CHICAGO — Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend, Black Friday and the holiday season with events across the city.
There’s ice skating at Millennium Park, Small Business Saturday markets and celebrations, a holiday market at the National Museum of Mexican Art, “The Wizard of Oz” performances by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, an Irish American Christmas Bazaar and more.
There’s also a book launch at the Ukrainian National Museum, an Albanian Independence Day Car Parade and many other events to check out this holiday weekend.
Here’s a roundup of 15 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
All Weekend
Millennium Park Ice Skating
11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. daily (through Feb. 2)
Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.
Skate between the city’s skyscrapers at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, which returned to Millennium Park earlier this month. Skate rentals start at $16; skate aides, skate sharpening and lockers rentals are available for additional fees of $2-$10. Free skating lessons are offered 9-10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Reserve tickets and learn more here.
Mercado Navideño
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Sunday
National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.
The annual Mexican holiday market features handmade keepsakes from Mexico, including unique Christmas ornaments, nativity scenes, clothing and jewelry. Learn more here.
The Wizard Of Oz In Concert
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.
From “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” to “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will be performing Herbert Stothart’s “The Wizard of Oz” score as the classic Technicolor film plays on the big screen.
Tickets start at $45. Learn more and buy tickets here.
Friday
Black Friday Potluck & Marketplace
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday
Space Share Lab, 4445 S. King Drive, 2nd Floor (side entrance)
Celebrate Thanksgiving and Black Friday weekend at this community event with food, vendors and music. There will be artisans selling hand-crafted jewelry from Maasailand, Kenya and beyond.
The event is free to attend. Learn more and RSVP here.
Friday After Thanksgiving At Begyle
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday
Begyle Brewing, 1800 W. Cuyler Ave.
To celebrate Thanksgiving weekend and the Black Friday spirit, Begyle Brewing is opening an hour early and offering $6 pints of Christmas Ale all day long. There will also be a Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders watch party at 2 p.m., El Zorro tacos 3-8 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. happy hour.
Learn more here.
Tony Levin Meet-And-Greet
4 p.m. Friday
Reckless Records Wicker Park, 1379 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Famed bassist Tony Levin, known for his work with King Crimson and Peter Gabriel, will be at Reckless Records to sign copies of his latest album, “Bringing It Down to the Bass,” including an exclusive espresso-colored double vinyl. Learn more here.
Book Launch At Ukrainian National Museum
7 p.m. Friday
Ukrainian National Museum, 2249 W. Superior St.
The Ukrainian National Museum is celebrating Thanksgiving weekend with a book launch. Daniel Hryhorczuk will be at the museum to present his new novel, “The Dark Night of the Soul,” and share stories behind his work. Attendees can also purchase a copy and get it signed by the author.
Admission is $10.
Saturday
Bronzeville Small Business Saturday
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Absolutely Anything Essential Gift Shop, 3521 S. King Drive
Chicagoans can support small businesses while enjoying a South Side holiday season kickoff at this Small Business Saturday event, which features more than 20 vendors, service providers and small business owners. There will also be a tree lighting in the evening.
Admission is free. There will also be breakfast for an additional $20 and an assorted soap box for $15 with online RSVP. Learn more and sign up online.
Ravenswood Holly Jolly Trolley
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Various Ravenswood businesses
In honor of Small Business Saturday, the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is bringing back a local tradition: the Holly Jolly Tolley, which takes people through the neighborhood and stops at local stores and artisans to encourage neighbors to shop small.
Trolley stops include Hazel Gift Store, Bad Coffee, Chicago Artisan Market, Urban Pooch, Is/Was Brewing, Salsa’s Family Market and Amy’s Candy Bar. Learn more here.
Logan Square Makers Market & Bar Hop
1-6 p.m. Saturday
Various Logan Square locations
This Logan Square Makers Market and Bar Hop returns for Small Business Saturday with 35 vendors selling handmade goods like candles, jewelry, bath products, artwork, knitwear, prints and more. The market doubles as a bar hop across three locations: Revolution Brewing, 2323 N. Milwaukee Ave.; Navigator Taproom, 2211 N. Milwaukee Ave. #100; and Pilot Project Brewing, 2140 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The event is free to attend. Learn more here.
Far South CDC Marketplace
3-7 p.m. Saturday
Far South CDC Marketplace, 837 W. 115th St.
Chicagoans can shop from nine Black-owned, South Side businesses at this West Pullman marketplace for Small Business Saturday. Alongside local vendors selling everything from clothing to natural hair care to handmade wood carvings, there will also be complimentary holiday photos, doughnuts, hot chocolate, crafts, raffles and more.
Participating businesses include Be Original Clothing, Bomb Beauty Boutique, Cherish a Peace of Nature, Cosmic Creole, Javez Java Coffee Roastery, Kraft It Up, Max Candle Co, Naturals by Nette and Vessels of the Paut Neteru.
Register for free here.
Sunday
Irish American Christmas Bazaar
9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave.
The Irish American Heritage Center’s Christmas Bazaar returns with more than 100 vendors selling food, crafts, jewelry and more. There will also be live Irish music and dancing, children’s games, stories and crafts, a visit from Santa, Irish treats and a free gift-wrapping station.
The event will kick off with Sunday Mass followed by a traditional Irish breakfast, live music and dancing. Breakfast tickets are $10-$20 online. Learn more here.
Edison Park Kringle Krawl
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
Various Edison Park locations
Edison Park neighbors can explore their neighborhood with this free, family-friendly holiday event. Starting at Rebel Barbershop, 6700 N. Northwest Highway, “krawlers” will pick up a card and add stickers to it as they visit 17 other participating Edison Park shops, like A+ Italian Steak House, 6674 Apothecary, Tony’s Italian Deli & Subs and more.
Once completed, participants can turn their card in at Edison Park Inn, 6715 N. Olmsted Ave., for a pizza party and a chance to win $500. Learn more here.
Albanian Independence Day Car Parade
Noon Sunday
900 S. Columbus Drive
Organized by the Albanian Community of Illinois, this fifth annual car parade is back on this weekend to celebrate Albanian Independence Day. The parade starts at 900 S. Columbus Drive.
Find more information and the full route here.
Edgebrook Tree Lighting
2-5 p.m. Sunday
Baird & Warner, 5430 W. Devon Ave., and other locations
Edgebrook neighbors can visit with Santa and write him letters at Baird & Warner, enjoy holiday crafts at Creativo, 6324 N. Central Ave., and conclude the day with a tree lighting 4:45 p.m. at the Edgebrook Triangle.
There will also be a Cookie Walk through the neighborhood hosted by Everyday Edgebrook. Learn more and find a list of participating businesses here.
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