Best Holiday Festivals in the Midwest

Experience the Magic of the Holidays with These Festivities

The Midwest region of the United States is known for its snowy winters and charming towns, which makes it the perfect place to celebrate the holiday season. From traditional Christmas markets to unique winter festivals, there is something for everyone in the Midwest. In this article, we have compiled a list of the best holiday festivals in the Midwest that you should not miss this winter.

🎄 Christkindlmarket in Chicago, Illinois

Christkindlmarket is an annual Christmas market inspired by the traditional German Christkindlesmarkt. The market features vendors selling handmade ornaments, toys, and other holiday gifts. Visitors can also enjoy traditional German food and drinks, such as bratwurst, hot cider, and gluhwein. The market is located in Daley Plaza, and admission is free.

❄️ WinterFest in Kansas City, Missouri

WinterFest is a holiday festival that takes place at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City. The event features over 5 million lights, ice skating, holiday shows, and festive food and drink. Visitors can also meet Santa Claus and his elves and take a ride on the park’s famous roller coasters. WinterFest runs from late November through December.

🌟 Festival of Lights in East Peoria, Illinois

The Festival of Lights is a drive-through holiday light display located in East Peoria’s Folepi’s Winter Wonderland. The display features over 2 million lights and over 30 animated light displays. Visitors can also enjoy a holiday tree and gingerbread house display and take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the wonderland. The event runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.

🎁 Holidazzle in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Holidazzle is a holiday festival located in Loring Park in downtown Minneapolis. The event features live music, holiday movies, and an outdoor skating rink. Visitors can also shop for unique gifts at the holiday market, featuring local artisans and crafters. The festival runs from late November through December.

⛸️ Ice Skating in Millennium Park, Chicago

Ice skating in Millennium Park is a beloved Chicago tradition during the holiday season. The ice rink is located in front of Cloud Gate (also known as The Bean) and is free to use. Visitors can rent skates on site or bring their own. The rink is open from mid-November through March, weather permitting.

🎄 Christmas at the Zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana

Christmas at the Zoo is an annual holiday event at the Indianapolis Zoo. The event features a holiday lights display, Santa’s Village, and a holiday train ride. Visitors can also enjoy live entertainment and holiday-themed animal exhibits. Christmas at the Zoo runs from late November through December.

❄️ Winter Wonderfest in Chicago, Illinois

Winter Wonderfest is a holiday festival located at Navy Pier in Chicago. The event features indoor ice skating, a Ferris wheel, holiday-themed carnival games, and a giant inflatable slide. Visitors can also enjoy live entertainment and holiday-themed food and drink. The festival runs from late November through January.

🌟 Light Up the Night Parade in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Light Up the Night Parade is an annual holiday parade in downtown Grand Rapids. The parade features lighted floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus himself. Visitors can also enjoy holiday shopping and dining in the downtown area. The parade takes place in early December.

🎁 Holiday Lights at the Toledo Zoo, Ohio

Holiday Lights at the Toledo Zoo is a holiday light display featuring over a million lights. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment, holiday shopping, and festive food and drink. The event also features ice carving demonstrations and visits with Santa Claus. Holiday Lights runs from late November through December.

⛸️ Ice Skating at Red Arrow Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ice skating at Red Arrow Park is a popular holiday activity in Milwaukee. The ice rink is located in downtown Milwaukee and is free to use. Visitors can rent skates on site or bring their own. The rink is open from mid-November through March, weather permitting.

🎄 A Christmas Story Comes Home in Hammond, Indiana

A Christmas Story Comes Home is an annual holiday event at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond. The event features a holiday lights display, visits with Santa Claus, and a display of scenes from the classic holiday movie A Christmas Story. Visitors can also shop for unique gifts at the holiday market. The event runs from late November through December.

❄️ Winter Festival in Cedarburg, Wisconsin

The Winter Festival in Cedarburg is a celebration of all things winter. The festival features ice carving demonstrations, a chili cook-off, and a winter farmers market. Visitors can also enjoy live music and horse-drawn carriage rides. The festival takes place in late February.

🌟 Northern Lights Festival in Marquette, Michigan

The Northern Lights Festival in Marquette is a winter festival that celebrates the beauty of the Upper Peninsula. The festival features snow sculpture competitions, a polar bear plunge, and a winter sports expo. Visitors can also enjoy live music and fireworks. The festival takes place in late January.

🎁 Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a holiday tradition that features model trains running through a miniature New York City. The exhibit also features replicas of famous New York City landmarks made entirely out of natural materials. Visitors can also enjoy live entertainment and holiday shopping. The exhibit runs from mid-November through mid-January.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best holiday festivals in the Midwest?

The best holiday festivals in the Midwest include Christkindlmarket in Chicago, WinterFest in Kansas City, Festival of Lights in East Peoria, and Holidazzle in Minneapolis, among others.

2. What is the Northern Lights Festival?

The Northern Lights Festival is a winter festival in Marquette, Michigan, that celebrates the beauty of the Upper Peninsula. The festival features snow sculpture competitions, live music, a polar bear plunge, and a winter sports expo.

3. Where can I go ice skating in the Midwest?

You can go ice skating at Millennium Park in Chicago, Red Arrow Park in Milwaukee, and many other locations throughout the Midwest.

4. What is the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden?

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a holiday tradition that features model trains running through a miniature New York City. The exhibit also features replicas of famous New York City landmarks made entirely out of natural materials.

5. When do the holiday festivals in the Midwest typically take place?

The holiday festivals in the Midwest typically take place from late November through December, although some festivals may run into January or February.

6. What is the Winter Festival in Cedarburg, Wisconsin?

The Winter Festival in Cedarburg is a celebration of all things winter. The festival features ice carving demonstrations, a chili cook-off, and a winter farmers market. Visitors can also enjoy live music and horse-drawn carriage rides.

7. Where can I see holiday lights in the Midwest?

You can see holiday lights at the Festival of Lights in East Peoria, Holiday Lights at the Toledo Zoo, and many other locations throughout the Midwest.

8. What is Holidazzle in Minneapolis?

Holidazzle is a holiday festival located in Loring Park in downtown Minneapolis. The event features live music, holiday movies, and an outdoor skating rink. Visitors can also shop for unique gifts at the holiday market, featuring local artisans and crafters.

9. What is the Light Up the Night Parade in Grand Rapids?

The Light Up the Night Parade is an annual holiday parade in downtown Grand Rapids. The parade features lighted floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus himself.

10. What is Christmas at the Zoo in Indianapolis?

Christmas at the Zoo is an annual holiday event at the Indianapolis Zoo. The event features a holiday lights display, Santa’s Village, and a holiday train ride. Visitors can also enjoy live entertainment and holiday-themed animal exhibits.

11. Where can I go to a winter sports expo in the Midwest?

You can go to a winter sports expo at the Northern Lights Festival in Marquette, Michigan, among other locations throughout the Midwest.

12. What is the Winter Wonderfest in Chicago?

Winter Wonderfest is a holiday festival located at Navy Pier in Chicago. The event features indoor ice skating, a Ferris wheel, holiday-themed carnival games, and a giant inflatable slide. Visitors can also enjoy live entertainment and holiday-themed food and drink.

13. What is the Christmas Story Comes Home event in Hammond, Indiana?

The Christmas Story Comes Home event is an annual holiday event at the