December 2013 Calendar November 29, 2013 - December 1, 2013 Game Convention Wolfcon is for players of board games, computer games, and role-playing games at the Irish American Heritage Center.
December 7 - 8, 2013 Swedish Bazaar Julmarknad is a Christmas bazaar of Scandinavian food and gift items plus traditional entertainment at the Swedish American Museum.
December 1, 2013 Motorcycle Parade - Free Bring a toy to donate (except a stuffed animal), then watch or join the Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade at W 83rd St. and Western.
December 7 & 21, 2013 Handel’s Messiah It’s a holiday tradition to hear the joyful Handel’s Messiah sung by the Apollo Chorus of Chicago.
December 1, 2013 Toy Sale Browse new and vintage toys from 250 vendors at Tinley Park Annual Holiday Toy Show at Tinley Park High School.
December 8, 2013 Family Treasure Hunt Kids make four activity stops then have a tea party with entertainment and party favors at Treasure Hunt and Tea Party at the Art Institute.
December 1 - 24, 2013 (begins 11/26) Christmas Market - Free Christkindlmarket is an open-air European holiday market on Daley Plaza featuring traditional art, handmade gifts, German foods, choirs, carolers, and an opening ceremony.
December 11, 2013 Wine & Beer Tasting Holiday Cheers! is a seasonal tasting of local spirits, wines, and winter brews at Chicago Botanic Garden.
December 1 - 31, 2013 (dates below) Christmas Lights - Lincoln Park Zoo - Free ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo features millions of holiday lights, ice carvings, music, carousel and train rides, food and gift shopping (plus photos with Santa through Dec. 23). Runs Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1, 6-8, 13-23, 26-31 and Jan. 1-5. December 1 - 31, 2013 (dates below) Christmas Lights - Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic is a million twinkling lights, a laser light show, a magic show, animal visits, and songs at the Brookfield Zoo. Runs Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 26-31. December 1 - 31, 2013 (11/30-1/5) Flower and Train Show - Free Model trains wind their way through a miniature village among Poinsettias during the Winter Flower & Train Show at Lincoln Park Conservatory. December 1 - 31, 2013 (11/14-1/5) Holidays of Light See trees decorated to represent many cultures plus weekend ethnic song-and-dance performances during Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at the Museum of Science & Industry. December 5, 2013 Holiday Music Student musicians & singers perform secular seasonal hits and jazz variations at Joyola! at Loyola University. December 5 - 8, 2013 One of a Kind Show and Sale has 600 juried artists selling handmade gifts at Merchandise Mart. December 6 - 8, 2013 Giant Gift Fair Holiday Lights Gift and Craft Fair offers 500 booths for holiday shoppers at Arlington International Racecourse. Cost. December 6 - 28, 2013 Nutcracker Ballet Joffrey Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition that features brilliant costumes, fanciful scenery, entrancing storytelling and Tchaikovsky’s famous score played by the Chicago Philharmonic at the Auditorium Theatre. Cost. December 6, 2013 - January 12, 2013 Winter WonderFest - Free Festival Hall at Navy Pier becomes an indoor Winter WonderFest for the holidays, with music, carnival rides, and entertainment. Expect crowds.
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December 14 - 15, 2013 Holiday Market Randolph Street’s Holiday Market offers a mix of affordable antique, vintage, and modern goods in an indoor market at W Randolph & Washington. December 14 - 15, 2013 Model Train Show LEGO Train Show & Party features a huge diorama of trains that run past skyscrapers, brick mania, and kids’ crafts in Wheaton. Free except parking. December 30, 2013 New Year’s Eve - A Day Early Enjoy an open bar, appetizers, live music, dancing, and a silent auction at the black-tie-optional charity benefit EVE of the EVE, Chicago Union Station. December 31, 2013 New Year’s Eve - Fireworks Welcome the new year with New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Navy Pier at midnight. Free. New Year’s Eve - Navy Pier Crystal Gardens New Year’s Eve Party has dancing to mainstream music, party favors, an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast at midnight, and a terrace to watch the fireworks, at Navy Pier. New Year’s Eve - Drake Hotel NYE 2014 has 4 ballrooms with DJs, 45 bartenders, and a balloon drop at the Drake Hotel. New Year’s Eve - Palmer House NYE Soiree has 4 ballrooms with DJs, 80 bartenders, and a lavish buffet at Palmer House hotel. New Year’s Eve - Waldorf Astoria Enjoy a night of upscale fun and celebration at Entrepreneur’s Eve to benefit cancer research. New Year’s Eve - Hilton New Year’s Eve Gala 2014 plays top house, hip hop, dance, and top 40 in two ballrooms at Hilton Chicago. New Year’s Eve - Monster’s Ball New Year’s Eve Monster’s Ball is a costume party with drinks, appetizers, a zombie band, and a haunted house at Stage 773. New Year’s Eve - InterContinental New Year's Eve Rock ‘N’ Roll Ball features three music stages in three rooms (rock, party, and club) at the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare. WWW.WHATSUPXTRA.COM