Navy Pier announces the return of Wintrust Winter WonderFest, Chicago’s favorite indoor holiday celebration, with Wintrust Financial Corporation serving as the event’s new presenting sponsor. The expanded holiday tradition will welcome guests from Friday, November 27, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027, offering more dates for families and friends to celebrate the season together.
Wintrust Winter WonderFest will transform Navy Pier’s Festival Hall into a 170,000-square-foot holiday destination filled with festive décor, immersive seasonal displays and family-friendly attractions. Guests can stroll through a sparkling forest filled with ornament-adorned trees, glide across the ice-skating rink, fly high on the Cliffhanger, ride the Arctic Express Train, and more.
“The holidays are a special time of the year at Navy Pier, when families and friends come together to celebrate, create traditions and make lasting memories,” said Navy Pier President and CEO Marilynn Gardner. “We are thrilled to welcome guests back for an expanded Wintrust Winter WonderFest season and especially proud to embark on this partnership with Wintrust. Together, we’re creating an experience that reflects our shared commitment to bringing people together through accessible, joyful experiences that celebrate the spirit of Chicago.”
Wintrust Winter WonderFest reflects Wintrust’s ongoing commitment to building strong, local relationships across Illinois and its growing Midwest footprint. As the official bank of Navy Pier, Wintrust continues to invest in partnerships and experiences that strengthen the communities it serves.
“As a community bank, we’re proud to support experiences that contribute to Chicago’s holiday festivities and create memorable experiences for visitors and residents alike,” Tim Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wintrust. “Everyone deserves the chance to experience the magic of the holidays, and we’re proud to help make that possible through our presenting sponsorship of Wintrust Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier.”
Tickets for Wintrust Winter WonderFest are on sale now. General admission tickets are $27 when purchased at least 24 hours in advance of a visit. Tickets purchased within 24 hours of attendance, or onsite at the door, are $32. As a special limited-time offer, guests who purchase tickets by August 15 can take advantage of early bird pricing, with tickets available for just $13.50.
Admission includes access to the event and more than 10 indoor attractions, with select rides subject to height requirements. Children age two years old and under are admitted free. Discounted group pricing is available for parties of 20 or more, interested guests can email GroupSales@navypier.org for more information. Guests can find daily operating hours, purchase advance tickets and learn more at www.navypier.org/pier-events/wintrust-winter-wonderfest/
About Navy Pier
Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the most visited destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and welcoming more than 8 million annual guests. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases over 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities, and more. The Pier celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 with the unveiling of the Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. Today, Navy Pier continues to usher in its second century with ongoing redevelopment efforts including the 223-room Sable hotel, the all-transient Navy Pier Marina, and thrilling new attractions such as Flyover. The Pier is proud to present free programming designed to inspire and engage communities across the city and globe, including the #1 Fireworks display in the nation. For more information, visit NavyPier.org.
About Wintrust
Wintrust is a financial holding company with approximately $71 billion in assets whose common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Guided by its “Different Approach, Better Results” philosophy, Wintrust offers the sophisticated resources of a large bank while providing a community banking experience to each customer. Wintrust operates more than 200 retail banking locations through 16 community bank subsidiaries in the greater Chicago, southern Wisconsin, west Michigan, northwest Indiana, and southwest Florida market areas. In addition, Wintrust operates various non-bank business units, providing residential mortgage origination, wealth management, commercial and life insurance premium financing, short-term accounts receivable financing/outsourced administrative services to the temporary staffing services industry, and qualified intermediary services for tax-deferred exchanges. For more information, please visit wintrust.com.