Events

You might have lights on the balcony of your Chicago condo, but have you seen the Licoln Park Zoo’s lights? Take your friends and family, and go see over 200 million lights! Zoolights details here.

A new, musical adaptation of George Seaton’s classic film The Miracle on 34^th Street is now playing at Theatre Building Chicago in Lakeview, and you can stay after the show for a chance to meet Santa. Tickets are $40.

Have you been to Navy Pier lately? The holidays have turned the pier into a Winter Wonderfest with indoor ice staking, rides, holiday characters, fireworks and visits with Santa through Dec. 24.

Looking for that perfect dress for New Years Eve? How about borrow a couture dress for the holidays? If you reserve by December 23^rd, you will get a great discount. Want to learn more? Click here.

Restaurants

Love Italian food with local fare and seasonal menu? Local hotspot Ceres’ Table in Ravenswood serves favorite dishes such as country-style pate and gnocchi with rabbit confit, arugula pesto and pecorino. It sounds delicious!

Order some great pastries for the holidays at Oak Mill Bakery. which just opened in Bucktown. Choose from European-style cakes, cookies, and other goodies to feast on.

Movies

Avatar by director James Cameron starts playing this weekend. It is getting fabulous reviews and it said to be one of the best movies of the year.

Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon star in the true story,  Invictus, which follows the events of the newly elected President Nelson Mandela in South America in 1994.

Events

Christkindlmarket is back and just opened this week. Located at The Daley Plaza and in its 14th year, the open-air, German-style market showcases handmade ornaments, clothing and gifts from more than 50 vendors. Also, nosh on German food such as potato pancakes, bratwurst, schnitzel, strudel, while enjoying beer and hot spiced wine.

More than two million lights will soon be lit up in Lincoln Park Zoo for their annual Zoolights, which opens November 27^th through January 3^rd. Make sure you follow their favorite snowman @HumphrySnowgart on Twitter, and also @lincolnparkzoo for more holiday fun and information.

While it’s not too cold, why not enjoy the outdoors and do some exploring of some of Chicago great neighborhoods? This weekend check out Lincoln Park block by block and visit the settings of infamous events like the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, the shooting of John Dillinger, the Great Chicago Fire and more. Tickets are $12-$14.

Restaurants

Yes, of course, you can cook bacon and eggs in your Chicago condo, but this new restaurant Bakin’ & Eggs just opened in Lakeview and has plenty of bacon on the menu like bacon bits in your waffle and pancake batter.

After a busy day of Black Friday shopping, feast at Rock Bottom Brewery’s sister restaurant RB Grille in River North, whose menu features steaks and seafood. The food is sure to fill you up, and it still has the same great beer.

Movies

If you haven’t seen The Twilight Saga: New Moon yet in theaters, this weekend might be great time to see it!

Also, The Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock is playing and is getting really great reviews. With football for the men of the family and a heartwarming story for the ladies, it will certainly be a crowd pleaser!

Whatever you do this weekend, we hope you have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving weekend!