Annual Chicago Events - December 2009

Chicago Calendar of Annual Events: JAN | FEB | MARCH | APRIL | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUG | SEPT | OCT | NOV | DEC

As the holidays kick into high-gear, find your favorite annual Chicago events here. Check back often as new events are continually added.

Related: Chicago Christmas Events - Top Picks | Chicago Hanukkah Events - Top Picks

1. Christkindlmarket - Dates TBD
   This open-air market favorite draws vendors from around the world.
   
   
2. CTA Santa Train - - Dates TBD
   The CTA rolls out its 6-car moving Santa fest on a line near you.
   
   
3. Chicago Park District Winter Holiday Happenings - - Dates TBD
   The CPD offers festive holiday programming at many locations.
   
   
4. Christmas Around the World - Dates TBD
   The Museum of Science and Industry's popular holiday event.
   
   
5. Roscoe Village Holiday Tree Lighting, Winter Stroll, and Winter Fest - Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6
   Roscoe Village welcomes the holiday season with this festival of lights and merriment.
   
   
6. 34th Annual Lill Street Holiday Show - Dates TBD
   Pottery sale and craft show at the buzzing north side arts center.
   
   
7. The Snow Queen - Dates TBD
   The Victory Gardens Theater celebrates the season with their annual version of the Hans Christian Anderson tale.
   
   
8. Zoolights - Dates TBD
   Lions, tiger, and lights - oh holiday my.
   
   
9. Radio City Xmas Spectacular with the Rockettes - - Dates TBD
   The ladies kick it into Christmas. And I mean kick it.
   
   
10. Chanticleer Men's Choir Holiday Concert - - Dates TBD
    Popular all men's a cappella group returns to the Fourth Presbyterian Church for their holiday concert.
    
    
11. Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - Dates TBD
    This favorite Chicago tradition turns 95 this year and gets a new date.
    
    
12. Merchandise Mart - One of a Kind Sale - - Dates TBD
    Arguably, the city's best holiday show. It's open to the public.
    
    
13. Lincoln Square Christkindlmarket - - Dates TBD
    Chicago has no shortage of neighborhoods with German roots. Lincoln Square celebrates theirs with this festive holiday market.
    
    
14. Caroling at the Bean - Dates TBD
    The Cloud Gate sculpture, aka the Bean, sits near the western edge of Millennium Park along Michigan Ave. between Madison and Washington Sts. Caroling will run on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. It's free and all are welcome.
    
    
15. Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier- Dates TBD
    Navy Pier's winter bouncy castle, ice skating, and holiday merriment extravaganza.
    
    
16. Black Nativity (A Gospel Musical) - Dates TBD
    The Congo Square Theatre's spirited and popular holiday tradition brightens up the Green St. Theatre this holiday season.
    
    
17. Julmarknad - Dates TBD
    Andersonville's Swedish American Museum's holiday fest spills into the neighborhood every year. Features Scandinavian crafts, kaffestuga, Lucia processions, and more. 5211 N. Clark.
    
    
18. Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade - Dates TBD
    Motorcycles bringing toys for kids who need them. Isn't that the epitome of the Christmas spirit?
    
    
19. Dance-Along Nutcracker - Dates TBD
    The Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E. Washington Street hosts sugar-plum fairies and toy soldiers in this annual favorite. Dance sessions will be held at noon and 3 p.m. Bring your favorite dancer of any age and celebrate with professional dancers and musicians in Preston Bradley Hall.
    
    
20. Holiday Yuletacular - Dates TBD
    Strawdog Theatre's annual holiday "funtastic" event.
    
    
21. Second City's 8th Annual 24-HOUR Improv Benefit with Jeff Tweedy- Dates TBD
    You'd be right to assume that Jeff Tweedy is playing or improvising music, but, if you've ever seen him live, you know he's got a wit as worthy of the Second City stage as his music is of the Grammy's stage. Benefits needy children.
    
    
22. Miracle on State Street - Dates TBD
    Popular local radio station hosts this annual concert to help LaRabida Children's Hospital.
    
    
23. Second Annual Art Bash on Elston - Dates TBD
    Head to 2211 N. Elston for this local artisans holiday fair.
    
    
24. Chicago Gay Men's Chorus - Dates TBD
    The CGMC celebrates the holidays in their one-of-a-kind style every year.
    
    
25. SantaCon Bar Crawl - Dates TBD
    A santa-hatted annual drinking favorite.
    
    
26. Historic Holidays on Prairie Avenue - Dates TBD
    Enjoy horse-drawn sleighs, Santa, crafts, period decorations, and more at Chicago's Glessner House Museum.
    
    
27. Candelight Tours of Glessner House Museum and Clark House Museum - Dates TBD
    Dip into these Victorian homes and experience them as they might have been during the holidays of yesteryear.
    
    
28. Rudolph Ramble - Dates TBD
    This 8K run/walk for the hardiest among us departs from Lincoln Park and features the jolly fat man, a Donner dash for kids, and lots of elves while benefiting the indispensable Children's Memorial Hospital.
    
    
29. The Nut Tapper - Dates TBD
    This tap-dancing holiday favorite takes place at the Athenaeum Theater.
    
    
30. TubaChristmas - Dates TBD
    Ooom-pa-pa-fa-la-la-la. The annual tuba concert, in honor of the late musician William J. Bell who was born on Christmas Day, is a nationwide celebration and a Chicago treat. This year's concert will sound in the Palmer House's Grand Ballroom at 2:30 p.m.
    
    
31. Christmas Yule! at the CSO - Friday, December 18 through Wednesday, December 23
    The holiday tradition at Symphony Center features sing-a-longs, Santa, and more.
    
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