Chicago: Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise Lake Michigan & DJ

A Three-Hour Float Past the Chicago Skyline on Christmas Eve

You board a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan, sit down to a chef-prepared three-course meal, and spend three hours watching the Chicago skyline from the water while a DJ plays and the bar stays open. The boat is wheelchair accessible, infant seats are available, and the fixed time means you know exactly when you'll be back on shore.

Step-by-step itinerary

Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan

• Board the dinner cruise
• Enjoy three-hour cruise on Lake Michigan
• View Chicago skyline from the boat
• Have chef-prepared three-course plated dinner
• Experience DJ entertainment onboard
• Enjoy festive décor and holiday atmosphere
• Drink complimentary coffee, hot tea, and iced tea

The Experience

There's something about being on the water at night that makes the city feel like it's performing just for you. The boat leaves the dock and within minutes you're out on Lake Michigan, the skyline lit up and reflected in the dark water, and you realize you've actually managed to get away from the crowds and the shopping and the last-minute scramble. The Christmas Eve dinner cruise on Lake Michigan does that — it takes the holiday rush and turns it into three hours where someone else is handling the food, the timing, and whether the drinks stay cold.

The meal comes out in courses, plated by the chef, which means you're not standing in a buffet line or picking at a sad appetizer plate. It's a three-course dinner, and the bar stays open the whole time, so you can have wine with the first course or a cocktail while you watch the city slide past. The DJ keeps things festive without being loud enough that you can't talk to the people you came with. The boat moves slowly enough that you see the landmarks — the skyline, the way the buildings catch the light — and you're not fighting for a spot at the railing because there's room to move around.

What makes this different from a regular dinner is that you're doing it on the water, on Christmas Eve specifically, which changes the whole mood. The boat is wheelchair accessible, and if you're bringing small children, specialized infant seats are available, so you're not leaving anyone behind. The three hours includes the cruise itself, the dinner, the bar, and the DJ — you show up, board, and the rest unfolds without you having to coordinate pickups or figure out where to park on a holiday night.

What’s included

• Three-hour Christmas Eve dinner cruise on Lake Michigan.
• chef-prepared three-course plated holiday dinner.
• full bar service with cocktails and wine.
• complimentary coffee, hot tea, and iced tea.
• DJ entertainment.
• views of the Chicago skyline.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by City Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to step out of the holiday rush for an evening and have someone else handle the meal, the timing, and the entertainment — the fixed three-hour window and included dinner mean you show up and the night unfolds without coordination.

Top questions

Is the three-course dinner included in the ticket price?

Yes, the chef-prepared three-course plated dinner is included, along with full bar service and DJ entertainment.

Can I bring children on the cruise?

Yes, the cruise is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with small children.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the boat is wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are also wheelchair accessible.

What beverages are included?

Full bar service is included, plus complimentary coffee, hot tea, and iced tea.

How long is the cruise?

The Christmas Eve dinner cruise lasts three hours.

Are there views of Chicago landmarks?

Yes, the cruise offers views of the Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan throughout the three-hour journey.