“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”
The Christmas Tree Crawl: The Magic of Chicago at the Holidays
Let Inside Chicago Walking Tours take you on an enchanting stroll through the heart of the city at its prettiest time — during the winter holiday season.
On this nostalgic and educational tour, we will lead you on a "Christmas treasure hunt" through downtown Chicago in search of the most stunning and impressive Christmas trees and other holiday decorations — and we know where they are! This tour includes not only visits to well-known stops like the Christkindlmarkt and the old Marshall Field’s, but also to little-known stops that contain some of the best holiday decorations downtown. You’ll learn about the origins of some world-famous Christmas characters — some of them from Chicago, some not — as well as the history behind Christmas traditions practiced by people around the world.
Filled with history, culture, and beautiful sights, this tour is a celebration of Chicago’s festive holiday spirit. We'll pop into several buildings — just like we do on all of our tours! — specifically to see impressive Christmas trees indoors, and to warm up for seeing the outdoor trees. We call this tour a "pop-up tour" because it’s offered for a very limited time, and purely because we want to show off the city's beauty at this time of year. You won't find a boat, a bus, or even a segway where we're going. Come and take a holiday stroll with us — it's a fun stress-buster and perfect time to set aside for hanging out with family and friends!
TOUR LOGISTICS & FAQ
HOW MUCH DO TICKETS COST (USD)?
30 (General Admission); 25 (children 5 and up, and seniors 65 and up); free for kids 4 and under. If booking for small children, please be aware that we will be covering about 1.5 miles and navigating some crowded areas, and use your judgment regarding your child’s comfort on a 2-hour walk.
HOW LONG IS IT?
This tour lasts about 2 hours, covering about 1.5 miles on foot.
DO WE GO INSIDE BUILDINGS?
Absolutely! That's kind of our thing, and that’s where the secret Christmas trees are!
HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THE GROUP?
We will be capping this tour route at 20 guests.
WHEN IS THIS TOUR OFFERED?
This tour is offered on a very limited basis! We will be offering it on weekends (Fridays and/or Saturdays — please see Tour Schedule for updates) from later in November to just before Christmas.
WHERE DOES THIS TOUR START & END?
We start near the Wrigley Building, and we end near Daley Plaza. You will receive the tour's exact starting address upon ticket purchase.
WHAT ABOUT RAIN?
Tours run in light rain, but we will cancel if the weather is prohibitively miserable. We will let you know with as much notice as possible if we make the decision to cancel, and you'll have the choice of getting a refund or rescheduling. Always dress for the weather!
CAN I BOOK THIS AS A PRIVATE TOUR?
Of course! Just contact Hillary at 312-799-0164 to set that up!