Hello there Hippo Fans! Are you done stuffing your face with pie yet? If so, take advantage of your time off by checking out the fun activities around Chicago this weekend. You can burn off all of your turkey calories. And in all fairness to me, I am writing this blog while waiting for Thanksgiving dinner to be served, so my apologies it is shorter than normal. And just because I advocate physical activity after the all-out gorge fest doesn’t mean I myself will be partaking.
By the way, is it safe to officially consider it the holiday season yet? You be the judge!
The Art Institute of Chicago is hosting the official “wreathing of the lions” on Friday after Thanksgiving. If you are crazy
enough to be out shopping on the Mag Mile this Black Friday, you might as well get some free entertainment out of it. Good news is the 1st 200 people to show up will also get free museum admission, and it’s open late due to the holiday, so pleasure your eyes until 6:30pm!
Festivities start at 10:00am on Friday, November 26
Chicago Art Institute, 111 South Michigan Avenue
Good news, Bavarian fans! The Christkindlmarket is back and better than ever! Come join Hans and Gunter starting November 24th at the Daley Plaza for some great shopping and delicious treats.
The Daley Plaza tree lighting ceremony starts at 4:30pm on the 24th. Eat some sausage, drink some beer, buy some handmade ornaments – basically pretend you are German, yah!
Daley Plaza, between Dearborn, Washington and Clark
(3) Zoo Lights – Lincoln Park Zoo
Once again, I cannot help but emphasize the magnificence of free stuff to do in Chicago. The annual zoo lights are back, starting Friday, November 26th at Lincoln Park Zoo. Every night from 5p – 9p the zoo is open for spectators to come and see the many trees brilliantly illuminated. Your favorite furry winter creatures will also be out and about, and if you are lucky, 
the lions, tigers and monkeys might still be awake. Fair warning – even the winter cold can’t fight the ever present monkey smell in the monkey house.
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark Street
Be hip(po)! Have fun! Celebrate your turkey heartburn by spending way more money than necessary at 4:00am! But especially, have a safe weekend!
~Corie Scarpaci
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Listen to Ashley Lobo on Chicago radio,
WBIG AM 1280, Thursday mornings between 9-10,
with JoAnn & Ryan!