Christmas in Chicago is better than a John Hughes Movie

I wrote a blog post about Christmas in Chicago last year. But upon reading it over a few months later, it immediately became digital trash. The post was forced and I turned red with embarrassment just reading the thing. However, I love Christmas in Chicago and enjoy talking about it with others, so hey, I will give it another shot. While the Christmas season is ending, I think it is a wonderful time to discuss the wonderful season that is Christmas in Chicago. I hope this will be of service for future Christmases and/or a fun read.

In Prague, a Chicagoan told me they preferred Chicago Christmas to European Christmas. I thought they were crazy. Besides, the Europeans invented Christmas! They could do Christmas best. Right? Riiiiight?

Turns out Chicago might take the Christmas cake. While I loved Prague/Vienna during the holidays, the US took the Christmas thing and went full force. Take Chicago’s perfect winter-mecca location and combine it with an in-your-face commercialism and wow. You have the superior Christmas cake. Spend a minute outside, and you swear a Christmas tree threw up in your face. For the most part, it’s great. But there are times I want to rip my hair out every time I hear Michael Buble.

Chicago is an interesting city with a distinct personality. There is so much to write about this wonderful city and the things it has to offer. But one thing is for sure: Chicago offers the Christmas I always dreamed about. The Christmas I saw on Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, or a random Hallmark movie.

Below are some of my favorite things to do for a Chicago Christmas. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. But I believe all of these are staples for a very Chicago Christmas.

1) Christkindlmarket

I wrote a piece on Christmas markets in Europe. But arguably the most popular Christmas market in the US is the Christkindlmarket in Chicago. This is about the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza, as I have not gone to the one in Wrigleyville.

Overall, I enjoy it. It definitely looks like and reminds me of the Central European Christmas markets. And you can find some beautiful craft pieces you would otherwise not see outside of Europe.

Ultimately, the prices are higher than overseas, as there are exported products. However, I urge you to indulge in one of the handmade German-esque products. But be careful, I saw some faux crafty things throughout the market, including from European vendors like Kathe Wohlfardht.

I also noticed that in Chicago, there are a lot more food vendors to craft vendors throughout the market. This year, I found myself wishing that there were a lot more crafts and less food. I did not eat at the market this year, but I stole some of Michael’s Frankfurter, and that never disappoints. You can never go wrong with Chicago street food.

There is also a giant menorah from the Chicago Lubavitch at the front, which is a lot cooler than most other city/business/school’s attempt to give a damn about Hannukah. Woohoo!

The crowds are bad at the European Christmas market. But they are the seventh circle of Hell in Chicago. I am very ok with crowds, but I could barely handle the crowds this year. I would recommend going before kids are out of school because a lot of that crowd was strollers. And no matter if you go alone or with others, plan ahead.

Overall, I think the Kristkindlmarket in Chicago is a lot of fun. It’s very hectic, but overall a good time if you can handle crowds.

2) Marshall Field’s (Now Macy’s)

I despise department stores, but I love the former Marshall Field’s in Downtown Chicago, only a hop, skip, and a jump from the red line.

Long story short, this is now a Macy’s, but was once known as the popular department store Marshall Fields, which dates to the 19th century. The store itself is a sight to behold. The ornate, detailed interior screams 19th century Chicago, and it is wonderful. In the building, there are about seven stories you can access. During the holidays, the entire store embodies a Victorian Christmas theme instead of the Christmas kitsch of the 50’s and 60’s, which tends to dominate modern American culture today.

Photo by Dmitri Yakovlev on Unsplash

It’s a fascinating  place filled with modern commercial garbage and Victorian nostalgia. If you have not noticed, I am kind of a sucker for Christmas commercialism, so as much as I despise department stores and everything they stand for, the Christmas spirit is alive and well at the former Marshall and Field’s.

One of the greatest treats for Christmas cheer is the 7th floor. There, you can dine at the famous Walnut Room around the store’s Christmas tree, which has been a holiday tradition for over a century. If you cannot afford to eat here(heyyo, it’s me), you can take a picture by the tree, shop around the Christmas item department, or get a drink with views at the overpriced bar.

Couldn’t afford to eat by the Christmas Tree.

So we drank at the overpriced bar instead. 😉

3) Field Museum

I was very impressed by the Field Museum. The Field Museum is located downtown by Soldier Field, and is Chicago’s Museum of Natural Sciences. Due to my childhood interest in the T-Rex, Sue, I made the museum one of my priorities in Chicago.

I love museums, and make an effort to spend an entire day there. The Field Museum has more than a days-worth to see, and I can do a larger write-up on it. Some of my personal favorites included learning about dinosaurs, evolution, and non-western history/culture. However, I recommend going during the Christmas season. The large entrance room is decorated with holly and wreaths, and the area seems to light up with cheer.

The Field Museum is unique as it creates an exhibit easily enjoyable for kids and adults. The material is comprehensive but not alienating, nor do the curators dumb down to the public. Chicago is a city known for its amazing museums, and the Field Museum backs this up.

4) Clark Street, Andersonville

Clark Street is about 9-10 miles north of downtown, but a half-mile walk from the red-line stop, Berwyn. So, it is easy to locate.

I have spent a lot of time on Clark Street, and I tend to buy a lot of my Christmas gifts from here. Most of the stores are local shops, and the neighborhood is home to thriving artistic, LGBTQ+, and Swedish communities. There is something for everyone. There are a couple of antique stores, pop-culture shops, record stores, and Clark Street is home to my favorite bookstore. And while the area is on the upper-middle class side(do not worry- there are price options for everyone!), it is not gentrified or painfully hipster ala Wicker Park. The area is pedestrian-friendly, dog-friendly, and there are various campaigns and events to promote small businesses.

Like the Field Museum, I think any trip to Chicago is not complete without a trip to Andersonville. And during the holidays, the neighborhood comes together to create the community of a small town in a cosmopolitan city.

There is a lot more where that came from. The city of Chicago looks like a storybook this time of year. Christmas really fits the breathtaking architecture of the city. Being away from Chicago for the past year made me appreciate the city a bit more. Chicago is a special place, full of quirks, culture, contradictions, and beauty. These qualities shine during the holiday season. While the Christmas season may be over, I recommend adding a Christmas in Chicago to your bucket list. It may be one of the closest things to magic I will ever know.