Everyone has their own special traditions depending on where you are from. For me, you know you’re in Chicago over the holidays when you can participate in these seven musts…

1. Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker

The theater is a great way for any of us to get out of the Chicago cold and enjoy the arts for a little (and let’s all admit that maybe we should say no to social media for a few hours and get a little culture in our lives). That may sound extremely old timer of us, but realistically we can’t wait to get inside and become consumed by the entire feel of it, not to mention the Joffrey ballet is to DIE FOR.

2. The Polar Express Train

Who wouldn’t want to relive their childhood fantasy of a real life ‘Polar Express’ and in Chicago it actually exists!? Take a trip on a Metro train complete with the conductor in full ‘Polar express costume’ while listening to the motion picture soundtrack, and did I mention you get gifts? Santa comes along handing out the first gifts of the season, so you can pretend you are going on it for your kids or younger siblings and cousins but we all know you are secretly loving it.

3. The windows at Macy's

One of the most quintessential Chicagoan traditions, but still one of the best, because who doesn’t love gazing at holiday décor? From the trumpets lining State Street to the amazing store front windows, it could put anyone in the Christmas spirit and is 100% worth the annual trip. The windows are truly amazing, but just through them is…eh hum…The Walnut Room (for when it’s way too cold to keep staring at the windows). The tree, the lights, the decorations, the food, the frozen frango mint chocolate pie…it's perfect. It’s unbeatable and absolutely worth the inevitable sometimes torturous wait.

4. The Christkindle market

One of the most spirited and “jolly” places to be during the holiday season and we all get to secretly pretend we are experiencing this in the real European holiday markets. From originally being a German tradition to now being a Chicago Christmas staple, it is a must! Nothing beats the German food and drinks (held with mittened hands) combined with entertainment… what could possibly sound better? It is very unlikely that any Chicagoan goes a holiday season without a visit to the market, am I right?

5. Winter WonderFest

Now this is fun for everyone (even if you don’t want to admit it). For one, it’s indoors, which is always a plus, AND it’s at Navy Pier…what’s better? You can just gaze at frozen Lake Michigan (you don’t have to get in) and then enter a magical destination. Along with the Blackhawks ice skating rink there is a toboggan tunnel, winter mini golf and a 15-foot "snow tubing" hill. Sounds like heaven to me. It is perfect for children and adults and definitely a classic Chicago trademark.

6. Ice skating

Who doesn’t love to wait in line for over 2 hours to ice skate with the beautiful city sky line right behind you?? Alright, we don’t love the wait but it’s a must for the holiday time in the city. There is the very timeless skating at Millenium Park but now we can skate in a ribbon format at the Maggie Daley Park. As much as used skates hurt your ankles and the wind burns your face and icicles form in your nostrils, nothing beats outdoor ice skating and in Chicago? Who’s with me??

7. Chicago sporting events

Sports are a huge deal, especially in this city. There is basketball, hockey (go Hawks) and football (maybe not so much) all in full action during the holidays complete with holiday entertainment during halftime. While the Bears are not doing it this year, the experience is unbelievable. The tickets prove to be impossible but if you can get your hands on them, it is beyond worth it! And a must for a diehard Chicagoan whether the team is succeeding or not…at least we try to tell ourselves that.