So before I begin, let me first ask if you spent all your dough during Black Friday. If so, please revert your eyes to the weekend post from LAST weekend, which had a couple of FREE activities for you to attend.
Otherwise, if you were a scrooge and hoarded your money instead, check out some of the fun events going on in Chicago this weekend. And if you can believe it (SPOILER ALERT!) some of them are not Christmas related!
According to Metro Mix, the bar Faith and Whiskey is celebrating the 77th anniversary of the 21st amendment to the constitution by offering an abundance of liquor. Can you believe our grandparents had to suffer through a time
when alcohol was illegal? Good thing my ancestors are Italian and didn’t have to experience that problem.
A brief history lesson (perhaps you should also re-take 8th grade history, but no judgment): in December 1917, Congress passed the 18th amendment abolishing liquor. People were discouraged from drinking liquor in a similar fashion as people today are discouraged from smoking marijuana. Funny how history repeats itself…anyway, this was abolished via the 21st amendment and the ratification process was completed on December 5, 1933 – hence the purpose of this celebration! Perhaps there is hope for those stoners out in California after all…
Faith and Whiskey is featuring drink specials and a burlesque show on Friday, December 3rd.
Faith and Whiskey, 1365 W. Fullerton Avenue
(2) First Friday’s, Museum of Contemporary Art
I have featured First Friday’s once before but feel very strongly about them and wanted to highlight the December one as well.
This month is called “Holidaze” and the first 200 guests will receive goody bags filled with fine treats (that you could probably re-gift!). Check out their website for pricing and details. It might be worth stimulating your intelligent side this season – for some reason people seem to go dumb in December.
Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Avenue
(3) Green City Market
Just because summer is over doesn’t mean the farmers markets have to go away. Visit the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum every Wednesday and Saturday through December 22nd. Runs on Saturday from 8:00a – 1:00p. For those early-birds it’s the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the retail shops. I mean, where else will you
find fresh, organic vegetables in the middle of winter? That are also AFFORDABLE?? Certainly not at Whole Foods, my friend. Impress your friends and family during the holidays with your fresh and delicious produce – even if it’s only for decoration, which is what I will be doing (have I mentioned that I don’t know how to cook ANYTHING except macaroni and cheese?).
This Saturday will feature a free cooking demonstration at 10:30am by Stephanie Izzard from The Girl and the Goat. Crap, I think it might actually be time for learn to make something with the tools I earned at my wedding shower…..
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 North Cannon Drive
(4) Ice Skating at Millennium Park
Get there early because now everyone thinks they are Patrick Kane. Bringing your own skates will speed up the process and make it less expensive. Renting skates can be a bit of a pain in the butt (and also $10), but again, as
long as you are there early, it won’t be as big a deal.
Most days it’s open from 10:00am – 8:00pm, but Friday and Saturday will find you circling the rink until 10:00pm. It also runs through early March, so don’t feel you have to fit it in before Christmas.
Millennium Park, 350 East Monroe Street
(5) Revert to some of the previous places I have mentioned
I have offered up a variety of cool, fun and free things to do in some of my previous articles, and since I am green and an avid recycler, I will also recycle some of my older ideas.
- Lincoln Park Zoo has the free zoo lights running through the New Year. You will also get to see some of our friendly local winter animals out and about and in full force. Even the lions attempt to wake up for a few minutes for their photo ops.
- Macy’s on State Street has decorated their windows once again. Hit up the near-by Starbucks or Argo Tea and grab a hot beverage before making your way around the store. Inside you will find their large and ornate Christmas tree. A free event unless you buy something….
- Christkindlemarket is in full force at the Daley Plaza. The tree has been lit, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. Many of the same stands have returned for another year, so grab yourself a sausage, hot wine and German ornament and really feel yourself transported to Germany this Christmas.
Be hip(po)! Have fun! Celebrate feeling like a kid again when you see all of the sparkly Christmas lights! But most importantly, 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!