THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Kicking This Holiday Season Into High Gear!

It’s time to kick this holiday season into high gear by continuing to celebrate our usual holiday traditions, although much differently this year! After all, there’s only three weekends before Christmas! Who’s ready for some jolly time!!

Come one, come all to the Miracle on West Madison (645 W. Madison St.) or the Holly Jolly Drive-In (2833 N. Sheffield Ave.) for a 1.5-hour, family-friendly experience on Saturdays and Sundays (4:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.) now through December 13th for Miracle on Madison and December 6th for Holly Jolly Drive-In. Experience a holiday movie with enhanced twinkling décor and appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus, reindeer, The Grinch, and many other favorite characters as you watch Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and other family classics offered at both locations!

For over 19 years, the American Blues Theater has treated audiences to a live retelling of Frank Capra’s classic It’s A Wonderful Life in a 1940’s radio broadcast tradition. However, since this year has been filled with much uncertainty, the American Blues Theater has decided to continue this holiday tradition by bringing It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! online now through January 2nd, 2021. This critically acclaimed holiday favorite is filled with original music and classic holiday carols as well! And not only will each performance be live, but it will also be interactive, bringing their popular audiograms to audience members during every performance!! The only thing missing will be the milk and cookies served by the actors afterward in the lobby.

Chicago Detours brings you Virtual Holiday Stories Happy Hour every Saturday in December at 4:00 p.m. Guests will dive into the hidden histories behind some of Chicago’s most beloved traditions such as virtually traveling down the “Great State Street” to see holiday landmarks as well as marvel at the immersive indoor architecture of must-see holiday locales like the Palmer House, and much, much more. This event includes live narration by two expert Chicago Detours event hosts, a fun mix of visuals, creative challenges, and other interactive elements. It’s a virtual social dynamic unlike any other virtual thing you’ll do this holiday season!!

Experience a new family tradition this holiday season by loading up the car and taking a drive to Let It Shine / Drive Thru Lightshow at Northbrook Court’s West Lot (1515 Lake Cook Rd.) now through January 9th, 2021. It’s the largest drive-thru world of lights immersing you into a wonderland of light displays synchronized to holiday classics, all from the comfort of your car! You’ll be filled with holiday cheer as you drive past dazzling archways, sparkling candy canes, glowing snowmen, and more illuminated installations for a show like no other!!

For my family and friends who celebrate the Hanukkah holiday this month as well, Strawdog Theatre Company’s annual holiday hit Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins will be reimagined in an all-new virtual production performed live on Saturdays and Sundays now through December 20th. This story comes to life with music and a little bit of magic for families of all ages to sing along and enjoy! Will Hershel of Ostropol outsmart the goblins who haunt the old synagogue so that villagers can celebrate Hanukkah? You’ll have to tune-in!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago