We’re sure you’ve made your list and checked it twice, but if parenting has taught us anything, it’s to be expect the unexpected. In the hustle of holiday preparation, we have you covered whether you need a last-minute ingredient or a change of scenery this year. Our list below is filled with attractions, stores and restaurants that are open on Christmas Day 2023 to take any last-minute stress out of your holiday.
Local Attractions Open on Christmas 2023
Brookfield Zoo and Lincoln Park Zoo are both open 365 days a year! Holiday Magic and and ZooLights are not running that evening, but the zoos are open to visit the animals during the day.
Morton Arboretum is open for free on Christmas Day. Although buildings, the Children’s Garden, and Illumination are closed, the grounds are open for a nice Christmas Day stroll or hike. Members-only hours are from 7am – 9am; the arboretum is open to the public from 9am until the last admission at 3pm and closes at sunset.
Skating in the Park at Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park will be on Christmas Day 2023 from 4:00pm to 10:00pm. Visitors can skate under the lights to enjoy a festive experience. It’s free if you bring your own skates; skate rental is also available for $8.
Movie theaters and select bowling alleys are usually open on Christmas Day. Please check your local spots for more details, which vary by location.
Grocery, Convenience, and Retail Store Christmas Hours
- Jewel-Osco, ALDI, Mariano’s, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods Market are all closed on Christmas Day.
- The Patel Brothers grocery store in Naperville, Niles, Schaumburg, and Chicago will be open until 4pm on Christmas Day.
- While many grocery store chains likely have company policies to close on Christmas Day, some smaller, independent grocery stores may be open. Call ahead to confirm hours.
- CVS: Select stores will remain open on Christmas Day, but are likely to reduce their hours of operation. Those located within Target stores will be closed. Call ahead before you go.
- Walgreens: Most stores will be open on Christmas Day.
- Nearly all 7-Eleven stores remain open on Christmas Day.
- All Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Costco stores will be closed on Christmas Day.
Most of these stores remain open on Christmas Eve. Get a head start on that cooking, or just double-check your recipes to make sure you have all your ingredients the day before.
Local Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
Reservations platforms such as Open Table and Tock are a great way to find restaurants that are open on Christmas Day 2023, along with the restaurants below:
- Bar Louie in Bolingbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Skokie, and Chicago
- Eddie Merlot’s in Burr Ridge and Warrenville
- Avanzare in Lombard
- Bucca di Beppo in Lombard and Orland Park
- Benihana in Lombard, Schaumburg, and Chicago
- Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in Lombard and Rosemont
- RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Lombard
- Fogo de Chao in Naperville, Oak Brook, Rosemont, and Chicago
- Morton’s the Steakhouse in Naperville and Northbrook
- Zuka Sushi and Hibachi in Naperville
- KiKu Japanese Steakhouse in Naperville
- Rosebud in Naperville, Deerfield, Lemont, and Chicago
- Lucille at Drury Lane in Oak Brook
- Kona Grill in Oakbrook
- McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood in Oak Brook, Rosemont, and Chicago
- Texas de Brazil in Schaumburg
Looking to see holiday lights on Christmas? Check out our 2023 Best Christmas Lights in Chicagoland guide. Or, check out our 2023 Kidlist Holiday Guide for Chicago’s western suburbs.
