<\/p>\n
Here are five Chicago holiday events worth adding to your November calendar: <\/p>\n
1. Christkindlmarket Chicago<\/strong><\/h2>\nNovember 20th—December 24th | Daley Plaza<\/b><\/strong>
\nKick off the holiday season at Chicago's iconic German-style holiday market. Browse handmade gifts, grab a warm drink and enjoy festive food in the heart of the Loop–admission is free!<\/p>\nLocal tip:<\/strong> The Wrigleyville location at Gallagher Way also opens November 20th, making it an easy option for North Side residents.
\n– Christkindlmarket<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n2. Millennium Park Christmas Tree Lighting <\/strong><\/h2>\nNovember 20th | Millennium Park<\/b><\/strong>
\nChicago's official Christmas tree lights up Millennium Park on November 20th, officially kicking off the city's holiday season. The free ceremony is a classic Chicago tradition and an easy excuse to spend an evening downtown.
\n– Choose Chicago<\/a><\/p>\n3. Magnificent Mile Lights Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\nNovember 21st | North Michigan Avenue<\/b><\/strong>
\nMore than one million lights, a holiday parade and fireworks over the Chicago River make the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival one of the city's biggest holiday traditions. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m., with fireworks following at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\nLocal tip: <\/strong>Skip the parking headache and take public transportation. Expect street closures and large crowds around Michigan Avenue.
\n– The Magnificent Mile<\/a><\/p>\n4. Chicago Thanksgiving Parade<\/strong><\/h2>\nNovember 26th | State Street<\/b><\/strong>
\nStart Thanksgiving morning with one of Chicago's oldest holiday traditions. The free Thanksgiving Parade travels along State Street with floats, marching bands, giant balloons and performances. <\/p>\nAfterward, head home, warm up and get ready for the main event: Thanksgiving dinner.
\n– Choose Chicago<\/a><\/p>\n5. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo<\/strong><\/h2>\nNovember 20th–January 3rd | Lincoln Park Zoo<\/b><\/strong>
\nMore than three million lights transform Lincoln Park Zoo into a holiday wonderland. ZooLights runs from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m., with tickets starting at $7 for select dates. <\/p>\nLocal tip:<\/strong> Free admission is available on most Mondays, with tickets released one week ahead. ZooLights is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
\n– Lincoln Park Zoo<\/a><\/a><\/p>\nMake the Most of November in Chicago<\/strong><\/h1>\nLiving in Chicago means having some of the city's best seasonal traditions right outside your door. Whether you're exploring a holiday market, watching the lights downtown or spending a night in Lincoln Park, November is a great time to experience the city. <\/p>\n
At Highpoint Living, we're proud to call Chicago home. Explore our communities and find your place in the city!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
November is when Chicago starts feeling like the holidays. If you're looking for things to do in Chicago in November 2026, you'll find plenty of seasonal events, from holiday markets and tree lightings to Thanksgiving traditions and festive nights at the zoo. Here are five Chicago holiday events worth adding to your November calendar: … <\/p>\n
\nKick off the holiday season at Chicago's iconic German-style holiday market. Browse handmade gifts, grab a warm drink and enjoy festive food in the heart of the Loop–admission is free!<\/p>\n
Local tip:<\/strong> The Wrigleyville location at Gallagher Way also opens November 20th, making it an easy option for North Side residents. November 20th | Millennium Park<\/b><\/strong> November 21st | North Michigan Avenue<\/b><\/strong> Local tip: <\/strong>Skip the parking headache and take public transportation. Expect street closures and large crowds around Michigan Avenue. November 26th | State Street<\/b><\/strong> Afterward, head home, warm up and get ready for the main event: Thanksgiving dinner. November 20th–January 3rd | Lincoln Park Zoo<\/b><\/strong> Local tip:<\/strong> Free admission is available on most Mondays, with tickets released one week ahead. ZooLights is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Living in Chicago means having some of the city's best seasonal traditions right outside your door. Whether you're exploring a holiday market, watching the lights downtown or spending a night in Lincoln Park, November is a great time to experience the city. <\/p>\n At Highpoint Living, we're proud to call Chicago home. Explore our communities and find your place in the city!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" November is when Chicago starts feeling like the holidays. If you're looking for things to do in Chicago in November 2026, you'll find plenty of seasonal events, from holiday markets and tree lightings to Thanksgiving traditions and festive nights at the zoo. Here are five Chicago holiday events worth adding to your November calendar: … <\/p>\n
\n– Christkindlmarket<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n2. Millennium Park Christmas Tree Lighting <\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nChicago's official Christmas tree lights up Millennium Park on November 20th, officially kicking off the city's holiday season. The free ceremony is a classic Chicago tradition and an easy excuse to spend an evening downtown.
\n– Choose Chicago<\/a><\/p>\n3. Magnificent Mile Lights Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nMore than one million lights, a holiday parade and fireworks over the Chicago River make the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival one of the city's biggest holiday traditions. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m., with fireworks following at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
\n– The Magnificent Mile<\/a><\/p>\n4. Chicago Thanksgiving Parade<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nStart Thanksgiving morning with one of Chicago's oldest holiday traditions. The free Thanksgiving Parade travels along State Street with floats, marching bands, giant balloons and performances. <\/p>\n
\n– Choose Chicago<\/a><\/p>\n5. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nMore than three million lights transform Lincoln Park Zoo into a holiday wonderland. ZooLights runs from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m., with tickets starting at $7 for select dates. <\/p>\n
\n– Lincoln Park Zoo<\/a><\/a><\/p>\nMake the Most of November in Chicago<\/strong><\/h1>\n