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Best Family-Friendly Holiday Events In Chicago

By Jacqueline Runice

Cutting paper snowflakes, making a mess of cookies and editing Junior's umpteenth letter to Santa have their place in the ritual of winter holidays. But be sure to do yourself a favor and make the time to head out to one of the stellar holiday events in Chicago that insure instant seasonal spirit. Don't be surprised when, in 20 years time, the kids fondly recall that visit to the museum or ballet or festival of fireworks that bonded the lot of you in familial bliss.

"The Magic Flute"
Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 827-5600
www.lyricopera.org

Dates: Dec. 10, 2016 - Jan. 27, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

We know what you're thinking: Kids at the opera? Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "The Magic Flute" is as familiar as any of your child's favorite fairy tales about the triumph of good over evil. If you get any groans out of the little tykes, explain the story: Pamina, daughter of the Queen of the Night, has been captured by a high priest and, of course, the prince falls in love with her via her lovely portrait. The queen tells the prince, who has a magic flute, that if he finds Pamina, she will be his. Other characters include three genies and the queen's birdcatcher, who has magic bells. The opera is filled with humor, romance, colorful costumes, dazzling lighting and sets. 

Christmas Around the World And Holidays Of Light
Museum of Science & Industry
5700 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 684-1414
www.msichicago.org

Dates: Nov. 17, 2016 - Jan. 8, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. (closed Dec. 25)

It wouldn't be Christmas (or Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights or the Buddhist Visakha Puja Day) without a visit to the annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light festival at the Museum of Science and Industry, celebrating the winter holidays since 1942. More than 50 trees are trimmed by members of the Chicago's diverse ethnic communities and the museum's own 45-foot tree is adorned with gleaming ornaments representing iconic exhibits like the chick hatchery and the U-505 submarine. Don't be surprised when "snow" begins to fall on the main level and some of 60 dance and choral groups break out in heart warming performances.

Zoolights
Lincoln Park Zoo
Cannon Drive and Fullerton Parkway
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-2000
www.lpzoo.org

Dates: Dec. 2 - 4, Dec. 9 - 23 and Jan 1 at 4:30 p.m.

Kids love shiny objects and Zoolights gives them two million dazzling lights as well as holiday crafts, live ice carving, 3D displays with free 3D specs, educational demos and Santa sightings when the attention span wears thin. If that's not enough, there are also ZooLights Family Nights on Mondays (Dec.12, 19 and 26) that add free carousel and train rides as well as free eats (one free limited kids' menu item with paid adult entrée or combo meal). After they get sugared up and refueled, they can be back outdoors skipping and squealing with holiday delight. Win-win for winter fun. Families can also celebrate an early New Year's Eve at Zoolights with complimentary 2017 hats and noisemakers.

Related: Best Outlet Malls Near Chicago

The Nutcracker
The Joffrey Ballet
Auditorium Theatre
50 East Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 386-8905
www.joffrey.org/Nutcracker

Dates: Dec. 10 - 30, 2016

The Joffrey Ballet performs Christopher Wheeldon's The Nutcracker at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre which is sure to dazzle even the shortest  of attention spans. The highly anticipated world premiere production with the Tony Award winning choreographer at the helm is a re-imagining of the classic holiday story with the city's own 1893 World's Fair as the setting. The whole family will want to see turn-of-the-century Chicago seen through children's eyes as well as this particular creative team's interpretation. An award winning set and costume designer, puppeteer, author, lighting and projction designer are all on board to set your holiday senses aglow. The Chicago Philharmonic provides the aural majesty of Tchaikovsky's memorable score.

Chi Town Rising Family Countdown
Millennium Park
201 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 742-1168
www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html

Date: Dec. 31, 2016 at 3 p.m.

After a successful launch last year, the largest New Year's Eve celebration in Chicago history returns along with the festive Family Countdown Celebration. Hosted by the Chicago Cultural Mile Association, the event offers age appropriate live entertainment as well as some interesting info about New Year's Eve traditions around the globe.  Sip warm refreshments, snap some pix of the family and enjoy a  special "Halfway to Midnight" countdown for little ones and sleep deprived parents who can't stay up all night. Unlike everything else going on during New Year's Eve, this event is free.

Related: Best Toddler Clothing Stores In Chicago

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