EVENTS
Christmas Walk
Fri, Nov. 30, 4P, 30 E. Chicago Ave., Burlington Park, Hinsdale, Free | 630-323-3952
Stroll through the park and down Washington and First Streets to see ice carvers, holiday carolers, a tree lighting ceremony, animated characters and Santa's arrival. Shops remain open and display scenes with a "Cookie the Gingerbread Man's Travels" theme. The event concludes at 8P. www.hinsdalechamber.com
Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier
Fri, Nov 30 thru Sun, Jan 6, Navy Pier 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, (312) 595-7437
Celebrate the holidays in a 170,000 square foot winter playground indoors! Enjoy ice- skating, rides, holiday attractions, rides, music, entertainment and more all from one of the city's best spots! FREE Admission but you need wristband for rides & attractions. www.winterwonderfest.com
Holiday Lights Gift & Craft Fair
Fri, Nov 30 thru Dec 2, 11A, Arlington Park Racecourse, $7
Over 500 booths will feature various crafts & gifts for purchase; everything from holiday goods to fashionable items. Food & drinks will be available at a food court. www.holidaylightslambsfarm.com/index.htm
Mundelein Tree Lighting and Santa's Cottage Opening
Fri, Nov 30, 6:30P-8:30P, Mundelein Kracklauer Park, Seymour Ave &Courtland St., FREE, 847-949-3200
The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m., in Kracklauer Park. Featured will be music, fireworks and refreshments. Santa's Cottage will also be open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.at the corner of Park Street and Seymour Avenue. www.mundeleincommunityconnection.org
Winter Celebration
Fri, Nov 30, 5P-9P, Downtown Deerfield
Celebrate the season by joining neighbors, family and friends for some fun and festive activites in Downtown Deerfield. Activities include horse drawn carriage rides, petting zoo, pony rides, crafts, face painting, live entertainment, treats, live reindeer, caroling, photos with Santa and more. www.deerfield.il.us
Late Night Andersonville
Fri, Nov 30, 6P, Andersonville, FREE
For only four hours, shop Andersonville's various stores and restaurants and receive great discounts & deals!
www.andersonville.org/events/late-night-andersonville/details/8
Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony
Fri, Nov 30, 5:30P, Zabrocki Plaza 17300 Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park
Arrive early at 5:30 p.m. to hear holiday carols performed by a local choir. Our Village officials will celebrate this special time of the year with Mayor Ed Zabrocki lighting our 35-foot holiday tree. http://www.downtowntinley.com/events/
5th Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Pub Crawl
Sat, Dec 1, 1P, Goose Island Wrigleyville, $20
Find your ugliest Christmas sweater - the gaudier the better - and get ready to have a good time while supporting GiveForward (This year proceeds will go to support a local Chicago family facing medical expenses this holiday season! ). Stop at 5 Wrigleyville/Lake View hotspots (Goose Island, Rebel Bar & Grill, Sheffields, Mad River Bar & Grill, Uncle Fatty's) with drink specials and also have a chance to win a cash prize for ugliest sweater! www.uglysweaterpubcrawl.eventbrite.com
Frosty Fest
Sat., Dec. 1, 4P, Downtown West Chicago at 475 Main St., Free | 630-293-2200
Enjoy a tree lighting ceremony, horse-drawn carriage, live reindeer, ice sculptures, crafts and more at this community fair. Neighboring merchants participate in a window decorating contest and guests can vote for their favorite design. www.westchicago.org/Community/Events.html
Breakfast with Santa
Sat., Dec. 1-23, 9A, Morton Arboretum 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, $21-$29 | 630-968-0074
Enjoy a special breakfast in the scenic Ginkgo Restaurant and a visit from Santa! Arboretum admission included with ticket price. Santa will also be giving gifts to children 12 and under.
www.mortonarb.org/calendar.html
Little Friends: Holiday Parade of Lights Downtown Naperville
Sat., Dec. 1, 3P, Downtown Naperville
The event you wait for all year! Come downtown for the annual Holiday Parade of Lights Downtown Naperville. The parade marks the official arrival of Santa & Mrs Claus to Naperville and will include special musical guests, honored guests, and an offical tree lighting at the Main Street Promenade. Make plans to come downtown for the parade and holiday shopping all weekend. The parade will step off from Water Street, head north on Main Street, west on Van Buren and end at Eagle Street, near Naper School. www.downtownnaperville.com
Festival of Lights
Sat., Dec. 1, 2P, Robert W. Rolek Community Center 814 Hart Rd., Round Lake, Free | 847-546-8558
The fest features sled rides, visits with Santa, live music and moonwalks. Get in the spirit during the "Festival of Lights" walk through the Children_s Neighborhood Museum. This delightful light show is part of the popular Holiday Festival and features live holiday carolers_ singing many traditional favorites.
http://www.roundlakeareaparkdistrict.org/events.cfm?event=170&goget=62356
Festival of Trees Grand Opening Preview Night
Sat., Dec. 1, 5:30P, Westfield Old Orchard 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, Free | 847-673-6800
See 10 trees decorated by local nonprofits and vote for which should win a $1,500 donation. Kids can get their photos taken with Santa. Join us for a tree lighting ceremony near Macy’s and the Koi Pond. Enjoy holiday classics sung by Porchlight Music Theatre and the Niles North High School Choir. The first 250 people receive a free goodie bag! Enjoy a free ice skating performance by Ice-Semble Chicago and Skokie Skatium at 7:15pm
Meet Snoopy and Charlie Brown (In partnership with the Museum of Science and Industry)
Free sweet treats, warm beverages and more. www.westfield.com/oldorchard/news-and-events
Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Festival
Sun., Dec. 2, 1P, Downtown Cary 300 W. Main St., Free | 847-639-2800
The celebration features visits with Santa, horse-drawn sleigh rides, pony rides, a petting zoo and appearances by Christmas elves.
http://business.carygrovechamber.com/Events/details/merry-cary-holiday-parade-and-festival-2689
St. Viator High School - Mistletoe Market
Sun Dec 2nd at 9am, St. Viator High School 1213 East Oakton Street, Arlington Heights, $2
Snag some unique gifts just in time for the holidays. You'll find handmade jewelry & accessories, children's gifts, sweets, Christmas decor and more at this 2nd Annual craft fair!
www.stviatorchicago.org/home/2012/11/14/start-your-holiday-shopping-early-at-mistletoe-market.html
The Blue Island Light Parade
Sat, Dec 1, 5:30P, Western Ave, Parade route is along Western Ave & travels south from Union to Vermont
Join the Blue Island Park District and ALL of Santa’s helpers in Blue Island as we parade down Western Avenue in honor of the upcoming winter season. http://www.blueisland.org/2012/11/21/christmas-light-parade/
CONCERTS ---------------------------------------------------
The Who Fri 11/30 7:30P Allstate Arena $39-129
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Sat 12/1 7:30P Akoo Theater $40-92
Andrea Bocelli Sun 12/2 7.30P Allstate Arena $75-350
Ray LaMontagne Fri & Sat 11/30-12/1 8P Chicago Theatre $50-70
THEATER & COMEDY---------------------------------------------------
A Klingon Christmas Carol
Sat, Dec 1 - 30, The Raven Theater, 6157 North Clark Street, Chicago (Edgewater Glen), $20-35
CHICAGO’S NEWEST HOLIDAY TRADITION IS BACK! Scrooge has no honor, nor any courage. Can three ghosts help him to become the true warrior he ought to be in time to save Tiny Tim from a horrible fate? Performed in the Original Klingon with English Supertitles, and narrative analysis from The Vulcan Institute of Cultural Anthropology.As always, the show is presented with English Super-Titles for those who do not speak tlhIngan Hol (The Klingon Language) fluently. (Fri 11/30/12 Preview $10) www.cbtheatre.org
Great Russian Nutcracker
Sun, Dec 2, 3P, Akoo Theatre (Rosemont) $26-86.50
The famed Moscow Ballet comes to Chicago for only one performance. Intricate costumes, hand-painted backdrops and larger-than-life puppets make this performance truly outstanding.
www.ticketmaster.com/event/0400487EB1DC40FC?artistid=820793&majorcatid=10002&minorcatid=12
'Twas the Night Before Christmas -
Fri, Nov 30 thru Sat, Dec 15, Theatre at The Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN, 219-836-3255
Come celebrate the season with this timeless musical classic. Join the family fun as the excitement builds on Christmas Eve. Laugh and sing-a-long! Running Time: 1 Hour. www.theatreatthecenter.com
SPORTS---------------------------------------------------
Bulls vs Philadelphia 76ers Sat 12/1 @ 7P
Wolves vs Peoria Rivermen Sat 12/1 7P
Bears vs Seattle Seahawks Sun 12/2 Noon
