Thanksgiving Weekend in Chicago: Can You Still Take an Architecture Cruise?
Yes, on the year-round river boats: the CAC cruise ends on November 22.The holiday lights are already up and the Christkindlmarket is open, but the long weekend lands right as the boating season ends. Here's what may sail, what's closed on Thanksgiving Day, and how to fit architecture into four festive days.
Which cruises can you book over Thanksgiving?
Last verified: October 2026. Holiday schedules change, so confirm every time and price with the operator before you go.
- Thanksgiving Day (Thu Nov 26): GetYourGuide shows Nov 26 as bookable for Wendella and Shoreline, but no operator has confirmed Thanksgiving Day departures. Treat it as a maybe until you can see and book an actual departure time.
- Black Friday to Sunday (Nov 27–29): Wendella is the most realistic option. It sails year-round and lists its architecture tours as daily; departure times appear only in its live booking calendar.
- Not available: the CAC River Cruise aboard First Lady. Its late-fall schedule ends on Nov 22, 2026, four days before Thanksgiving. Shoreline hasn't published its last 2026 architecture sailing, and in 2023 it skipped Thanksgiving.
- Closed on Thanksgiving Day: the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), the Art Institute, the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
- Open on Thanksgiving Day: the State Street parade, the Christkindlmarket (11 a.m.–4 p.m.) and Skydeck Chicago (open 365 days a year).
Thanksgiving week is a lovely time to see Chicago. The holiday lights are already up, the Christkindlmarket is pouring mulled wine in Daley Plaza, and the crowds are smaller than in December. The catch is that the long weekend falls right as the boating season ends, so the architecture cruise needs a little planning.
What's sailing and open Thanksgiving weekend 2026
| Wed Nov 25 | Thu Nov 26 (Thanksgiving) | Fri Nov 27 (Black Friday) | Sat Nov 28 | Sun Nov 29 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wendella architecture tours | Likely (check the calendar) | Bookable on GetYourGuide; not confirmed by Wendella | Likely (check the calendar) | Likely (check the calendar) | Likely (check the calendar) |
| Shoreline architecture tour | Unconfirmed | Bookable on GetYourGuide; not confirmed (skipped it in 2023) | Unconfirmed | Unconfirmed | Unconfirmed |
| CAC River Cruise (First Lady) | Ended Nov 22 | Ended | Ended | Ended | Ended |
| CAC Center, 111 E. Wacker | Closes 3 p.m. | Closed | 10 a.m.–7 p.m. | 10 a.m.–7 p.m. | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| CAC walking tours | Check the calendar | No (Center closed) | Check the calendar | Check the calendar | Check the calendar |
| Skydeck | Open | Open (365 days; winter hours 9 a.m.–8 p.m.) | Open | Open (to 9 p.m.) | Open |
| 360 CHICAGO | Open | Closed (per CityPASS) | Open | Open | Open |
| Art Institute | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Closed | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Field Museum / Shedd / Griffin MSI | Open | Closed | Open | Open | Open |
| Holiday events | Christkindlmarket | Parade, Turkey Trot, Christkindlmarket 11–4 | WonderFest opens | WonderFest + fireworks at 8 p.m. | WonderFest |
More to do over the long weekend
A Chicago River architecture cruise fills an afternoon; the rest of the weekend has room for the view from Skydeck Chicago or 360 CHICAGO, an indoor architecture walking tour of the Loop's lobbies and the Pedway, a dinner cruise from Navy Pier, and the holiday lights on the Magnificent Mile. The options below update with live availability for these Chicago tours and experiences.
Boat options, day by day
Wednesday, Nov 25. If you land early, a late-afternoon Wendella tour makes a good start to the weekend. Wendella's 90-minute Chicago River Architecture Tour costs $45 and the 45-minute version costs $28 (4.7/5 from 2,965 reviews). All boats except the open-air Ouilmette have a heated, enclosed lower lounge. The Chicago Harbor Lock is closed for the winter from Nov 16 through mid-April, so expect river-only routes, and don't count on the Lake & River tour, which Wendella says depends on the lock being open.
Thursday, Nov 26 (Thanksgiving). This is the gray area. Wendella calls its tours daily and year-round, and a 2023 NBC Chicago report said it closed only on Christmas Day that year. GetYourGuide currently shows Nov 26 as bookable for Wendella and Shoreline, but neither operator has published a 2026 Thanksgiving schedule. Open the date picker for Nov 26: if departure times show up, book one and keep a backup day; if none show, assume there are no sailings.
Friday to Sunday, Nov 27–29. These are the most reliable cruise days. If Shoreline is still running, its colder-month Architecture River Tour is shortened to 60 minutes (from $39, 4.8/5 from 4,749 reviews). In 2023, though, Shoreline ran daily only through Dec 3 and skipped Thanksgiving, and it hasn't announced its 2026 end date, so check before you build plans around it.
For a deeper comparison of the operators, see CAC First Lady vs Wendella vs Shoreline in Late Fall. For the season-ending calendar, read Chicago Architecture Boat Tours in November 2026: Last Sailing Dates.
No boat? The best architecture alternatives
- Chicago Architecture Center (111 E. Wacker). The Chicago City Model Experience gives you the whole downtown at a glance. Adult admission is $15 (the $5 price is a cruise add-on, and the cruise has finished by Thanksgiving). Hours are Sunday to Thursday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., with last entry one hour before closing. The Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, and all CAC locations close at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Eve.
- Architecture walking tours. Indoor-heavy routes such as the CAC's Art Deco Skyscrapers: Landmark Lobbies suit cold weather. Winter schedules are lighter, so check the CAC calendar for Nov 27–29 departures. Bookable alternatives: the Art Deco Skyscrapers Loop walking tour on Viator (4.8/5 from 197 reviews), the Secret Interiors Architecture Walking Tour (4.8/5 from 712 reviews), the Historic Treasures of Chicago walking tour (4.8/5 from 225 reviews) and the Underground Pedway & Downtown Secrets tour (4.8/5 from 335 reviews), which stays mostly indoors.
- Observation decks. Skydeck Chicago (4.6/5 from 5,192 reviews) says it is open every day of the year. From October through February its hours are 9 a.m.–8 p.m., with Saturdays running to 9 p.m. 360 CHICAGO (4.4/5 from 3,897 reviews) is closed on Thanksgiving Day, per CityPASS.
- Chicago Riverwalk. It's free and open-air, and you can walk past the same towers a boat would show you.
- Art on theMART. This free projection on the Merchandise Mart runs Thursday to Sunday from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. The Nutcracker program runs Nov 19 – Dec 27. The best viewing is from the Riverwalk between Wells and Franklin.
If you plan to visit several attractions over the weekend, compare prices with the Chicago CityPASS (4.7/5 from 1,030 reviews) before buying single tickets; our CityPASS guide does the sums. More land-based ideas are in Chicago architecture tours when the boats stop.
A day-by-day Thanksgiving itinerary
Wednesday, Nov 25: arrive and ease in
- Afternoon: drop your bags and head to Daley Plaza for the Christkindlmarket (Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m.–8 p.m.). If you arrive early enough, the CAC Center is open until its 3 p.m. early closing.
- Late afternoon: book a Wendella departure about 30 to 60 minutes before sunset to catch the skyline lighting up. Sunset is at about 4:24 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and about 4:23 p.m. by Saturday. Arrive 30 minutes early, since boarding starts 15 minutes before departure.
- Evening: stroll Michigan Avenue to see the lights, then have dinner nearby.
Thursday, Nov 26: parade and turkey
- Morning: the 92nd Chicago Thanksgiving Parade marches north on State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph. ABC7 reports a 7:45 a.m. step-off, and the city lists 8 a.m. This year's grand marshal is Bears legend Charles "Peanut" Tillman, and a Cookie Monster balloon and a new Santa sleigh are among the new additions. Arrive early to get a spot along the curb.
- Runners instead: the 48th Life Time Turkey Trot Chicago (5K and 8K) starts at 9 a.m. on Cannon Drive, just south of Diversey in Lincoln Park. Cannon Drive closes to cars from 5 a.m. You can't realistically do both the race and the parade.
- Midday: the Christkindlmarket is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Then head up to Skydeck, one of the few ticketed indoor attractions open today.
- Evening: have your Thanksgiving meal (see below). If you still have energy, Art on theMART normally runs on Thursdays, but confirm it is screening on the holiday.
Friday, Nov 27: Black Friday and architecture
- 10 a.m.: start at the CAC Center's City Model, then join a walking tour if one is scheduled.
- Midday: shop Black Friday on the Magnificent Mile. Store hours vary, so check each retailer. The Macy's State Street windows are free to look at.
- Afternoon: Winter WonderFest opens today inside Navy Pier's Festival Hall, at 10 a.m. daily. Tickets are $27 online at least 24 hours ahead and $32 within 24 hours or at the door; ice skating is included, and children 2 and under get in free.
- Sunset: if you skipped Wednesday's cruise, today is your best day for one.
- 7:30 p.m.: watch Art on theMART from the Riverwalk.
Saturday, Nov 28: museums and fireworks
- Morning: the Art Institute opens to the public at 11 a.m. Holiday weekends bring longer waits, so get there early.
- Afternoon: take a walking tour, or use this as a backup cruise day.
- 8 p.m.: the first Navy Pier Winter Fireworks of the season are free and run every Saturday through Dec 26. Combine them with an evening at WonderFest.
Sunday, Nov 29: an unhurried finale
- Morning: visit the Field Museum (9 a.m.–5 p.m., last entry 4 p.m.) or Shedd. On the way back, see the lit Millennium Park tree, which went up on Nov 20 and stays into early January (it ran until Jan 11 last season).
- Afternoon: this is your last chance for a cruise. Leave a buffer before your flight in case weather delays your departure.
Thanksgiving meals and dinner cruises
City Cruises is marketing Thanksgiving dining cruises for 2026. Its Chicago lineup includes a Thanksgiving Day Premier Afternoon Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan, a Thanksgiving Day Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan and a Thanksgiving Day Afternoon Architecture Lunch Cruise on the Chicago River, from Navy Pier. 2026 times and prices weren't posted in October, and these sailings are sold by City Cruises directly, not on GetYourGuide, so check City Cruises' calendar. Its flexible "Ticket Assurance" reschedule or refund option excludes holidays, so assume the tickets are non-refundable.
For a dinner cruise on another night of the weekend, City Cruises' regular sailings are on GetYourGuide: the Brunch, Lunch or Dinner River Cruise (4.5/5 from 257 reviews, from $74), the Lake Michigan Lunch or Dinner Cruise (4.4/5 from 370 reviews, from $63) and the Premier Lunch or Dinner Cruise (4.2/5 from 519 reviews, from $82). Check the date picker for the holiday weekend; the dinner cruises guide compares the three.
The Walnut Room on the 7th floor of Macy's State Street is a holiday classic. Its 45-foot Great Tree stands from Nov 7 through Jan 10. Reservations opened on OpenTable on Oct 1, 2026, and same-day openings sometimes pop up there.
For other options, many downtown hotel restaurants serve Thanksgiving menus. Book them by early November.
Transit and closures
- CTA: expect a Sunday/holiday bus and rail schedule on Thanksgiving Day, which CTA has run in past years and Turkey Trot organizers cite for 2026. Look for CTA's 2026 holiday notice for any parade reroutes.
- Parade closures: State Street and the cross streets between Ida B. Wells and Randolph close on Thursday morning. Take the train instead of driving.
- Turkey Trot: Cannon Drive in Lincoln Park closes from 5 a.m.
- Navy Pier: weekends fill up quickly. Reserve parking ahead of time or take the CTA.
- WonderFest: Navy Pier hasn't posted public hours for every early-December date, so if you're staying past the weekend, check the calendar before you go.
Weather and what to wear
NWS normals for November are a high of 48.4°F and a low of 34.1°F. Late-month days often run colder than that, and it feels colder still on the water. Wear layers, a windproof shell, a hat and gloves. The full packing list is in What to Wear on a Chicago Boat Tour in November and Winter. For the best timing on the river, see Best Time of Day for a Winter Chicago River Cruise.
Booking and refund tips
- Wendella: if the captain cancels before departure, you get a refund. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable after the scheduled departure, so reschedule beforehand if your plans change. The boats are cashless. The West Dock has an elevator, but the Michigan Avenue Dock has 62 steps and no elevator.
- Holiday dining cruises: treat them as non-refundable.
- WonderFest: buy at least 24 hours ahead to pay $27 instead of $32.
- Book Black Friday and Saturday sunset slots first. They sell out before midday departures do.
Winter cancellation rules by operator are in our guide to winter cancellations and refunds. Wondering whether a cold cruise is worth it? Read Are Chicago Boat Tours Worth It in the Cold? For December plans, see Chicago Holiday Boat Tours 2026, and for the bigger winter picture, Do Chicago Architecture Boat Tours Run in Winter?
Book a Thanksgiving weekend cruise
Wendella sails year-round, and Shoreline may still be running after November 22. All three tours book through GetYourGuide with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Frequently asked questions
Do any Chicago architecture boat tours run on Thanksgiving Day 2026?
Is the CAC River Cruise on Chicago's First Lady running Thanksgiving weekend?
Is the Chicago Architecture Center open on Thanksgiving?
No. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day and closes at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25. It reopens on Friday at 10 a.m.
What time is the 2026 Chicago Thanksgiving Parade?
Thursday, November 26, on State Street. ABC7 reports a 7:45 a.m. step-off, and the city lists 8 a.m. Plan to arrive by 7 a.m.
Are there Thanksgiving dinner cruises in Chicago?
City Cruises is marketing Thanksgiving lunch and dinner cruises on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. 2026 times and prices hadn't been published in October, and they are sold by City Cruises directly, not on GetYourGuide.
What's open in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day?
The parade, the Christkindlmarket (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Skydeck and Lincoln Park Zoo. ZooLights runs November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 but is closed on Thanksgiving night, according to Skydeck's ZooLights guide. The major museums are closed.
When are the Navy Pier winter fireworks?
Every Saturday at 8 p.m. from November 28 through December 26, 2026. They're free.
Are boat tours heated in late November?
Wendella's lower lounges are heated on every boat except the open-air Ouilmette. Dress warmly if you plan to spend time on the open upper deck.
Last verified: October 2026. Holiday hours, departure times and operator schedules change, so confirm with your operator before you sail. This page contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.