THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Getting Ready for the Upcoming Holidays!
Here they come! The Holidays will be here before you know it so there’s no better time than this weekend to begin your preparations as well as enjoying the many holiday events planned for this year.
Explore two immersive holiday areas at the LEGO® Holiday Lane this Saturday (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.-6 p.m.) at Water Tower Place (835 N. Michigan Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood. The first immersive area is known as Central Park which is the heart of the LEGO Holiday Lane featuring a towering, illuminated LEGO Christmas tree; a Build to Give Zone where attendees build a LEGO heart ornament to add to the LEGO Holiday Lane tree; visit Cataclaws Cabin where you uncover festive surprises in this warmly lit hideaway and even have an opportunity to snap a photo with Cataclaws herself; and hop aboard the LEGO DUPLO® Express for a joyful photo. The second immersive area is Main Street which features a festive downtown with interactive storefronts and LEGO sets galore which also include a LEGO Toy Store; a Pet Adoption Center; a Sleigh Station; and much more. Your inner creative builder will be sparked to create at this event!
Help kick off the beloved Christmas Around the World and Holiday of Lights exhibits at Griffin Museum of Science & Industry’s Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival this Saturday (10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) located at 5700 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Switch flipping on their four-story Grand Tree will happen at 11 a.m. with Santa Larry, the first Black Santa to spread holiday cheer at the Mall of America. This day-long festival then continues with live performances by local cultural organizations; seasonal samplings from Stan’s Donuts; shopping for unique gifts in the Holiday Shop; and much more. Plus, this event is included in your General Admission ticket!
There’s no better time to begin crossing off items on your holiday gift list or creating one than at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair this Saturday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Rd.) in Rosemont. This year’s activities for all ages includes exhibitors with new, hot, and classic toys and games; LEGO & TOMY activations; playing Giant Jenga; meeting Benny the Bull or Crazy Aaron from Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty; tabletop tournaments; toy giveaways; and much more. In addition, the Young Inventor Challenge for kids ages 6 to 18 will showcase their toy and game inventions to toy and game execs, the media, and public. Don’t miss this opportunity to attend North America’s largest toy and game fair open to the public just in time for the arrival of the holidays!
Celebrate the upcoming holiday season at Brookfield Zoo’s Tree Trim this Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) located at 8400 31st Street in Brookfield. Simply purchase a tree to decorate which also comes with 20 free zoo tickets valued at over $600. It’s a great way for Girl Scout troops, schools, families, and community groups to create lasting memories and be part of a dazzling holiday tradition that lights up Chicagoland! Registration is required and event runs rain or shine.
This Sunday at 12 p.m., the Chicago Bears will be hosting the New York Giants at Soldier Field (1410 Special Olympics Dr.) in the South Loop. Honestly, I don’t know how much more I can take watching the Bears! Winning by 1 point in last Sunday’s game was pure luck – not talent. I want the “Monsters of the Midway” back!!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
