‘Tis the weekend for the holiday event. We’ve got holiday concerts from Wilco, Andrew Bird, and Mumford & Sons. We’ve got holiday markets in theatres, arcade bars, and event halls. We’ve got TBOX, the mother of all holiday bar crawls, plus a holiday wine and truffle pairing. You can also run around the city in your ugly sweater looking at local street art, or check out some augmented reality art while shopping for needlessly expensive Christmas gifts at the Michigan Avenue Apple Store. Here’s everything you need to do in Chicago this weekend (and here's everything you need to do in Chicago all winter-long).
Get in the spirit by seeing Andrew Bird…in a church
Friday, December 13
Fourth Presbyterian Church
Andrew Bird’s highly anticipated winter-stylized Gezelligheid concert series returns to Fourth Presbyterian Church this week. Catch the final performance of this year’s five-night residency during this one-of-a-kind show from the prolific violin/glockenspiel-wielding indie rocker/Chicago native.
Cost: Sold out ($95+ on Stub Hub)
Rock for three straight nights at The Night We Stole Christmas
Friday, December 13 - Sunday, December 15
The Aragon
This year’s annual 101WKQX-sponsored live rock showcase features nightly performances from different headliners including Twenty One Pilots (Friday), Mumford & Sons (Saturday), and 311 (Sunday), with afterparies at the Cubby Bear.
Cost: $55 Sunday (Fri & Sat sold out)
Swear you’ll be good this year at the 12 Bars of Christmas
Saturday, December 14
Various Wrigleyville locations
It’s the 24th edition of this infamous Christmas-themed bar crawl that starts at 9 am, hits more than 30 bars, and ends with you passed out somewhere you shouldn’t be. Under a “meme” theme for 2019, this year’s edition includes meme scavenger hunts and costumes in addition to live bands, all-day karaoke, a breakfast buffet, and plenty of questionable behavior.
Cost: $23-$40
It’s not hard to feel festive during the holiday season -- especially when you break out the bubbly. When your weekend plans involve celebrating at home with friends or having the whole family over for a big dinner party, Mionetto Prosecco is perfect for toasting all your holiday moments. After all, good company deserves good prosecco.
Peep local street art in weird running clothes on the Chicago Ugly Sweater Art Run
Saturday, December 14
Leaves from Time Out Market
Don your fugliest holiday sweater and gather at Chicago’s new Time Out Market for this easy-paced 5K checking out local street art in the Fulton Market area, with photo stops along the way and a photo contest with prizes to follow.
Cost: $25
Take a break from Christmas cookies at Eataly’s Holiday Wine & Truffle Festa
Saturday, December 14
Eataly
Embrace Italian truffle season at Eataly’s seasonal restaurant Il Tartufo e Il Vino with a tasting of eight Italian wines paired with a selection of seasonal truffle-inspired bites like truffle pasta and more.
Cost: $42
Learn the meaning of joy at Wilco’s Winterlude
Sunday, December 15
Chicago Theatre
Chicago indie rock legends Wilco kick off their “Winterlude” four-night run of shows at the Chicago Theatre in support of new album, Ode to Joy. As if the show wasn’t great enough, you’re guaranteed to run into at least three randoms from high school.
Cost: Sold out ($57+ on Stub Hub)
Look into the future at [AR]T with Nick Cave & Chicago Children’s Choir
Sunday, December 15
Apple Store Michigan Avenue
Iconic Chicago artist Nick Cave will be showcasing his augmented reality art installation with a performance from the Chicago Children’s Choir and a conversation moderated by Karen Wong of NYC’s New Museum at the Apple Store Michigan Avenue.
Cost: Free
Get your annual aura reading at An Occult XMas Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Sunday, December 15
Den Theater
If you’re in search of “unique gifts for the creep in your life,” make your way down to this endlessly unique holiday market with 30+ local artists, witches, wizards, and seers offering tarot card/aura readings, cocktails, a vintage photo booth, and live giveaways.
Cost: $6
Get a personalized poem while eating fried chicken at the Made Holiday Pop Up
Sunday, December 15
Morgan Manufacturing
Make your own holiday greeting card or get a personalized poem written on a vintage typewriter as you explore handmade offerings from 80 artists, paired with a full bar and eats from Harold’s Chicken Shack and Fat Shallot trucks.
Cost: Free
Get messy with sexy Santa at Emporium’s A Hot Mess Holiday
Sunday, December 15
Emporium Wicker Park
Live holiday music, Instagrammable pop ups, cocktail specials, professional holiday photos with “sexy Santa," gift wrapping, a bake sale -- and, of course, vintage arcade games -- are the order of the day at this laid-back Sunday afternoon get-together.
Cost: No cover
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