Christkindlmarket 2026 Dates, Hours and a Holiday Lights Night Out
Christkindlmarket turns 30 this year, and all three markets open Friday, Nov 20, 2026. Here are the dates and hours, the best holiday lights in Chicago, and how to see them in one night with a car by the hour.
Quick answer: Christkindlmarket 2026 opens Friday, Nov 20. Daley Plaza runs daily through Dec 24. Wrigleyville runs daily through Dec 31. Aurora runs Thursday to Sunday through Dec 24. All three are free to enter. Bring cash, since many vendors do not take cards.
Christkindlmarket 2026 hours
| Market | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Daley Plaza 50 W. Washington St., Chicago | Daily, Nov 20 to Dec 24 | Sun to Thu: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fri and Sat: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Wrigleyville Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St. | Daily, Nov 20 to Dec 31. Closed Christmas Day | Mon to Thu: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fri and Sat: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Aurora RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway | Thu to Sun, Nov 20 to Dec 24 | Thu: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fri and Sat: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
All three markets close at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving (Nov 26) and Christmas Eve (Dec 24). Wrigleyville also closes at 4 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Aurora is the biggest, with more than 60 vendors.
More holiday lights to see in 2026
Add one or two of these to your night out.
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
- Parade at 5:30 p.m. from Oak Street
- Heads south on Michigan Avenue
- Fireworks at 7:30 p.m. over the river
ZooLights
- Through Jan 3, 2027
- 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Tickets $7 to $20. Free on most Mondays with sign-up
Illumination at The Morton Arboretum
- Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027
- Light shows in the trees
- Easy from the west suburbs
Plan a holiday lights night by limo
Parking downtown in December is hard, and you have to drive home in the cold. Book a car by the hour and the driver waits while you shop and walk.
City night, about 4 hours
- Pickup at your home or hotel
- Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza for food and gifts
- A drive down Michigan Avenue to see the lights
- ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
- Back home, warm and dry
West suburbs night
- Christkindlmarket in Aurora, the biggest market
- Illumination at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle
- Good for groups from Naperville, Oak Brook and Hinsdale
Pick your vehicle
| Vehicle | Seats | Hourly from |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Expedition SUV | Up to 7 | $95 |
| Lincoln Navigator SUV | Up to 7 | $100 |
| Cadillac Escalade SUV | Up to 6 | $135 |
| Stretch Limousine | Up to 10 | $145 |
| Mercedes Sprinter Van | Up to 14 | $160 |
Prices are before taxes and gratuity. Your exact total shows in the booking form before you confirm.
Tips for your night
- Book early. December Fridays and Saturdays fill up first
- Go on a weeknight for smaller crowds
- Bring cash for market vendors
- Dress warm. Most of the night is outside
- Flying in for the holidays? Our ride from Midway to downtown is a flat $99
Christkindlmarket and Holiday Lights Questions
When does Christkindlmarket 2026 open?
How long does Christkindlmarket run in 2026?
What are the Christkindlmarket Daley Plaza hours?
Is Christkindlmarket free?
Do Christkindlmarket vendors take cards?
When is the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival 2026?
How much is a limo for a holiday lights tour?
More pages to help you plan
Helpful pages for your next ride.
Book your holiday lights night
Pick a vehicle, set your stops and see your price before you book.