Hyde Park Holly-Day Celebration 2026

Sponsored by the University of Chicago, Hyde Park Holly-Day is back for 2026 with lots of FREE family holiday activities throughout Hyde Park on Saturday, December 5 at select times between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Don’t miss the ice carving demo & self-guided sculpture stroll, pictures with your favorite Santas, live reindeer & sleigh, free screening of “Hexed”, costumed characters, dance performances, and holiday crafts. See you in Hyde Park!

See full schedule/locations below:

53rd STREET ACTIVITIES

Self-Guided Ice Sculpture Stroll – 53rd Street
All Day
Be on the lookout for 12 ice sculptures on both sides of 53rd St. between S. Lake Park Ave. and Woodlawn Ave. Take pix and tag us at @53rdst_hp and #hphollyday to share in the fun!

HARPER COURT ACTIVITIES – 5235 S. Harper Court

Ice Carving Demo
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Watch two ice artists from Nadeau Ice carve holiday-themed sculptures from blocks of ice using chainsaws! Be sure to dress warmly.

HYDE PARK ACTIVITIES – VARIOUS LOCATIONS

Free Movie Screening of “Hexed” at the Harper Theater – 5238 S. Harper Avenue
10 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.
Free admission to “Hexed” at the Harper Theater! Total theater capacity is 222 people – first come/first served. No tickets necessary. Running time one hour and 40 minutes. Doors open at 9:15 a.m.

Costumed Characters – Around Hyde Park
12-2 p.m.
Meet costumed characters at local businesses:

Character 1 – Spider-Man
12-12:45 p.m. – Hyatt Place Hotel - 5225 S. Harper Avenue
1-2 p.m. – TBD

Character 2 – Elsa
12-12:45 p.m. – Stan's Donuts - 5225 S. Harper Court
1-2 p.m. – TBD

Character 3 – Olaf
12-12:45 p.m. – Strugglebeard Bakery - 5221 S. Harper Court (breezeway area)
1-2 p.m. – TBD

Character 4 – Bluey
12-12:45 p.m. – Harper Theater - 5238 S. Harper Avenue
1-2 p.m. – TBD

HYDE PARK HOLLY-DAY EVENT SPACE – 5228 S. Lake Park Avenue (former Ulta space)

Mama Fresh – 5228 S. Lake Park Avenue
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
We’re so excited to have Mama Fresh (Jenny LeFlore), Chicago’s coolest mama/community builder/influencer as our fabulous event emcee!

Soul Santa & Mrs. Claus – 5228 S. Lake Park Avenue
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Free family photos with Soul Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Hyde Park Holly-Day event space. Note: This is a very popular event. We will do our best to accommodate as many people as possible, but we may have to stop the line prior to 1 p.m. to ensure that we finish on time. Thanks for your understanding.

Face-Painting Salon & Balloon Twist Artist – 5228 S. Lake Park Avenue
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
We will have three face painters ready to add some holiday magic on your child’s face, arms, or hands — as well as a balloon twist artist!

Holiday Crafts – 5228 S. Lake Park Avenue
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Kids can create several holiday crafts with Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and winter themes. Note: Some of the crafts have small pieces which could be a choking hazard for young children. Adults must stay with their children while they are making crafts.

Brown Books & Paintbrushes – 5228 S. Lake Park Avenue
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hyde Park nonprofit Brown Books & Paintbrushes is giving away 300 quality holiday books for ages 0-teen while supplies last. One book per family while supplies last.

Dance Performances – 5228 S. Lake Park Avenue
1:30 p.m. – Kenwood School of Dance
1:50 p.m. – Hyde Park School of Dance

HYDE PARK SHOPPING CENTER ACTIVITIES

Santa Maui, Live Reindeer & Sleigh – Hyde Park Shopping Center Courtyard (55th Street/S. Lake Park Avenue)
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Free family photos with Santa Maui, two live reindeer, and a sleigh in the Courtyard at Hyde Park Shopping Center! Be sure to dress warmly. Note: This is a very popular event. We will do our best to accommodate as many people as possible, but we may have to stop the line prior to 1:30 p.m. to ensure that we finish on time. Thanks for your understanding.

Info: Be on the lookout for 12 ice sculptures on both sides of 53rd St. between S. Lake Park Ave. and Woodlawn Ave. Take pix and tag us at @53rdst_hp and #hphollyday to share in the fun!

Info: Watch two ice artists from Nadeau Ice carve holiday-themed sculptures from blocks of ice using chainsaws! Be sure to dress warmly.

Info: Free admission to “Hexed” at the Harper Theater! Total theater capacity is 222 people – first come/first served. No tickets necessary. Running time one hour and 40 minutes. Doors open at 9:15 a.m.

Info: Costumed Characters - Meet costumed characters at local businesses TBD.

Info: Free family photos with Soul Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Hyde Park Holly-Day event space (former Ulta store). Note: This is a very popular event. We will do our best to accommodate as many people as possible, but we may have to stop the line prior to 1 p.m. to ensure that we finish on time. Thanks for your understanding.

Info: We will have three face painters ready to add some holiday magic on your child’s face, arms, or hands — as well as a balloon twist artist!

Info: Hyde Park nonprofit Brown Books & Paintbrushes will be giving away 300 quality holiday books for ages 0-teen while supplies last. One book per family while supplies last.

Info: Kids can create several holiday crafts with Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and winter themes. Note: Some of the crafts have small pieces which could be a choking hazard for young children. Adults must stay with their children while they are making crafts.

Info: Free family photos with Santa Maui, two live reindeer, and a sleigh in the Courtyard at Hyde Park Shopping Center! Be sure to dress warmly. Note: This is a very popular event. We will do our best to accommodate as many people as possible, but we may have to stop the line prior to 1 p.m. to ensure that we finish on time. Thanks for your understanding. FREE parking in the Hyde Park Shopping Center while there only.

Info: Enjoy dance performances by students at the Kenwood School of Dance and the Hyde Park School of Dance. 1:30 p.m. – Kenwood School of Dance / 1:50 p.m. – Hyde Park School of Dance

Event venue & nearby stays

5235 S Harper Ct, 5235 South Harper Court, Chicago, United States

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