The holidays are really here, as Chicago hosts its annual Christmas tree lighting Friday night. Some of our other favorite things to do this weekend? A holiday market, ’80s dance party, special Maplewood pours and Bayou-based sandwiches.
That’s a lotta lights
Chicago will light up its annual Christmas tree for the 106th time this weekend. Thee festivities also include live musical performances from a trio of acts, as well as an appearance from Mr. and Mrs. Claus to finish off the evening. Guests are advised to enter at Wrigley Square. 6 p.m. Friday, Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., free; chicago.gov
Brew trio
Take in a three-for-one of special canned releases from Maplewood Brewery this weekend, and get your Saturday started will some oomph. The brewery will be tapping into its No Boil double-dry-hopped double IPA, a collaborative release with Wisconsin brewery Hacienda. Also on the menu are a softcore mutation of cherry and peach foeder beers — this was called Cherry Nelson at this year’s Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers — and Mr. Shakey Orange, the newest addition to Maplewood’s “Shakey” milkshake IPA series. As always, enjoy responsibly! 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, 2717 N. Maplewood Ave., no cover; facebook.com/events
Holiday shopping at the MCA
It might actually be cold outside this weekend, so if you’re attending this weekend’s Lights Festival on the Mag Mile and in need of a warm-up, try the nearby Museum of Contemporary Art. Its first-ever Unwrapped holiday market will be hosting local vendors for holiday shopping, plus music and other activities throughout the day to coincide with the Lights activities. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., free; mcachicago.org
– Original Credit: Handout
Turkey, no Peter
New-Orleans-based sandwich shop Turkey and the Wolf will bring some delicious interstate stacks to a dressed-down Blackbird restaurant this weekend. In 2017, Turkey and the Wolf was named Bon Appetit’s number-one new restaurant in America, so it promises a tasty bite. Options include a collard green melt, fried bologna sandwich and a special collaborative sandwich between Blackbird and T. and W. The not-sandwich menu offers fried pot pie and a cabbage salad. Available while supplies last. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Blackbird Restaurant, 619 W. Randolph St., no cover; blackbirdrestaurant.com
What year is it anyway?
Let your wild hair fly, and hit the dance floor at the 1980s throwback party, Chicas de Hoy/Chicas de Ayer, this weekend. Your ticket to the dance includes your drinks, so no worries there. You will be able to make additional purchases at an on-site beauty bar, offering supplies and treatments, as well as tacos from Taquizas José. 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., $30; eventbrite.com
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