This family reached out for something a little different – family photos at Jack Frost Pop Up in Chicago! They wanted to celebrate the magic of their baby’s first Christmas by capturing his first time seeing holiday lights!
Jack Frost Winter Pop Up Chicago IL
If you’re in the heart of the city, the Jack Frost Pop Up is a fantastic way to tap into that holiday cheer! There’s a lot of fun, vibrant options for photos, as well as activities! I will say that there are more activities geared toward the 21+ crowd – axe throwing, a bar with alcohol – but there’s plenty of enjoyment to be had for the younger crew, as well!
Jack Frost Pop Up in Fulton Market, Chicago
Location and Directions
The Jack Frost Winter Pop Up is held in the Fulton Market district of Chicago, from November 24 through December 31. It’s located at 170 N Green St, Chicago, IL, which is a 10 minute, 1.8 mile drive from the Chicago Loop, or you can take the Green or Pink El lines to the Morgan Station, then walk 5 minutes east along Lake Street to get there!
Tickets
Ticket prices range from $11 to $52 depending on what activities you would like included in your ticket.
You can purchase tickets here.
Hours
The hours of the Jack Frost Christmas Pop Up are from 4:30 PM – 10 PM on weekdays and 11 AM – 10 PM on weekends through December 31.
Bar
There’s also hot chocolate for the under 21 crowd and I can vouch that it’s delicious!
Shots, White Claw hard seltzer, beer (Modelo, Miller Lite, Sam Adams), and a variety of festive seasonal cocktails. Word on the street is that the cocktails are pretty dang strong.
Activities
Ice skating, bumper cars, curling, a holiday market, loads of pretty lights for photo opportunities, and for the over 21 crowd, there’s axe throwing, and cocktails at the bar. Santa drops by a few times a year, as well!
Parking
Oof, parking is not so easy here. The nearest parking is a lot on the corner of W Halsted and Lake St two blocks east of the pop up, but it’s pretty pricey.
Nearby Restaurants
There are loads of great restaurant options in the Fulton Market district!
Au Cheval
An upscale diner experience with a hefty bar menu, offering cheeseburgers, salads, and foie gras.
Velvet Taco
Velvet Taco is just half a block south and two blocks east of the pop up. Unsurprisingly, they offer a variety of tacos, including vegetarian options and a kids menu. This makes Velvet Taco a quicker and more family friendly option.
Bar Siena
Rustic Italian food and bar, with oysters, flatbreads, salads, steaks, and small plates to share. Bar Siena is just one block south and one block west of the Jack Frost Pop Up.
Beatrix
A coffee shop with expanded, all-day food options. A great option for a quick bite before heading over to the Pop Up which is just a block east and half a block south.
Parlor Pizza Bar West
Just two blocks south and one block east of the Pop Up, this is a popular, casual pizzeria that offers a build-your own option, salads, small plates, and delicious flatbreads. Customers rave about the appetizers and the crispy quality of the pizza crusts. One of the more family-friendly options of the suggested restaurants.
Photoshoot with Christmas Lights
Photography for your own use is encouraged, but photography by a professional photographer needs to be cleared with the company.
Photo Outfit Recommendations
First of all, since the Jack Frost pop up is open from late November through the end of December, please be sure to dress warmly! This should include at a minimum jackets, boots, and layers, but could also extend to hats and mittens.
For color palettes, here are two great options! First is to go all out with holiday cheer – traditional reds, greens, creams, and golds. This will play up the festive look and fit right in with the bright colors and lights in the backdrops at the Jack Frost pop up!
Second, is to consider light neutral colors. This ensures you will stand out more from the colorful, busy background, and will bounce some extra light onto your skin for a flattering look – this is especially important as most clients prefer to have their photoshoot at sunset to catch the glow of the lights. 🙂
Interested in a fun photoshoot with Christmas lights of your own? I’d love to help out! Look here for my holiday portfolio, and reach out here to get the ball rolling for your own photoshoot!
Kristen Hazelton is an award-winning Oak Park, IL (West Chicagoland) and Livermore, CA (San Francisco East Bay Area) graduating senior, and family photographer. She occasionally photographs in San Diego, CA, Tucson, AZ, and Seattle, WA. You can inquire about your own photoshoot here!
