Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 12/19 and Beyond

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It's the final weekend before winter breaks bring holiday gifts and new year surprises. I know it's been a long and odd year but as we head toward the end of it, there are still plenty of opportunities to add some highlights to your 2024 memories. Get in that last-minute shopping, catch a fun show, head out to More Light, or any of the other winter events going on over the next few days.

Now, let's get on with your Chicago Curated Weekend!

ART GALLERIES & SPECIAL EVENTS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkOMbIhgwyk

SEASONAL EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20

Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along @ Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., 6:00pm – 7:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Sing out and celebrate Chicago’s diverse holiday traditions.
SO WHAT: The new Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along series near Cloud Gate (previously “Caroling at Cloud Gate”) will invite Chicagoans and visitors to come together and sing their hearts out. This series has been re-imagined to be more inclusive of Chicago’s many faith backgrounds, cultures and holiday music traditions. Each night will feature a different theme and musical group. Tonight will feature Chicago Chamber Choir!
NOW WHAT: It’s free!  Head over to their website for more info!

FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 - 21

Mariachi Herencia de México – A Very Merry Christmas Tour @ Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St , Sunday 7:00pm (Thalia Hall)
WHAT: Add some mariachi flavor to your Christmas tunes.
SO WHAT: Mariachi Herencia de Mexico, the Latin Grammy-winning group, will be making their way to Chicago for two weekends of wonderful music. The group is splitting their time between Thalia Hall last week and Old Town School of Folk Music this Friday and Saturday! Mariachi Herencia de Mexico will be performing both Mexican and American holiday favorites that will surely fill your night with holiday cheer (and perhaps a grito or two).
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now for the Old Town School of Folk show!!

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 - 22 (& BEYOND)

Winterland @ Gallagher Way, 3635 N Clark St, various times, All Ages
WHAT: Some more winter festivities
SO WHAT: Enjoy the return of Gallagher Way’s Winterland with the fun expanding into Wrigley Field itself!! Enjoy fun carnival rides (staring 12/12), games (Chimney Toss, Tree Topper, and Snow Pitch), and of course the usual ice skating, ice bumper cars, and live music! This weekend will also feature the Tree Lighting Ceremony and a Wreath Workshop wit Indigo & Violet Studio!
NOW WHAT: Entry to the Winterland is FREE! Rides and games are $5 each!

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The Neo-Futurists’ The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Friday and Saturday 10:30pm, Sunday 7pm, 16+
WHAT: Quick plays live and online!
SO WHAT: The Neo-Futurists are back! Their Infinite Wrench is an  ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience. Now it’s actually a live audience that will be enjoying the performance in person!
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $20!  The Infinite Wrench Goes Viral will be continuing til February (and possibly beyond) over at their Patreon

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 & 22

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ChiTown Movies @ Pilsen Neighborhood, 2343 S. Throop St, Various Times, All Ages
WHAT: An old school experience for the modern age
SO WHAT: Take a trip back in time and head out to a drive-in movie with ChiTown Movies. Ever since the pandemic started and shut down traditional movie screening, a few pop up drive-ins have arrived and ChiTown Movies has persevered, offering up modern movies in this retro setting. Check out their lineup below for showings this weekend and in the future!

NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 per car for these movies, so bring the family for a safe movie watching experience

THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND

Christkindlmarket @ Daley Plaza (50 W Washington St) & RiverEdge Park—360 N. Broadway, Aurora), Various Times, All Ages
WHAT: The Chicago Christmas time tradition is back in person!
SO WHAT: Christkindlmarket is back with all the familiar foods, music, and ornaments you expect! Head over to their website for info on special events, hours, and more!
NOW WHAT: It’s free! But if you want to skip the lines and take home one of those souvenir mugs, you can buy an advance fast pass for $25.

Light Up the Lake @ Navy Pier, 600 E Grand, Various times, All ages
WHAT: Winter festivities without all the cold!
SO WHAT: Navy Pier will be putting on Chicagoland’s biggest indoor, temperature-controlled winter celebration! Light Up the Lake will feature a light garden, featuring large-scale light-sculpture displays; an Alpine ice rink, kiddie train rides, gift market—and, of course, a chance to visit with SANTA!
NOW WHAT: It's free but there are ticketed activities ranging from $5 to $20.

Holiday Magic @ Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St (1st Avenue and 31st Street), Brookfield, 3:00pm – 9:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Add some holiday cheer to your zoo visit!
SO WHAT: Celebrate the holiday season as over two million lights wrap around Brookfield Zoo! Holiday Magic lets attendees explore the zoo as the synchronized lights dance to the music. You’ll have fun discovering all the new immersive displays, Elf Power: Virtual reality experiences, riding on the Carousel and Ferris Wheel, taking some special holiday photos, and so much more!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $29.95 for adults 12- 64, $20.95 for children ages 3 – 11,  $24.95 for Seniors. Parking is $15

ZooLights @ Lincoln Park Zoo, pedestrian entrance at Stockton Drive and Webster Avenue, 4:30pm – 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: One of the largest displays of the season’s lights celebration in 30 years!
SO WHAT: ZooLights, Presented By ComEd and Invesco QQQ,  at Lincoln Park Zoo makes the most wonderful time of year even better with the most wonderful lighting event. The one-of-a-kind experience offers fun family-oriented holiday celebrations that feature beautiful  displays and incredible seasonal activities all under the glow of millions of lights! Check out their event page for a full rundown of all the fun that is waiting for you at the annual ZooLights event!
NOW WHAT: Entry is free on most Mondays, $7 on most other weeknights and weekends-premium nights are $10! Tickets for the Winter Experiences are additional.

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Movies on the Big Screen and Home @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, various times
WHAT: A great way to support a great local theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre recently underwent some great renovations,and are ready for all your movie needs u with some excellent films like Flow, The Tune, The 41st Annual Music Box Christmas Sing-A-Long & Double Feature, a midnight screening of Gremlins and so much more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theatres in the city!

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Chicago Humanities: New Talks and Video Archives @ Various Locations & Chicago Humanities Festival YouTube channel, your favorite browser or YouTube app, any time you want some inspiration, All Ages
WHAT: Interesting conversations with interesting people!
SO WHAT: Chicago Humanities Festival always brings some of the best ideas to the surface with entertaining programming that captures your imagination. There's tons of talks going on this season, so head over to their website which is constantly updated with new talks. And be sure to check out their podcast Chicago Humanities Tapes, which features conversations with some of their best presenters and other great humanities-minded minds!
NOW WHAT: Head over to take a look at their past events here! You should also sign up for their email list to get updates on upcoming talks in 2025

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Weekend Shows @ Lincoln Hall & Schubas, 2424 N Lincoln Ave & 3159 N Southport Ave, various times, 18+
WHAT: A full weekend of amazing shows at Schubas and Lincoln Hall!
SO WHAT: Lincoln Hall and Schubas are some of our favorite venues in the city and they always have something great going on. Check out what's going this weekend at these great venues

NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Js4K20QnEs

University of Chicago Folk Festival @ Your favorite spot in your home, All Ages
WHAT: A fantastic folk festival
SO WHAT: University of Chicago Folk Festival might have come and gone but their digital presence is still around, making sure the wonderful music reaches as many people as possible! You can check out the past few years of performances on their Facebook page and their YouTube channel any time you want! This past year's performers included The Price Sisters, Brian Conway, Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton, Ruby John, Sean "Mack" McDonald, and many more!
NOW WHAT: Head over to their Facebook page and their YouTube channel and enjoy the show! We highly encourage you to donate to help support this fantastic folk festival! You can check out day one here and day two here!

Julian Ramirez