Thanksgiving in Chicago 2011

If you’ll be spending Thanksgiving in Chicago 2011, there are a number of things that you can do to ensure that you enjoy the holiday!  So grab your friends and family and plan what events and activities you’re going to do while spending the holiday in the windy city!

1.  Watch the holiday season get started by attending the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade! Sponsored by McDonalds, the parade is aired all across the United States on TV, and includes tons of floats, merriment, and of course Santa Clause! If you’re in Chicago for Thanksgiving, this is your chance to be a part of it.

• Date: Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2011 Time: 8:00am – 11:00am Central Standard Time
• Location: Down State Street (Congress to Randolph)

2.  Visit Christkindlmarket Chicago – Christkindlmarket is a German American Holiday Market.

• Location:  Daley Plaza, Chicago Illinois
• Dates: Daily, November 23, 2011 – December 24, 2011.
• Times: Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
• Friday & Saturday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
• Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2011: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Christmas Eve, December 24, 2011: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

3.  Go ice skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink! Ice skating is always a fun activity, so why not start out Thanksgiving in the windy city with a skate around this beautiful outdoor ice rink?

• Dates open: Friday, November 18, 2011 to Sunday, March 11, 2012.
• Times: Mon – Thurs: 12 p.m. — 8 p.m. Fr: 12 p.m. — 10 p.m.
• Sat: (through Dec.17): 10 a.m. — 10 p.m.
•  Sat: (beginning Jan. 7): 10 a.m. — 9 p.m.
• Sun: 10 a.m. — 9 p.m.
• Holiday times: Thursday, November 24 (Thanksgiving): 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.
• Saturday, December 24: 10 a.m. — 6 p.m.
• Sunday, December 25: 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.
• Saturday, December 31: 10 a.m. — 8 p.m.
• Sunday, January 1: 12 p.m. — 9 p.m.

4. Go Christmas Caroling in Chicago at Cloud Gate! This is the best kind of Thanksgiving activity because it cost nothing! It is absolutely free. Just show up at Cloud Gate and get into the holiday spirit by doing some Christmas caroling!

• Location: Cloud Gate, Millenium Park – Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe streets.
• Date: Friday Nov. 25 – Dec. 16, 2011
• Cost: Free!!

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