The holidays are starting early in Chicago! The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry has announced the 84th annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light, its legendary seasonal exhibit, opening Saturday, November 7, 2026, and running through Sunday, January 3, 2027.
Step into the Museum’s Rotunda and wander through a sparkling forest of more than 50 Christmas trees, each lovingly decorated by community volunteers to honor holiday traditions from their own cultures. Around the trees, displays celebrate seasonal festivals of light from around the world — including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Diwali — making this a true one-of-a-kind celebration of how the whole world shines during the holidays.
What began in 1942 as a single tree honoring soldiers in World War II has blossomed into one of Chicago’s most cherished traditions, drawing families back year after year.
The celebration kicks off with a Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival on November 7 at 11 a.m., with performances in the Rotunda from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There’s something for everyone this season: the popular 21-and-up after-hours party Naughty or Nice returns on Thursday, December 10 — joined this year by a brand-new family-friendly All Ages Edition on Saturday, December 19. Little scientists can also join Winter Break Camps (December 21–23 or 28–30) with hands-on winter STE(A)M activities in the Museum’s Fab Lab, and the Museum Kitchen debuts special holiday eats.
Photo: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
