CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – Lincoln Park, Portage Park, Old Town, Naperville, Loop
Our featured neighborhoods continue with events and specials to lend a hand during this month of holiday shopping!
LINCOLN PARK
There’s only a few spots remaining for the Lincoln Park Cultural Center’s Shop & Drop kids’ event next Thursday 12/15 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. More establishments should offer this brilliant service and if I had kids of my own, I’d been researching these kinds of offers all the time. You must pay $5 per child and register ahead of time so that your children, aged 3 – 6 years only, can enjoy story time, arts and crafts, and socializing while you finish up your holiday shopping nearby. Imagine how much you can accomplish in three hours without your little ones in tow. Plan now to make good use of precious time. All you have to do is register by use of the link above and remember to pack proper lunches for your kids and Lincoln Park Cultural Center will also provide light snacks.
PORTAGE PARK
While you’re shopping in Portage Park or Irving Park for the Holiday Walk and Santa Visit this Saturday, 12/10, stop by the playground at Portage Park itself (4100 N. Long Ave.) for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony between 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Meet with your neighbors at this free family-friendly event that will include hot cocoa, a visit from Santa, music, a warming tent, and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
OLD TOWN
The shopping area at 1457 N. Halsted St. that includes ArcLight Cinemas, Mariano’s, Nando’s Peri-Peri Chicken and so much more is calling itself “New City” and they’re having a Holiday Market & Carnival this weekend. It starts with the Gift Galleria & Food Truck Extravaganza tomorrow, Friday 12/9 2:00 – 8:00 p.m., then continues through Saturday, 12/10 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. for live entertainment outside in the center Plaza along with food trucks and a showcase of artisanal vendors for unique holiday shopping. Also on Saturday, 12/10, there will be visits with Santa, train rides and carnival games for the 2nd Annual Winter Carnival Event. Tickets will need to be purchased for train rides and carnival games but visits with Santa, face painting, hot cocoa and the kids’ craft area will be free for all in attendance.
NAPERVILLE
Knox Presbyterian Church at 1105 Catalpa Lane is holding their first annual Christmas Cookie Walk on Saturday, 12/10 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Families from the congregation have been donating batches of Christmas cookies and candies. In fact, the church kitchen will continue to accept homemade cookie/candy donations up until tomorrow, Friday 12/9. Then these goodies and other specialty items will be available for purchase at the Saturday event.
LOOP
Is an extravagant outing with the kids more your style? Then snag your tickets for the Art Institute of Chicago’s 35th Annual Holiday Treasure Hunt and Tea Party. There are 3 start times to choose from – 10:45 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. The event begins at the Modern Wing entrance on Monroe Street and will take treasure hunters through the museum’s galleries for an exploration of music in art that will be fun for the whole family. The Treasure Hunts end at the Stock Exchange Trading Room for a tea party with Artie the Lion. Follow the link above for tickets: $50 adults, $20 children (over 2 years old). VIP tickets have already sold out so act fast.
CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
