An oncoming major winter system is expected to complicate travel plans across the Chicago area, forcing a flurry of closures for businesses, including major holiday attractions like the Christkindlmarket and Gallagher Way's Winterland.
The National Weather Service has placed the entire Chicago area under a winter storm warning. According to the warning, "falling and blowing snow will result in white out conditions with zero visibility at times, making travel extremely difficult, if not impossible."
As the storm looms, here are the Chicago-area attractions that have noted closures so far:
Adler Planetarium
Adler Planetarium announced closures will be in effect due "forecasted snowy and blizzard-like weather conditions, along with dangerously cold temperatures."
To keep staff and potential visitors home, the planetarium said it will be closed Friday and Saturday.
The planetarium will remain closed Sunday in observance of Christmas. It will reopen for its regular hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday.
Local
Chicago Botanic Gardens
The Chicago Botanic Gardens announced it will close Friday and that its popular Lightscape will be canceled for both Thursday and Friday, "due to the current weather forecast."
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter.
Ticket holders can expect an email if their event was canceled.
Christkindlmarket
Weather conditions have prompted the Christkindlmarket to shift its hours of operation for all three of its locations, two of which are set to cap their seasonal run this week.
The marketplaces in Chicago and Aurora will close early at 4 p.m. Thursday. This will be the last day visitors can stop by the sites in 2022. The front in Wrigleyville will not operate at all Thursday.
All three locations will be closed throughout Friday and Saturday, as well as Sunday. The Wrigleyville marketplace will reopen Monday.
DuPage County Forest Preserves
"With dangerously cold temperatures forecast for the region, all Forest Preserve District of DuPage County forest preserves and buildings will be closed and programs canceled on Friday, Dec. 23," the forest preserve district announced.
Field Museum
The Field Museum announced around Friday that it will remain closed on Christmas Eve due to inclement weather. On Christmas Day, the museum will be closed.
Tuesday, Dec. 26, the museum will resume regular business hours.
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum announced Illumination, its holiday light show, is cancelled for Thursday.
Ticketholders will automatically receive a cancellation notice and refund, the arboretum said.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo and its popular holiday light show, ZooLights, will not operate Friday.
ZooLight ticketholders should recieve an email with more information, the zoo said.
"Animal and guest safety are our top priorities." the zoo said in a statement. "Please keep an eye on the zoo’s social channels and/or website for more information."
Shedd Aquarium
After closing early Thursday, the Shedd Aquarium has announced it will not be open Friday and Saturday due to "inclement weather."
"Any guests impacted by this early closure will be emailed with options to rebook their tickets for another day," a press release from the aquarium said.
The aquarium will reopen to guests Monday.
Winterland at Gallagher Way
Winterland at Gallagher Way announced it will be closed Thursday, Friday and Saturday because of the weather.
The holiday attraction will remain closed for Christmas on Sunday before returning to its normal hours of operation of 3 to 9 p.m. Monday.
This story will continue to be updated as new closures are announced. Check back for updates.
