Holy Crap!

December

Kick off the season with a fa-la-la at the Art Institute’s Holiday Choral Series. Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave (312-443-3600). Through Dec 5, 12:30–1pm; $12, seniors and students $7, kids under 12 free.

Meander through Christkindlmarket while sipping glühwein from a boot mug. Daley Plaza, Washington St at Dearborn St. Sun–Thu 11am–8pm; Fri and Sat 11am–9pm; through Dec 23. Dec 24, 11am–4pm. Admission free.

Joyous Rockette leg-kicks take to the air. Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N River Rd, Rosemont (312-559-1212, ticketmaster.com). Through Dec 7, $25–$65.

Clara and her talking toys unstrap the ballet shoes for Nutcracker on Horseback. Noble Horse Theater, 1410 N Orleans St (312-266-7878, noblehorsechicago.com). Times vary, through Jan 10; $22–$48.

Who says you can’t party and give at the same time? Kill two birds with one stone at the Imerman Angels Toy Drive. Le Passage, 937 N Rush St (imermanangels.org). Dec 5, 6–10pm; $40, advance $30.

Transform your pup into an adorable sleigh-puller at Reindog Parade. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Rd, Glencoe (847-835-6829, chicagobotanic.org/dog). Dec 6, 11am–2pm; $19, advance $14.

Need gifts? Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale deals only the hippest homemade goods. Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, 1419 W Blackhawk St (773-227-2707). Dec 6–7, 11am–7pm; admission free.

Ready your fake Brit accent for the Drake Hotel’s Holiday Tea. The Palm Court, 140 E Walton Pl (reservations: palmcourt@hilton.com, 312-787-2200). Daily 11am–5pm; through Jan 15. $31.95, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day $35.

Witness the old-timey splendor of the Glessner House Museum decorated for the holidays. 1800 S Prairie Ave at 18th St (312-326-1480). Glessner House tours Wed–Sun, 1, 3pm; through Jan 4. $10, seniors and students $9, kids $6.

During Mistletoe Mixology, Paul, the seasoned (har, har) bartender, gives cocktail-making tips and recipes. Four Seasons, 120 E Delaware Pl (312-280-8800 ext 2363). Dec 10, 6:30–8:30pm; $98.

Celebrate the holidays as your grandmother might have: lunching at the Walnut Room. Macy’s, 111 N State St, seventh floor (312-781-3125). Mon–Sat, 10am–7pm; Sun 11am–5pm; through Dec 24; average entrée $11.

Warm hearts (and frozen butts) reign during Caroling at Cloud Gate. Millennium Park, 55 N Michigan Ave (312-742-1168, millenniumpark.org). Fridays through Dec 19, 6–6:50pm; free.

The Swedish Lucia Celebration (a.k.a. the perilous parade of lit-candle crowns) hits the streets. Procession starts at Swedish American Museum, 5211 N Clark St (773-728-8111, samac.org). Dec 13 at 4:45pm; free.

Rudolph Ramble 8K lets you run—or stroll—off the holiday cookies. Lincoln Park, between Fullerton Pkwy and Diversey Ave (registration: 773-404-2372, caprievents.com). Dec 14 at 9am; $35.

Chill (literally) with the animals at ZooLights. Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N Cannon Dr (312-742-2000, lpzoo.org). Daily 5–9pm; through Jan 4. Free.

The Seafarer puts you in the drama of the holidays (as if they weren’t already psychologically challenging enough!). Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St (312-335-1650). Through Feb 8, $20–$70.

Weather’s frightful: Time for Chinese-food and a movie. Our most-anticipated winter flick: The Wrestler. Opens today. Just don’t take your mom to it. See timeoutchicago.com/nowplaying for showtimes.

Hit the ice and try not to make an ass out of yourself. Millennium Park’s McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, Michigan Ave between Washington and Madison Sts (312-742-1168, millenniumpark.org). 10am–10pm, skate rental $10.

The Impressionist and Postimpressionist art returns! Take the fam for an early Christmas treat. Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave (312-443-3600). Mon–Wed 10:30am–5pm; Thu 10:30am–8pm; Fri 10:30am–5pm; Sat, Sun 10am–5pm; $12, seniors and students $7, kids under 12 free.

Get a primer on Kwanzaa (or pick up some holiday merch) at WVON Pre-Kwanzaa Fest. DuSable Leadership Academy of Betty Shabazz International Charter School, 4934 S Wabash Ave (773-247-6200, wvon.com). Dec 20, 21, 11am–6pm; free.

Opera buffs can give Handel a try at the DIY Messiah. Civic Opera House, 20 N Wacker Dr (tickets: 312-902-1500). Dec 21, 3pm; Dec 22, 7pm. Free.

The rest of us (read: skeptics, atheists and freethinkers) can hit up the Center For Inquiry meeting for a beer-filled nod to Festivus. Exchequer, 226 S Wabash Ave (centerforinquiry.net). 7–9pm; admission free.

Now that Hanukkah has begun, fry up some latkes. For your holiday treat, we recommend only the best potatoes: heirlooms from Green City Market. Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 Cannon Dr (chicagogreencitymarket.org). Wed, Sat 8am–1pm; admission free.

While Christians wait for Santa, single Jews can find a date at MatzoBall. crobar, 1543 N Kingsbury St (matzoball.org). Dec 24, 9pm–4am; $30.