CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lakeview, River North, Lincoln Square, Oak Park

Lincoln Park: Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 16! Lincoln Park’s neighborhood pizzeria, Stella Barra, is hosting an Ugly Sweater Party! Start off the evening at Happy Hour from 4 to 6 pm, featuring $3 beers, $4 wines by the glass, and more. Then enjoy dinner from 6 to 10 pm! The menu includes tasty starters, salads, handcrafted pizzas, and seasonal specials, such as Butternut Squash & Prosciutto Lasagna! This event is totally kid friendly too! Your kiddos can explore their culinary creativity and make their own pies at the pizza bar. And the icing on the cake? You’ll receive a $25 gift card for attending! For more information, call 773-634-4101 or check out their website.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: It’s not too early to make your New Year’s Eve plans! Back by popular demand, for the fifth year, Davenport’s Piano Bar and Cabaret hosts Sidney Friedman with his magical one-man show “New Year’s Psychic Eve”. This mystical show features Sidney’s telepathic extrasensory feats of mind power AND premonitions for the audience for their 2019 futures. The show winds up at midnight; followed by a free raffle of Sidney’s books, pendulums, bottles of wine, and more! The show begins at 10:30 pm and is guaranteed to sell out, so book your tickets in advance here. General admission tickets are $54 and include the show, midnight champagne, party favors, and the raffle.

Lakeview: Spend your New Year’s Eve with Bash Events at one of Lakeview’s favorite bars- George Street Pub! Dance the night away to your favorite songs, sip champagne, and ring in the New Year with your special someone. This incredible 5 hour package includes a signature buffet, champagne toast, premium bar, and party favors! Doors open at 8 pm. Reservations are required, as this is a private event. The event is for those of 21 years of age and older. Super Early Bird tickets are $45! Get yours now here!

River North: Get into the holiday spirit at Bub City with Christmas Eve Carol-Oke! Put on your best (or worst!) ugly holiday sweater and sing your favorite tunes during this live band Christmas karaoke. Mark your calendars for Monday, December 24 from 10 pm-2 am! The top three contestants with the loudest round of applause will fight it out for a chance to win two tickets to Bub City’s New Year’s Eve Party. Make your reservation here today!

Lincoln Square: On Saturday, December 15, visit DANK Haus for a day of German-inspired Christmas shopping, food, and music! DANK Haus is located just steps away from the Western Brown line, at 4740 N. Western Ave. The Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) has a VIP night on Friday, December 14 and a party for all on Saturday the 15th from 12 to 8 pm. Santa Claus arrives at 1 pm to kick off the day with a series of horse-drawn carriage rides! Space for these is limited, so book your seat while you still can! German food and drink is available for purchase as you stroll through the festive stands. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. All proceeds from the event will support cultural programming at the DANK Haus. To register for your carriage ride or learn more about the VIP night, click here.

Oak Park: There’s no place like home for the holidays! Celebrate the spirit of the season in Downtown Oak Park on Saturday, December 8 from 11 am to 3 pm on Marion Street at Lake Street and North Boulevard. All events and activities are free! Join for a FREE special showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life” at Lake Theatre (tickets available at Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest). From 11 am to 3 pm, there will be free horse-drawn sleigh rides, hot cocoa and cookies at the Warming Tent, opportunities for photos with Santa, and holiday carolers roaming the streets! For more information, click here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO