15 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 25, 2016 4:33PM
Image via DCASE.
All the turkey is gone, so we may as well get out of the house. There's caroling, shopping, movies and more to keep us entertained this weekend.
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 25
CAROLING AT CLOUD GATE: 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 Dec. 16. Free.
WREATHING OF THE LIONS: The Art Institute lions will get their holiday dress on this Friday at 10 a.m. at the 25th Annual Wreathing of the Lions. After the ceremony, come inside the Ryan Learning Center in the Modern Wing for free family activities until 3 p.m.
MOODY TONGUE TAPPING: Spend Black Friday with another Bourbon Barrel Aged brew courtesy of Moody Tongue beginning at 5 p.m. The Pilsen brewery aged their Gingerbread Imperial Stout in Four Roses bourbon barrels and it will only be available on tap at the tasting room. First come, first served.
Image courtesy of Music Box Theatre.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC SING-A-LONG: 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" of the week. For those who might not remember all the words to “Do-Re-Me” or “My Favorite Things,” the lyrics will appear on the screen. Showings run through December 4. Tickets are $12.50 ($8 for children).
ICE RINKS OPEN: Millennium Park opened up last week, but the rest of Chicago Park District's ice rinks open this Friday. This includes the popular new Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park and the Chicago Blackhawk Neighborhood ice rinks. Admission is free, and skates are available for rental. The Blackhawk rinks will also offer free Blackhawk skating clinics and Silver Skates competitions. Visit the park district website for more information.
DANCE OFF THE CALORIES: Hopefully the Thanksgiving meal food baby is under control by this point, and you can get mobile to the dance rock of Two Door Cinema Club when they headline Aragon Ballroom Friday night. The trio mixes synths and bright guitars with sublime melodies and hooks that are sure to drag you the band's groove. Tickets are $35.
HOLIDAY TROLLEY TOURS: Take in Michigan Avenue’s famed holiday lights and more from a classic Chicago Trolley. Their special Holiday Lights Tour begins this Friday and includes stops and sights like Christkindlmarket, Macy’s Windows and ZooLights. Tours run through Dec. 26.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26
Image courtesy of ChillFest.
CHILLFEST: ChillFest has become something of a tradition in the Wicker Park area, with more than 60 musicians popping up in unexpected places throughout the day. The acoustic music festival is now in it’s fourth year and local groups like FUTURE STUFF, The Fox & the Hounds and Pinqy Ring will perform at restaurants, service stations and clothing boutiques like Coast Sushi, Gomez Shell and more. Visit the ChillFest website for the full schedule and lineup.
RANDOLPH STREET HOLIDAY MARKET: Randolph Street Market extends the indoor holiday market for a second weekend. As usual, they’ll have one of a kind and vintage sellers, plus a crafts table, portraits, henna tattoos and a free gift wrapping station. Live music and a DJ will serenade the room with Christmas music. Tickets are $8 ($10 at the gate).
Image courtesy of Lincoln Square.
UNWRAP LINCOLN SQUARE: When Black Friday has passed, Small Business Saturday is here to fulfill your gift list. 'Unwrap Lincoln Square Ravenswood' invites shoppers with Victorian Caroling at 11 a.m. through 4 p.m., an Ice Sculpture Spectacular, a tree lighting at Giddings Plaza at 5:45 p.m., and more. Visit their website for more details.
BRUNCH WITH SANTA: When we wake up after turkey binging, The Signature Room will have transformed into a winter wonderland for its Annual Brunch With Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The gourmet brunch buffet will have photo ops with the big man plus cookie decorating, face painting and more. Tickets are $55 per adult and $25 per child under age 12. To make a reservation, call 312-280-0465.
Image courtesy of Daybreaker.
DAYBREAKER DANCE PARTY: The early morning fitness and dance party gets a makeover for the holidays. Making the move to the weekend for Small Business Saturday, this free edition of Daybreaker at Studio Paris begins at 8 a.m. with an hour-long workout, and then bursts into a full fledged morning dance party until 11 a.m. Local vendors, artists and performers will have surprises in store. RSVP here.
SIMMER BROWN COMEDY: Jeff Award-nominated comedian Peter Kim joins the Simmer Brown crew for a special Thanksgiving comedy show at Bughouse Theater at 8 p.m. Kim recently made headlines for standing up against discriminatory and abusive audience members at The Second City’s “A Red Line Runs Through It,” so it’s only fitting that he’ll be with the most diverse comedy collective in the city. Through comedy and music, the lineup will “give a voice to the voiceless.” Tickets are $10 ($15 door).
CHICAGO UP-AND-COMERS: The Walters caught our eye at Riot Fest this year, and they appear to be following in the footsteps of other local breakouts like The Orwells and Twin Peaks when it comes to playing shows packed with fervid fans. The boys traffic in a guitar pop that mixes clean riffs with impassioned vocals, delivered through a stage show that feels more like a punk rock house party than their sound might suggest. The band headlines Lincoln Hall Saturday night.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27
Image courtesy of Music Box Theatre.
STAR TREK ON 35MM: It’s hard to believe that the Star Trek franchise is turning 50 this year. To celebrate, The Music Box Theatre is showing a 50th Anniversary Double Feature in it’s 35MM glory. See Captain Kirk, Spock and the whole Enterprise crew in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and then stick around for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Tickets are $11 and include both films. Check the Music Box website for showtimes through November 30.