Whether you’re ready or not, the holidays are here! December is here and it’s bringing with it the holiday spirit. This year, December has plenty of events, places, activities, and parties to attend.
What: Morton Arboretum Holiday Lights
Where: Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle Illinois
When: Now and until January 1st
Price: $6–$13 (children), $12–$20 (adults)
Website: www.mortonarb.org/events/illumination-tree-lights-morton-arboretum
The Morton Arboretum is hosting its annual celebration of lights, Illuminations: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum. This year’s festivities will warm up those shivering on cold winter nights with a light show. This year, viewers will be treated to a light medallion. The light medallion is an innovative technology that uses interactive lights. When you purchase and wear this light pendant, you will experience a new sensation: as you walk through the winter, it will change color, brightness, and vibrate depending on what is happening around it. Don’t wait and head out this weekend for a walk through the winter wonderland! The light show ends on New Year’s Day.
What: St. Lucia Festival of Lights
Where: Swedish-American Museum
5211 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL
When: December 13 at 16:45
Price: $1 or a can of food for Care for Real
Website: www.andersonville.org/events-2/st-lucia-festival-of-lights
The Festival of Lights of Saint Lucia, one of the traditional Swedish holidays, will be held on December 13 this year. In Andersonville, along Clark Street, there will be a torchlight procession with specially selected “Lucia” girls. The girls in long white dresses and beautiful crowns will hold candles in their hands and sing “Lucia’s Song”. Anyone can take part in this candlelight procession.
What: Holiday Movies at Chicago Breweries
Where: Lagunitas Brewing Company, Baderbräu Tap & Kitchen
2607 W. 17th St., Chicago, IL & 2515 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL
When: December 11–19
Price: $20
Website: www.eventbrite.com/e/time-outs-ultimate-holiday-movie-series-chicago-lagunitas-brewing-company-love-actually-tickets-39991464547
What’s better than watching Christmas movies with your loved ones? I can’t think of anything. This year, two local Chicago breweries will be opening their doors and arms to people from all over Chicagoland. Moviegoers will be treated to modern favorites like Elf and Love Actually, as well as holiday classics like It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. Full showtime schedules and locations can be found on both breweries’ websites. The breweries will be showing movies on different nights, so check the schedule to confirm the date and location. Tickets are $20 and include admission to the show, a free beer, and popcorn all night. Bring your significant other along for a fun night.
What: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Where: Allstate Arena 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Chicago, IL
When: December 28
Price: $70 and up
Website: www.rosemont.com/allstate/events/trans-siberian-orchestra
What Christmas would be complete without a performance by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra? These Christmas metal gods are coming to the Allstate Arena with their guns blazing to bring you some holiday cheer. This year’s show, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” is sure to be a blast. And it doesn’t matter that the show is after Christmas. That doesn’t mean you can’t see this legendary band.
What: Chanukah Wonderland
Where: Northbrook Court Shopping Centre
2171 Northbrook Ct., Northbrook, IL
When: December 10–18
Price: $10 kids
Website: www.chabadnorthbrook.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/3862391/jewish/Chanukah-Wonderland.htm
Start your Hanukkah celebration off right at the Hanukkah Wonderland Festival in Northbrook. Sponsored by the Chabad Israeli Center and Chabad of Northbrook, the festival aims to bring the magic of Hanukkah to the North Shore community. Fun activities, which cost $10 to participate, include decorating mugs with Hanukkah symbols, painting Hanukkah tops, and making your own Hanukkah candle. There will be plenty of craft workshops, face painting, and even a Hanukkah top trampoline. Bring the kids and treat yourself to a little holiday shopping right here at Northbrook Court.
What: Believe Holiday Pop-Up Bar
Where: The Orbit Room 2959 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL
When: Now until December 31st
Price: FREE
Website: chicago.eater.com/2017/11/28/16710254/orbit-room-pop-up-christmas-holiday-believe-photos-images-cocktails
Can you “Believe It”?! This year, local Avondale bar Orbit Room is wrapping up its 10-year run and is celebrating with a spontaneous bar to spread the joy one last time. The program includes Christmas cocktails, space elves on the shelves, and good cheer. Among the festive cocktails on offer is the Milky Way Eggnog, which is made with cognac, rum, sherry, spiced demerara sugar, a whole egg, cream, and nutmeg. Sounds like something supernatural! The menu is full of references to beloved Christmas movies, such as space coffee snow as an allusion to the coffee in Elf. Orbit Room will be closing its doors for good on December 31st and will be hosting one last New Year’s Eve party, which will also serve as a farewell. So come and “Believe It” with Orbit Room before they close for good.