Neighborhood News – Millennium Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Square, Chicago Loop, Lincoln Park

It may be January, but the holiday spirit in Chicago is alive and well this weekend. It’s your final chance to extend your holiday celebration and prepare for the year ahead!

This is the final weekend to view the magnificent twinkling lights and historic ornaments on the 108th Annual City of Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park, near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street. While there, bring the kids and skate at the McCormick Tribune Skating Rink. Free skating lessons every Saturday morning from 8-9am. Skate rental is free for  lessons only. 

Or, for an entirely different skating experience, “Gogh skating” among decorations inspired by the immersive Van Gogh exhibit at Maggie Daley Park’s Ice Skating Ribbon. 

‘Otherworldly!’ At Lakeview’s Otherworld Theatre, 3914 N. Clark Street, Winter in the Wildwood, invites guests to an immersive experience in Fae-Realm, filled with holiday trees, lights, and magic, filled with fairytales, magicians, puppetry, and one-of-a-kind photo opportunities. Each performance, they promise, is unique and tailored to the audience. Tickets are  $40 for adults and $20 for children. Each ticket includes a coupon for a themed beverage at the Otherworld bar (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options). Show times are Friday at 7pm and 9pm; Saturday- 5pm, 7pm and 9pm; and Sunday- 5pm and 7pm. The show closes on Sunday, January 9. For tickets, click here.

One last time, you can immerse yourself in ‘Chrismukkah’ at “OY To The World”, Chicago’s first half-Hanukkah and half-Christmas pop-up,  at The Sixth, 2202 W. Lawrence Avenue. From 4pm – 12am, guests enter into  shimmering Hanukkah blowout, which transforms into a classic Christmas bar, with twinkling Christmas lights and a ceiling full of colorful hanging ornaments. Customize whimsical food and drink pairings by having a Gin and Tanukkah with Candied Yams, or a F*** Milk and Cookies with Loaded Latkes, or a Grandma’s Advent Calendar with Kugel. You get the idea!  Reservations are strongly encouraged. Click here for reservations.

The month of January also offers FREE DAYS at Chicago’s celebrated museums for Illinois residents, including:

• The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Avenue, is free on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays throughout January.
• The Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, is free for Illinois residents on Wednesdays, including January 12, 19, and 26.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Avenue, is free for Illinois residents every Tuesday.
• DuSable Museum of African American History 740 E. 56th Place, is offering free admission every Wednesday​.
• The Swedish-American Museum,  5211 N. Clark Street,  has free admission the second Tuesday of every month. 

Please note: In most cases, due to Covid-19 mandates, guests age five and up must provide proof of vaccination and masks must be worn inside the building. Check the museum websites for details.

In Lincoln Park, don’t miss former sports radio host Harry Teinowitz’ searing comedy, ‘When Harry Met Rehab,’ through January 30 at the Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue. The story chronicles how Harry, an alcoholic on the edge of ‘clueless annihilation,’ according to the website, comes to some surprising truths about himself and his life with the support of his rehab group. Dan Butler (Bulldog in the TV series ‘Frasier,’) and Melissa Gilbert (Laura in ‘Little House on the Prairie,’) headline a stellar cast. For tickets, click here.

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago