THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO - CHICAGOANS LIGHT THEIR WAY TO THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON!
I've
been preparing you the last few weekends for this moment and now the time has
come as "Chicagoans Light Their Way to
the Holiday Shopping Season!"
The
Magnificent
Mile Lights Festival is the official start of the
Holiday shopping season this Saturday on Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to
Wacker Drive. From 11:00 a.m. to 3:45
p.m. live musical performances, celebrity entertainers and family-friendly
activities take place at the Pioneer
Court with Mickey and Minnie Mouse leading a
street-lighting procession at 5:30 p.m. illuminating more than one million
lights on 200 trees along North
Michigan Avenue followed by a parade with floats,
balloons and marching bands. Then stick
around for the fireworks display over the Chicago River
at 6:55 p.m. It's a full day of ringing
in the Holiday shopping season!
If,
on the other hand, you just want to get right to the shopping, here's what's
around town for those unique gift ideas, or hard-to-shop-for persons on your
list -
The
Chicago Craft Mafia
DIY Trunk Show will be held at Broadway Armory Park (5917 N. Broadway Avenue) in the Edgewater
neighborhood this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This 9th annual show features over
130 crafters and artists offering accessories, body care products, handmade
jewelry, housewares, stationery, a kids' crafting area (11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.)
and much more. Also, the first 150
shoppers to arrive early will receive a complimentary swag bag!
The
Holiday
Art Sale will be held at the School of the Art Institute (112 S. Michigan Avenue) in the Grant
Park Museums neighborhood this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This annual sale held in the MacLean Center
Ballroom offers gifts created by the art students such as fashion, jewelry,
paintings, photography, prints, sculptures and more!
The
Randolph
Street's Holiday Market will be held at Journeymen Plumbers Hall (1340 W.
Washington Boulevard) in the West Loop
neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This 5th annual shopping event,
which is organized by the Chicago Antique Market and the Indie Designer Market,
will feature antiques and vintage collectibles, art, clothing, jewelry,
housewares and much more. Receive a $5 shopping
voucher for a $25 or more purchase as well as free gift wrapping!
The
Winter Bazaar:
Gifts and Famous Cookie Sale will be held at Indian Boundary Park Fieldhouse (2500 W.
Lunt Avenue) in the Rogers Park neighborhood this Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. This event features seasonal
treats which include homemade cookies, cider and coffee along with holiday
gifts and pet photos with Santa. Don't
forget to bring your pet along!
The
Winter Market
and Artisan Fair will be held at St. Nicholas Cathedral School (2200 W. Rice Street) in the East
Village/Ukrainian Village neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m. This indoor market of local
vendors will offer ceramics, crafts, jewelry, organic and gourmet foods, gelato
and more all for your browsing and/or shopping pleasure!
The
Chicago Toy and Game
Fair will be held at Navy
Pier (600 E. Grand Avenue) in the Streeterville neighborhood this Saturday
and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This annual fair lets you preview, play with and purchase games and toys
that include both new and classic items!
Navy Pier is also hosting the American Indian Center of
Chicago's Pow-Wow this Saturday and Sunday from 11:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. which is the largest gathering of full-regalia Native
American dancers, singers and drummers in the Midwest. Also featured at this event is a food
festival along with an arts and crafts fair of over 40 national vendors!
And
finally, let's not forget the McDonald's
Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday, November 24th,
as it marches down State Street in the Loop (8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.) and is
watched by over 400,000 people lining the parade's route, and is the only
parade in Chicago to feature inflatable balloons every year! Happy Thanksgiving and watch your
"stuffing!"
Here's to a Successful Holiday
Shopping Season!! Will I See You Out
There This Weekend, or, Will You Be Out There on Christmas Eve With My Husband?
SUE MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
