The best things to do in Chicago today

Enjoy a bite-sized tour of downtown Chicago (complete with plenty of free chocolate treats!) aboard Fannie May's first-ever Jolly Trolley! Throughout December, a festively decorated trolley will depart from the Fannie May Chocolatier on Michigan Avenue. As it cruises past twinkling lights and beloved Chicago landmarks, a “Taste Conductor” will serve complimentary Fannie May treats with a side of Chicago history. The full trolley loop spans 2.2 miles along the Magnificent Mile and lasts approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Passengers are welcome to hop off at any of the trolley's stops or kick back and enjoy the full loop.

Happy’s is back for its farewell season, and they're closing out a holly, jolly run in full holiday spirit. Situated on the ground floor of the Chicago Athletic Association, Happy's transforms the hotel's Tank space into a holly, jolly wood-paneled dive bar serving cocktails and bar bites. Admission is free, and the pop-up is just a short walk from the Millennium Park ice skating rink.

Every year, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry puts up its four-story Grand Tree and surrounds the towering pine with more than 50 trees that represent Chicago's various communities and their respective holiday celebrations. Visitors will be able to take in even more seasonal cheer at the accompanying Holidays of Light exhibit, which recognizes the traditions of Chinese New Year, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Visakha Puja Day and St. Lucia Day. Admission to Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light is included with a regular Museum of Science and Industry ticket.

The iconic German-inspired holiday market at Daley Plaza brings just over a month of Christmassy celebrations to the Loop. Browse stalls stocked with handmade gifts, German food and plenty of hot beverages to keep you warm while you wander around and soak in the festive atmosphere. Don't leave without trying spiced glühwein, a German hot wine concoction that's best enjoyed in the market's famous boot mugs.

A city named after nature's most stunning light show deserves an equally spectacular man-made display. The Rotary Club of Aurora organizes this holiday wonderland in Phillips Park, which allows visitors to drive through and take in a series of twinkling scenes. Hop in the car, drive through the illuminated gate and keep an eye out for shimmering representations of Santa's toy factory, a holiday train and some giant snowflakes. You'll need to make an timed reservation ahead of your visit, but the experience is totally free—though if you're able to make a donation online, the proceeds will benefit a selection of local charities.  

See Christmas lights while staying warm at this pandemic-era innovation that allows visitors to drive through a gleaming tunnel of more than one million LED lights synchronized with holiday music. Plus, the show takes place in Bridgeport at Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox.

The Chicago Botanic Garden hosts this annual (and quick to sell out) display of festive lights, giving guests a host of shimmering reasons to visit the forest preserve during the holiday season. Set along an illuminated path, the after-dark experience features a series of installations to explore, including a 110-foot tunnel made up of 100,000 lights and a group of trees festooned in bulbs that “sing” holiday songs. 

In Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus, genius is not just a blessing: It’s a declaration of war. Composer Antonio Salieri sees himself as one of its principal casualties. Once the darling of the 18th-century Viennese court, he watches in mounting horror as “the creature”—his term for the rising musical prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—launches an artistic takeover that endangers not just Salieri’s career but his very conception of himself. The scaffolding of his principles collapses beneath his suspicion that God has chosen someone else above him, and his devotion rots into destruction. Amadeus | Photograph: Courtesy Michael Brosilow Salieri never leaves the stage. Recounting his venomous rivalry from the safety of his deathbed, he is both Amadeus’s antagonist and its narrator, and his voice is the lens that refracts the entire story. Once he had offered his life in monastic devotion to music and to God; now he confesses how swiftly he turned away from both when Mozart revealed what true genius sounds like. In a lesser actor’s hands the role might wear thin, but Ian Barford, seasoned in Steppenwolf cynics since 2017’s Linda Vista, is magnetic. Salieri insists on being the omniscient puppeteer behind Mozart’s downfall, yet the audience can’t quite believe him. His envy is so vast it becomes its own orbiting body, circling a sun named Mozart. That sun is played by David Darrow, whose Mozart radiates an irresistible, maddening charm. Darrow leans into the character’s impish, sophomoric...

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.

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 early February 2026, weather permitting.

The Cubs may be hibernating for the winter, but Gallagher Way provides some excellent reasons to hang out in Wrigleyville during baseball's offseason. The Wrigley Field-adjacent space hosts a variety of seasonal activities, including photos with Santa, a winter market, carnival rides and holiday movie screenings. Opening on November 23, you'll be able to shop for gifts, sip a hot beverage and enjoy delicious treats through December 31. Visit the Winterland website for hours and additional information about programming.

Get ready for a festive ride—the CTA Holiday Train and Bus are coming to town! The train is decked out in twinkling holiday lights, with Santa and his reindeer riding outside to wave at families—you can spot the festive locomotive in CTA stations throughout the city from November 29 through December 22. The CTA Holiday Bus, on the other hand, will hit the road on November 28 and make its rounds through December 22. Check the CTA website for the full schedule of train and bus routes.

Every year, Millennium Park is adorned with an epic Christmas tree that remains on display until the beginning of the new year. The larger-than-life attraction is festooned with twinkling lights and crowned with an illuminated star. Spectators can check out the festive tree near Washington Street and Michigan Avenue through early January. Want to see the tree light up for the first time this season? The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony returns this year on Friday, November 21.

Lettuce Entertain You’s popular tropical bar is transforming from a sandy paradise to a snowy winter escape for the season. Sip on special holiday cocktails, like the Cranberry Mai Tai, Hot Buttered Rum and Eggnog Grasshopper, served in charming and festive vessels and glassware. Guests can even pick up their own mugs to take home or gift from the bar’s retail shop.

Experience the holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life, as a 1940s-style live radio play this holiday season at The Athenaeum Center. Set in the venue's Paradiso space, every seat guarantees an intimate experience of George Bailey's renewal of faith in himself, his family and his community. Whether you're returning as part of a cherished holiday tradition or discovering the story's magic for the first time, this production is sure to lift your spirits.

Relive cherished holiday memories—and make plenty of new ones—at Navy Pier's Winter WonderFest. Admire twinkling light displays bedecking Navy Pier's Festive Hall and prepare to be awed by a 42-foot holiday tree. Plus, there's no shortage of activities—for both kids and adults—at Winter WonderFest: Enjoy live music and special performances at the Winter Wonder Stage, lace up for a round of ice skating, enjoy tasty treats and sips and much more.  

The weather outside might be frightful, but you'll be plenty cozy inside JoJo's Shake Bar, which has transformed every inch of its outdoor patio into a Winter Wonderland decorated with an eight-foot tall nutcracker, giant ornaments and thousands of string lights. Treat yourself to over-the-top shakes—such as the Winter Wonderland Shake, which is peppermint flavored and topped with cookies, marshmallows, a candy cane and a snowman made of donut holes—and fanciful seasonal cocktails like Santa's Sangria, and be sure to grab a table close to the pop-up's Christmas tree. You can also sign up for festive events, including mixology classes, ornament painting and gingerbread house decorating workshops.

Chicago's only Hanukkah-themed pop-up takes over The Graystone Tavern in Wrigleyville for another year, filling the bar and weatherproof patio with more than 30,000 blue-and-white lights, dreidel ornaments, lighted menorah and a Hanukkah sweater wall (among other festive bits of decor). Dine on Hanukkah classics like latkes and matzo ball soup alongside not-so-classic options like boozy jelly donuts. Pair your meal with a novelty cocktail—we're going with the Hebrew Cold Brew, a caffeinated cocktail crowned with a heavy cream float. Chag Sameach!

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.

If you're jonesing for an outdoor Christmas adventure this year, the folks behind Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up are bringing back its winter sibling in Fulton Market. The sprawling two-acre attraction boasts a Christmas market, photo opportunities and a variety of activties like ice skating, bumper cars, axe throwing, curling and more. You'll also have the opportunity to sip on boozy hot cocoa and other holiday cocktails while wandering through a light-filled Christmas tree walk.

The 2003 holiday movie Elf takes center stage at this Wrigleyville pop-up located inside of Stretch Bar & Grill, which gets dressed up with more than 1,000 decorative elves, Christmas trees and plenty of festive Christmas lights. Take a seat at tables stocked with the four main food groups (candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup) and treat yourself to a plate of Buddy's breakfast pasta (spaghetti loaded with maple syrup, chocolate fudge and syrup, mini marshmallows and strawberry frosted pop tarts) or a beer served in a 36-ounce elf boot. Want to catch a glimpse of Buddy the elf himself? Visit the pop-up between Thursday and Sunday, when he's known to make appearances from time to time. 

This immersive, multi-level Christmas pop-up bar boasting wall-to-wall holiday decor returns to Wrigleyville, taking over Stolen Saddle during the most festive time of the year. You'll find photo ops galore as well as drinks decked out with decorative garnishes and garlands, including large-format cocktails. Feeling hungry? Feast upon festive options like Santa's Smash Burger, Festive Fry Flight and Grinch Shake. Don't forget to snag a reservation before you head to Santa Baby—families are welcome to stop by during the day, but after 8pm it's 21+. For full holiday hours, check Santa Baby's website.

With soundstage-sized pieces like horned sculptures emitting soap bubbles, inflated spheres bedecked in abstract squiggles and surreal faceless figures hovering in space, “EmotionAir” reimagines the humble balloon as any other artistic medium—a conduit for creativity and emotion. 

To see one of the largest displays of holiday lights within city limits, you need to head to Lincoln Park Zoo, where the annual ZooLights display strings up millions of LED blubs. While most of the animals will be keeping warm inside, visitors are welcome to wander through the park, snapping photos of the various displays and taking part in a variety of activities throughout the holiday season. New this year, bask in the holiday spirit in the light lounge; as always, guests will also be able to enjoy hot beverages and snacks at stands throughout the park. Admission is $7 on most weeknights and Sundays and $10 on Fridays and Saturdays, with free admission tickets on Mondays. Check out the Lincoln Park Zoo website for information on special ticketed events during ZooLights, including Adults Night Out and a musical tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Support economic and environmental justice at this 12th annual market, which takes place in Lincoln Park through December 23. More than 30 Chicago businesses will offer goods from artisans around the world, including glassware, ornaments, sweaters, coffee and candles.

Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and a cozy blanket to accompany your ride through Willow Hill Lights, a drive-through holiday light experience in suburban Northbrook. Located at Willow Hill Golf Course, the 2.5-mile display of glittering lights features holiday favorites like Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman—not to mention a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree. Proceeds from the show benefit Misericordia, a not-for-profit that supports more than 600 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Who's Holiday!, Theater Wit's holiday hit, returns for the fifth year running. The 65-minute show finds a 40-year-old Cindy Lou Who holding court in her mobile home at the base of Mount Crumpet, retelling the story of the sordid events that transpired after meeting the Grinch. Oh, and one more thing: The entire story is told in R-rated Seussian rhymes...

River Grove tiki bar Hala Kahiki has transformed into Sippin’ Santa, a famed holiday pop-up with locations across the country. The tropical experience features over-the-top, kitschy decor and a themed cocktail menu, including new and returning drinks like Jingle Bird, Frost Bite and Designated Sledder.

“Take Care with Peanuts: The Exhibit” is an immersive fan experience inspired by a global initiative of the same name. Based on the captivating world depicted in Charles M. Schulz’s iconic comic strip, the exhibit brings the beloved Peanuts gang to life through interactive displays and hands-on activities promoting self-care, empathy and environmental stewardship. The overarching hope governing “Take Care with Peanuts” is to inspire action and remind visitors to love themselves, their communities and the planet. 

Ready to get into the holiday spirit? The Morton Arboretum's annual holiday light show returns for its 13th anniversary as a mile-long, walk-through spectacle of LED lights and music, featuring a blend of new and returning light displays set amid 50 acres of trees. Back again this year is "Electric Illumination," a series of late-night parties with DJ-curated playlists that will synchronize progressive house and '80s dance beats with the light shows, as well as "IllumiBrew," a special evening where guests can sample beers and ciders from local breweries. Timed entry tickets for Illumination, which will run from November 15 through January 3, vary in price based on date and time.

The newly renovated Intuit Art Museum is the perfect place to visit the exhibition, “Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago.” This exhibition is part of a citywide initiative highlighting Chicago's artistic heritage and creative communities. “Catalyst” focuses on the impact of immigration and migrant experiences within the self-taught artist community. The featured works investigate the inciting incidents for artists' displacement and subsequent settling in Chicago, offering a unique perspective on artistic practice as a personal narrative.

Every two years, Chicago becomes a global hub of architecture and design during the Chicago Architecture Biennial. This edition’s theme is SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change, bringing together over 100 projects by architects, artists and designers from 30 countries—each piece engaging with the cultural, social and environmental fluxes transforming our world. Not sure where to start? Check out our first-timer's guide to the exhibition. Stay up-to-date by visiting the Chicago Architecture Biennial website.

Load up the family in the car and head to Geneva for a spectacular drive-thru light show that stretches over a mile in length. Guests will journey through light tunnels and gaze at illuminated dinosaurs, polar bears, reindeers, giant emojis, guitar-playing Santas and more, all of which are synchronized to holiday tunes.

If your motto is the more saxophone the better, soak up the smooth sounds of Tim Warfield’s Jazzy Christmas show. Joined by a talented band of piano, trumpet, vocalists and more, the American saxophonist embraces the holiday classics you love with new interpretations. Sip a warming cocktail and enjoy the atmosphere at Jazz Showcase, one of Chicago’s most historic clubs. 

Having retired cofounder Robert Joffrey's production of The Nutcracker after nearly 30 years, the Joffrey Ballet debuted a brand-new version in 2016, set in Chicago against the backdrop of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. This year's production will be staged in the Civic Opera House (where the Lyric Opera also resides), featuring music performed by the Lyric Opera Orchestra and the stunning choreography of Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon. The Chicago-inspired iteration of the classic Christmas ballet will have you humming “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” for days after you leave the theater.

Displaying a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of THE MART, ART on THE MART is the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, with programming that changes seasonally. ART on THE MART's array of 34 digital projectors show the creations after dusk every evening. Running Thursdays through Saturdays beginning at 7:30pm, it’s best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.

It doesn't matter if you think Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not—it's still fun to drink cocktails inspired by an action-packed evening at the Nakatomi Corporation's holiday party. Choose from a menu of tongue-in-cheek drinks paying homage to the unexpected Christmas classic, embrace the artist within at an adult coloring station and more. Welcome to the party, pal.

Feeling stressed by winter's cold weather and lack of leaves on the trees? Take a calming walk through hyacinth, zinnias, salvias, cosmos and other flowering blooms at Garfield Park Conservatory's annual winter flower show (which is titled "Merry & Bright" this year for ultimate festiveness). Like the rest of the Conservatory, access to the show is free—just be sure to make an online reservation ahead of your visit. 

The Goodman Theatre’s annual holiday production of the Charles Dickens classic returns to the stage, with Christopher Donahue and Austin Tichenor taking on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. The play has been a staple of the Goodman's calendar for more than 40 years, allowing returning attendees and new generations to see the quintessential Christmas story unfold before their eyes. Prepare to be visited by three spirits—and don't be suprised if A Christmas Carol's touching tale of redemption makes you shed a few tears.

Frosty's Christmas Bar near Goose Island brings three levels of festive fun, four bars, two dance floors, life-size toy soldiers and a themed soundtrack that keeps the crowd bumping well past midnight every night of the week. Don your favorite holiday attire and enjoy a glass of something boozy and marshmallow-topped while eating Christmas cookies amidst the twinkling lights, tinsel and over-the-top decorations.

More than two million lights cover the trees, fences and structures in the Brookfield Zoo at this annual holiday event, which is now in its fourth decade. Guests can walk through a 300-foot-long tunnel featuring colored lights synchronized to music, spot larger-than-life illuminated animal sculptures, gaze up at a 41-foot-tall lit tree and warm up with concessions such as funnel cakes, pizza, spiced wine and hot cocoa. 

The crazy-athletic whimsy merchants at Cirque du Soleil bring the troupe's Christmas-themed show to the Chicago Theatre, accompanied by an international cast of dancers, acrobats and clowns. The storyline follows a jaded young girl named Isabella who finds herself in a topsy-turvy wonderland filled with characters straight out of the classic "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" poem—except they can do crazy flips and death-defying aerial stunts, too.

Drag Race: The Experience has sashayed into Chicago for a one-month stint. But does it bring the requisite charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent? Well… yes and no. Produced by World of Wonder—the company behind Drag Race and the global DragCon conventions—the attraction casts visitors as the main character inside some of the show’s most iconic spaces. You can strut the Main Stage, snap a selfie in the Werk Room, film a confessional and flip through racks of costumes pulled straight from the runway. There’s never-before-seen footage playing across a glowing wall of retro TV screens, an abundance of photo ops and QR-guided prompts that politely boss you from room to room. Guests are given a unique QR code to use with the scanner in each room, enabling them to collect photos throughout their visit. The layout isn’t especially intuitive, but if you approach it as one giant, glittering selfie machine, the whole thing snaps into relative focus. There are costumes, clips and even a full Snatch Game set, ready for you and your friends to butcher celebrity impressions with enthusiasm if not accuracy. The experience ends in an atrium where you can retrieve your photos, sip a drink at the Gold Bar, shop exclusive merch (yes, including a “shantay” fan) and attempt a Best Friend Race-style scavenger hunt. During its run, Drag Race: The Experience will host screenings and premiere parties across the Drag Race universe. The space is also rentable for private events, which may be when...

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center's newest exhibition, “Paris in Black” charts the journeys of Black artists, performers and intellectuals who found a safe haven and creative incubator in 20th century Paris. Experience the City of Lights through the eyes of visionaries like Langston Hughes, James Baldwin and Henry Ossawa Tanner, who lived and created in defiance of American racism. The exhibition houses over 100 objects, including magnificent paintings, historic photographs and multimedia elements—all telling the story of Black resilience and artistry.

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.

Until February 2026, the University of Chicago's Smart Museum of Art hosts “Unto Thee,” Theaster Gates's first solo museum exhibition in his hometown of Chicago. Known for his installations merging sculpture, performance and social practice, Gates has become a driving force in the contemporary art world and beyond. “Unto Thee” embodies the relationships Gates has fostered throughout Chicago, underpinning his belief that art has the capacity to connect and transform communities.

Soak in multiple floors of themed decor at the Christmas Inn, the expansive holiday pop-up that takes over the Hubbard Inn for the season. Grab a cocktail, like Reindeer Fuel, and explore an elegant white Christmas setting. The pop-up will also offer different programming each day, from boozy craft nights to music bingo.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's bombastic megamusical haunts the Cadillac Palace for a spectacular eight-week run. The age-old tale of love, loss and revenge unfolds against the Baroque interior of the Cadillac Palace Theatre—transporting you straight to late 19th-century Paris. 

Candlelight concerts are the ultimate multi-sensory experiences for intimate, romantic evenings year-round. This holiday season, listen to string quartets in the glow of thousands of candles at festively decorated venues across the city, including Art Center of Oak Park and Hyde Park Union Church. Classical music may not be your go-to genre, but hearing live carols with string instruments, Christmas soundtracks on piano or a medley of holiday favorites like “Carol of the Bells” and “December, 1963” will have you swooning.

Pinkmas at the Museum of Ice Cream is more than your run-of-the-mill holiday outing—it's a dazzling, immersive holiday experience. Visitors can share their wildest dreams with a Wishing Tree, walk through a life-size snowglobe, and feast on festive treats and ice cream creations, all while taking advantage of countless photo opportunities.

Watch the planes fly out of Midway while you glide across the ice on the rink at Wentworth Park. If you're looking for something to do after your fingers are frozen, consider heading south for a beer at the 5 Rabbits Cerveceria. (See the park's website for ice rink hours.) Skate rentals are $6.

“Music of the Mind” is a retrospective that celebrates key moments of Ono’s career, showcasing art driven by ideas and expressed in poetic, humorous and profound ways. Tracing Ono’s career back to the 1950s, “Music of the Mind” presents over 200 works across a variety of media including performance footage, music and sound recordings, scores, film, photography, installation and archival materials. The exhibition also features participatory works—a key component of Ono’s creative practice—where visitors are encouraged to interact with instruction-based artworks.

You’ve probably seen a Shakespeare play before, but never like this. Five professional actors come together for each performance of Drunk Shakespeare. The twist? One of them has had five shots before the show and is trying to stay on track while the other four actors do their best to hold the performance together.

Don't feel like trekking down to the Loop for your glühwein fix? The smaller-scale Wrigleyville outpost of Christkindlmarket returns to Gallagher Way this year with just as much holiday cheer as its downtown counterpart. Plus, Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville remains open through the end of the year, so you can extend the spirit of the season to the week after Christmas. 

Don't forget to hit the ice during your next visit to Winterland at Gallagher Way! Until February 15, 2026, visitors can rent ice skates for $16 or bring their own, ride ice bumper cars and more. Check out the Gallagher Way website to stay updated on skate nights, skating lessons and curling matches—all beginning January 2026.

Why watch your favorite holiday movies on your couch when you could see them on a gigantic screen in the shadow of Wrigley Field? As part of Gallagher Way's Winterland celebration, the ballpark-adjacent public square will screen yuletide classics. If it's too cold to watch outdoors, nab a decent view of the screen from nearby restaurants like Big Star or Dutch & Doc's. Take a look at the complete movie lineup below: Dec 4 ElfDec 11 The Polar ExpressDec 18 Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Just when you thought the state's largest mall couldn't surprise you anymore, Woodfield Mall announces WONDRA, a sprawling new immersive experience. Inside, you’ll wander through enchanted meadows that respond to the sound of your voice, stumble across bioluminescent landscapes and drift into crystal caves and celestial gardens that blur the line between digital spectacle and raw wonder. Every corner is crafted to ignite curiosity and inspire a sense of awe we, whether you’re a kid seeing it all for the first time or an adult who forgot what it feels like to play.

Visiting “The Land of Oz: Beyond the Page” at the Gold Coast’s Driehaus Museum feels a bit like opening a very elegant jewelry box: beautifully crafted, lovingly arranged and also...surprisingly compact. Tucked away into two rooms on the museum’s top floor, the film-inspired exhibit offers a curated peek behind the yellow brick road—costumes, concept art, early editions of L. Frank Baum’s original book and just enough memorabilia to spark a pleasant jolt of nostalgia. The exhibit's highlights include a replica of Dorothy’s slippers—one of only 20 editions worldwide—and a collection of “movie edition” Wizard of Oz books adjusted to better match the silver-screen adaptation. In the end, the Driehaus Museum’s Wizard of Oz exhibit doesn’t attempt to sweep you away in a tornado of spectacle so much as hand you a small, neatly labeled basket of curiosities. Its strength lies in details—like early drafts of the film’s script and a replica of the Cowardly Lion’s courage medal, which was a departure from the book’s bottle of courage the character drank. It’s these little factoids that make the exhibit worth a visit. While the exhibition may leave devoted Oz scholars wanting more, it offers casual visitors a gentle, concentrated dose of nostalgia within the museum’s ornate surroundings. You may not walk out feeling as though you’ve traveled all the way to the Emerald City, but you will have enjoyed a tidy, thoughtfully assembled layover somewhere between fantasy and reality.

“Mutuality” a group exhibition of new works created during the 11th year of the Hyde Park Art Center’s biennial Center Program, a professional development program designed to elevate emerging and mid-career artists. The exhibition defines mutuality as demonstrating mutual care and interest, encouraging artists to consider how their intentions, works and practice impact the world. Artworks in “Mutuality” represent over 20 artists practicing a multitude of disciplines, from painting and drawing to fiber and printmaking to performance and sound.

This holiday season, The Joffrey Ballet celebrates the 10th anniversary of two-time Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s interpretation of The Nutcracker. Accompanied Tchaikovsky's classic score, The Nutcracker is a fantastical adventure engaging merging Chicago's rich cultural heritage and the wonder of the season. 

Experience the Art Institute like never before by tagging along with Marielle Epstein, assistant director of Interpretation at the Art Institute of Chicago. “Mindful Looking” is a monthly program that teaches attendees how to use mindfulness practices to enhance their museum-going experience, encouraging reflection and contemplation. A close look at an artwork is followed by a discussion and a guided meditation around a theme presented in the session. No prior experience with meditation is required.