Vector happy snowman and Christmas lights

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Embracing the Holiday Spirit – ‘Tis the Season!

Vector happy snowman and Christmas lights

Are you ready for the most wonderful time of the year?  Well, this weekend is all set with a variety of additional holiday favorite events to help you embrace the holiday spirit!

It’s that festive time of year again, and there’s no better way to celebrate it than with your loved ones at the BYOB Party Bus Holiday Lights Tour ‘Tis The Season this Saturday (4 p.m.-9:30 p.m.) with check-in at Headquarters Beercade (213 W. Institute Pl.) in the Streeterville neighborhood.  Tour Chicago’s best Christmas Attractions such as The Magnificent Mile, the Millennium Park Christmas Tree, and others along with a blend of entertainment, information, and humor with a boozy twist.  Plus, your ticket includes free express entry into the Chirstkindlmarket and The Zoo Lights.  It’s the Holiday lights tour everyone is talking about!

If you’re looking for a create-your-own-adventure bar crawl experience, then the Crawl to Christkindlmarket: A Holiday Pub Crawl takes place this Saturday (12 p.m.-9 p.m.).  As you crawl the most famous bars in the River North neighborhood to your destination at the beautiful and renowned Christkindlmarket, your VIP Pass gets you admission to all participating bars on the crawl, a specialty shot at each pop-up bar with the purchase of a beverage, a Santa hat, a souvenir postcard, and more.  Afterall, ‘Tis the Season!

Experience the holiday season’s magic at the Light Up the Lake now through January 5, 2025, at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood.  Illuminating the lakefront with a dazzling outdoor light display, this event also features a host of fun activities that include ice skating, visits with Santa, an artisan market, cozy fire pits in the Beer Garden, and fireworks on Saturdays.  New this year are holiday drone shows, a two-story-tall ice slide, and a high-flying Wave Swinger ride.  Plus, there’s also the 200-foot Centennial Wheel with fully enclosed and heated gondolas.  It’s a great way to make unforgettable memories this season!

Step into a magical Christmas wonderland this holiday season at the Jack Frost Christmas Pop-Up now through January 5, 2025, located at 170 North Green Street in the West Loop.  Prepare to be enchanted at this Fulton Market pop-up featuring a Christmas market; photo opportunities; and a variety of activities like ice skating on a full-sized rink, ice bumper cars where you can zoom around and smash into other cars or simply spin in circles, winter tubing down a 2-story winter tubing hill, axe throwing, and more.  It truly is an amazing experience on 2 acres in the city!

Join in on Small Business Saturday to support these two local businesses to pick up some artisan goods for yourself and/or do your holiday gift shopping:

The Logan Square Makers Market & Bar Hop takes place this Saturday (1 p.m.-6 p.m.) at three Logan Square Breweries:  Revolution Brewing (2323 N. Milwaukee Ave.), Navigator Taproom, and Pilot Project Brewing.  Peruse a wide variety of handmade goods from 35 local vendors such as bath and body, candles, jewelry, knit items, home décor, wood working, and more.  This event is free and family-friendly but note that alcohol will be present due to the nature of the venues.

The Trashy Holiday Market takes place this Saturday (12 p.m.-5 p.m.) at Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N. Lincoln Ave.) in the North Center neighborhood.  It’s a unique holiday market featuring ingenious local artisans who transform reclaimed materials into one-of-a-kind products.  Come support 35+ local artisans offering an array of upcycled, hand-crafted wares such as home goods, planters, fashion, and more.  Plus, you can even bring your own gear to swap!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago