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13 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 18, 2015 6:16PM

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Hear The Noise FM make Noise for Toys on Saturday at Lincoln Hall. Photo via Lincoln Hall's website.

The holidays are upon us and the bevy of events is high!

FRIDAY DECEMBER 18

ROCK OUT: Hometown rock band Kill Hannah play some of their final shows Friday and Saturday at Metro. It'll be all deep cuts and fan favorites at this New Heart for Xmas show. Shiny Toy Guns open. Tickets are $26. 9 p.m.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: The annual Annoyance Christmas Pageant is here and this year they're performing two classic holiday stories: A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The family friendly show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for kids under 12.

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Photo via DCASE's website.

DJS FOR LUNCH: The bi-weekly lunch-time DJ series Wired Fridays returns with musician, producer and DJ Merwyn Sanders. Along with childhood friend Eric Lewis, the Chicago native was influential in the House music scene. Noon to 1 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center. Free.

THE SOUND OF HOLIDAY MUSIC: Your desire to sing along with the von Trapp kids can come true as the great-grandchildren of the family from The Sound of Music comes to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for a holiday concert. They'll be joined by children's choral ensemble Midwest Young Artists. 7 p.m. Tickets start at $38.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 19

NOISE FOR TOYS: Support Toys for Tots with a special concert at Lincoln Hall featuring The Noise FM, Blane Fonda, Model Stranger and Workout Music. Tickets are $10 at the door or $5 with an unopened toy for donation. 8 p.m. 18+

GINGERBREAD HOUSE CLASS: Sure it’s fun to assemble a gingerbread house kit at home with the fam, but how about making one with a master pastry chef? Ceres’ Table is hosting a Gingerbread House Decorating Class on Sunday led by Master Pastry Chef Christine McCabe. Kids and adults are welcome. $22 per gingerbread house. For more information or to make a reservation, call (773) 922-4020.

WINDY CITY SOUL CLUB: The Windy City Soul Club plays some of the best and rare soul and they’ve been doing it for seven years. Join them Saturday night at the Empty Bottle for a special anniversary edition of the club where DJs will play all original vinyl of the Northern Soul variety, Motown-style gems, regional hits, ace dancing tunes and recognizable sing-along classics. 9 p.m. $5 cover.

DIVERSE COMEDY SHOW: Simmer Brown, Chicago's diverse comedy group, brings another stacked lineup to Bughouse Theater. It's a double feature this month with Felonius Munk (Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, Touchvision, Laugh Factory) and Marty DeRosa (Wresting With Depression, Comedians You Should Know) and more taking the stage. 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance ($15 door).

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Photo courtesy of the MCA.

POP ART: Warhol. Lichtenstein. Eames. The new Pop Art Design exhibit opens on Saturday at the Museum of Contemporary Art with pieces from these artists plus much more. See how the pop art movement of the 60s influenced furniture, graphic design, and architecture with more than 150 works on display through March next year.

SANTA PUB CRAWL: Thought you missed all the santa pub crawls last weekend? Think again. The Chicago Running of the Santas Pub Crawl dominates the Gold Coast beginning at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 20

MADE IN CHICAGO MARKET: Chicago Reader hosts the Made in Chicago Holiday Market this Sunday at Plumbers Hall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s the perfect opportunity to finish off your gift list while shopping local apparel, housewares, food and drink. Free.

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Photo via Hyde Park Handmade's facebook.

HANDMADE ARTISAN BAZAAR: Join more local vendors at the Promontory for the Hyde Park Handmade Artisan Bazaar and Farmers Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be deejays spinning to accompany your shopping inside the music venue, and they’ll also be serving brunch downstairs. Free.

WALK WITH LIGHT ON THE BLOOMINGDALE: Light up the (early) night during Walk With Light on the 606 trail. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. with an illuminated walk on the elevated trail followed by a Festival of Lights at Walsh Park with music, craft installations, s'mores and more at this family friendly event. Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail will also be collecting donations for their winter clothing drive. Free.