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Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier

Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier

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Highlights

Things to do: Guests can enjoy holiday attractions such as winter rides, light-sculpture displays, indoor ice skating, and themed decor

About This Deal

  • When can I visit?: opening hours change daily; click here to view the calendar
  • What’s included: a ride on the Centennial Wheel
  • Child tickets are for ages 3-12 and adult tickets for ages 13 and up
  • Free admission for children under 3
  • Prohibited items: outside food and beverages
  • Parking information: indoor parking available
  • Lockers available? yes, a limited number

Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier

  • What is it: Navy Pier will brighten the winter season with Light Up the Lake, an indoor, temperature-controlled experience, featuring large-scale light-sculpture displays, comprising more than 600,000 twinkling lights; a regulation-size Alpine ice rink, authentic holiday beer garden, kiddie train rides, Santa's Village and gift market and other family-friendly events. Offering something for everyone, Light Up the Lake will run from Nov. 26 through Jan. 2, in Festival Hall at Navy Pier. Special themed events, including date nights, are also planned.

    Every ticket comes with a free ride on the Centennial Wheel, and visitors are invited to experience all the free amenities and attractions indoors and out at Navy Pier, which will be decked out for the season.

    Transforming more than 100,000 square feet of Navy Pier's expansive Festival Hall, Light Up the Lake will also offer sit-down dining with holiday-themed eats, signature cocktails, and seasonal brews. Grab-and-go meals and snacks will be available throughout the event space.

    Light Up the Lake will incorporate some popular attractions of Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest, such as the ice rink and kiddie train rides, but other elements, such as the bounce houses, have been eliminated in the wake of the pandemic. Other covid protocols, such as face masks and social distancing, may be in place in accordance with CDC guidance at the time of the visit.


  • Light-Sculpture Experience: The area's largest indoor light show, boasting more than 600,000 lights, will feature oversized sculptures with holiday and toy box themes, including a giant Teddy Bear, a deer soaring 25-foot, high, 60-foot light tunnel and 40-foot tree. There will even be an oversized rubber duckie, who will greet skaters near the ice rink.
  • Alpine Ice Rink: Guests are invited to come early, stay late and take a spin on the 165-foot Alpine ice rink. Guests can bring their own skates, but skates will be available at no extra charge, pending availability. Lockers also will be available.
  • Santa's Village: Kids can jump on the Holiday Train and explore Santa's Village where they can share their holiday wish with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, and meet Santa's friends, neighbors, street performers and toymakers. Photo opportunities are available throughout. The European-style holiday market will offer seasonal wares, novelties, treats and unique holiday gifts. Guests are encouraged to visit Jolly Olde Post Office where they can post a letter to Santa.
  • Holiday Beer Garden: The Holiday Beer Garden offers old-world Bavarian charm with seasonal craft beers, winter cocktails and delicious giant soft pretzels. Grab-and-go menu items will also be available throughout the experience.
  • Centennial Wheel: Each ticket includes a ride on Navy Pier's iconic 200-foot Centennial Wheel, offering 360-degree views of the decorated city and frosty Lake Michigan. Guests can ride during their Light Up the Lake visit, weather permitting, but the ticket, an $18 value, is valid through March 31, 2022.

Fine Print

Promotional value expires Jan 2, 2022. All Sales Final. This is a ticket. Ticket expires on the date/time purchased. Valid only on option purchased. Offer is not eligible for promo codes or other discounts. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services. Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts. Learn about Strike-Through Pricing and Savings

About ☆ Navy Pier ☆

Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the most visited destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and welcoming nearly 9 million annual guests. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases over 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities, and more. The Pier celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 with the unveiling of the Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. Today, Navy Pier continues to usher in its second century with ongoing redevelopment efforts including the 223-room Sable hotel, the all-transient Navy Pier Marina, and thrilling new attractions such as Flyover Chicago. The Pier is proud to present free programming designed to inspire and engage communities across the city and globe, including the #1 Fireworks display in the nation. For more information, visit https://navypier.org/.