THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Enjoying the Spirit of the Season!
Now that we have Thanksgiving behind us, Chicago will focus on some post-Thanksgiving assistance and pre-holiday events so we can continue enjoying the spirit of the season!
For all my Black Friday shoppers out there, why not end your day at the Black Friday Night Craft Market? It’s hosted by Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N. Lincoln Ave.) in the North Center neighborhood on Friday from 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Join for a fun evening of shopping local handmade products including candles, soap, knitwear, jewelry, leather goods, and more! Then stick around for some delicious food and drink at Mrs. Murphy’s!!
Ok, so the turkey wasn’t the only one overstuffed on Thanksgiving! Get yourself over to the Grant Park Turkey Trot 5K/10K on Saturday (8:30 a.m.) at Arvey Field, Grant Park (1501 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in The Loop for a post-turkey workout. Run or walk a 5K or 10K along a beautiful course through Grant Park all the way to the finish line for some free beer, hot cider, and some soft, gooey, delicious cinnamon rolls! Participants will also receive a commemorative event gear pullover to keep them warm (like that turkey was in the oven) and a medal (made to flaunt) for every finisher. Your overstuffed belly will thank you for this!!
Perhaps you still need a little push to get into the spirit of the season. Maybe one of these pre-holiday events will do the trick!
Returning for its annual appearance at the Symphony Center (220 S. Michigan Ave.) in The Loop, the Vienna Boys Choir will perform a joyful program of traditional and contemporary vocal selections entitled “Christmas in Vienna” on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.!
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo (2200 N. Cannon Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood has been a Chicago tradition for 24 years and kicks off the holiday season on Friday (4:30 p.m.) and runs through December 31st. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience offering fun, free, family-oriented holiday celebrations featuring luminous themed displays and incredible seasonal activities all under the glow of 2.5 million lights! There are several ticketed events as well like a Holiday Market (Nov 27), an adults-only night (Nov 29), a live performance of music from A Charlie Brown Christmas (Dec 9) and a Zoo Year’s Eve celebration (Dec 31)!!
Parkway Bank Park (5501 Park Pl.) in Rosemont will kick off its winter programming on Friday with the opening of the Chicago Wolves Ice Rink and Light Up the Park tree lighting event, featuring a spectacular display of over 80,000 lights throughout the park! Free festive activities include ice skating (11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.), tree lighting (5:30 p.m.), visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus (3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.), strolling carolers (5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.), and sleigh rides!! Plus, restaurants will be open for lunch and dinner throughout the day.
See trees light up in a sea of color at The Morton Arboretum (4100 Illinois Route 53) in Lisle (suburb of Chicago) at their popular winter event Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum now through January 1, 2019. Enjoy a walk down a one-mile paved, illuminated path through the forest, admiring the magical displays and seasonal music. New features at this year’s event include art from HYBYCOZO – amazing treelike sculptures that spread intricate designs of light, and surprising new sights as well! Hug a tree to change its colors, marvel at ever-changing, interactive lighting designs then warm up by a crackling fire with a cozy drink and s’mores!!
Enjoying the Spirit of the Season Yet?
