FRIDAY
Caroling at Cloud Gate (Friday-Dec.18)
Cloud Gate sculpture, Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.
Singing and Santa? Our two favorite "s" words. Sing along with local choral groups to the sounds of the season every Friday through Dec. 18. Santa is on hand from 5-6 p.m.; caroling takes place from 6-7 p.m. Free.
[Find more seasonal events in our holiday guide]
Also on tap Friday:
'The Santaland Diaries' (Through Dec. 30)
Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont St.
After crushing a Thanksgiving dinner with your family on Thursday, treat them to David Sedaris' play about one foul-mouthed Macy's elf and his salty take on the holiday season. 7:30 p.m Thursday-Friday; 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Through Dec. 30. $28-$35.
Argyle and Andersonville Ethnic Food Tour
Argyle Red Line Station, 1118 W. Argyle Ave.
If somehow you didn't manage to eat enough on Thanksgiving, the Ethnic Food Tour people are here for you. The 1.5-mile walking tour stops at Chicago's first Vietnamese banh mi shop, a Middle Eastern market, a Prohibition-era bar serving Swedish holiday glögg, the historic Swedish Bakery, an Italian deli and Mexican panaderia. Dig in. 11:30 a.m. Friday. $49.
24th Annual Wreathing of the Lions
Art Institute Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.
The Art Institute's famous lions get all decked out for the holiday season during the 24th annual ceremony. Enjoy the free festivities with complimentary hot chocolate and stroll over to the Ryan Education Center for a holiday wreath workshop using winter images from the museum’s collection. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Friday followed by the workshop from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.
Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon Opens (Friday-end of March)
Maggie Daley Park, 337 E. Randolph St.
Now in its second year, the ribbon offers a new twist to the cardiovascular workout of ice skating as the path winds through a rolling landscape with the Chicago skyline as its backdrop. Part ice rink, part racetrack, the ribbon dips and bobs with the ebb and flow of the city on this quarter-mile, 20-foot-wide course. Get out there. Noon-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon-10 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free, skate rentals are $12 and locker rentals cost $2.
ZooLights Kicks Off (Friday-Jan.3)
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St.
Celebrate the holidays with wildlife in the city and over 2 million lights at this annual holiday outing. Aside from the animals themselves, the event features 3-D luminous displays, musical light shows, ice carving, photos with Santa and plenty of other seasonal activities, including another opportunity for an outdoor skate.The zoo lights up from 4:30-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday through Dec. 6; and daily from Dec. 11 through Jan. 3. Free.
'Sound of Music' Sing-a-Long (Through Dec. 6)
Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.
A few of our favorite things include yelling out every word to "Do-Re-Mi" while dressed like a nun. You can accomplish both at Music Box's Sound of Music Sing-a-Long, which includes on-screen lyrics right along with the classic Julie Andrews musical. Plus a costume contest.1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. Through Dec. 6.
Also on tap Saturday:
Kids Nite Out-Cook & Craft
The Kids' Table, 2337 W. North Ave.
Kids ages 4 and up learn to make their own dinner. Saturday's menu includes a build-your-own pizza, salad skewers with green goddess dressing and frozen chocolate banana pops. 6 p.m. Saturday. $40 per child.
Winter Flower and Train Show (Friday-Jan. 3)
Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Drive
The conservatory gets a holiday makeover with poinsettias, sparkling lights, trees and model trains. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Jan. 3. Free.
Holiday Remix: Folk and Craft Art Made from Recyclable Materials
Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N. Broadway
Do some sustainable holiday shopping at the Holiday Remix Fair: where the crafts are all made from recycled and found objects. There will also be live music and 12 eco-friendly workshops throughout the day. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday. Free.
Chill Factor: 10th Annual Thanksgiving Bash
Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Avenue West
Dance off the Thanksgiving pounds to Top 40, R&B, and Afro Pop music from DJ Dee Money, DJ 3K and a guest DJ at the 10th annual Chill Factor. 9 p.m. Saturday. $20-$30.
'A Christmas Carol' at Goodman Theatre (Continues through Dec.27)
Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.
Now that Thanksgiving's officially over, get into the Christmas spirit with Goodman's "A Christmas Carol." The 38th annual performance stars longtime Chicago actor Larry Yando reprising his role as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Dec. 27. Tickets start at $26.
Also happening Sunday:
Handel's 'Judas Maccabeus' (Sunday-Monday)
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
Hear Frederic's Handel's "Judas Maccabeus" conducted by Jane Glover, director of opera at the Royal Academy of Music. 3 p.m. Sunday with an additional 7:30 p.m. Monday performance at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. $27-$75.
– Sean Keenehan contributed.
Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.
