Exhibit Essentials
- Ages:
- This exhibit is suitable for all ages.
- Location:
- Main Level, Museum-Wide
Museum Map - Tickets:
- Included with General Admission
Celebrating 70 Years of Tradition
Nobody does the holidays like MSI. And this year, it’s filled with more wonder and whimsy than ever. We’re celebrating 70 years of Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light, a Chicago tradition which began in 1942 with a single tree dedicated to the Allies of World War II.
As always, the Museum’s 45-foot Grand Tree takes center stage in the Rotunda with more than 30,000 lights and 1,000 ornaments, surrounded by more than 50 smaller trees beautifully decorated by volunteers from Chicago’s ethnic communities to represent their various cultures and holiday traditions. Stroll through the trees, enjoy intermittent falling “snow” and savor the performances on the Holiday Stage. School choral groups perform during the week, and ethnic song and dance performances take place on the weekends in conjunction with the exhibit.
Then take time to let loose with Dr. Seuss with a visit to our temporary exhibit, There’s Fun to Be Done! Dr Seuss & The Art of Invention. Discover the origins of Dr. Seuss’s creative genius—and find some of your own!
- Museum Hours
-
- Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Except Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Museum Location
- Getting Here
Exhibit Guide
Get the "Christmas Around the World" and "Holidays of Light" exhibit guide, including the events, hours, a map and activities. (PDF file)
Trees and Traditions Podcast
Hear about the international holiday traditions on display in Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light.