THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – IT’S OFFICIAL – THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS HERE!
THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – IT’S OFFICIAL – THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS HERE!
Michigan Avenue between Wacker Drive and Oak Street in Chicago is where the Holidays officially begin with the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival this Saturday on the Near North Side. It’s a winter wonderland for the entire family beginning with the “Lights Festival Lane” (11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) offering interactive holiday activities delicious treats and live musical performances by top artists all afternoon at the BMO Harris Bank Stage located in Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Avenue). Then from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. it’s time for the “Tree-Lighting Parade” down Michigan Avenue starting at Oak Street with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as your masters of ceremonies along with some of their Disney friends on the head float followed by elaborate floats giant floating balloons marching bands singers and twirling dancers with a spectacular fireworks display at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive at the conclusion of the parade! Afterwards you can shop ‘til you drop or until 9:00 p.m. thanks to the extended shopping hours!!
The 19th annual Christkindlmarket 2014 also celebrates the opening of the Holiday Season on Saturday (11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.) Sunday (11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) and daily through December 24th in Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington St.) in The Loop. This open-air German-style market offers authentic German products not found anywhere else in the city such as hand-blown ornaments jewelry beer steins and more from a variety of vendors as well as traditional German food and drink such as bratwurst schnitzel potato pancakes hot spiced wine (Gluewhein) imported chocolates and more!
The 12th annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair returns to Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) and is the only fair of its kind open to the public in the United States. Here’s an opportunity for your kids to not only try out toys and games from around the globe before you shop on Black Friday but also have the opportunity to meet the inventors compete in the Settlers of Catan and Rummikub tournaments partake in the Star Wars luncheon walk in the Frozen parade see the Bumblebee Camaro from Transformers and much much more!
For some top holiday shopping the Randolph Street Holiday Market returns Saturday and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) to Plumbers Hall (1340 W. Washington St.) on the Near West Side with its indoor urban market. This Holiday Market features a unique mix of timeless antiques fabulous keepsakes such as estate jewelry and embroidered hankies vintage and modern goods art house wares and more! Plus there’s FREE parking and FREE gift wrapping!!
The 11th annual DIY Trunk Show returns to Broadway Armory Park (5917 N. Broadway St.) in the Edgewater neighborhood on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for Chicago’s largest one-day indie craft fair featuring 130 of the best artisans from the Midwest selling handmade one-of-a-kind items such as unique jewelry purses ceramics pet accessories and more with more than half of the vendors selling items less than $25! In addition free “make and take” jewelry projects and hands-on workshops are featured as well!!
Finally Thursday November 27th brings us Thanksgiving and the McDonald’s® Thanksgiving Parade on State Street from Congress Parkway to Randolph Street in The Loop from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Now in its 80th year this year’s parade will feature gigantic inflatable helium balloons decorative floats dispensing holiday cheer marching bands and talented entertainers representing Chicagoland’s diverse communities Santa Claus and more!
Will You Be Ringing in the Holidays As Well?
SUE MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
