By Adrian Naves

Thanksgiving is truly a unique time of year, even though most people think of Christmas as the most wonderful time of the year – but the focus of Thanksgiving is food and family. That being said, once the table and plates are cleared, there are plenty of events for the whole family to attend and help soothe their full bellies.

Chicago has a lot to offer, not just shopping but also a fun-filled Thanksgiving weekend. So put away the leftovers, and if spirits are high for another Bears loss this Thanksgiving weekend, then head out for some wonderful Turkey Day events…the Chicago way!

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

The Chicago 90th Anniversary Thanksgiving Parade will fill State Street with marching bands, performers and festive floats this year – so get up bright and early to walk down State Street and grab a seat. Special guests include Emmy Award-winning actress Lynn Whitfield, country stars Reyna Roberts and Donnie Lee Strickland. If the idea of ​​getting through crowds and preparing for the weather seems stressful, you can also watch the parade from the comfort of your own home. The parade will be broadcast live this year on local Chicago television stations and also on Pluto TV. The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade will take place on Thursday, November 28, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CT.

Christmas market

Chicago has found a new tradition to look forward to: The Christkindlmarkt has been a popular holiday tradition for locals and tourists since its debut in 1996. The Christkindlmarkt is inspired by the 16th century Christmas market in Nuremberg.

This year, visitors can experience the market in a new way with the Culture and Cheer Behind-the-Scenes Tour. Before the market opens to the public, visitors will receive a guided experience beginning at 10:15 a.m. Friday through Sunday. The tour includes a tour of the market area at Daley Plaza with some historical insight and a small German language session where participants learn some holiday phrases. The Christmas Market is currently open at Daley Plaza and ends on December 24th. The opening hours of the Christmas market are Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For more information, visit Christkindlmarket.com.

Light landscape in the Chicago Botanic Garden

2024 marks the 6th^Th Lightscape’s annual winter event at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The event features around 500,000 lights and attracts around 245,000 people. The art and light displays change every year, but the ever-popular “Winter Cathedral” will still be on display. The Lightscape event is an outdoor event. Therefore, dress appropriately for the weather.

The event runs on selected dates until January 5th. Tickets start at $19 for non-members and are expected to sell out on select dates and times. In case you need to cancel your visit, Flex tickets are also available, according to the website.

For more information, visit Chicagobotanic.org.

There’s plenty to do in Chicago this Thanksgiving weekend, but if you’d rather stay home with friends and family, you really can’t go wrong. However we celebrate this coming weekend, we will always be grateful for those close to us, those we love and care about, past and present.

Happy Thanksgiving Classic Chicago readers!