A French circus. An anime convention. A two-toed sloth. And underground art in the Chicago Pedway. Some might call it madness. We call it mid-December. Here’s everything you need to do in Chicago this weekend.
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Attend a freaky French Christmas circus at Cirque Dreams
December 12-18
Chicago Theatre
This Cirque du Soleil-styled Christmas performance is not affiliated with the more famous Cirque du Soleil, but offers all the glorious weirdness you’ve come to expect from anything named “cirque” (the French word for “circus”) including acrobatics, original music, and over 300 costumes.
Cost: $28.50-$98.50
Discover underground (literally) art at Short-Cuts in the Chicago Pedway
December 14
Chicago Pedway
Friday is the last day of this new two-week pop-up art showcase at select locations in the Chicago Pedway, with Pedway-themed drawing from students at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a digital video exhibition, and poetry.
Cost: Free
Get tattooed at the Brooklyn Boulders BKBDAY 4 bash
December 14
Brooklyn Boulders
West Loop indoor rock climbing facility Brooklyn Boulders celebrates its fourth birthday with VR and augmented reality climbing experiences, live tattooing, and a meet and greet with a sloth. There will also be Deep Eddy vodka, beer from Brooklyn Brewery and 805 Beer, and eats from Honky Tonk BBQ and Bombo Bar, plus an afterparty at Bar Siena.
Cost: $10-$20; free for Brooklyn Boulders members
Indulge your oddball anime fantasies at Con+Alt+Delete
December 14-16
Hyatt Regency O’Hare
This celebration of Japanese animation and nerd culture includes cosplay, arcade gaming machines, voice actors, video game consoles, autographs, and anime screenings.
Cost: $50-$125
Eat, drink, and post cute photos at the Chicago Christmas Crawl
December 15
Various locations
This holiday-themed crawl around Old Town includes $3-$7 tasting options at participating establishments and a “holiday plate” for collecting stamps at each location to win prizes. And, yes, there will be plenty of silly photo props so you can show everyone how much fun you’re having.
Cost: Free
Explore various Christmas-themed heated snow domes at Wrigleyville Winter Wonderland
December 15
947 W. Roscoe
This new festival brings four heated snow domes to Wrigleyville with various themes including an ice cave, the North Pole, a tropical dome, and a Christmas wonderland plus snowboard demonstrations and artwork projected onto nearby buildings. Afterwards, hit various Christmas-themed pop-up bars around the neighborhood at Deuce’s & the Diamond Club, Country Club, and Stretch Bar & Grill.
Cost: Free
Do your thing at the Chicago Santa Crawl
December 15
River North
It’s a holiday-themed bar crawl around River North. Ugly sweaters are encouraged and admission includes a breakfast buffet, Santa hat, gift cards to use on the crawl, and drink specials.
Cost: $20
Party like a Saturday Night Live character at Schweddy Ball 2018
December 15
Museum of Broadcast Communications
Dress as your favorite SNL character or do your best Alec Baldwin/Molly Shannon impersonations at this event featuring live band karaoke, access to the Saturday Night Live: The Experience exhibit, Billy Goat “cheezborgers,” cocktails, and -- of course -- Schweddy Balls.
Cost: $75
Check out comics from artists of color at Pocket Con 2018
December 15
Chicago Cultural Center
This event for Chicago youth features work in the comic genre by underrepresented groups including artists of color and well as comics featuring a primary character who is black, along with artist vendors and workshops.
Cost: Free
Shop for records at the Delilah’s Holiday Record Shopping Extravaganza
December 15
Delilah’s
Because all shopping should involve beer, Chicago record labels including Bloodshot and Pravda showcase their wares as live DJs soundtrack your holiday shopping with Dogfish Head providing beer and prizes.
Cost: Free
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