Chicagoist's Guide To November: 20 Fun Things To Do This Month
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 31, 2016 5:49PM
Image via McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade's Facebook page.
It's hard to believe it's already November, which means that the holiday season is just around the corner. Get prepped for Christkindlmarket, Caroling at the Bean and other fun November events.
SOFA CHICAGO
November 3-6
The longest running art fair in the country opens up this Thursday at Navy Pier. SOFA stands for sculpture, objects and functional art and design and features more than 500 artists from fiber art to massive glass sculptures. There will also be glassblowing and wood turning demonstrations, plus special exhibits from six ChiArts graduates. The fair runs through Sunday. Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 for a three-day pass.
Photo via Mac & Cheese Fest.
MAC + CHEESE FEST
November 5
Mac & Cheese can be dressed up or down, and there will be 50 varieties to try at this weekend’s Mac & Cheese Fest at the UIC Forum. There will be two sessions—lunch and dinner, naturally—with 50 Chicago chefs at each. See if AMK Kitchen Bar and Auntie Vee's retain their titles as last year’s best. Tickets are $65.
STRANGE FOODS FEST
November 6
Foods that seem strange to some can be traditional to others, and Chicago’s first Strange Foods Festival will spotlight some of the city’s authentic ethnic foods. The fest started by instagrammer Strangefoodschicago features 15 local restaurants with cuisine from around the world including Immm Rice and Beyond (Northen Thailand), HoneyDoe (Syria), Tropicuba (Cuba) and Shokran (Morocco). The afternoon at Moonlight Studios includes beer, wine and entertainment. Tickets are $55.
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
November 10 to February 20, 2017
Explore the popular works of Maurice Sendak at the Museum of Science and Industry this winter at Where the Wild Things Are, opening Nov. 10. The exhibit will have 50 original drawings from the book’s author and illustrator, many from private collections and friends of Sendak. Access to the exhibit is included with Museum Entry.
A (MOSTLY) VEGGIE AFFAIR
November 10
Green City Market and Modern Farmer hold their “veggie-friendly” fall fundraiser at Lakeshore Beverage this year. “A (Mostly) Veggie Affair” features stationed tasting with local chefs' dishes made with Green City Market produce, and a few meat dishes for those carnivores. They’ll also have drinks from local craft breweries plus regional wine and cocktails. 6:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $55.
Photo courtesy of CHILL.
CHILL WINE + CULINARY EVENT
November 10
50 Chicago chefs and 150 winemakers make up the International wine and culinary event, Chill at Merchandise Mart’s LuxeHome from 6 to 8:30 p.m. River Roast, Osteria Langhe, Bistronomic and Café Spiaggia are among the local restaurants featured. The 10th annual event also supports local charity partners The Lynn Sage Foundation, Saturday Place and Respiratory Health Association. Tickets are $145.
CHIRP RADIO FUNDRAISER
November 10
CHIRP Radio is about to hit the airwaves, literally. The popular local web channel is about to break ground on their broadcast tower, and they’re holding a fundraising celebration to get them even closer at Revolution Brewing Tap Room. The evening includes open bar, small bites and live music by Gerald Dowd. 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $50.
Festival of Barrel Aged Beer. Photo via FOBAB's website.
FESTIVAL OF BARREL AGED BEERS
November 11 to 12
FOBAB is a celebration of wood and barrel-aged brews that has expanded to two days at the UIC Forum for 2016. You’ve got three sessions to choose from where you’ll be able to enjoy 15 samples, some of which are rare beers not commercially available in our area. Tickets are $55.
2016 Adventure Film Fest Trailer from Adventure Film Festival on Vimeo.
ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL
November 13
See the year’s best independent adventure films at the Adventure Film Festival at Music Box Theatre. The festival comes directly from it’s home city of Boulder, bringing with it award-winning films in climbing, riding, sliding and flying. 5 p.m. Tickets are $20.
RINGLING BROS + BARNUM + BAILEY
November 17 to 27
The circus is in town! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present “Out Of This World” at the United Center. The “greatest show on earth” has been dazzling families for more than a century, and this program promises to be beyond the expected with gravity-defying acrobats, orbital aerialists, majestic animals, fearless daredevils and humorous clowns. Tickets start at $20.
Image via Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's Facebook event page.
HUBBARD STREET DANCE
November 17 to 20
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago presents two world premieres at Harris Theater in their Fall Series. The new works come from long-time Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo (his 15th for the company) and inaugural Harris Theater Choreographer in Residence Brian Brooks. The program will also include two ensemble works by Czech-born contemporary choreographer Jiří Kylián. Friday’s show also includes a free “balcony talk” from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30.
Image via MSI's website.
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD
November 17 to January 8, 2017
The Museum of Science & Industry’s holiday tradition returns. Christmas Around the World provides the opportunity to experience festive traditions from around the globe. Small decorated trees surround the floor-to-dome Grand Tree with 30,000 twinkling lights and periodic snowfalls. Did someone say photo-op? Santa Claus will also make a stop by MSI’s Holiday Lane where they’ll have cultural performances. Visit MSI’s website for a full schedule and more details.
Image via Christkindlmarket's Facebook page.
CHRISTKINDLMARKET
November 18 to December 24
Christkindlmarket returns to answer the much anticipated question...what will this year’s boot mug look like?! (We’re still trying to forget the years sans boot.) The traditional German American market takes over Daley Plaza every holiday season with booths selling gifts, strudel, schnitzel and Glühwein in those adorable boot mugs. Entry is free.
Image via DCASE.
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
November 18
The city’s 103rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 6 p.m. in Millennium Park. Look out for a performance from the creators of the hit percussion show STOMP, Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas. The big man himself, Santa Claus will also make an appearance. Free.
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. Photo via the City of Chicago.
MILLENNIUM ICE RINK
November 18 to March 7, 2017
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink also opens up on Nov. 18, adding to the seasonal festivities in Millennium Park. Skating is free and open to the public. Rent skates for $12.
MCA PRIME TIME
November 19
The Museum of Contemporary Art’s late night Prime Time series is back for another edition, this time collaborating with indie-music outlet, Pitchfork. Hip hop and rap artists Noname, Jamila Woods, RP Boo will perform at the event that mixes live music, performance art and interactive programs. The evening, themed "Ascend," also includes pop-up food and drink for purchase. 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $15 ($20 door).
THANKSGIVING PARADE
November 24
It’s Thanksgiving and that can only mean one thing...well, two: turkey and parades. The McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade marches down State Street at 8 a.m., stepping off at Congress. Floats, bands, dancers and more will entertain for three hours. If you can’t make it downtown (or just don’t feel like getting out of bed that early on a holiday are you crazy), you can watch the parade live on WGN.
Image via DCASE.
CAROLING AT CLOUD GATE
November 25 to December 16
The holiday season isn’t complete without Caroling at Cloud Gate. Sing along with carolers from After School Matters, the Chicago Children’s Choir and other guests at “The Bean” on Fridays from 6 to 7 p.m. through December 16. Free.
Image courtesy of Music Box Theatre.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC SING-A-LONG
November 25 to December 4
Depending on your love of musicals, this Music Box tradition could be one of the most wonderful or terrifying experiences. We'll call the annual Sound of Music Sing-A-Long one of our own "favorite things" for the month of November. For those who might not know all the words to “Do-Re-Me” or “My Favorite Things,” the lyrics will appear on the screen. Tickets are $12.50 ($8 for children).
Photo via Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce website.
CHILL FEST
November 26
Chill Fest has become something of a tradition in the Wicker Park area, with musicians popping up in unexpected places throughout the day. The acoustic music festival is now in it’s fourth year with more than 60 musicians performing in storefronts of places like local taverns, service stations and clothing boutiques. The full schedule and locations are still TBD, so keep an eye on the website for more information.