Here are your 5 to attend:

Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season and what better way to get in the holiday spirit than to attend festive events around Chicago. Here are 5 events that are happening in Chicago this Thanksgiving week.

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Today – Sunday, January 6, 2018

Location: Museum of Science and Industry Chicago (5700 S. Lake Shore Drive)

Hours: Monday – Wednesday 9:30 am – 4 pm; Friday – Sunday 9:30 am – 5:30 pm

Price: Included with museum entry ticket

Make this holiday season a bit more international! The Museum of Science and Industry is holding its 74^th annual exhibit. 50 Christmas trees will be on display this year, each decorated by volunteers from Chicago’s ethnic communities. Every weekend the museum will host performances from various ethnic communities. This weekend, the performances will feature countries such as Czech Republic, Philippines, Bolivia, India, Sweden, Puerto Rico, Spain, and the Middle East.

Christkindlmarket

Today- November 24th 2017

Location:Washington and Dearborn Streets

Hours: 11:00 am

Price: Free

Chicago’s largest open-air market is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. Inspired by a Nuremberg, Germany, market that was founded in 1545, this market features iconic German items like nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks and beer steins, as well as hand-blown ornaments and wooden handicrafts. Something to do!

McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade

Thursday, November 22, 2017

Location: State Street

Hours: 8:00 am to 11 am

Price: Free

The Thanksgiving Parade is a holiday tradition featuring floats, celebrities, and musical performances. This year features David Arquette as Grand Marshall, The Harlem Globetrotters, Miss Illinois Crystal Davis, and everyone’s favorite Santa Claus.

The parade takes place on State Street. Beginning at Congress and ending at Randolph. The festival organizers have provided a map to see the exact route.

ZooLights

November 23-  January 1, 2019

Location: Lincoln Park Zoo

Hours: 4:30pm – 9pm

Price: Free

Lincoln Park Zoo will be illuminated this holiday season by over two million lights. In addition to the lights, the zoo will have festive activities such as ice skating, holiday crafts, 3-D displays, and photos with Santa.

Randolph Street’s Holiday Market

Saturday December 15 & Sunday December 16: 10-5pm

Location: 1340 W. Washington

Hours: 10am – 5pm

Price: $8 Advanced Purchase/$10 at Gate. Kids under 12 are free.

If you have the urge to shop ‘til you drop, Randolph’s Holiday Market is the place to be! The market will have over 200 vendors with a mix of antique, vintage, modern items such as clothing, jewelry, art, decorative objects, housewares, and more.

Image credit: flickr