Winter in Arlington Heights brings a full slate of seasonal events, live performances, and festive celebrations. Local traditions, family outings, cultural programs, and regional attractions all contribute to an engaging cold-weather experience. This guide highlights major winter activities in Arlington Heights and the surrounding Greater Chicago area.
Winter Events near Arlington Heights
A Christmas Carol at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
December 4–24
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre presents its annual adaptation of A Christmas Carol, a polished production that retells Dickens’s classic story with new staging and thoughtfully refreshed creative elements. Audiences follow Ebenezer Scrooge through visits to his earlier life, his present circumstances, and the path ahead, each sequence shaped by expressive acting, atmospheric lighting, and melodic holiday arrangements. The show’s combination of character-driven storytelling and winter charm has made it a signature Arlington Heights tradition. Many residents look forward to the return of this production each December due to its attention to detail and warm, community-oriented presentation.
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre presents its annual adaptation of A Christmas Carol, a polished production that retells Dickens’s classic story with new staging and thoughtfully refreshed creative elements. Audiences follow Ebenezer Scrooge through visits to his earlier life, his present circumstances, and the path ahead, each sequence shaped by expressive acting, atmospheric lighting, and melodic holiday arrangements. The show’s combination of character-driven storytelling and winter charm has made it a signature Arlington Heights tradition. Many residents look forward to the return of this production each December due to its attention to detail and warm, community-oriented presentation.
Wagon Rides with the Roselle Park District
December 13
The Roselle Park District hosts one of the season’s most anticipated outdoor events: an evening of wagon rides illuminated by winter decorations and guided along a set route designed for a relaxed, scenic experience. Guests are scheduled in timed groups, ensuring a smooth procession throughout the night. Santa greets families upon arrival, and a small hospitality station offers warm cocoa and cookies for anyone who wants to linger after the ride. Registration is limited and opens first to Roselle Park District residents before opening to nonresidents. The outdoor nature of the event ensures it runs in rain, snow, or cold, adding to the atmosphere of a true Midwest winter night.
The Roselle Park District hosts one of the season’s most anticipated outdoor events: an evening of wagon rides illuminated by winter decorations and guided along a set route designed for a relaxed, scenic experience. Guests are scheduled in timed groups, ensuring a smooth procession throughout the night. Santa greets families upon arrival, and a small hospitality station offers warm cocoa and cookies for anyone who wants to linger after the ride. Registration is limited and opens first to Roselle Park District residents before opening to nonresidents. The outdoor nature of the event ensures it runs in rain, snow, or cold, adding to the atmosphere of a true Midwest winter night.
Chanukah Celebration at North School Park
December 14
North School Park hosts a large outdoor Chanukah gathering that brings together music, community participation, and ceremonial lighting. This year’s event includes a live concert by rising performer Yasha Boyarskiy, adding a notable musical highlight to the celebration. One of the most memorable features is the annual Gelt Drop, in which the Arlington Heights Fire Department uses its ladder truck to release chocolate coins to the crowd below. The first 100 registrants receive a light-up Chanukah gift, and free menorahs and candles are handed out so participants can continue the celebration at home or during travel. The event’s scale and inclusive programming make it one of the most recognized winter festivities in the area.
North School Park hosts a large outdoor Chanukah gathering that brings together music, community participation, and ceremonial lighting. This year’s event includes a live concert by rising performer Yasha Boyarskiy, adding a notable musical highlight to the celebration. One of the most memorable features is the annual Gelt Drop, in which the Arlington Heights Fire Department uses its ladder truck to release chocolate coins to the crowd below. The first 100 registrants receive a light-up Chanukah gift, and free menorahs and candles are handed out so participants can continue the celebration at home or during travel. The event’s scale and inclusive programming make it one of the most recognized winter festivities in the area.
Winter Events in Chicago
Christkindlmarket Chicago
November 21–December 24
Chicago’s Christkindlmarket remains a top winter destination for many Arlington Heights residents looking for seasonal food, mulled beverages, and handmade goods. Modeled after European holiday markets, it features wooden vendor stalls selling ornaments, artisan crafts, baked goods, and traditional German snacks. Visitors enjoy strolling the market with warm drinks in collectible mugs while listening to live entertainment scheduled throughout the season. Its central Loop location makes it easy to pair a market visit with dining or holiday shopping.
Chicago’s Christkindlmarket remains a top winter destination for many Arlington Heights residents looking for seasonal food, mulled beverages, and handmade goods. Modeled after European holiday markets, it features wooden vendor stalls selling ornaments, artisan crafts, baked goods, and traditional German snacks. Visitors enjoy strolling the market with warm drinks in collectible mugs while listening to live entertainment scheduled throughout the season. Its central Loop location makes it easy to pair a market visit with dining or holiday shopping.
Winterland at Gallagher Way
Ice rink open through February 15
Gallagher Way transforms into a multi-activity winter campus designed for families, groups, and seasonal outings. Activities may include indoor games, ice skating, winter rides, and themed pop-ups that rotate throughout the season. The venue’s layout encourages visitors to explore different zones, relax with warm drinks, or enjoy sports-themed attractions tied to Wrigley Field. Holiday decor and outdoor lighting help establish a festive atmosphere that lasts through the winter months.
Gallagher Way transforms into a multi-activity winter campus designed for families, groups, and seasonal outings. Activities may include indoor games, ice skating, winter rides, and themed pop-ups that rotate throughout the season. The venue’s layout encourages visitors to explore different zones, relax with warm drinks, or enjoy sports-themed attractions tied to Wrigley Field. Holiday decor and outdoor lighting help establish a festive atmosphere that lasts through the winter months.
Ice Skating in Millennium Park
Open through early February
Millennium Park’s outdoor skating rink draws visitors throughout the season for open-air skating in a scenic urban environment. The rink accommodates both casual skaters and those returning for a regular winter tradition. The city skyline, nearby public art, and proximity to dining and shopping make it one of Chicago’s defining cold-weather attractions. Many Arlington Heights residents pair a day downtown with time on the rink, especially during holiday weekends.
Millennium Park’s outdoor skating rink draws visitors throughout the season for open-air skating in a scenic urban environment. The rink accommodates both casual skaters and those returning for a regular winter tradition. The city skyline, nearby public art, and proximity to dining and shopping make it one of Chicago’s defining cold-weather attractions. Many Arlington Heights residents pair a day downtown with time on the rink, especially during holiday weekends.
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
December 5–January 4
Navy Pier’s Light Up the Lake event creates a large indoor holiday installation featuring oversized decorations, photo backdrops, and seasonal concessions. The controlled indoor environment makes it a dependable winter outing regardless of the weather. Visitors can explore illuminated tunnels, themed displays, and entertainment areas designed to appeal to adults and children. Its location on the pier provides easy access to restaurants and lakefront views.
Navy Pier’s Light Up the Lake event creates a large indoor holiday installation featuring oversized decorations, photo backdrops, and seasonal concessions. The controlled indoor environment makes it a dependable winter outing regardless of the weather. Visitors can explore illuminated tunnels, themed displays, and entertainment areas designed to appeal to adults and children. Its location on the pier provides easy access to restaurants and lakefront views.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Navy Pier
December 31
Navy Pier also hosts Chicago’s signature New Year’s Eve fireworks show, a widely attended celebration featuring a coordinated display over Lake Michigan. Many guests combine the fireworks with dinner at the pier or a nearby downtown restaurant. The event offers a distinctive holiday finale for those who enjoy festive winter outings before returning to Arlington Heights after the celebration.
Navy Pier also hosts Chicago’s signature New Year’s Eve fireworks show, a widely attended celebration featuring a coordinated display over Lake Michigan. Many guests combine the fireworks with dinner at the pier or a nearby downtown restaurant. The event offers a distinctive holiday finale for those who enjoy festive winter outings before returning to Arlington Heights after the celebration.
Light Festivals Near Arlington Heights
Santa’s Rock N Lights — Grayslake
November 21–December 31
Santa’s Rock N Lights offers a drive-through route lined with animated LED displays, tunnels, and themed installations. Visitors take the path at their own pace, making it convenient for families and groups seeking a warm, in-car winter experience. The scale of the displays makes it a popular destination throughout the month of December.
Santa’s Rock N Lights offers a drive-through route lined with animated LED displays, tunnels, and themed installations. Visitors take the path at their own pace, making it convenient for families and groups seeking a warm, in-car winter experience. The scale of the displays makes it a popular destination throughout the month of December.
Lightscape — Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe)
November 14–January 4
Lightscape transforms the gardens into a curated nighttime pathway illuminated by artful light compositions and music. Exhibits often include cathedral-like tunnels, fire-themed installations, and quiet wooded segments. The combination of artistic design and natural landscape draws significant visitors each winter season.
Lightscape transforms the gardens into a curated nighttime pathway illuminated by artful light compositions and music. Exhibits often include cathedral-like tunnels, fire-themed installations, and quiet wooded segments. The combination of artistic design and natural landscape draws significant visitors each winter season.
Zoolights — Lincoln Park Zoo (Lincoln Park)
November 21–January 4
Zoolights covers the zoo grounds with coordinated light displays, themed animal installations, and seasonal concessions. The event continues to evolve each year with new artistic components and interactive features. Many guests appreciate the open walkway design and the ability to explore different sections of the zoo at their own pace.
Zoolights covers the zoo grounds with coordinated light displays, themed animal installations, and seasonal concessions. The event continues to evolve each year with new artistic components and interactive features. Many guests appreciate the open walkway design and the ability to explore different sections of the zoo at their own pace.
Tree Lights — The Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
November 15–January 3
Tree Lights highlights the Arboretum’s natural landscape through color projections, music, and choreographed lighting. The walking route passes through wooded areas and open spaces, creating an immersive experience that showcases the distinctive winter beauty of the grounds.
Tree Lights highlights the Arboretum’s natural landscape through color projections, music, and choreographed lighting. The walking route passes through wooded areas and open spaces, creating an immersive experience that showcases the distinctive winter beauty of the grounds.
Begin Your Next Move with Holly Connors
Winter celebrations enrich daily life in Arlington Heights, offering a strong sense of seasonal community. If you are exploring real estate opportunities or planning your next transition, Holly Connors provides trusted guidance and local expertise. Holly supports buyers and sellers seeking standout properties while offering insight into the lifestyle amenities that help shape a neighborhood.
Reach out to Holly Connors to begin your search with a team dedicated to exceptional service.
Reach out to Holly Connors to begin your search with a team dedicated to exceptional service.
