We're going back and forth between warmer winter and freezing cold December days.Add in some random rain that will turn into flurries and you have your typical vacillating Chicago wintertime atmosphere. Thankfully there are plenty of concerts, markets and winter-themed festivities going on to make these chilly days more bearable. So bundle up and head out into the city for some fun times!
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
ART GALLERIES & SPECIAL EVENTS
- All Star Press is constantly putting up new prints for you to decorate your space with! RIGHT NOW they are showing "ParkLife" BY Blake Jones and Friends!
- Chicago Gamespace is the perfect spot to check out the hairy present and future of the gaming realm!
- Rotofugi is the perfect nexus of art and toys! Head over to see what new pieces of art they have in stock and on display in their gallery space! Right Now they're showing Further Isn't Far Enough, Paintings and Prints by Chuck U!
- WNDR Museum is an ever-evolving immersive art and technology experience designed to ignite your curiosity! See exhibits like the Light Floor, Try to Get Higher, and the Digital Gallery.
- Garfield Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens! See what current exhibits are on display now.
- Lincoln Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens
- Wonderverse takes popular franchises like Ghostbusters, Bad Boys, and more and puts them together in this immersive venue! Enjoy tons of activities including escape rooms, virtual reality games, racing simulators, and more! Plus there are plenty of themed food and drinks for you to try.
EVENTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
- NOW - 12/22 Allstate CTA Holiday Train & Bus
- NOW - 12/23 Chicago Fair Trade Holiday Pop-Up Shop @ 2717 N Clark Street,
- NOW -12/28 The Nutcracker @ Lyric Opera House
- NOW - 12/28 Aurora Festival of Lights
- NOW - 12/30 Elf'd Up @ Stretch Bar & Grill
- NOW - 12/31 A Christmas Carol @ The Goodman's Albert Theatre
- NOW - 12/31 Santa's Rock N Lights @ Kane County Cougars Stadium
- NOW -12/31 It’s a Wonderful Life @ Athenaeum Center
- NOW - 1/3 Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum
- NOW - 1/4 Lightscape @ Chicago Botanic Garden
- NOW - 1/4 Light of Christmas Drive Thru @ Guaranteed Rate Field
- NOW - 1/4 Willow Hill Lights @ Willow Hill Golf Course
- NOW - 1/4 Santa Baby Christmas Bar @ Santa Baby
- NOW - 1/4 Mistletoe @ Mordecai
- NOW - 1/4 Willow Hill’s Winter Lights @ 1350 Willow Rd, Northbrook, IL
- NOW - 1/5 Christmas Around the World @ Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
- NOW - 1/6 JoJo’s Winter Wonderland @ JoJo's Shake Bar
- NOW - 1/11 City of Chicago Christmas Tree @ Millennium Park
- NOW - 1/25 Ice Skating @ Rosemont's Parkway Bank Park
- NOW - 1/31 Happy’s Holiday Bar @ Chicago Athletic Association
- NOW - 2/1 Ice Skating in Millennium Park
- NOW - 2/16 The Peninsula Sky Rink @ Peninsula Chicago
- NOW - 3/8 Ice Skating at Maggie Daley Park
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19 (& BEYOND)
Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along @ Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., 6 – 7pm, 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. Each night will feature a different theme and musical group. Tonight will feature Roosevelt University Vocal Ensemble!
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Head over to their website for more info!
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 & 20
Mariachi Herencia de México – LA NUEVA GENERACIÓN TOUR @ Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 North Lincoln Avenue, Friday 7pm, Saturday 2pm, 5pm, & 8pm
WHAT: Add some mariachi flavor to your Christmas tunes.
SO WHAT: Mariachi Herencia de Mexico, the Latin-Grammy-winning group, are back in Chicago for a full weekend of wonderful music. The group will be ending their time in Chicago at Old Town School of Folk Music on Dec 19-20 with four sets! 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 all nights but are going fast! You can find this weekend's Old Town School of Folk tickets here!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19 - 21 (& BEYOND)
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' Infinite Wrench is an ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience.
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $15-20! The Infinite Wrench and more is also available over at their Patreon!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21
Miracle at Century High School @ The Annoyance Theatre & Bar, 851 W. Belmont Ave, Floor 2, 7:30pm
WHAT: Wonderful winter show at Annoyance!
SO WHAT: Miracle at Century High School is an original musical about a high school drama teacher who is tasked with writing an award-winning musical to restore the scandal-plagued school’s reputation—and save his job. Along the way, he faces the challenges of directing a difficult cast of teenagers, dealing with a gym teacher determined to see him fail, an impossible-to-please principal, visits from the ghost of Charles Dickens, and the taunts of a pop star.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $20 and are on sale now! Shows are Saturdays through December 20 at 7:30pm.
THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & 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 all the fun activities! Enjoy Holiday Movie nights, ice skating, Santas Workshop, the Holiday train, and plenty of pop ups around the area! This weekend will also feature the Tree Lighting Ceremony and a Wreath Workshop!
NOW WHAT: Entry to the Winterland is FREE!
Winter Wonderfest @ Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., 10am-10pm
WHAT: A journey into a winter paradise!
SO WHAT: Get ready to dive into the winter festivities and create some magical moments! Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest is an indoor celebration of all things winter with dazzling décor, tons of tasty treats and drinks, thrilling rides, skating on the Verizon/Google Pixel Ice Rink, and much more!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $25 for this great winter experience!
Christkindlmarket @ Daley Plaza (50 W Washington St), Wrigleyville (3635 N Clark 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
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 $15.18
ZooLights @ Lincoln Park Zoo, pedestrian entrance at Stockton Drive and Webster Street, 4:30pm – 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: One of the largest displays of the season’s lights celebrate 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.
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 movie theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre recently underwent some great renovations, and it's ready for all your movie needs with some excellent films like The Secret Agent, The 42nd Annual Music Box Christmas Sing-A-Long & Double Feature, and so much more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theaters in the city!
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
- 12/18 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM and SAM SELBY @ Schubas
- 12/18 - Tomorrow Kings +The Opus + Defcee @ Schubas
- 12/19 - Wrestle League Beats n' Brawls 3: Rage in the Cage @ Lincoln Hall
- 12/19 - Super Show: Superkick + Superdime + Supercorp + Super Brick @ Schubas
- 12/19 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents: Anthony Cruz and Double Dipp Present: Full Circle + Geto Mark @ Schubas
- 12/20 - Byrning Down The House @ Schubas
- 12/20 - Josh Spinner + JJ Smith + The Four Porchmen + RZL @ Schubas
- 12/21 - Getting Started + Socially Acceptable + Rundown @ Schubas
NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!
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 at their website for showings this weekend and in the future!
- 12/20 Home Alone 6:30pm
- 12/20 The Grinch with Jim Carrey 8:30pm
- 12/20 Friday the 13th 10:30pm
- 12/21 Home Alone 6:30pm
- 12/21 Elf 8:30pm
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! Check out their talk with Leslie Odom Jr. below!
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
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 bohola – Jimmy Keane and Pat Broaders; Rhys Jones, Joseph Decosimo & Nokosee Fields; The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee; Nathan Gourley, Laura Feddersen, and Brian Miller; T'Monde; Izaki Metropoulos, Sophia Metropoulos Laouto & Geroge Lawler; Gabe Carter, 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!
