With Christmas and New Years fastly approaching, here are some ideas for things to do this coming weekend and next week before the holidays come to an end.
Saturday, December 24, is the last day for the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza, which on the 24th is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as on the 23rd from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Christkindlmarket is Chicago's largest open-air Christmas festival. My top picks are Dinkel's hot chocolate and assorted holiday cookies, and the roasted chestnuts sold by several different vendors. (Tip: If the Dinkel's stand at the Christkindlmarket is out of cookies, they do have a store at TK Lincoln Avenue and sell a butter cookie holiday assortment by the pound.
After the Christkindlmarket, stroll past the Macy's Holiday Window Displays, which are located around the corner from the market on State Street, and also go inside Macy's and see its 45-foot Christmas tree in the famous Walnut Room. (Tip: During the week between Christmas and New Year's, having lunch at the Walnut Room is fun. The food is hit or miss but sitting by that gigant tree is worth both the wait (Can take a looonnngg time to get a seat.) and the mediocore food.
On Friday, December 23, kick off your Christmas weekend touring the free ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo, which are open that evening from 5 to 9 p.m. ZooLights is closed December 24 and 25 but reopends on the 26th and is open nightly through January 1, 2012.
Also on Friday, December 23, spend your day at the Museum of Science and Industry viewing their Christmas Around the World Exhitit that features over 50 trees and displays that are decorated by members of ethnic communities across the city to reflect holiday customs from all over the world. The exhibit includes performances from multiple dance and chorus groups, as well as a 45-foot tree in the museum's main hall that is decorated with ornaments.
Related Stories: Christmas in Chicago, including where to dine out on Christmas Day l New Year's Eve in Chicago l Chicago-Style Gift Ideas
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