A Season of Winter Magic at Navy Pier

A Season of winter magic at navy pier

Wintrust WinterWonderFest anchors a season of indoor and outdoor experiences, free programming, fireworks, holiday shopping and family-friendly fun across Navy Pier’s 50 acres

CHICAGO (Nov. 5, 2026) – Navy Pier is bringing Chicago’s winter season to life with a full calendar of indoor and outdoor experiences spanning its 50-acre lakefront campus. Anchored by the return of Wintrust Winter WonderFest, the season’s offerings include free programming, fireworks, celebrations, holiday shopping and live entertainment, giving guests of all ages plenty of ways to experience Chicago’s iconic waterfront throughout the holiday season.

Winter festivities begin on Saturday, Nov. 21 with Navy Pier’s iconic Winter Fireworks show following the WintrustMagnificent Mile Lights Festival. Celebrations continue Sunday, Nov. 22 when Santa arrives aboard City Cruises’ Seadog for brunch at Harry Caray’s Lakefront Lodge. Starting Monday, Nov. 23, guests can meet Santa to check their nice list status and pose for photos as celebrations continue to be unwrapped.

Whether planning a full day of winter fun or stopping by for a favorite holiday tradition, guests can build their own seasonal experience at Navy Pier. As an independent nonprofit, Navy Pier is committed to ensuring The People’s Pier remains a vibrant, welcoming and accessible destination for all, with a mix of free programming and seasonal experiences that bring Chicagoans and visitors together throughout the winter months.

Free Programming

• Winter Fireworks presented by Wintrust: Navy Pier’s signature fireworks illuminate the Chicago skyline on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 8:30 p.m., followed by weekly Saturdays shows at 8 p.m. through Dec. 26 and New Year’s Eve. The free displays offer a spectacular way to experience the lakefront throughout the holiday season.

• Housegiving: The ultimate pre-Thanksgiving celebration in the city where House music was born! Guests can enjoy a free concert on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m., hosted by Shannon “Skip” Syas and DJ Threejay, shop local vinyl vendors, and experience the best emerging talent and legendary artists including DJ Flipside, DJ Nehpets, Mickey Oliver, DJ Metro, Tim Schommer, Myra, Jade and more.

• Chicago’s Christmas Tree Ship: The U.S. Coast Guard will mark the 27th anniversary voyage of the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, Chicago’s Christmas Tree Ship, with its arrival at Navy Pier on Saturday, Dec. 5. Carrying more than 1,000 fresh-cut Christmas trees for local families, the ship will be open for public viewing as trees are unloaded beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. and ship tours.

Indoor winter experiences

• Wintrust Winter WonderFest: Returning Nov. 27 through Jan. 3, 2027, Navy Pier’s Festival Hall transforms into a festive winter playground featuring larger-than-life holiday décor, thrilling rides, classic attractions and seasonal activities for all ages.

• Photos with Santa: Capture a little holiday magic with a merry photo alongside Santa at Navy Pier. Photo experiences begin Nov. 23 with hours varying throughout the holiday season.

• Chicago Children’s Museum:Families can embrace the season with hands-on creativity and festive fun at Chicago Children’s Museum. During its Winter Weeks of Play (Dec. 21- Jan. 3), celebrate winter with a dance party and make a royal crown before getting cozy in winter Castle or create a scented play-dough sculpture in the Holiday Dough workshop running Dec. 16 – Jan. 4.

• Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Celebrate the Tony Award-winning theater’s 40th anniversary with performances of William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” throughout November and December. Theatergoers can even enjoy a double feature of both productions in one day on Saturday, Dec. 5 and 12.

Holiday Toasts and Feasts

• Holiday Sip Around the Pier: On Dec. 10, guests 21 and older can don their festive attire and visit participating restaurants and bars for holiday cocktail specials and signature sips.

• Chef Art Smith’s Reunion: Building on the popularity of its Thanksgiving meal kits, Reunion continues to offer convenient ways to celebrate the season, including holiday brunch specials and to-go dinner packages from James Beard Award-winning chef Art Smith. Diners can enjoy traditional holiday favorites with a signature down-home Southern touch.

• Harry Caray’s at Navy Pier: Celebrate all season long with a lineup of festive winter events and experiences! Enjoy a holiday brunch buffet and photos with Santa during Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 6 and 13, cozy up at the Lakefront Lodge (November–March) for seasonal celebrations and intimate gatherings, or embrace the magic of winter with outdoor activities, including lakefront curling, heated igloos, private firepits, DIY s’mores, and festive game nights in the Winter Warming Hut.

• Margaritaville: ’Tis the season for festive sips and island vibes! Margaritaville’s Christmas Island Holiday Bar brings a splash of paradise to Navy Pier this holiday season. With festive décor and specialty holiday cocktails, Margaritaville Chicago sets the scene for cheerful get-togethers, holiday photos and making spirits bright.

• Offshore Rooftop: Guests can enjoy football viewing Thursdays through Mondays throughout the season, Winter Trivia on Dec. 13 and Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. and a Winter Paint & Sip on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. Coming in early December, the rooftop will become a Polar Dreamscape, featuring a shimmering, iridescent winter setting with Arctic-inspired photo moments.

• Paks on the Pier: Diners can warm up this winter with a bowl of Paks on the Pier’s new Tonkotsu Ramen. The restaurant’s popular Sushi Push Pop will also be available inside Wintrust Winter WonderFest, giving guests another flavorful option while enjoying the festivities.

• TE’AMO Boba & Dessert Café: A festive holiday collection features limited-time peppermint matcha and coffee lattes, gingerbread coffee latte and organic milk tea, and Strawberry Cloud Milk Drink, alongside seasonal Mochi Donuts in gingerbread, strawberry snow and peppermint flavors. From Nov. 17 through Dec. 30, guests can enjoy a holiday drink paired with a festive Mochi Donut.

Outdoor Winter Experiences

• Magnificent Parking: Visitors attending Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival can make it a day of magic with convenient parking for $35 at Navy Pier. Guests must pre-register for the offer to park in the Pier’s covered, heated garages, enjoy the parade and return to catch the first of Navy Pier’s Winter Fireworks. Reservations are available on Navy Pier’s websitehere.

• Centennial Wheel: Visitors don’t need to bundle up for this winter wonder. Enjoy stunning views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan from the comfort of the Centennial Wheel’s climate-controlled gondolas. Open daily throughout the holiday season, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

• City Cruises Holiday Experiences: Cooler temperatures are no reason to leave the water behind. Guests can celebrate the season with lunch, brunch and dinner cruises on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River throughout December, including special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day sailings. Saturday dinner cruises offer another way to experience Navy Pier’s weekly Winter Fireworks from the water, with festive dining, live DJ entertainment and sweeping views of the Chicago skyline.

• Navy Pier Marina: Guests can find a moment of warmth amid Chicago’s winter chill at Kiln Floating Sauna. Visitors unwind in the custom-built, Nordic-style floating sauna docked at the Navy Pier Marina and experience cold plunges in Lake Michigan. Reservations are available for 45-minute public sessions and 75-minute public or private sessions.

Holiday Shopping Destinations

• Wintrust Community Markets:Guests can tackle their holiday shopping list while supporting local entrepreneurs and artisans participating in Navy Pier’s Small Business Accelerator Program supported by BMO. The indoor market runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 28 through Dec. 20, with additional markets Jan. 2 – 3.

• Confidence Apparel:Holiday shoppers can give the gift of confidence and customize apparel and accessories with statement patches at the Confidence Patch Station or explore curated fragrance body oils at The Scent of Confidence. A portion of proceeds benefits mental health programming through Confidence Foundation.

• Dr. Herbal’s Organic & Vegan: Shoppers can discover the Holiday Wellness Tea Gift Set featuring three handmade, plant-based loose-leaf tea blends and a stainless-steel infuser. Guests who show a Navy Pier Centennial Wheel ticket or parking receipt receive 15% off the set.

• Love from USA: The Neighborhood, Art-K-Texture, Lake Michigan Outfitters and Route 66 will offer holiday shoppers mystery scratch-offs for a chance to win discounts or gifts from Black Friday through year-end, plus free socks with qualifying purchases.

• Oh Yes Chicago: From classic Chicago skyline and Bean merchandise to Route 66 and other unique Chicago-themed collectibles, Oh Yes Chicago offers a wide variety of gifts no matter who’s on the list.

For the latest information on winter events and experiences at Navy Pier, visit www.navypier.org and follow @NavyPier on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X. 

Winter photo and video assets are available here.

MEDIA CONTACT

Audrey Wayne

Navy Pier Director of Communications

awayne@navypier.org