The best things to do in Chicago this week

This touring film festival returns to the Gene Siskel Film Center to showcase movies that span a variety of architecture and design topics. This year's fest includes picks like The House: 6 Points of Departure, which explores the creative process behind the Crawford House in Montecito, California, and This Is Not a House, the story of one of the most unique homes in the world. Tickets are $20 per screening, $15 for Chicago Architecture Center and Gene Siskel Film Center Members, and $8 for students.

In the mood for a vacation? Start planning your next big trip at the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show, which gathers travel experts and ambassadors from destinations across the globe. This year, travel writer and Brat Pack member Andrew McCarthy and CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg are among the keynote speakers. Guests can attend seminars on how to book cheap flights—an ever-salient issue, given airfare prices these days—get packing tips and snag sweet deals on trips at the convention.

Join WBEZ and the University Club of Chicago for an evening with Brooke Shields at the Auditorium. The actress, model and author will discuss her latest memoir, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old, with moderator and TV host Cheryle Robinson. The event will explore themes of resilience, empowerment and the challenges of aging in a youth-focused culture.

Take a stroll around Ravenswood and check out local shops while enjoying a variety of curated winter cocktails and light canapes. Guests will get to try 12 two-ounce tastings and have the option to add a prix fixe dinner at Platform 47 after the event. Participating businesses include District, Ravensgoods, VIN312 Winery and more.

Eye Love Plant Lyfe hosts a plant workshop at the Market where you’ll not only craft your own terracotta planter, but set the tone for the new year. Guests will participate in a guided activity to set meaningful personal or professional goals, and then choose a vibrant plant that will serve as a visual reminder of growth. Whether you’re a green thumb or a plant-care novice, this class will help you gain a deeper appreciation for bringing nature into your space. All materials will be provided, and a $25 Time Out Market gift card to be used on food and drinks is included in the cost.

Discover one-of-a-kind treasures from over 100 local small businesses at this curated indoor marketplace. You’ll be able to check out the best in Chicago food, fashion, home goods and art, as well as chat with vendors to learn about how the products are made. Well-behaved dogs are welcome to join the fun, and tickets are discounted when purchased in advance.

Join Goddess and Grocer for an evening of wine, beer and bites in support of PAWS Chicago. Guests will sip on various alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages while enjoying grazing stations, passed appetizers and desserts. You’ll also get discounts on in-store purchases of select wines and beers, and provide life-saving funds for animals in need.

Open wide! Chicago Restaurant Week is back for its 18th year. More than 470 Chicagoland eateries will offer specially curated prix fixe menus for brunch ($25), lunch ($25) or dinner ($45/$60) between January 24 and February are 9. With more than two weeks to chow down, there's plenty of time to make a few reservations and check out some of the best restaurants in Chicago while saving some coin.

Parents, bring the family to the United Center for a day of Disney magic. Kids will enjoy the timeless stories of Wish, Frozen 2, Moana, Lion King and Little Mermaid through memorable performances on ice by their favorite characters. You can also purchase a character meet-and-greet experience that includes a sing-along, crafting, interactive time and photos with Anna and Elsa.

In the month Elon Musk joined the White House staff and US tech giants unveiled a new $500bn AI initiative, director Drew Hancock releases his debut film, Companion. Talk about timely. His feminist comedy-horror dives headfirst into a world involving a sentient sexbot going violently rogue. Which, right now, feels like next Tuesday.

Heretic's Sophie Thatcher is Iris, the robot at the story's centre. She meets Josh (The Boys’ Jack Quaid) in classic romcom fashion: he knocks over a display of tangerines near her at the supermarket. But the meet-cute is short-lived, as Josh whisks her away to a luxurious but isolated mansion where she discovers the truth: she’s not human. 

The modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet tells the story of Juicy, a young, queer Black man grappling with his identity at a backyard cookout. The Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony-nominated play by James Ijames is playing at the Goodman Theatre through March.

Most people call January "the first month of the year" or "four weeks of taking my resolutions seriously," but Chicago blues fans know that it's actually "Buddy Guy month." Throughout the month, the legendary bluesman picks up his polka-dot guitar and takes the stage during a residency at the South Loop blues clubs that bears his name. Guy performs every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, with a different supporting act joining him each evening. This year, you'll see Guy paired with folks like Wayne Baker Brooks, Bobby Rush and Laretha Weathersby. Tickets to Guy's January residency aren't exactly cheap, but witnessing a bonafide blues icon perform in his hometown is the kind of experience that's worth the dough.

Skate under the Chicago skyline and within eyeshot of the Chicago Christmas Tree at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park. Plus, take advantage of free skating lessons on most Saturdays and Sundays, where you can learn both beginner- and intermediate-level skills. Note that you'll need to make a free online reservation for both regular skating and lessons, and if it seems too warm to skate, call ahead—this rink is open through February 2, weather permitting.

Situated in the heart of downtown Chicago with the city's sweeping skyline as a backdrop, the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is a winter attraction unlike any other. Skaters can lace up and wind around a winding ice-covered path that's twice the length of a lap around a traditional rink. Reservations for the popular ice rink should be made in advance, as they tend to fill up quickly.

Admission to the Skating Ribbon is free Monday through Thursday and for 11am sessions Friday through Sunday (and $5 for other time slots Friday through Sunday, as well as holidays) if you bring your own skates. No skates? Entry is $17–$23 if you need to rent a pair. The Ribbon stays open through March (weather permitting) and even offers hours on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Located on the terrace of The Peninsula Chicago, the 2,100-square-foot Sky Rink offers ice skating in the shadows of the city's tallest buildings, all while overlooking Michigan Avenue. Show off your skills in a winter wonderland featuring snowflake lighting and festive music, and when you need to warm up, grab a hot drink and snack at the Chalet.

Immerse yourself in a picture-perfect whimsical décor, sparkling lights and breathtaking Chicago skyline views from the 22nd floor and indulge in a delightful selection of holiday-themed cocktails, including steaming spiced mulled wine and chilled festive drinks. LondonHouse Chicago's rooftop also offers cozy heated igloos, which can be booked by contacting rsvp@londonhouse.com; reservations require a $600 food and drink minimum.

There’s plenty of cold weather fun to be had on the Art Deco-inspired terrace at the Gwen Hotel, which offers curling lanes plus fire pits and hot cocktails so you can warm up between rounds. Heat lamps are set up around the perimeter to keep things toasty and you can also hang out with a group around one of the fire tables.

The Godfrey’s rooftop becomes a winter wonderland when the temperatures plunge, featuring clear heated igloos decorated with festive lights that can be booked for groups of up to 10 people indulging in bottle service. Even if you’re not going all out, you can hang out at a booth under the retractable roof or gather around an outdoor fire pit for s’mores and a hot cocktail.

Look out over Lake Michigan and Millennium Park from the glass atrium on top of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel. The outdoor terrace is accessible year round and features fire pits to keep you toasty while you sip drinks. Cindy’s is running an après ski-inspired pop-up, with classic cold weather cocktails and themed decorations that transport guests to a snowy mountain getaway, daily through February 28.

Fairmont Chicago has brought back its seasonal experience, Fairmont Lodge, for another year of wintry fun. The hotel’s lobby is transformed into a wonderland featuring themed décor, festive programming and seasonal menus. Guests can reserve a Lodge experience and indulge in hand-crafted cocktails and sweet and savory fondue, capped off with some tabletop s'mores. There’s also live entertainment Thursday through Saturday.

The six-time Tony Award-winning production kicks off its national tour with a five-month run in Chicago. Nineteen years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure—joined by a brave new generation, including Harry’s son Albus—that threatens to change the past and future forever. The play has sold over 10 million tickets worldwide since its world premiere in London in July 2016, and holds a record 60 major honors.

Iconic chocolate brand Hershey has brought its first-ever immersive attraction to Water Tower Place, transporting guests to a whimsical, real-life candyland. Upon entering the indoor play experience, guests will explore various themed zones to discover what makes Hershey treats so special. From navigating a Twizzlers maze to celebrating the perfect combination in Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, it’s family-friendly fun that tugs at the heartstrings. Plus, when you’re finished, stop by the retail store to snag limited-edition merch.

This new exhibition from Chicago Gamespace and the Cleve Carney Museum explores the history of legendary Chicago video game company Midway and its rise to prominence in the ‘90s. Take a look at behind-the-scenes videos, interviews with former game designers, and art, or try your hand at any of the 15 playable arcade games. Midway’s celebrated legacy includes hits like NARC, Smash TV, Terminator 2, Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam and Cruis’N USA.

Escape the planet with exhibits about the first lunar missions, the solar system and more, plus immersive shows in the dome theater. The Doane Observatory is also home to the largest public telescope in the area, and gathers 7,000 times more light than the human eye. Every Wednesday, the Adler stays open late from 4pm-10pm so that folks can visit after work or school. And best of all, admission is free on those nights for Illinois residents.

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry has debuted an exhibit dedicated to the science and technology behind the world’s longest-running film franchise, James Bond. Fans can check out 13 vehicles and over 90 additional artifacts, including the prototype jetpack used in Thunderball, an MI6 Retina Scanner from GoldenEye and the Parahawk snowmobile hybrid from The World Is Not Enough. You’ll also be able to step into a lab space inspired by “Q” and test your skills developing the perfect vehicle for spy activities, designing stunts and more.

This weekly “live magazine” is a cavalcade of culture, politics and wit featuring journalists, actors, comedians and musicians offering idiosyncratic reports on the news of the day. Head to Uptown’s iconic Green Mill for drinks, hot takes and laughs; the longstanding Saturday afternoon edition tends to run about two and a half hours.

For more than 30 years, the Neo-Futurists have been delighting late-night crowds with performances that pack 30 miniature plays into a 60-minute show. The company's signature show is more unpredictable than ever these days, with a handful of compact new plays premiering every week. Within the span of 10 minutes, you may be treated to a poignant monologue about everyday life or an irreverent diatribe delivered by a pantsless member of the cast—all inspired by the experiences of the performers on stage. Always changing and evolving, it's the rare show that truly offers something different everytime you show up to see it.

What’s better than a show at the Empty Bottle? A free show at the Empty Bottle. Every Monday, Chicago’s premier indie rock club hosts a free concert. Check the website for a schedule of upcoming performances and to RSVP.

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