Winter weather has arrived! Layer up, follow the holiday lights, and catch a few can't-miss events this weekend.
Shop local at Sparkle and Shop.
Kick off the new year with a stroll through this indoor market focused on local makers and small businesses. This event brings together vendors selling fashion, accessories, home décor, art, beauty products, and handcrafted goods, along with food vendors offering sweet and savory bites. Expect a lively, festive setup with interactive stations, live demos, and plenty of photo-worthy moments as Chicago rings in 2026.
Date: Jan. 2
Time: 10 a.m–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Winter weather has arrived! Layer up, follow the holiday lights, and catch a few can't-miss events this weekend.
Take an after-hours walk at Cocktails Under the Lights.
Lightscape takes on an adults-only twist during this evening stroll through the Chicago Botanic Garden's illuminated installations. Wander the winding paths at your own pace while stopping for specialty cocktails and mocktails along the way.
Date: Jan. 2
Time: 4:30–8 p.m.
Cost: $36+
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe
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Winter weather has arrived! Layer up, follow the holiday lights, and catch a few can't-miss events this weekend.
Enjoy the Holiday Magic.
This is the final weekend to catch Brookfield Zoo's long-running holiday tradition, now expanded with more than 3.5 million lights across themed displays, tunnels, and walk-through experiences. New additions include a giant illuminated maze, interactive light installations, and a twinkling star pathway woven throughout the grounds.
Date: Jan. 2–4
Time: 3–9 p.m.
Cost: $21+
Location: Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Gold Rd., Brookfield
Winter weather has arrived! Layer up, follow the holiday lights, and catch a few can't-miss events this weekend.
Shop plant-based at the Vegan in the Burbs Holiday Market.
This holiday market brings together plant-based vendors from across Chicagoland for a one-stop shop that goes well beyond food. Expect a mix of vegan eats, baked goods, wellness products, handmade gifts, and small-batch treats—all curated with the season in mind.
Date: Dec. 27
Time: 12 p.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Alter Brewing Company, 2300 Wisconsin Ave., Downers Grove
Winter weather has arrived! Layer up, follow the holiday lights, and catch a few can't-miss events this weekend.
Get inspired at the 76th Annual Warren Miller Film Tour: Sno-Ciety
The long-running Warren Miller Film Tour returns with a globe-hopping celebration of ski and snowboard culture that's equal parts adrenaline and community love letter. SNO-CIETY hops from the Scottish Highlands to Finland's urban streets and deep into British Columbia's back bowls, capturing winter in all its forms—big terrain, small local hills, and everything in between.
Date: Dec. 28
Time: 3 p.m. or 7 p.m.
Cost: