Calendar

THE LATEST HAPPENINGS THIS FALL AND WINTER EDITED BY MACAIRE DOUGLAS

Science + You at The Kohl Children’s

Museum Kohl Children’s Museum offers a hands-on childsized laboratory to explore how scientists impact their health and wellness. kohlchildrens museum.org

Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement at The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education

Center Blending together historic images and artifacts of the LBBTQ+ rights movement, the 85 items on display in Rise Up include posters from Harvey Milk’s campaign for public office in San Francisco, a rainbow flag in its original colors signed by its creator Gilbert Baker, and early LGBTQ magazines and publications. Ilholocaustmuseum.org

The Office Experience

Fan of the beloved hit series The Office, this event is for you. Have you ever wanted to sit at Pam’s desk? Visit Schrute Farms? Grab your timed-entry tickets in advance, as the pop-up will only be in town through Jan. 17, 2022. theoffice experience.com

Macy’s Holiday

Windows Don’t miss this fun holiday tradition and while you are there check out the Great Tree inside of the historic Walnut Room. macys.com/chicago-il

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at the Museum of Science and Industry

Explore rich holiday traditions from around the globe while creating your own traditions with loved ones. This year the museum is celebrating the golden age of travel with themed décor and a spotlight on the Pioneer Zephyr train and Take Flight’s 727. Pay a visit to Santa in his festive studio inside the Holiday Store. Reservations required to visit Santa. msichicago.org

Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park

It’s a classic Chicago winter activity! Skate on a ribbon of ice with the city as a backdrop. Reservations are required. maggiedaleypark.com

DEC. 7-23: Q Brothers Christmas Carol at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier

Chicago hip hop sensations the Q Brothers will heat up the holidays with a entertaining 80-minute ad-rap-tation of Charles Dickens’ classic. chicagoshakes.com

Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza

DEC. 16: Adults Night Out: Holidaze at Lincoln

Park Zoo From 6:30 - 10 p.m., guests can enjoy unique animal chats, educational entertainment, a live DJ, and multiple bars throughout the zoo. Proceeds help the zoo stay free and open 365 days a year. lpzoo.org

DEC. 18-19: Renegade

Craft Fair The Renegade is a special event where the best of community and creativity merge as hundreds of local artists and small

businesses set up in the Revel Fulton Market. Join in this holiday and sip on a spiced cocktail as you shop. renegadecraft.com/city/ chicago

THRU DEC. 19: Holly Jolly Concert with the Lake Forest Civic

Orchestra A family holiday concert, The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra is a true community orchestra bringing professional and accomplished amateur musicians together from the area to perform Sunday concerts at its home, Gorton Community Center. gortoncenter.org

THRU DEC. 20: Evanston Art Center’s Winter Arts & Crafts

Expo One of the largest and most celebrated craft shows, the annual Winter Expo features original arts and crafts by over 140 selected artisans, featuring works of jewelry, ceramics, fiber, metal, glass, painting, photography, mixed-media, and more. evanstonartcenter.org

THRU DEC. 23: TransSiberian Orchestra at

Allstate Arena The holiday tradition returns to Rosemont to celebrate 25 years of their Christmas Eve and Other Stories album. 947wls.com

THRU DEC. 23-JAN. 2: Music Theater Works Presents Billy Elliot the Musical at the North Shore Center for the

Performing Arts The award-winning musical, based on the 2000 smash-hit film, will take the stage in Skokie this holiday season. musictheaterworks.com

ENDS DEC. 24: Christkindlmarket Daley Plaza and ENDS DEC. 31: Wrigleyville at

Gallagher Way Just in time to buy new slippers the Christkindlmarket is back! The German inspired village is filled with gifts, food and drinks and this year you will be able to visit the original location in Daley Plaza or in Wrigleyville. Admission is free. christkindlmarket.com

Museum of Science and Industry THRU DEC. 26: The Nutcracker by The

Joffrey Ballet This is a must see for the season! Christopher Wheeldon’s reimagined classic returns for the holidays. Follow young Marie and the Nutcracker Prince on a Christmas Eve journey through the 1893 World’s Fair, a dazzling spectacle of sights, sounds, and enchantment. This annual holiday tradition celebrates the magic of the season and the rich cultural heritage of Chicago. joffrey.org

THRU DEC. 30: Reindeer at Chalet

Nursery Get in the festive spirit at Chalet Nursery by surrounding yourself with lights, the smell of fresh trees which are for sale and reindeer. chaletnursery.com

THRU DEC. 31: A Christmas Carol at the

Goodman Theatre This year marks the 44th year of this perfect family tradition! goodmantheatre.org/carol

DEC. 31: Chicago New

Year’s Eve 5K Earn your right to party on New Year’s Eve and run into 2022 with the New Year’s Eve 5K! In 2021 they plan to have both virtual and in-person options available. Run in-person at their event site on December 31, or when you choose virtually between December 26 - January 3. The in-person event will include post-race celebration and champagne toast and virtual option will include swag mailed directly to you. newyearseve5k.com

DEC. 31: First Night

Evanston Celebrating its 25th year, First Night Evanston hosts performances throughout the evening, and is a family-friendly event. It will be virtual again this year, and host Corky Siegel will return. firstnightevanston.org

DEC. 31: Magic Parlor

New Year’s Eve Ring in the magic of the New Year at Chicago’s iconic Palmer House Hilton. The 90-minute performance will celebrate ten years of Dennis Watkin’s The Magic Parlour, and feature third generation magician Dennis Watkins as he performs magical wisdom passed down from his grandfather. themagicparlour chicago.com

ENDS JAN. 2: Willow

Hill’s Winter Magic A drive-thru Christmas lights experience will take place at Willow Hill Golf Course this winter. The family event will feature over one million lights, over 50 beautifully lit trees, and more. willowhillswintermagic.com

ENDS JAN. 2: The Dr.

Seuss Experience Get lost in the world of Dr. Seuss and interact with the characters and books you grew up loving. experienceseuss. com

THRU JAN. 9: Holiday Inn at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook

Terrace Based on the classic film, Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn is sure to be a hit for the whole family. The musical features the Academy Awardwinning “White Christmas.” drurylanetheatre.com

ENDS JAN. 19: Diana Krall at The Chicago

Theatre Selling over 15 million albums worldwide, Krall will perform her biggest jazz hits at the historic theatre. msg.com

Dennis Watkins, Magic Parlour’s NYE

ENDS JAN. 22: Disney’s Frozen at The Cadillac

Palace Theatre Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Disney award winning film. This will be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. cadillacpalacetheatre.com

JAN. 22-30: Proving Up at Lyric Opera

A haunting story of Nebraska homesteaders in the 1870s, this drama explores whether regular, hardworking people are able to fulfill their destiny — and what happens when their dreams turn into nightmares. lyricopera.com

BETTER EVENTS For the latest events and local highlights, visit better.net/chicago/arts-events.