The best Christmas towns near Chicago. Get in the holiday spirit with these festive Christmas getaways near Chicago.
Christmas Getaways from Chicago
Looking for the best Christmas getaways from Chicago? Although there is so much to do during the Christmas holiday season in Chicago, there are many festive Christmas towns in the Midwest you can visit on short road trip from Chicago.
(And make sure to check out my essential road trip packing list (with free printable pdf) to make sure you have all your road trip essentials before you go!)
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Frankenmuth, Michigan
Distance from Chicago: 298 miles (about a 4.5 hour drive) from Chicago
Frankenmuth is known for its Bavarian-style architecture and for being home to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the “World’s Largest Christmas Store” which is open year-round.
Admire and enjoy the sounds of the large singing Christmas tree from mid-November to mid-January.
Take a self-guided driving tour to see all the holiday lights.
You can even see real reindeer at Grandpa Tiny’s Farm. (You can find more reindeer farms near Chicago here.)
You can download a detailed Christmas guide and map of Frankenmuth here.
Santa Claus, Indiana
Distance from Chicago: 320 miles (about a 5.5 hour drive) from Chicago
Santa Claus is a town in southwestern Indiana known for its Christmas theme year round.
During the holiday season there is a three-weekend Santa Claus Christmas Celebration, a town-wide celebration full of festive events for the entire family including the Santa Claus Christmas Parade (December 9, 2023) and the Festival of Lights (December 9, 2023), which features nine miles of festive light displays.
Visit the Santa Claus Museum & Village, home to the 1880 Santa Claus Church, Santa Claus Post Office and a tall, 1935 Santa Claus statue. At the town’s original post office, kids can write a letter to Santa and they will get a reply by Christmas.
Enjoy holiday lights at the Santa Claus Land of Lights (a 1.2-mile drive-through family Christmas light adventure) and the Christmas in Dale Light Show (a digital light show set to music for a festive 48-minute display).
Go shopping at the Santa Claus Christmas Store, Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop, Santa’s TOYS and Santa’s Candy Castle.
Find out more things to do in Santa Claus for Christmas here.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Distance from Chicago: 83 miles from Chicago
Lake Geneva is a great place to visit during the holidays. Located only about 90 minutes from downtown Chicago, it is close enough to visit on a long day trip from Chicago.
During the holiday season visitors can embark on a Santa Cruise, a 40 minute Christmas themed lake cruise to Santa’s North Pole hideaway and marvel at several shoreline holiday light displays on the way.
Visitors can also enjoy many winter outdoor activities in the area including skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing as well as ice skating.
Holiday events in Lake Geneva include the Christmas Parade (December 2, 2023).
Find more things to do in Lake Geneva during the holiday season here here.
Stay: Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Distance from Chicago: 150 miles from Chicago (about 2.5 hour drive)
While Elkhart Lake is a tiny village near Chicago that is worth visiting during Christmas.
The annual Old World Christmas Market (December 1 – 10, 2023) at The Osthoff Resort is reminiscent of the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt of Nüremberg, Germany. Stroll the aisles of a grand heated tent bedecked with fragrant boughs of fresh evergreens and scents of roasted almonds while browsing for unique and specialty items among international and regional artisans. Enjoy delectable German fare, such as hot glühwein, sauerbraten, dumplings, schnitzel, potato pancakes, red cabbage, pulled pork and apple strudel.
You can find more holiday events in Elkhart Lake here.
Stay: The Osthoff Resort
Galena, Illinois
Distance from Chicago: 164 miles from Chicago
Galena is great winter weekend getaway whether on a romantic trip or traveling with kids. Galena is a charming and historic small town. A large portion of the city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and there are many historical sights to explore including the Ulysses S. Grant Home, the Elihu B. Washburne House, Dowling House and the Old Market House. Visitors will also enjoy strolling on half-mile historic Main St. loaded with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants.
Holiday and winter events include: Holiday Fire in the Sky (December 2, 2023), Night of the Luminaria and Living Windows (December 9, 2023) and Snowflakes & Sweets Stroll (December 16, 2023).
Find more things to do in Galena during the holidays here.
Stay: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
What are your favorite Christmas getaway from Chicago?
