THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Countdown to Christmas Continues!

As the countdown to Christmas continues (less than two weeks away), here’s what’s going on this weekend in Chicago to keep us all in a festive mood!

Chicagoans and visitors are invited to attend a new, 30-minute holiday program called Millennium Park at Home: Chicago Holidays

at YouTube.com/ChicagoDCASE now through January 7th, 2021. It will include a holiday greeting from Mayor Lori Lightfoot and First Lady Amy Eshleman, special acknowledgments of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, and various music performances, as well as a special tribute to the 50th anniversary of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas.” Other in-person and virtual events across the Millennium Park Campus can be viewed at the Chicago Holidays link above!

Unfortunately, the Museum of Science & Industry is temporarily closed as part of the state’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, MSI will bring the Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light celebrations to your home and screens, with traditions and cheer to brighten a most unusual year! They’re also providing at-home fun and activities at Science at Home, as well as a hub providing materials for both educators and learners at their new Learning Resources.

This year, Where to See Santa in Chicagoland is providing both virtual and in-person visits so as not to disappoint the children. The virtual visits include Santa Visit with Neiman Marcus, Visit from the Clauses, Dreezy Claus, and Macy’s Santaland. The in-person visits include Photos with Santa at Fashion Outlets of Chicago, the Holly Jolly Drive-In, Miracle on West Madison, and Santa at ZooLights.

Here’s a little something else for the adults to watch and have some fun this holiday season, Christmas Bingo: It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy Night Streaming Comedy this Saturday (6 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.) through December 27th. This show features Mrs. Mary Margaret O’Brien, a former nun and current bingo caller, as she takes you back to the bingo halls of your Catholic youth! Audience members will play for actual prizes in this uniquely interactive show, so be sure to brush up on your Yuletide trivia as it tackles the wackiest myths and most outrageous facts about Christmas. There’s even a hilarious quiz pitting girls against boys to see who knows the most about the holiday season. Watch and laugh all from the comfort of your own home!!

This year’s holiday season is definitely a little different, but Brookfield Zoo’s (8400 31st St.) Holiday Magic is sure to get families in a festive mood. Now in its 39th year, come see the dazzling light displays of more than a million twinkling lights, which include a 600-foot-long tunnel featuring thousands of colored lights all synchronized to holiday music. There’s even a 41-foot-tall holiday tree, larger-than-life LED animal sculptures, and 660 LED-lit trees decorated with ornaments. A life-sized cutout of Santa will be available for selfies, as well as other festively themed selfie frames located around the zoo. Kids can also drop off their letters to Santa in the giant red box located on the south mall. Festive food and beverage, plus outdoor merchandise kiosks with unique items for your shopping pleasure will also be available. New for 2020, families can search for 24 whimsical and enchanting gnomes in a scavenger hunt located throughout the park! Please note that advance admission and parking tickets are required and can be reserved at CZS.org/Tickets.

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago