20 Of Our Favorite Events This Holiday Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 21, 2015 3:11PM
Christmas is almost here. If you're looking for something to do with family and friends this week, we've got plenty of ideas.
MONDAY DECEMBER 21
UGLY SWEATER PARTY: Monday has always been the night for industry folks to hit the town, and Rockit Bar & Grill gives us an excuse to party at their annual Ugly Sweater Industry Party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. They’ll have music from DJs VLA, Knifefight and Dolo, holiday-inspired punch bowl cocktails and 50% off food for industry professionals. The big man himself, Santa, will even make an appearance. RSVP on Rockit’s website.
TWELVE COMICS OF CHRISTMAS: Catch the Twelve Comics of Christmas at North Bar for free. Presented by Junior Stopka. 8 p.m.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 22
LAST CHANCE ARTIST SALE: The Hideout holds its Last Chance Holiday Sale on Tuesday with local artists selling their handmade wares. They’ll also have some food trucks and coffee on hand. 6 p.m. Free.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 23
FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US: Parts and Labor hosts a celebration of the holiday for the rest of us made famous in Seinfeld. Enjoy some not-so-holiday movies and $1 off drafts before they announce the winner of the grand prize winter getaway. Raffle tickets are available all month leading up to the big day for $5 with a purchase from their menu. Free.
CONCERT + TOYS: Reggies hosts their 3rd Annual "Give Back Chicago" Toy and Food Drive Charity Concert Wednesday at 6 p.m. Sir the Baptist, Anthony Pavel and more perform while benefiting the Chicago Food Depository and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. (Toy donation valued at $15+ gets free admission).
THURSDAY DECEMBER 24: CHRISTMAS EVE
Did your dogs eat the turkey again? Skip the Chinese and head on over to some of these restaurants for a more upscale Christmas Eve Dinner:
PICCOLO SOGNO: Chef Tony Priolo offers a traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner at Piccolo Sogno and Piccolo Sogno Due featuring some of his favorite childhood seafood dishes with a twist. Reservations are encouraged and available by visiting Piccolo Sogno's website or calling (312) 421-0077 and for Piccolo Sogno Due at their website or (312) 822-0077.
THE BOARDING HOUSE: Executive Chef Tanya Baker cooks up seasonal dishes in addition to the regular menu. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.
OSTERIA LANGHE: $50 per person gets you an unforgettable Piemonte holiday meal. Make a reservation on Osteria Langhe's website.
SEVEN LIONS: Executive Chef Chris Curren’s favorites round out the menu. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.
SIXTEEN: Trump Chicago’s Sixteen will be serving dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and will also have a Christmas Holiday Buffet. Reservations available on Sixteen's website.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 25: CHRISTMAS
Check in with your favorite neighborhood watering hole, because they just might follow the Chicago tradition of opening up Christmas evening, you know, after you’ve had your fill of food and family. Here are some bars and clubs that have some special Christmas programming:
BEAUTY BAR: Bump and Grindcore goes Ludacrismas with DJ’s playing R&B jams. 9 p.m. $5.
SPYBAR: Felix da Housecat as Aphrohead leads the jams Christmas night at 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 after midnight.
THE MID: It’s a Boogie Down Christmas with DJ Rush, Paul Johnson and Kate Simko. 10 p.m. Tickets are $10.
BERLIN: There’s no cover for the Xmas Night Dance Party with DJ Greg Haus. 10 p.m.
LIAR'S CLUB: There's always a huge ice sculpture / shot chute and plenty of tattooed rock and rollers recovering from family festivities at Liar's Club's long running Christmas night party. Prepare to wake up somewhere weird Saturday morning if you decide to attend.
Are you looking for something a little more low-key? Most movie theaters are open on Christmas Day, so head out and see the new Star Wars if you haven’t yet, or follow that odd family tradition of seeing Quentin Tarantino flicks. Luckily his new film, The Hateful Eight, comes out on Christmas. If you’re more in the mood for a comedy there’s the new Tina Fey and Amy Poehler movie, Sisters, or Daddy’s Home with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, or go old school with National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation playing at Logan Theater.