THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Celebrating the Spirit of the Holidays!

There is no reason for anyone who is in Chicago this weekend to NOT celebrate the spirit of the holidays!  Check out the following holiday events for you, your family, and friends’ enjoyment!!

Is Holiday Shopping at the top of your list?  Well —

Chicago’s favorite holiday shopping event returns to the Merchandise Mart (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza) in the River North neighborhood for its 17th annual One of a Kind Holiday Show® this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.).  This show offers an unmatched selection of thousands of original handmade gifts from over 600 artists, as well as festive food offerings from gourmet vendors, fashion shows, live music, and more!

Enjoy a unique experience at this year’s 4th Annual Irish Christmas Market this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N. Lincoln Ave.). This lively spot transforms into a family-friendly, European-style winter wonderland with an indoor and outdoor marketplace.  This market showcases Irish artisan gifts, seasonal fare, a kids’ activity zone, visits with Santa (11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. both days), festive entertainment, and more!

Perhaps, spending time with your kids is at the top of your list.  Well –

Join Maggiano’s Little Italy (516 N. Clark St.) on the Near North Side for their Breakfast with Santa this Saturday (9:30 a.m.).  A deluxe breakfast buffet, a gourmet hot chocolate station, and photo opportunities with Old St. Nick (bring your camera) will take place in their Festive Ballroom!

Enjoy a special evening at the Childrens Holiday Karaoke Light Tour this Saturday (5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.) at the Washington Park Field House (5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr.) in the Washington Park/Woodlawn neighborhood.  Take a 3-hour ride touring downtown Chicago’s best Christmas attractions (including Lincoln Park Zoo’s Zoo Lights!).  While on the bus, have a light snack, sip on spiced cider or hot chocolate, and get into the holiday spirit with karaoke to your favorite Christmas songs!  You’ll even receive a surprise gift from Santa!!

Or, maybe just having some good ‘ole holiday fun is at the top of your list.  Well –

It’s that time of year again to join in the Ugly Christmas Sweater bar hop in the Lincoln Park neighborhood this Saturday (6:30 p.m.). You’ll start by meeting at one of Lincoln Park’s bars to get warmed up.  Then join others dressed in their ugliest sweaters as you head off to the Lincoln Park Zoo to pass through their breathtaking ZooLights.  Afterwards, it’s time to head to another bar and vote on the ugliest sweater of the bar hop!  Lucky winner will take home a Miller Lite holiday sweater worth $80!!

Celebrate the world’s largest and longest-running Christmas costume pub crawl at the 22nd Annual Twelve Bars of Xmas Pub Crawl this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood.  The day begins and ends with a pre-party opening ceremony and a post-party at Cubby Bear (1059 W. Addison St.).  Over 40 Wrigleyville bars are participating and tickets are required.  Plus, hundreds of prizes will be awarded to crawlers who go above and beyond and make it to at least 10 bars during the day!

Which Spirit of the Holiday Will You Be Celebrating!