Information updated Nov 7, 2009

Navy Pier Winter Wonderland 2009 opens at 10am daily. Winter Wonderfest has increased the price of their standard wristband to $16. Premium Wintery Wonderfest writstbands include access to the ice skating rink and cost $19. Stay tuned to Chicago Hot Blog for updates on Navy Pier Winter Wonderland.



Navy Pier Winter Wonderland 2009 – Hours

December 4th, 2009 – 19th, 2009
Sunday through Thursday – 10:00am – 5:00pm
Friday and Saturday – 10:00am. – 10:00pm

December 20th, 2009 – January 3rd, 2010
Sunday through Thursday – 10:00am – 8:00pm
Friday and Saturday – 10:00am – 10:00pm

Special Winter Wonderland Holiday Hour
Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24th – 10:00am – 5:00pm
Christmas Day: Friday, December 25th CLOSED
New Years Eve: Thursday, December 31st – 10:00am – 8:00pm



Navy Pier’s annual “Winter Wonderland” (aka Winter Wonderfest) will be running daily from December 4th, 2009 until January 3rd, 2009. Admission to the Navy Pier Winter Wonderland is free but a wristband is required for some rides and attractions. For complete information about the festival’s admission policies, check out the official Navy Pier Winter Wonderland website.

While the winter wonderland website isn’t hard to navigate, there is a lot of information there, so I will attempt to break down the basics so that you can know what to expect from this festival.

Chicago Blackhawks Skating Rink
Winter Wonderland Ferris wheel
Matterhorn Climb & Slide
Winter Wonderland Wind Glider
Navy Pier Reindeer Express Train Ride
Patch’s Lighthouse
Ice Dragons Kringle Carousel
Navy Pier Extreme Ice Trail Ropes Course
Pepsi Create-A-Cookie Cottage
Wonderland Inflatable Games
Winter WonderStage
Winter WonderFest Junior

Navy Pier Winter Wonderland 2009 – Admission
General Admission is free.

Navy Pier Winter Wonderland Regular Activity Wristband – $16.00
Includes unlimited single-day access to rides and activities excluding Ice Skate Rental.

Navy Pier Winter Wonderland Premium Activity Wristband – $19.00
Includes unlimited single-day access to rides and activities including Ice Skate Rental.

Premium Family Free Parking Package -$76.00
Includes 4 Premium wristbands (includes ice skating) and Parking.

Featuring more than 50 vendors, Chicago Christkindlmarket 2009 will include both gift and food vendors. Traditional treats include hot cider, hot chocolate and spiced wine – with many German Christmas Market favorites such as bratwurst, schnitzel, strudel, potato pancakes and more. Kringle Market has been a holiday tradition in Chicago for 14 years and would be a great experience for anyone wanting to get out in the city during the season.

Christkindlmarket also provides a great opportunity to view Chicago’s 2009 Christmas Tree and Santa Claus at Daley Plaza.

Christkindlmarket is located at the intersection of Washington and Dearborn. Kringle Market is open Nov 25-Dec 24, 2009; Sun-Thur 11am–8pm; Fri-Sat 11am 9pm;

Christkindlemart 2009

See, taste and hear the holiday cheer. Experience a traditional Christkindlemarket 2009, based on the century old markets in Germany, in the heart of downtown Chicago. Kringle Market features German and International vendors who display hand crafted ornaments, toys and unique gifts as well as traditional German foods, sweets and beverages. For further information on Christkindlemarket / Kringle Market, a detailed list for vendors, special events and entertainment please visit Christkindlemarket.com.