Christmas in Chicago’s Loop – Macy’s, Christkindlmarket.
Today I’m joining up with a group of bloggers who are bravely leaving the warmth and comfort of our holiday-decorated homes to venture outside and share some of our favorite holiday sights around our neighborhoods, towns, cities and states.
Thank you Jennifer @Town & Country Living for organizing this great tour! And be sure to follow the links at the end of this post to check out my blogging friends.
I’ll start today’s post with a quick Chicago geography lesson: Downtown Chicago – where you’ll find the hi rise buildings – is divided by the Chicago River …
as beautifully shown in the opening sequence of The Bob Newhart Show.
North of the river you’ll find The Magnificent Mile and River North.
South of the river is The Loop.
When I worked downtown, I was north of the River. On The Magnificent Mile. And was very familiar with the holiday decor along Michigan Avenue.
Pro tip: It’s best seen at dusk/night because each and every tree lining the street is strung with hundreds and thousands of twinkle lights.
But I’m embarrassed to say I never ventured south of the River during the holidays …
hangs head in shame.
In my defense, I worked hard, long hours on Michigan Avenue and just wanted to get home at day’s end.
So I thought it was overdue time to correct my 25+ year misstep and head south of the River to walk around The Loop. With my camera in hand …
I started at Macy’s.
Captured some street musicians.
Loved this giant bow on Old Navy.
I stumbled up on the annual Christkindlemarket in Daley Plaza …
I capped off my Loop tour with a few quick shots of the decor outside of Petterino’s Restaurant in The Goodman Theater.
And, no, I did not stop in for a bite to eat.
Maybe next year! 🙂
Be sure to check out my blogging friend’s favorite Christmas places:
MONDAY
Town and Country Living / My Sweet Savannah / Finding Silver Pennies
Hymns and Verses / Duke Manor Farm
TUESDAY
Saw Nail and Paint / It All Started with Paint / Maison de Cinq / Southern Hospitality
I was born in Chicago in the early 1950s, and I was raised in a south suburb. When I was a child, every year before Christmas we would take the Illinois-Central commuter train to downtown Chicago to meet my grandmother in the Loop. We would visit Marshall Fields – now Macys – and Carson Pirie Scott department stores. They used to have beautiful animated Christmas displays in their windows.
The Loop has changed a lot since then. Some of the buildings have even been torn down, leaving open spaces. Even so, I really enjoyed seeing your photos of the Loop at Christmas. It brings back a lot of good memories.
And thank you for sharing your lovely memories with me! Macy’s still does pretty elaborate windows but I just couldn’t figure out how to photograph them in a way that did them justice! 🙂
Oh Linda, I absolutely loved the view from your perspective. I will most certainly entertain the others too…Sounds like you are feeling a bit more optimistic…good to see…
I’m slowly getting my Christmas mojo on! 🙂
p.s yours was my fav, your shots and text brought it all to life….
May the sprinkle of the season dust you in warmth…
lol! thank you! 🙂
I’m close by in Indiana, and I love the excitement of Chicago. As with most big cities, Christmastime and the sheer amount of sparkling decorations makes for a magical reprise from the day to day.
It’s definitely festive here! I think next year I’ll go out and capture Michigan Avenue north of the River. 🙂 Happy holidays!
You’ve captured Chicago so beautifully! I grew up in Michigan and loved visiting Chicago during the holidays!
Thank you so much!!!! That makes me so happy!:)
LOVE your photos, Linda! Chicago is so magical during the holiday season. It’s pretty year-round, but Christmas is always special.
you should have!!! I just love big cities during the holidays. the decorations, the sense of one and spending money! Im coming one day! Merry Christmas
Being a country bumpkin, I love seeing the city at Christmas! We love to visit NYC, but your city looks equally fabulous at Christmas!