It’s that time of year again! Time to start thinking about your end-of-the-year company holiday party celebration! The planning process can be overwhelming, with the countless Chicago holiday party ideas to sort through. Choosing what is best for your team and your budget can be a lot. Considering a holiday party at Wintrust Sports Complex can take some of the stress away and let you enjoy your holiday celebrations.
Holiday Celebrations in Chicago
Chicago is always lively, and that doesn’t stop during the holiday season. There are a variety of Chicago holiday traditions, annual festivities, and events to participate in. These events may even inspire a Chicago holiday party idea or a holiday season corporate field trip.
Holiday Lights
Light shows and holiday light exhibits are popular all around the world. Every holiday season, Chicago lights up with massive displays at the annual ZooLights display at Lincoln Park Zoo, Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo, and Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden. Taking a corporate field trip to a light show is just one Chicago holiday party idea.
Ice Skating
Chicago is also home to the annual Christkindlmarkt, the most authentic traditional German holiday market outside of Europe. The market offers high-quality gifts, food, and plenty of holiday cheer.
Ice Skating is a great opportunity for team bonding. Many of Chicago Park’s outdoor ice rinks are free to enter, and skate rentals are available. There’s the iconic ice rink at Millennium Park, the ice ribbon at Maggie Daley Park, and the ice rink at Wentworth (John) Park is only minutes from Wintrust Sports Complex.
Bars and Restaurants
Many bars and restaurants around Chicago go all-out for the holidays. There are rooftop igloos, immersive winter wonderlands, Christmas pop-ups, and plenty of decorations. The holiday spirit is easy to find, even at Wintrust Sports Complex and our onsite bar and restaurant, The Station Grille.
Types of Holiday Party Places
When planning a holiday party, choosing the right type of venue is key to setting the mood and ensuring a memorable experience. There are many venue options for corporate holiday parties in Chicago. Ideas for holiday party places include:
Standard Event Spaces
Event spaces can range from lofts and industrial spaces to event centers, historic homes, hotels, and country clubs. Many of these spaces are highly customizable for your event and suit a range of party sizes. Hotel and banquet halls are ideal for large gatherings and more formal events, while Country Clubs may be a great option if someone on the team is a club member. Chicago has plenty of unique or simple event spaces to choose from.
Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries
Breweries, winners, and distilleries are good options for a more laid-back corporate party. There are over 200 breweries in Chicago, so there is no shortage of options. Many have spaces reserved for special events. Check any corporate policies, as well as the comfort level of the team, about having an event with alcohol.
Cruise Ships and Yachts
From Lake Michigan to the Chicago River, there is a lot of water access in the area and a lot of boats. That means boats are a possible venue for a holiday party. If your budget allows, and no one is prone to being seasick, a private charter cruise can be a truly unique holiday party in Chicago. Cruise packages can be expensive, especially around the holidays, with packages around $100 or more per person.
Restaurants
Restaurants can offer a cozy atmosphere and quality food options. For small groups, simply reserving a table is necessary. However, private dining rooms, event spaces, or even renting an entire restaurant can be options. The Station Grille at Wintrust Sports Complex can host up to 150 people and offers a full catering menu and a full bar.
Activities
If you’re looking for a more active Chicago holiday party idea, look for a venue with some activity or entertainment. Comedy clubs, museums and galleries, and theaters all provide something other than a space for socializing. For something even more active, consider places that may show up on a “children’s birthday party venues” list – mini golf, roller rinks, bowling, laser tag, and arcades are not just for kids! These types of venues can blend nostalgia, team bonding, and friendly competition.
Wintrust Sports Complex is perfect for holiday parties near Midway. Our facilities include a full restaurant and bar, The Station Grille, a 4,000-square-foot redemption arcade, a 2,000-square-foot laser tag arena, a hardwood gym space, and multiple meeting rooms that can be decorated and customized to fit your holiday party.
Holiday Party Ideas
In addition to a venue, having a theme for your holiday party helps build enthusiasm, generate ideas for activities and decor, and separate the party from the workday. Holiday parties are often as much a celebration of the holiday season and of the hard work and accomplishments throughout the year.
Popular holiday party ideas include decade themes, ugly sweaters, casino night, and black tie galas. Themes such as “Winter Wonderland” or “Under the Stars” are easy to build into any space with the right decorations. As far as Chicago holiday party ideas go, we’re partial to sports themes. Our gym space is ideal for friendly competitions of games such as tug-of-war, flag football, and relay races.
Holiday Parties Near Midway
Wintrust Sports Complex is the best place to have a holiday party near Midway in Chicago. Our variety of spaces and party packages, onsite catering, and activities make Wintrust a great place to host your holiday celebration.
Our arcade and laser tag arena offer a unique activity for a corporate holiday party. The Station Grille offers a casual, private restaurant setting. Our gym can be set up for team-building games or a large-scale event. The team at Wintrust has experience planning all types of events, and we’ll ensure your holiday party is customized to your needs. Plus, our flexible party and event packages can work around nearly any budget.
