Movies
Bing Crosby sings “Snow” alongside Rosemary Clooney in this Christmas classic.
White Christmas
Every winter, thousands glide across the ice ribbon in this park near Michigan Avenue
Maggie Daley Park
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” became especially popular during this major historical event.
World War II
This famous Washington D.C. Christmas tradition began in 1923 under President Coolidge.
National Christmas Tree Lighting
Sled dogs traditionally wear these on their feet to prevent snow from balling between their toes.
booties
In A Christmas Story, Ralphie finally gets this iconic gift… but is warned he might “shoot his eye out.”
Red Ryder BB gun
What year?
This Chicago blizzard occurred on January 26-27, resulting in a record 23 inches of snow that paralyzed the city. This monumental snowstorm began early on the 26th and continued into the next day, causing significant disruptions, including clogged streets and shuttered businesses. The blizzard is remembered not only for its severity but also for the community's resilience in facing the challenges it presented.
1967
The song “Winter Wonderland” introduces a snowman named this.
Parson Brown
This ancient festival celebrated the sun’s return after the winter solstice and influenced later Christmas traditions.
Yule
In White Christmas, the Columbia Inn is located in this actual U.S. state.
Vermont
This John Candy/Steve Martin comedy follows two men scrambling to get home for Thanksgiving through blizzards and travel chaos.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
This Chicago-based company popularized the modern red-suited Santa in 1930s advertisements.
Coca-Cola
This song, famously sung by Judy Garland, debuted in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
The first commercial Christmas cards were created in this country during the 1840s.
England
The classic song “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” was originally written for this movie.
Neptune’s Daughter
This 1990 holiday comedy features Kevin McCallister defending his home against burglars while his family is away for Christmas.
Home Alone
This outdoor winter activity, located on Navy Pier, offers both ice skating and curling lanes every winter.
Light Up the Lake
“Do You Hear What I Hear?” was written during this global political crisis in 1962.
Cuban Missile Crisis
George Washington’s army marched through a brutal winter at this encampment in 1777–78.
Valley Forge
This term describes the cracking, loud sound lake ice makes as temperatures change.
Ice quaking or Ice booming
Finish this quote from Its a Wonderful Life, "Every time a bell rings,
an angel gets his wings"
This historic West Side neighborhood once housed Chicago’s largest ice-harvesting industry, feeding the city’s winter refrigeration before electric coolers.
the Little Village / South Lawndale area?
Originally written in 1857 for Thanksgiving, this song later became associated with Christmas.
“Jingle Bells”
This U.S. president declared Christmas a federal holiday in 1870.
Ulysses S. Grant
Scientifically, snow appears white due to this property of ice crystals.
scattering of light