TL;DR: Restaurants are closed. At least, more of them than you’d expect.
For Thanksgiving 2025, my husband and I visited Chicago for the CBS Thanksgiving Classic to watch our favorite college basketball teams go head-to-head. I am a lifelong Arkansas Razorbacks fan, and my husband has always loved the Duke Blue Devils. So we made the trip to Chicago during Thanksgiving week with our six-month-old son. I have been to Chicago before, and I love visiting cities since they’re so vastly different from what we see at home each day. My husband, however, had never visited Chicago and had an idea in his mind that he wouldn’t necessarily enjoy the city itself.
Long story short: he still doesn’t like cities, my Razorbacks lost, but we had a great time anyway. If you’re planning to visit Chicago over Thanksgiving weekend, here’s what I’d want you to know before you go.
What’s open in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day?
Truthfully, not much. And while it may not appear that way when you open Maps on your phone and begin searching for restaurants and coffee shops nearby, call ahead to ensure that their hours are accurate. Many restaurants did not update their holiday hours or social media profiles to reflect their true availability, which meant I spent quite a bit of time making calls only to be frustrated when they all rang 12 times or went straight to an AI reservation system.
We eventually landed at a Dunkin Donuts for coffee and breakfast sandwiches; no ill will toward Dunkin, but I could have Dunkin at home and would have hoped to eat something more locally significant.
I will say, however, that one nice part about everything being closed meant that we did not have to battle crowds while walking to and from our hotel—especially with a stroller. We were able to walk as slowly as we wanted, taking in the sights and navigating at our own pace.
Things to do in Chicago over Thanksgiving weekend
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
Start Thanksgiving morning with one of the most beloved traditions: the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. Held along historic State Street in the heart of the Loop (where we stayed), this family-friendly parade features giant helium balloons, festive floats, marching bands, equestrian groups, and live performances from local entertainers. Santa Claus makes a grand finale appearance, officially kicking off the Christmas season in downtown Chicago. If you’d rather watch from the warmth of your hotel, the parade also airs live on CBS Chicago.
City of Chicago Christmas Tree
Set in Millennium Park near Michigan Avenue and Washington Street, the towering evergreen is a beloved Chicago holiday tradition and a lovely backdrop for seasonal photos. Pair your visit with a stroll past Cloud Gate (known as The Bean) and a walk along Michigan Avenue to take in the city’s early Christmas decorations.
Light Shows
In Chicago, there are several holiday light displays worth adding to your itinerary. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo is a longtime Chicago tradition, with illuminated zoo paths and seasonal treats. A little farther outside the city, Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden features an illuminated walking trail, while Illumination at Morton Arboretum brings the trees to life with colorful lights and interactive displays. Each offers a different way to enjoy the Christmas season, especially if you’re looking for something to do after a busy day.
What should I pack for Chicago in late November?
This is one area I planned appropriately for. I packed a full-length puffer coat, scarves, warm socks, gloves, hats, and plenty of layers. This is an area my husband did not. Working outside in all conditions back home in Missouri, he still was not prepared for the special kind of cold of the brutal Chicago winds. While he did not complain, he did later say that he wished he would’ve brought more items to stay warm.
For our six-month-old son, I brought many layers, hats, socks and booties, and a fleece jumpsuit to wear over everything. Since he stayed primarily in the stroller, I brought fleece blankets to cover him and the entire stroller. He stayed warm everywhere we went and never seemed bothered by the cold.
What is Black Friday like in Chicago?
Busy just like you’d expect anywhere to be on Black Friday. Lines of people snaking along sidewalks, bustling stores, Christmas music pouring through every open door, and restaurants with 45-minute to two-hour waits.
We could have made a reservation to eat somewhere nice, but truly, we were ready to be back on the road and decided to visit a food hall where we could choose from numerous options and grab a coffee from Stan’s Donuts on the way out of town.
Is Chicago worth visiting for Thanksgiving?
Unless you are there for a very specific reason like we were, I would say to forgo your trip to Chicago for another time. A time when there are dining options, and the crowds are not so bad. Christmastime in Chicago is lovely—just not over Thanksgiving and Black Friday. 😉
