Things to do in Chicago in November 2026

More than a million lights come on in the trees of North Michigan Avenue on the night of the Lights Festival parade, and Christkindlmarket opens its wooden huts in Daley Plaza, where it has stood since 1997. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo and Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo land in November, with 7 more on the list below.

Follow Chicago in your calendar: Google Calendar · Apple or Outlook Confirmed dates only. New ones appear on their own.

Starting in November

Nov20🎆 Holidays & Parades

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Friday, Nov 20 to Thursday, Dec 24 Daley Plaza, Chicago

Free

Nov20🎆 Holidays & Parades

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Friday, Nov 20 to Sunday, Jan 3 Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago

Ticketed

Nov21🎆 Holidays & Parades

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo

Saturday, Nov 21 to Sunday, Jan 3 Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Brookfield

$30

Nov21🎆 Holidays & Parades

Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Saturday, Nov 21 The Magnificent Mile (North Michigan Avenue), Chicago

Ticketed

Nov26🎆 Holidays & Parades

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Thursday, Nov 26 State Street, Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street, Chicago

Free

Nov27🧸 Family & Kids

Wintrust Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier

Friday, Nov 27 to Sunday, Jan 3 Festival Hall, Navy Pier, Chicago

$27

NovTBA🎆 Holidays & Parades

Allstate CTA Holiday Train and Bus

Expected November 2026 CTA rail lines and bus routes across Chicago, Chicago

Ticketed

NovTBA🎨 Arts & Culture

Black Harvest Film Festival

Expected November 2027 Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago

Ticketed

NovTBA🍔 Food & Drink

FoBAB, Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer

Expected November 2027 Credit Union 1 Arena, Chicago

$85

5 more run every week in Chicago year round, including Green City Market and Randolph Street Market. See the full calendar.

January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

← October  ·  December →