Navy Pier in Downtown Chicago, Illinois will be lit with holiday light and active with Christmas festivities during the Bank of America Winter WonderFest. The holiday spectacular event celebrates its eighth season of holiday magic, with attractions and over 170,000 square feet of indoor fun for the entire family. Kids and their parents enjoy the many decorations, sparkling sights, dozens of rides and live entertainment for the entire family. Santa arrives by boat on November 29, marking the start of the holiday season at the pier.
Santa on the Grand Staircase
Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with the merry elves, will be greeting children at the Grand Staircase. Santa arrives on November 29. A fireworks show greets Santa at 5 pm, as he arrives at the pier by boat. Santa's arrival will herald the lighting ceremony, officially kicking off the holiday season at Navy Pier. Festive music and dancing will celebrate the occasion.
Holiday Entertainment
A cast of strolling characters and family friendly entertainment on the Family Pavilion Stage will entertain visitors daily from November 30 through December 24.
Bank of America Winter Wonderfest
Winter WonderFest opens on December 5 and runs through January 4.
Navy Pier gets festively decorated with over 750,000 sparkling lights, 25,000 holiday ornaments and hundred of decorated Christmas trees. Special attractions include the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, Chicago Blackhawks Skating Rink, Reindeer Express Train Ride, Kringle Carousel, Winter WonderStage, Matterhorn Climb and Slide, Winter Wind Glider, Patch's Lighthouse, Ice Dragons, Extreme Ice Trail Ropes Course, Pepsi Create-a-Cookie Cottage, Inflatable Games and Winter WonderFest Junior.
- Chicago Blackhawks Skating Rink offers the chance to skate in the comfort of an indoor ice skating rink. Purchase of an upgraded wristband is required to skate at the rink.
- Reindeer Express Train Ride is a trackless train for a family style ride that travels 300 feet around a magical holiday village display of Winter WonderFest.
- Navy Pier Ferris Wheel is a 50 foot high indoor Ferris wheel with views of the entire event. New this year is a Junior Ferris wheel offering rides for smaller children.
The Bank of America Winter WonderFest offers entertainment for the family. Parents and kids can delight in the bright lights, rides and family oriented entertainment.
Winter WonderFest Dates
Winter WonderFest opens on December 5 and runds through January 4.
December 5-18
- Sunday - Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
- Friday & Saturday 10 am - 10 pm
December 19 - January 4
- Sunday - Thursday 10 am - 8 pm
- Friday & Saturday 10 am - 10 pm
Special Holiday Hours
- Wednesday, December 24 10 am - 5 pm
- Thursday, December 25 Closed
- Wednesday, December 31 10 am - 8 pm
Admission
Admission is free. The purchase of a wristband is required for rides and activities.
- Basic Activity Wristband $12 per person
- Premium Wristband $16 per person
Fireworks on New Year's Eve
There will be two fireworks shows on New Year's Eve. The earlier fireworks show is a family oriented event, where children can enjoy ringing in the New Year. At 6: pm a concert will be held at the Winter Wonderstage. Fireworks are at 8:15 pm
At midnight another fireworks show will greet 2009.
Family Fun at Navy Pier for the Holidays
With Santa, entertainment and carnival rides, Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois is a great place to take the family during the holiday season.
Santa Claus Visits Chicago Downtown for Holidays
Christmas Lights and Santa Claus at Chicago Zoos
