November Festivals

November

November 4-5: Stars, Stories & S'mores

Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, S. Western Ave. & W. 87th Fri 5:30-8 p.m. 312.415-2970. Storytelling, astronomy and more. LaBagh Woods, on Cicero north of Foster. Sat 5-8 p.m. 773.857.8899 Experience.Nature@cookcountyil.gov

November 4-20: Chicago International Children’s Film Festival

Watch diverse short films for people age 2-25 that you won’t find on commercial streaming. Enjoy inperson and virtual CICFF 39th anniversary special events and Q&As. The oldest children’s film festival in the U.S. and the largest in the world, CICFF screens on average 250 films from 50 nations, making it a global hub for filmmakers. facets.org/cicff

November 5: Hot Chocolate 5K/10K/15K

Grant Park, 301 S. Columbus Drive 7 a.m. Enjoy a beautiful run through the city’s most scenic spots. Then, celebrate your victory with fellow chocolatiers at the post-race party. Stuff your face with decadent fondue, and pose for photos with race mascots Marsha and Mello. You can register for the event at hotchocolate15k.com

November 4-27: Black Harvest Film Festival

at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. The 28th annual event showcases films that celebrate, explore, and share the Black, African American and African Diaspora experience. In-person events are November 4-20 and virtual events November 21-27. Festival passes go on sale October 4, and full lineup of feature films, short film programs, special events, filmmakers and artists in attendance will be announced in mid-October at siskelfilmcenter.org/blackharvest

November 4 - 5: Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer

Credit Union 1 Arena, 525 S. Racine Ave. Fri. 6 - 10 p.m., Sat. 1 - 5 p.m. ImBIBE entry one hour earlier. The 20th annual FoBAB features the rarest, most innovative brews from all over the world. All beer, cider, mead, and perry (made from fermented pears) featured at FoBAB has been aged in wooden barrels at some point. Breweries also compete for top honors in the National Barrel-Aged Beer Competition. General admission with three tasting sessions starts at $85. www.fobab.com

November 5-20: 34th annual Polish Film Festival in America (PFFA)

The PFFA is the most extensive annual showcase of Polish cinema outside of Poland and the largest Polish cultural event outside Poland. The opening night gala reception with Polish film stars and the closing night gala and award ceremony will both be at the AMC New City, 1500 N. Clybourn Ave., with other screenings at the AMC Rosemont and AMC Village Crossing 18 in Skokie. Visit pffamerica.com or call 773.486.9612 for more information.

November 12 - 13: Randolph Street Holiday Market

1341 W. Randolph St. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. More than 125 vendors sell vintage and modern housewares, fashion for men/women/ children, hostess gifts on three floors of Plumbers Hall. Tickets $10+ at eventbrite.com

November 18 - December 31: Christkindlmarket

at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., Sun. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; special hours Nov. 24 & Dec. 24 (11 a.m. - 4 p.m.) at Wrigleyville, Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St. Mon-Thurs 3-9 p.m., Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thanksgiving (Nov. 24) Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31), 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Dec. 26-29, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora, Thurs 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri & Sat, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Thanksgiving (Nov. 24) & Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon., Dec. 19- Wed., Dec. 21 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545, the Christkindlmarket Chicago brings a cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Chicago. Unique shopping offers diverse holiday entertainment and original food and beverages like the imported mulled wine (Glühwein). Admission is always FREE. christkindlmarket.com

TBA: Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily Find your family’s traditions among the holiday trees from 50 diverse nations, decorated by 3,500 community volunteers. The exhibit is included with entry to the museum. www.msichicago.org/ explore/whats-here/exhibits/christmasaround-the-world

November 19: Heritage Day

Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave., South Holland, IL 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit this Cook County Forest Preserve site to learn about the cultural history of the Calumet region and people’s interaction with the land through demonstrations, living history and guided walks. FREE. More info at sandridge.naturecenter@cookcountygovernment.il or 708 868.0606.

November 19: Taste of Norway

Minnekirken, 2614 N. Kedzie. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Norwegians traditionally serve seven kinds of cookies during the holiday season, so the Norwegian Lutheran MemorialChurch – the Red Church on Logan Square – helps out with a cookie sale and rice porridge on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Purchase your choice of Berlinerkranser, Brune pinner, Finske pinner, Krumkaker, Serinakaker, Pepperkaker, Peppernotter, Sandnotter, Sirupsnipper, and spritz cookies. One of two churches in the U.S. that still uses the Norwegian language, Minnekirken also holds weekly services. Modeled after the Bragernes Church inDrammen, Norway, the edifice dates to 1912, when Chicago had the world’s third largest Norwegian population, after Oslo and Bergen. The red brick church and its bell tower have just undergone a twoyear, $725,000 restoration, funded in part by a $250,000 grant from the City of Chicago Adopt-a- Landmark Fund, which is paid by downtown developers’ fees. (Street- Wise Feb. 21-27, 2022 Vol. 30 No. 08)

November 19 & 20: Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

On Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to the Chicago River. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse lead the largest nighttime parade in the USA, with fabulous floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, celebrities, musical performances, Santa Claus, fireworks and more – illuminated by one million lights on The Avenue’s 200+ trees.

November 19 preview night at 4 p.m. with tree lighting at the Wrigley Building, 410 N. Michigan Ave., featuring Deborah Cox and the Chicago Carolers. www.themagnificentmile.com/lightsfestival

November 24: Thanksgiving Parade

On State St. from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street. 8 - 11 a.m. Enjoy the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in the morning, before you head home and dive into dinner. Each year, the parade features countless dance acts, giant balloons, floats, equestrian units, marching bands, live music and special guests. Volunteers are still needed as balloon handlers, banner carriers, block marshals, gift bag stuffers – and poo crew. Applications due by October 15 at www.chicagothanksgivingparade. com/2022-volunteer-positions

November 24: Turkey Trot

Lincoln Park, on Cannon Drive just north of Fullerton Ave. Race starts at 9 a.m. Gather your flock for this Thanksgiving Day tradition. Join fellow runners, joggers and walkers in a 5K, 8K and Plymouth Rock Ramble, while supporting the Greater Chicago Food Depository to ensure no Chicagoan will go hungry this holiday season. Race welcomes all ages and paces. Pre- and post-race activities include Corn Hole, Football Toss, Turkey Bowling, warm apple cider, and more. Register (fee up to $50) at turkeytrotchicago. com

November 25-27: Mercado Navideno

National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Holiday Market features exquisite handmade keepsakes from Mexico: Christmas ornaments, Nativity scenes, T-shirts and jewelry, and more. FREE.