(Courtesy of Chicago Toy & Game Fair)
1. Play
Get your game on at the 2022 Holiday Chicago Toy & Game Fair, where you can play with the latest toys and games, including giant Jenga. Be sure to check out the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, performances by magicians and the North American Rummikub Championship (Saturday).
Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $10; $5 for kids / MAP
Find more holiday events: Chicago 2022 Holiday Events Guide
2. Shop
More than 30 artists and makers showcase their wares at the Chicago Art Department Holiday Market. Enjoy live music, hot-spiced drinks and live workshops while you browse.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday at Chicago Art Department, 1926 S. Halsted St. Free / MAP
3. Hark
Every December since 1879, the Apollo Chorus of Chicago has performed “Händel’s Messiah.” That annual holiday tradition continues with a pair of performances by the oldest performing-arts organization in Illinois.
Details: 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. $12-$35 / MAP
4. Weave
Get in on the tufting trend and Make Your Own Rug. In just a few hours, you’ll transform stitches of yarn into a tufted rug. Before you go, pick an image you’d like to make into a rug. Organizer recommend using images with bold colors.
Details: 6 p.m. Friday; 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday. 1 p.m. Sunday at Freestyle Ceramics, 2927 S. Archer Ave. $78 / MAP
5. Wrap
Pretty paper and ribbons of all colors make for beautiful holiday gifts, but also mean lots of trash. This year create your own compostable, recyclable or reusable materials at the DIY Sustainable Gift Wrap event.
Details: 1-5 p.m. Saturday at Rebuilding Exchange Evanston, 1245 Hartrey Ave., Evanston. Free; $2 suggested donation per package / MAP
(Ylanite Koppens / Pixabay)
6. Search
Looking for unique gifts that are more eco-friendly? Find the perfect present at The Trashy Holiday Market that features goods from artisans who transform reclaimed materials, repurpose items and promote zero-waste activities.
Details: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday at KOVAL Distillery, 4241 Ravenswood Ave. Free / MAP
7. Tune in
Traditional Irish carols, including the ancient Gaelic carol “Dia do Bheatha,” and holiday classics like “Sleigh Ride,” are among the seasonal selections featured in “Celtic Woman: A Christmas Symphony.” The Irish harp, bagpipes and bodhran drum are joined by a full live orchestra.
Details: 7 p.m. Sunday at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. $47-$158 / MAP
8. Mingle
Hot cocoa, holiday crafts, like ornament and tree decorating, and a toy “gift away” are on tap at Englewood Winterfest, which provided holiday gifts to more than 450 kiddos in the community last year.
Details: 2-6 p.m. Saturday at West 64th and South Honore streets. Free / MAP
9. Create
The winter installment of Hyde Park Center’s quarterly series, Center Days, features a performance by Fourth Coast Ensemble, a holiday art sale, and art-making activities, including how to make stamps from discarded materials.
Details: 1-4 p.m. Saturday at Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave. Free / MAP
10. Glimpse
“Vivian Maier: In Color” features 65 images snapped by the famous suburban nanny who turned her lens on the streets of Chicago and surrounding suburbs from the 1950s to the 1970s. Get a sneak peek via this “Chicago Tonight” story.
Details: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 31 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. $19; $17 for seniors and students; free for kids under 18 / MAP
(Courtesy the estate of Vivian Maier)
Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.
