If you are going to be in Chicago sometime over the holidays, our partners at GO Airport Express offer these suggestions for ways to catch the holiday spirit. McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade – Grand Marshall Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, heads up the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade down State Street. The event features 25 marching bands; the Harlem Globetrotters; Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu Bailey in “Wonderful Life”; giant balloons and, of course, Santa Claus. Christkindlmarket – From November 21 to December 24, The Daley plaza in downtown Chicago is transformed into a Christmas market, similar to the outdoor markets of Germany and Europe. You’ll find Christmas ornaments, toys, cuckoo clocks, pewter beer steins and souvenirs. There is also an entertainment stage as well as food and beverage booths. Ice Skating at Millennium Park – Lace up your skates and capture the holiday on ice. It’s free at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium park. Lessons are also free every day from December 22 to January 4 (except Christmas and New Year’s day) before the rink opens. Rentals are just $12. Zoo Lights – From December 5 to January 15, theLincoln Park Zoo is transformed into a wonderland of colored lights, complete with musical light shows, ice sculpting demonstrations and special displays. It’s free; it’s festive and it’s sponsored by ComEd and PNC Bank. Holiday Theater – When it comes to holiday performances, Chicago plays second to none. Theatre in Chicago lists more than 45 shows from major productions of “A Christmas Carol,” “The Nutcracker” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” to several radio style performances of “It’s A Wonderful Life” and an outrageous “Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer.”
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