot chocolate, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a petting zoo, and fire pits to make s'mores at the Village of Niles Civic Center. Santa, Anna and Elsa, and face-painters will entertain kids. Foods and beverages from local restaurants will be available for purchase and the village Christmas tree will be lit at 5:30 p.m. READ MORE

1890s Holiday Candy Making

Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 29—West Chicago
Watch as historical interpreters make candy from an heirloom recipe on a woodburning stove in a historic farm. See how cooking and nature interact as flavored oils from plants are combined with syrup derived from corn. READ MORE

Orland Park Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting

Sunday, November 27—Orland Park
Orland Park's first holiday parade will culminate in the lighting of the village Christmas tree! Live entertainment, reindeer and pictures with Santa will join the holiday market at Orland Park Civic Center. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

More Things To Do in Chicago this Season

27 Ways to See The Nutcracker Ballet in Chicago this Holiday Season

Catch the classic holiday ballet this year at one of these excellent productions. READ MORE

Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Chicago

What if we told you that you didn't have to cook all day? READ MORE

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Chicago

Brighten up your holiday nights with a visit to one of these elaborate lights displays and festivals. READ MORE

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks for Chicago Kids and Families

Top 10 Christmas Tree Farms Near Chicago

Grab some hot chocolate and create a special afternoon picking out your tree at one of these farms near Chicago. READ MORE

Holiday Volunteering Opportunities for Kids and Families in Chicago

Help your community celebrate the holidays with one of these volunteering opportunities for families. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Trailside Museum of Natural History
Illinois Railway Museum
Elk Grove Town Center Village Green
Village of Niles Civic Center
Richardson Christmas Tree Farm
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