Chicago Holidays
Holiday Parties on the Water with City Cruises Chicago
Celebrate the Season with an Unforgettable Holiday Party
Some holiday parties are expected. Yours should be unforgettable.
There's a moment when the Chicago skyline lights up, conversations pause, and everyone takes in the view. That's the kind of holiday moment City Cruises Chicago creates.
Instead of another restaurant or banquet hall, celebrate aboard an elegant yacht with chef-prepared dining, festive entertainment, exceptional hospitality, and views of Chicago's world-famous architecture and skyline.
What You'll Experience
Every City Cruises Chicago holiday party brings festive dining, entertainment, and iconic city views together in one unforgettable setting.
Your holiday celebration includes:
- Chef-prepared holiday dining
- Premium bar packages, handcrafted cocktails, and seasonal drinks
- Climate-controlled indoor and open-air event spaces
- Chicago skyline and waterfront views
- DJs, dancing, and festive entertainment
- Holiday décor and seasonal ambiance
- Flexible packages for groups of every size
- Complimentary event coordinators
- Personalized hospitality from start to finish
Celebrate the season while we take care of the details.
Why Celebrate the Holidays on the Water
The holidays are about bringing people together, and few backdrops feel as magical as Chicago during the season. The skyline becomes part of the décor, while the city's iconic architecture and waterfront become part of the experience.
Celebrate with:
- One seamless venue for dining, entertainment, and celebrating
- Iconic Chicago views that create a naturally festive backdrop
- A warm, welcoming atmosphere that encourages conversation and connection
- Flexible event packages for intimate gatherings or large holiday parties
- Dedicated event coordinators who handle every detail
Whether you're thanking employees, entertaining clients, or gathering with family and friends, City Cruises Chicago helps create holiday traditions surrounded by one of the world's most recognizable skylines.
Start Planning Your Holiday Celebration
Whether you're planning a corporate holiday party, employee appreciation event, client celebration, family gathering, or end-of-year event, City Cruises Chicago offers unforgettable waterfront venues, chef-prepared dining, flexible holiday packages, and exceptional hospitality.
Contact our complimentary event coordinators today to explore Chicago holiday party packages and start planning an unforgettable celebration on the water.
All-Inclusive Holiday Packages
Enhancement options
Alternate menus
Photo Booth
Casino Packages
Floral Upgrades
Open Bar Packages
Hors D ’Oeuvres Packages
Scavenger Hunt
Team Building Partnerships
Interactive Games
Live Musicians
Hinweis:
*Packages are available for groups 20+.
Tell Us About Your Event
After form submission, you’ll receive a customized offer from an experienced Account Manager matching your event vision.
FAQs Holiday Group Events
City Cruises hosts corporate holiday parties, employee and client appreciation events, office Christmas parties, Friendsgiving gatherings, family celebrations, nonprofit galas, alumni events, retirement celebrations, and end-of-year gatherings. Whatever the occasion, packages flex to fit your group size, budget, and event style.
Most holiday party cruises last between two and three hours. Lunch and cocktail cruises run approximately two hours, while dinner cruises typically run two to three hours with dining, entertainment, and dancing onboard.
Yes, depending on your destination and guest count, you can charter an entire yacht, reserve a private deck, or book a section of tables. Your event coordinator will help you choose the right format for your group.
Many vessels offer accessible boarding areas, climate-controlled interiors, and accessible restrooms on select yachts. Accessibility features vary by vessel and location.
Yes, most holiday packages include chef-prepared buffet dining and beverage service. Lunch cruises feature a buffet with a cash bar, while cocktail and dinner cruises include a beer and wine open bar, with premium bar packages and menu upgrades available. Offerings vary by destination.
A cocktail cruise is a standing, mix-and-mingle event with a cocktail menu and open bar, while a dinner cruise is a longer, seated-style celebration with a full chef-prepared buffet, DJ entertainment, and dancing. Choose a cocktail cruise for networking and casual gatherings, and a dinner cruise for an elegant evening event.
City Cruises can host everything from intimate holiday dinners to large company-wide celebrations. Capacity varies by vessel and destination, so share your guest count with your event coordinator, and they'll match you to the right yacht.
Yes — depending on your destination, you can book daytime lunch cruises, early-evening cocktail cruises, or evening dinner cruises throughout the holiday season. Daytime cruises offer bright waterfront views, while evening cruises showcase the skyline lit up for the holidays.
Yes, City Cruises vessels feature climate-controlled indoor dining and event spaces, so your celebration stays warm and comfortable throughout the season. Open-air decks remain available for guests seeking fresh air and unobstructed skyline views.
Yes, many destinations can accommodate dietary requests with advance notice. Speak with your event coordinator about your group's specific needs when building your menu.
Absolutely, many events can be personalized with upgraded menus, premium bar packages, DJs, live musicians, casino experiences, photo booths, custom décor, floral arrangements, and team-building activities. Available enhancements vary by location, and your planner will walk you through the options.
Book as early as possible — holiday dates fill quickly, especially in November and December. Early booking secures your preferred date, package, and vessel, though our planners can also help with last-minute celebrations when availability allows.
City Cruises combines chef-prepared dining, iconic waterfront views, professional entertainment, flexible packages, and complimentary event planning into one unforgettable celebration. It's a one-of-a-kind venue that makes the season feel special for employees, clients, friends, and family alike — contact our event coordinators today to start planning yours.
Most holiday venues give you a room; City Cruises gives you the city. As your yacht cruises through the heart of the waterfront, every guest gets a front-row seat to the skyline, no bad tables, no missed views. Add chef-prepared cuisine, flexible packages that scale from a reserved section of tables to a full private charter, and event coordinators who handle everything from menus to music, and you have a celebration that feels effortless for you and extraordinary for everyone else.
- Complimentary event planning – A dedicated planner handles every detail from first inquiry to final toast.
- Award-winning dining – Fresh, chef-prepared cuisine made onboard, not trucked in.
- Flexible packages – From a section of tables to a full private yacht charter.
- Comfort in every season – Climate-controlled interiors plus open-air decks.
- Iconic destinations – Celebrate in the most spectacular waterfront cities in North America and the UK.
- Entertainment built in – DJs, dancing, live music, and festive enhancements to match your style.
- Corporate teams – Give your employees the appreciation event they'll rave about.
- Client hosts – Thank the people who power your business with an unforgettable evening.
- Office party planners – One planner, one venue, one seamless event — done.
- Families & friend groups – Friendsgiving, family holiday dinners, and winter get-togethers with a view.
- Nonprofits & associations – Galas, volunteer appreciation, and alumni events with built-in wow factor.
- Milestone celebrators – Retirements and end-of-year send-offs worthy of the occasion.