The Peninsula Chicago Invites Holiday-Season Guests to Enjoy Enchanting Festive Events, Meals, and Traditions

Long known as a cherished “holiday home” for discerning travelers, The Peninsula Chicago will once again welcome guests this winter with a sumptuous calendar of festive experiences. By embracing classic pleasures and the spirit of sharing, the hotel will provide abundant occasions for visitors to create lasting holiday memories with their loved ones.

This year’s festivities at The Peninsula Chicago will celebrate timeless holiday traditions while giving back to the community during the season of giving. Guests will be invited to gather beneath the hotel’s magnificently decorated Lobby Christmas tree, share bountiful feasts and delectable treats, and enjoy live holiday music performances and joyful family activities.

Sumptuous Holiday Feasts

The hotel’s culinary team unveils delectable festive menus for guests to savor at each of its restaurants through the season. These feasts include Thanksgiving Brunch, Festive Afternoon Tea, Ugliest Christmas Sweater Party, Christmas Eve and Day specialty meals, and New Years Eve celebrations. 

A Hearty Thanksgiving Day Brunch

Elaborate holiday brunches have been a signature of The Peninsula Chicago for many years. Guests can usher in the festive fall harvest season with The Lobby’s annual Thanksgiving Brunch, which will feature à la carte plated options and buffet items served via a variety of stations: the carving station features Ferndale turkey, beef Tomahawk, Berkshire ham; seafood station with jumbo shrimp, Alaskan king crab, Jonah crab claws, east and west coast oysters; an imported and domestic caviar station; sushi and sashimi station; a global cheese and charcuterie station; Shanghai Terrace station featuring Peking Duck, handmade dim sum and stir-fried favorites; and a lobster mac and cheese station. A decadent dessert buffet rounds out the holiday selections. Entertainment features a string quartet as well as a roving magician for children. Brunch seatings are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Brunch is priced at US$ 325 per adult and US$ 95 per person for children ages 5 to 12 years. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Reservations are accepted via TOCK.

Festive Holiday Afternoon Tea 

The Lobby is nothing short of spectacular during the holiday season. Festive Afternoon Tea enjoyed beneath the 20-foot Christmas tree has become a holiday tradition for many families. The menu features a traditional English tea menu, a variety of finger sandwiches including: chicken salad; cucumber; roasted beef; lobster salad and carrot quiche; petite seasonal pastries featuring holiday flavors. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. Entertainment is provided daily by a string duo performing holiday favorites. On weekends, Santa makes an appearance. Festive Afternoon Tea is offered daily starting Friday, November 29, 2024 to Sunday, January 5, 2025, with seatings at 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm for US$ 140 for adults, including a glass of Champagne Monday through Thursday and US$ 75 per child, ages 5 to 12 years. Friday through Sunday, the price is US$ 150 per person for adults, including a glass of Champagne; and US$ 85 for children. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Reservations may be made via TOCK.

Ugliest Christmas Sweater Party at Z Bar

It’s not officially the holiday season until guests don an ugly Christmas sweater. Ring in the season in one’s best (or worst!) style by making a memorable fashion statement with the most over-the-top, extravagant Christmas sweater at Z Bar’s fifth annual ugliest sweater soirée on Saturday December 14, 2024.  Festive cocktails and ugly dancing are requirements—a DJ will get the party started in style at 8:00 pm. A prize will be awarded for the Best Ugliest Christmas Sweater. No cover charge.  Reservations are accepted via TOCK. Guests must be 21 years or older to attend. 

An Elegant Christmas Eve

A very special holiday menu is planned in The Lobby in honor of this enchanting holiday. Guests will savor a five-course prix-fixe dinner followed by The Lobby’s lush dessert buffet. A jazz trio will provide the entertainment. Christmas Eve dinner is US$ 285 per person, with an option to add wine pairings for US$ 85 per person. Children 12 years and under may order from The Lobby’s children’s menu. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Reservations available via TOCK.

Shanghai Terrace will feature the à la carte menu on Christmas Eve. Z Bar is open on Christmas Eve for holiday cocktails and elegant Champagne options by the glass.

Celebrate Christmas Day at The Peninsula Chicago

Celebrate Christmas in The Lobby featuring à la carte menu options combined with buffet items served from the following stations: carving station with prime rib, Christmas ham; seafood station with jumbo shrimp, king crab legs, east and west coast oysters, sushi and sashimi; paella station; bao bun station; an imported and domestic caviar station; a global cheese and charcuterie station; a Shanghai Terrace station, and a decadent dessert buffet completes the festive meal. A string quartet will provide the entertainment as well as a magician to entertain children. Brunch seatings are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. US$ 325 per adult; US$ 95 per child, ages 5 to 12 years. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Reservations available via TOCK.

Z Bar is open on Christmas Day and serves holiday cocktails and elegant Champagne options by the glass.

New Year’s Eve

Celebrate the momentous occasion of ringing in 2025 in Peninsula style at The Lobby’s New Year’s 
Eve Gala. Guests are greeted with a welcome Champagne at 6:30 pm, followed by a five-course prix-fixe dinner. Entertainment provided by a solo pianist, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, then a dinner trio, 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Dance to BeatMix, a 7-piece band, from 10:00 pm to 1:00 am. A glass of Champagne and party favors are included. The event is festive cocktail attire/black tie optional and priced at US$ 295 per person. An additional US$ 95 for wine pairings. Prices exclude tax, gratuity and alcoholic beverages. Must be 21 years or older to attend. Reservations available via TOCK.  

Ring in 2025 at Z Bar’s annual celebration. A DJ keeps it lively from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am. Your evening includes an open bar, small, passed bites, access to the Champagne and chocolate truffle room and party favors. Tickets for this event are US$ 225 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Limited seating. Guests must be 21 years or older to attend. Festive cocktail attire/black tie optional.  Reservations available via TOCK.  

The supper-club setting of Shanghai Terrace is the perfect backdrop to celebrate the arrival of 2025. The à la carte Chinese menu is available.

The Season of Giving

Since its founding, The Peninsula has extended support to underserved community members through outreach programs and charitable donations – and we make special efforts to give during the holidays. This year, guests can join The Peninsula Chicago in contributing to the welfare of local children through making reservations to attend Festive Afternoon Tea. For the second consecutive year, The Peninsula Chicago has selected the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) to benefit from this initiative. For every festive season Afternoon Tea, a US$ 5 donation will be made to BGCC. This is one of the oldest youth development organizations in Chicago, having been founded in 1902. The organization’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need them the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. 

Holiday Rates and Winter Packages

An array of special rates and a package featuring seasonal themed amenities has been created for guests looking to enjoy all that Chicago has to offer this holiday season: 

Holly Jolly Family Holiday Package includes the following:

• In-room holiday tree or Menorah
• Daily Peninsula Breakfast for up to two adults and two children 12 and under
• Daily valet parking (for one vehicle)
• Holiday welcome amenity
• Access to a library of holiday themed movies, books, and games

Rates start at US$ 1,150 for a Grand Premier Double guestroom. Other room categories include Michigan Avenue suite through Grand Deluxe suites. Prices exclude tax. 72-hour advance booking required. This package is offered for stay dates between November 29, 2024 through January 5, 2025.

Merry and Bright Couple’s Holiday Package includes the following:

• In-room holiday tree or Menorah
• Bottle of wine or Champagne upon arrival
• Daily Peninsula Breakfast for two adults
• Daily valet parking (for one vehicle)

Rates start at US$ 1,575 for a Michigan Avenue suite. Other room category includes Grand Deluxe suites. Prices exclude tax. 72-hour advance booking required. This package is offered for stay dates between November 29, 2024 through January 5, 2025.

The Peninsula Sky Rink

Returning for its 12th season, The Peninsula Sky Rink opens Saturday, November 23, 2024. The 2,100 sq ft (200 sq m) hybrid rink is the only hotel skating rink in Chicago. Located above Chicago’s bustling Michigan Avenue, The Terrace is the ideal setting for the hotel’s seasonal skating rink. Surrounded by Chicago’s skyscrapers and twinkling lights, the rink is tucked into a pine tree winter setting and bathed in festive music and snowflake lighting. The skating rink’s outdoor menu features a selection of hot beverages and snacks including hot chocolate, hot cider, and other treats, and is available for groups to rent or for private events (such as marriage proposals). All monies collected include skate rental (US$ 20 for adults and US$ 10 for children 12 and under) and are donated to two Chicago children’s charities: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and Hephzibah Children’s Association.

Exclusive Gifts and Treats

A collection of curated specialty goods and delicacies greet shoppers this year at Pierrot Gourmet. Gifts such as gourmet hampers, plush Pen Bears for children are available. Peninsula Gift Cards for restaurant meals or spa treatments that let recipients share the experience of Peninsula luxury are available for purchase from the Front Desk or The Spa and Wellness Center.

To make room reservations or for more information on holiday rates, please call direct at +1 (312) 337 2888, toll-free at +1 (866) 288 8889, visit peninsula.com/chicago or e-mail reservationPCH@peninsula.com. Terms and conditions apply.

To make festive season dining reservations or for more information, please call the hotel direct at +1 (312) 337 2888, e-mail diningPCH@peninsula.com or visit TOCK. Ongoing restaurant reservations for The Lobby and Shanghai Terrace may be made via OpenTable.