Are you looking for a New Year’s resolution that you can actually keep? Challenge yourself to get out and about to explore all of the amazing and entertaining events this great city of Chicago has to offer. Here are a few events coming up that are worth adding to the calendar.

Lightshows

Feel like you’re in a winter wonderland while walking through Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum. This one mile path through the trees presents a wondrous display of twinkling lights accompanied by the music of the season. Once you’ve explored the lights, be sure to warm up by the fire with some hot cider and toasted marshmallows. 

The Chicago Botanical Garden also has a one of a kind lightshow along a one mile path, but you especially won’t want to miss the tunnel which is illuminated with over 100,000 lights and holiday tunes.

The Lincoln Park Zoo has outdone themselves with their festive holiday display featuring 2.5 million bulbs. The Zoolights event allows guests to wander through the lit trails of the Zoo and take part in a variety of activities. Keep in mind that in this chilly season, most of the animals will not be on display, but the Zoolights are well worth the visit.

Winter Activities

Do you love winter activities but can’t stand the cold? Come on out to the Navy Pier Festival Hall for Winter Wonderfest where you can enjoy your favorite winter fun indoors. This massive festival hall is full of winter fun including an ice skating rink, a tubing hill, a carousel, carnival rides, games, and anything else they could fit inside.

Wrigleyville hosts more than baseball fans this winter season with the squares Winterland.  Their 8,000 square foot ice rink is perfect for skating and curling and actually offers lessons for those who are interested. Not in the mood to get on the ice? No problem – they also offer an array of activities, movie screenings, as well as their Christkindlmarket holiday bazaar.

Festivals

If you’re a lover of craft beers, don’t miss the Chicago Ale Fest winter edition at Navy Pier. The festivities include over 100 beers for sampling, gourmet food trucks and music for your entertainment. Some of the brewmasters include Three Floyds, Maplewood, Pilot Project, and Whiner. 

Are the winter months getting you down? Come on out to Stage 773 and get tickets for the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. With over 120 shows in an eight day period, you’ll be sure to chase your winter blues away. Tickets can be purchased for a single show or you can splurge on a pass for an entire evening.

Foodies

Chicago's Restaurant Week is a foodie’s dream come true and starts January 24th with over 400 restaurants participating. This 17-day eat-a-thon celebrates the gourmet and creative culinary scene that Chicago is known for. During Chicago Restaurant Week, diners can enjoy special menus of multi-course meals at discounted prices. 

Music

The music scene in Chicago is one of the best in the country and there’s never a shortage of bands to see. January is known to die hard blues fans as “Buddy Guy Month,” a month where you can actually witness this blues playing icon performing in his hometown. Guy will be taking the stage at the South Loop blues club every Thursday through Sunday night with a different opening act for each performance.

It may be cold outside, but don’t let that keep you from enjoying all of the fun Chicago has to offer. Wishing you all a very happy start to your 2020!