One of a Kind Show
Thurs-Su, Dec 6-9, 10A, Merchandise Mart, $9-80
Over 600 artists from across the country come together for a weekend that strays from the traditional retail experience. This show has it all - one-of-a-kind gifts, an inclusive food court, a sports lounge (for the guys), live music, fashion shows & an opportunity to talk to the artists creating the merchandise! www.achicagothing.com
Lakeview Christmas Market
Fri-Su, Dec 7-9, Ashland & Belmont, FREE
Check everything off your list: gifts, food and even a Christmas Tree! This huge heated tent will even feature some choruses singing some holiday favorites. www.chicagoevents.com
Geneva Park Dist's - Santa's Workshop
Sat., Dec. 8, 10A, Sunset Community Center, 710 Western Ave., Geneva, $18-$27 | 630-232-4542
One of Santa's elves helps children ages 3-4 make handmade crafts from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and children ages 5-8 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. www.genevaparks.org/
SantaCon Chicago 2012,
Sat., Dec. 8, 1P, Congress Plaza Hotel, FREE
SantaCon is an annual mass gathering of people dressed in Santa Claus costumes parading publicly on streets and in bars in cities around the world. The focus is on spontaneity and creativity, while having a good time and spreading cheer and goodwill. www.santaconchicago-zventf.eventbrite.com
Stories With Santa
Sat., Dec. 8, 10A-3P, River Forest Public Library , 735 Lathrop Ave., FREE!, 708-366-5205
Santa visits the River Forest Public Library for their annual holiday program for children features stories with their talented librarians, crafts in our meeting room, and visits & pictures with Santa upstairs by the fireplace. Bring your camera to have a keepsake of your own! www.riverforestlibrary.org
Family Holiday Party
Sat., Dec. 8, 3P, Kids Plus at Courts Plus 186 S. West Ave. Elmhurst, $5-$15 per family | 630-993-8900
Families can have a meet-and-greet with Santa while making holiday crafts and enjoying snacks and entertainment. www.courts-plus.com/kids-plus
Dance-Along Nutcracker
Su Dec 9, 12P & 3P, Chicago Cultural Center, FREE
At this 12th annual event, audience members are encouraged to dress up and dance alongside professional ballerinas. www.chicagoculturalcente.org
Hanukah Party
Sun., Dec. 9, 4:30P - 5:30P, Congregation Beth Shalom, 3433 Walters Ave. Northbrook Free. RSVP,
The celebration for families with special needs includes sing-alongs, games, latkes, jelly donuts, candle lighting and storytelling. 847-498-4100 www.bethshalomnb.org/article.aspx?id=12884909523
ONGOING HOLIDAY EVENTS ----------------------------------------------
It's a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph
Now thru Dec. 30, Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Park, $19-$49 | 773-871-3000
From the original director and Ensemble that bring this holiday tradition to Chicago since 2002. Join the American Blues family as we take you back to a 1940s radio broadcast of Frank Capra’s holiday classic—It’s a Wonderful Life with live Foley sound effects, an original score, and a stellar cast of eight that bring the entire town of Bedford Falls to life. From the moment you walk through the doors, you will be transported back to the Golden Age of Radio and experience the story of George Bailey like never before. www.victorygardens.org/onstage/abt.php
Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier
Now thru Sun, Jan 6, Navy Pier 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, (312) 595-7437
Celebrate the holidays in a 170,000 square foot winter playground indoors! Enjoy ice- skating, rides, holiday attractions, rides, music, entertainment and more all from one of the city's best spots! FREE Admission but you need wristband for rides & attractions. www.winterwonderfest.com
17th Annual Christkindlmarket
Now thru Christmas Eve Mon, Dec 24, Daley Plaza
Experience a traditional German Christmas at the 17th Annual Christkindlmarket, inspired by the famous Nuremberg Christmas market dating back to 1545.This outdoor market offers exquisite handmade gifts, unique ornaments, rare European fabrics and German delicacies like brats, goulash, potato pancakes, cookies & Gluhwein (a warm spiced wine). www.christkindlmarket.com
Lincoln Park Zoo ~ ZooLights
Now thru Jan 6, from 5–9P
Join LPZ for the brilliance of this annual fun, free, family-oriented holiday celebration, featuring luminous displays and holiday-season activities throughout zoo grounds. We’ll flip the on switch for the free holiday fun on Fri, Nov 23. Afterward, ZooLights will shine each Friday–Sunday until December 26, at which point the lights will stay on nightly until January 6. (Santa heads back to the North Pole after December 23, however.) www.lpzoo.org/events/calendar/zoolights
Aurora Festival of Lights Phillips Park
Now thru Wed, Dec, 26, 5–9P, 615 S Smith Blvd, Aurora, IL FREE
Take a drive through a winter wonderland of animated displays, lighted tunnels, a forest full of lights and so much more! aurorafestivaloflights.com
Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show
Now thru Mon, Dec 31, 6-10P, 1350 N Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills, $5-$10, (847)362-3042
Drive through the grounds of the Cuneo Estate are covered brightly lit figures of animals, elves and characters from children’s stories. The holiday display is a delightful family outing or romantic date.
www.vernonhills.org/special_events/WinterWonderland.asp
Santa's Reindeer at Chalet Garden Center
Now thru Sun, Dec, 16, 3132 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, 847-256-0561
Santa's reindeer are collecting all wish lists! Bring your wish list to Chalet by Sunday, December 16th and the reindeer will be sure to get it to the North Pole for Santa. www.chaletnursery.com/events-schedule.cfm
Pretend You're On Ice! & Snow Much Fun!
Now thru Sun Nov. 25 - Chicago Children's Museum, 700 E. Grand Ave. @ Navy Pier
Free with museum admission, $11-$12 | 312-527-1000
Build snow forts, throw snowballs and ice skate - all indoors - at this daily winter tradition at the museum. Skate in your socks, build ice forts and start a friendly snowball fight. No mittens required to enjoy these winter pastimes! www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org
Millennium Park Ice Rink
Now thru mid-march 2013, Millennium Park, FREE
It's time to lace up and get out on the ice! Skate in the heart of downtown; skate rental available for $10. www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/dca_tourism/mccormick_tribune0.html
Rink at Wrigley
Seasonal depending in weather, Adults $5, Kids $3, Skate Rental $5
Due to the unusually high temperatures the rink will be closed Sunday, December 2 and Monday, December 3.
For the fourth consecutive year, an ice skating rink will welcome skaters to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field this winter, thanks to the generosity of the Ricketts family and Chicago Cubs Charities, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, Central Lakeview Merchants, local businesses and community groups.
www.chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/community/rink_at_wrigley.jsp
Christmas Around the World & Holidays of Light
Now thru Sun, Jan 6, Museum of Science & Industry, 5700 S Lake Shore Dr. Chicago (773)684-1414
The Museum halls will be decked, holiday singers and dancers will fuel the festivities, and the sparkle of dozens of decorated trees will greet you at the annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light. www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/christmas-around-the-world/
'The Polar Express' Breakfast at The Shedd
Sat, Dec. 8, 15 & 22, 8A-11A, Shedd Aquarium, $44.95; $34.95 for kids 3-11 | 312-939-2438
First, you’ll enjoy a buffet. Then it’s “All aboard!” for a private viewing of the 15-minute The Polar Express 4-D Experience, followed by a drawing for special prizes. Your holiday fun continues with a visit to Shedd's children's exhibit, the Polar Play Zone, where you can meet Santa, have your photo taken with him and receive a gift, and finish your special day with reserved seats to A Holiday Fantasea. www.sheddaquarium.org
CONCERTS ----------------------------------------------
Air Supply Fri 12/7 7P Arcada Theater (St. Charles) $40-85
Johnny Mathis Sat 12/8 7P Akoo Theater (Rosemont) $65-95
Trans Siberian Orchestra Sat 12/8 3P/8P Allstate Arena $31-70
Daughtry w/ 3 Doors Down Sun 12/9 7P Akoo Theater (Rosemont) $51-71
Straight No Chaser Sun 12/9 3&8P Chicago Theatre $30-50
THEATER & COMEDY ----------------------------------------------
A Klingon Christmas Carol
Sat, Dec 1 - 30, The Raven Theater, 6157 North Clark Street, Chicago (Edgewater Glen), $20-35
CHICAGO’S NEWEST HOLIDAY TRADITION IS BACK! Scrooge has no honor, nor any courage. Can three ghosts help him to become the true warrior he ought to be in time to save Tiny Tim from a horrible fate? Performed in the Original Klingon with English Supertitles, and narrative analysis from The Vulcan Institute of Cultural Anthropology.As always, the show is presented with English Super-Titles for those who do not speak tlhIngan Hol (The Klingon Language) fluently. (Fri 11/30/12 Preview $10) www.cbtheatre.org
Jeff Garlin's - Closer Than I Appear
Tues, Dec 4 thru Sun, Dec 16, 8P, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, $25
Laugh out loud with the star of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm AND Second City Alum Jeff Garlin at this stand-up comedy show you won't want to miss.
www.steppenwolf.org/Plays-Events/productions/index.aspx?id=582
A Christmas Carol
Now thru thru Sat, Dec 29, Goodman Theatre, $21.50-57
Charles Dickens' timeless tale returns to the stage for its 35th anniversary. A holiday staple, this show is the perfect family event during the holiday season. www.goodmantheatre.org/season/A-Christmas-Carol/
'Twas the Night Before Christmas -
Now thru Sat, Dec 15, Theatre at The Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN, 219-836-3255
Come celebrate the season with this timeless musical classic. Join the family fun as the excitement builds on Christmas Eve. Laugh and sing-a-long! Running Time: 1 Hour. www.theatreatthecenter.com
The Book of Mormon
Opens Tues, Dec 11 thru June, Bank of America Theatre, $45-115
Try to snag tickets to one of the best new musicals in years! Written by the creators of South Park, you'll laugh a lot at this Tony Award-winning play. www.broadwayinchicago.com
SPORTS ----------------------------------------------
Robbie Gould Hosts Mon Night Football
Dec 10, 7P, AJ Hudson's Public House 3801 N Ashland Ave (Grace St & Byron St) Lakeview, $50
Join Chicago Bear, Robbie Gould as he hosts the Monday Night Football matchup between the Texans & the Patriots. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Goulden Touch charity. www.ajhudsonspublichouse.com
Kerry Wood Book Signing
Tues, Dec 11, 7P, Anderson's Bookshop, $16.95 (Cost of Book)
The former Cubs pitcher has a book out, trying to inspire young readers. www.andersonsbookshop.com
BEARS
Sun, Dec 9 @ Minnesota Vikings / 12P
BULLS
@ Detroit Pistons ~ Fri 12/7 @ 6:30P
VS New York Knicks ~ Sat 12/8 @ 7P
WOLVES (Allstate Arena, Rosemont)
VS Grand Rapids Griffins ~ Fri 12/7 7.30P
