THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Abundance of Cheer for the Holiday Season!
This weekend in Chicago offers an abundance of cheer with pub crawls and pop-up bars all decked out for the Holiday season plus more!
TBOX is BACK! Festa’s annual 12 Bars of Xmas Pub Crawl returns to the Wrigleyville neighborhood this Saturday (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.) starting off at Cubby Bear (1059 W. Addison St.). After being on break in 2020 and to celebrate its 25th year, the theme for this year’s event is “Back to the 90s!” TBOX will celebrate the music, fashion, culture, movies, and everything else from the glorious, carefree decade when it was born in 1996. Over 30 bars throughout the neighborhood will be participating as participants dress in crazy costumes and take advantage of festive drink specials while indulging in traditions like “cereal shots” and sticker exchanges! Plus, the best part of this event is not only does it support dozens of local businesses but it also donates to local charities!
Back for the 2021 Holiday season and better than ever is Frosty’s Christmas Bar located at 809 W. Evergreen Ave. in the River North neighborhood now through January 2nd. This bar has decked the halls across three levels for festive fun with four bars, two dance floors, dancing elves, a singing Santa, live Nutcrackers, and a party that doesn’t end until 4 a.m. So, don your favorite holiday attire and enjoy a glass of something boozy and marshmallow-topped while snacking on Christmas cookies amid the twinkling lights, tinsel, and over-the-top decorations! Afterall, it’s an amazing 21+ Christmas experience in the heart of Chicago!
Indulge in a little childhood nostalgia at the Misfit Christmas pop-up bar located at The Rambler Kitchen & Tap (4128 N. Lincoln Ave.) in the North Center neighborhood now through January 2nd. This bar is a tribute to the 1964 beloved classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer television special and the Island of Misfit Toys. This event opens with an outdoor scene featuring 10-foot custom-painted wood characters from the Island of Misfit Toys while inside, each room is inspired by a different scene with Christmas lights, Misfit Toy figurines and staff dressed as characters. Lastly, The Rambler’s 600 square foot heated and covered beer garden is transformed into Santa’s workshop! Then top off your experience with a festive cocktail or Hermey’s hot chocolate, and bites from a themed food menu!
Don’t want to go to The Loop for your annual glühwein fix? Then head on over to the Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville located at Gallagher Way (3637 N. Clark St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood. Even though this is a smaller-scale market than its downtown counterpart, there’s just as much holiday cheer here! Plus, it’s also a part of the Winterland at Gallagher Way which offers plenty of fun outdoor holiday activities for the entire family!
One of Chicago’s most popular and beloved Christmas traditions, The Music Box Christmas Double Feature and Sing-A-Long, is celebrating its 38th anniversary this year now through December 23rd at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport Ave.). Enjoy some seasonal cheer with the screening of “White Christmas” (the touching story of two war veterans turned entertainers who help save a winter resort and meet a couple of lovely ladies in the process), and “It’s A Wonderful Life” (after George Bailey wishes he had never been born, an angel is sent to earth to make his wishes come true. However, George starts to realize how many lives he has changed and impacted, and how they would be different if he was never there.) Also, each screening includes an appearance by Santa Claus and a Christmas sing-along. Plus, you can opt to see just one of the films or purchase a discounted ticket to see both.
“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings! That a boy Clarence!!”
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
