The Chicago Park District is celebrating the holiday season in style with a variety of events running through the month of December. Enjoy “Snow Day” at the Garfield Park Conservatory; a holiday flower show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory; a candy cane hunt at Wentworth Park; hot cocoa with Santa at Haines School; candy bar bingo at Scottsdale Park and so much MORE! See below:
Garfield Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show “Snow Day”
Garfield Park Conservatory'sWinter Flower Show “Snow Day” celebrates childhood joy when the fluffy stuff piles up enough to make a snowman, build a fort and have some fun in nature. With a variety of textures and hues of white, silver and pink, this wintry exhibit features scented geraniums, pansies, sweet alyssum, poinsettias and more, creating an illusion of a snow-covered garden. The show will also feature a 12-foot-tall tree made from over 200 white poinsettias! Timed-reservations are required. The Garfield Park Conservatory Winter Flower Show will run until Sunday, January 8, 2023. The Garfield Park Conservatory hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. The Garfield Park Conservatory is located at 300 N. Central Park Ave. Learn more here.
Lincoln Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show “Sugar Plum”
Lincoln Park Conservatory'sWinter Flower Show “Sugar Plum” features pink poinsettias and scenes from The Nutcracker Ballet. Plants such as 'Jubilee' Poinsettias and 'Purple Heart' Spiderwort will create a lavender dream world filled with dancers and nutcrackers. Timed-reservations are required. The Lincoln Park Conservatory Winter Flower Show will run until Sunday, January 8, 2023. The Lincoln Park Conservatory is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Lincoln Park Conservatory is located at 2391 N. Stockton Dr. Learn more here.
Outdoor Neighborhood Ice Rinks
The Chicago Park District’s outdoor neighborhood ice rinks are open until February 20, 2023, weather permitting. Programs, including stick & puck, pond hockey and drop-in learn to skate, are available at select locations, dates and hours. Advance registration is required for all programs, including open skate. For a complete ice rink program schedule, hours of operation, holiday hours and to register, click here. Outdoor ice rinks are sponsored by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon
The Chicago Park District ice skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park, 337 E. Randolph St., is open for the season until March 5, 2023, weather permitting. Patrons can reserve a spot to skate on Maggie Daley’s ice ribbon. Enjoy an amazing view of Chicago’s skyline, while skating laps on rolling hills twice the length of a normal ice rink. Advance reservations are required and can made at www.maggiedaleypark.com
Holiday Season in the Parks: A Virtual Holiday Experience
Enjoy more than 45 virtual holiday activities and DIY crafts for all ages! Browse the playlist of activities today here.
Upcoming Holiday Events:
Saturday, December 3
Celebracion del Invierno at Davis Square
Davis (Dr. Nathan) Square Park, 4430 S. Marshfield Ave.
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
All ages!
This is a fun event that will include Santa, local artisan vendors, crafts, sing-alongs and more!
Smith (Joseph Higgins) Park, 2526 W. Grand Ave.
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
All ages!
This is a fun event that will include a holiday coat and toy drive, crafts, local artist vendors, Santa, music and more!
Candy Cane Hunt and Crafts at Wentworth
Wentworth (John) Park, 5625 S. Mobile Ave.
4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Ages: 6-8
This is a fun event for children ages 6-8 years of age. Candy canes are scattered throughout the area located right outside the fieldhouse. Children will gather on the east side of the building and will hunt for a limited amount of candy canes. After the hunt, children can come down to the fieldhouse for a candy cane-themed craft project. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is $5 and pre-registration is required here.
Thursday, December 8
Vittum (Harriet Elizabeth) Park, 5010 W. 50th St.
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ages: 3-6
Come out on a cold wintery day and enjoy cookies with Santa!
Saturday, December 10
Ellis (Samuel) Park, 3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
All ages!
Join us for a holiday toy drive, games, senior holiday play, games, artist vendors, Santa, music and more!
Celebracion del Invierno at Piotrowski
Piotrowski (Lillian) Park, 4247 W. 31st St.
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
All ages!
Join us for Santa, local artisan vendors, crafts, sing-alongs and more!
Winter Solstice Festival at NPV
North Park Village Nature Center Park, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
All ages!
Welcome winter at the Nature Center with fun outdoor activities for the entire family. Stargaze with The Chicago Astronomer, enjoy a fire-performance by Pyrotechniq, Inc, and stay warm with an outdoor fire.
Sunday, December 11
Breakfast with Mr. & Mrs. Deaf Santa at Archer
Archer (William Beatty) Park, 4901 S. Kilbourn Ave.
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Ages: Youth
This event is open to all children who have all types of hearing loss with their hearing siblings, families, and hearing children of Deaf or Hard of Hearing parents. $5 per person, children under 5 years old are free. Cash Only.
Tuesday, December 13
Hot Cocoa with Santa at Haines School
Haines School Park, 247 W. 23rd Pl
6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Ages: 13 & under
Come have some hot chocolate with Santa, take some pictures and enjoy holiday themed crafts and games for the whole family.
Thursday, December 15
Oriole Park, 5430 N. Olcott Ave.
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Ages: 8-13
Our little park elves had such an amazing time last year, we couldn't resist the opportunity to bring it back! Join us as our staff teaches introductory archery skills at this holiday event. Archery is a great introductory sport for anyone of any age or skill. Learn more here.
Family Secret Workshop at Horner
Horner (Henry) Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave.
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Ages: 7-13
Families will work together with Santa's little helpers to make a special gift for that special someone this holiday season. The fee for the event is $20 and the price is per child and includes one adult. Register here.
Friday, December 16
Rollin' With Frosty! at Lake Shore
Lake Shore Park, 808 N. Lake Shore Drive
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
All ages!
Holiday roller skating fun for all ages! Limited number of skates to borrow. Bring the whole family. Admission is free.
Scottsdale Park, 4637 W. 83rd St.
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Ages: 8-12
Join us for a variety of bingo games & sweet rewards. Play for a chance to win the sweet pot for each round. Juice will be served. Participants must bring two regular sized candy bars in exchange for two-bingo card (max. 2 cards; no card changes.) This event is $5 and pre-registration is required here!
Saturday, December 17
Santa's Secret Workshop at Horner
Horner (Henry) Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave.
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ages: 6-7
Work together with Santa's little helpers to make a special gift for that special someone this holiday season. This event is $15 and pre-registration is required here!
Santa's Secret Workshop at Horner
Horner (Henry) Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave.
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ages: 9-11
Work together with Santa's little helpers to make a special gift for that special someone this holiday season. This event is $15 and pre-registration is required here!
Tuesday, December 20
Cocoa, Cookies, & Crafts at Chicago Women's
Chicago Women's Park and Gardens, 1801 S. Indiana Ave.
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
All ages!
Get into the holiday spirit with tasty treats and fun activities for the entire family. Register here!
Wednesday, December 21
Kenwood Community Park, 1330 E. 50th St.
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Ages: 6-10
Come and get your tree ready for the holidays. This family event is for kids and their parents to enjoy Christmas music, hot chocolate, and cookies while decorating an ornament. Register here!
Wednesday, December 28
Deaf & HOH Youth Winter Extravaganza at Horner
Horner (Henry) Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave.
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Ages: 6-14
Winter themed day of Arts & Crafts, Sports/Games and Ice Skating (at McFetridge) for youths. Participants must have a hearing loss. Dress for the weather (snow clothes for outdoor activities). Register here!
Saturday, December 31
Garfield (James) Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave.
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
All ages!
Join us for a Kwanzaa Celebration, art, music, food, vendors and community!
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