Full-Day Shopping
– Do North Michigan Avenue’s upscale indoor shopping centers and stores but leave time to seek unique gifts at the boutiques just west of Michigan Avenue on Oak and Walton Streets and at the Museum of Contemporary Art Store just east at Chicago Avenue. Visit www.themagnificentmile.com.
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– Experience “Loop” shopping during the holidays at Marshall Field’s, Carson Pirie Scott & Co., Sears, Old Navy and other State Street stores. While in the area, browse the Christkindlmarket at Block 37, Nov. 29 through Dec. 23 (preview 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 28) and the Art Institute of Chicago’s Museum Shop. State Street store specialties, addresses at 312-782-9160 or www.greaterstatestreet.com online, museum shop information at www.artic.edu/aic/shops on the Web.
Time for Traditions
– See the Great Tree in the Walnut Room and “Paddington Bear and the Christmas Surprise” in the State Street Windows, through Jan. 5, Marshall Field’s, 111 N. State St., 312-781-1000.
– Catch Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Saturday through Dec. 28, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., 312-443-3800.
– Visit the Museum of Science and Industry’s annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibits, Nov. 22 through Jan. 5, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, 773-684-1414.
– Take in the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Nov. 23. Activities are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Ave., and at several Michigan Avenue shops and hotels. Mickey Mouse leads the lighting of Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to the Chicago River from 6 to 7 p.m., 312-409-5560 or at www.themagnificentmile.com online.
– Watch the Target Thanksgiving Parade, 8:30 to 11 a.m. Nov. 28, on State Street from Congress Parkway to Randolph Street, 312-781-5681 or online at www.chicagofestivals.org, then come back for the City of Chicago Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, 4 p.m. Nov. 29, Daley Plaza and Block 37, Washington and Dearborn Streets.
– Go to the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago’s The Nutcracker, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., Dec. 6 through Dec. 22, $34-$74, times and tickets 312-902-1500.
– Try the LaSalle Bank Do-It-Yourself Messiah, 3 p.m. Dec.15 and 7 p.m. Dec.16, Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, request tickets (limit 4) after Nov. 15 by mail at LaSalle Bank Do-It-Yourself Messiah, 135 S. LaSalle St., #4245, Chicago, IL 60603, or www.lasallebank.com/messiah online.
– Stop at Winter Wonderfest, Dec.13 to Jan.5, Navy Pier Festival Hall, 600 E. Grand Ave., 312-595-PIER, www.navypier.com online.