Now that Turkey Day is upon us, the holiday frenzy has officially begun. Sure, you’ve got plenty of time–but dining and party reservations get snapped up fast, so start planning now.
Looking for Turkey Day deals?
Turn to Page 26 for last-minute Thanksgiving dinner reservations.
CHRISTMAS DINING
Signature Room
Got stuck cooking Christmas dinner? Might as well treat yourself to a lavish dinner the night before. Chow on roasted organic Peking duckling, Waldorf salad and more. 5-10:30 p.m. $15-$30. 875 N. Michigan Ave. 312-787-9596.
Aria
Chef Noah Bekofsky whips up a seasonal menu with roast goose, gourmet desserts and more. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Dec. 24-25. $18-$44. 200 N. Columbus Drive, 312-444-9494.
Wave
The three-course meal includes dishes such as roasted chestnut soup, grilled New York strip steak with roasted chanterelles and fingerling potatoes, and more. $45. 4:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 25. 644 N. Lake Shore Drive, 312-255-4460.
NEW YEAR’S EVE DINING
1492 Tapas Bar
The two seatings feature a four-course menu, a glass of wine or sangria and a split of Spanish cava, plus live music. First seating: 4-8:30 p.m.; second seating: 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $65-$95. 42 E. Superior St. 312-867-1492.
Ambria
Ring in the New Year in style with a six- or nine-course degustation menu. Extra reason to stay up late: live music and dancing during the second seating. First seating: 5:30 p.m.; second seating: 9 p.m. $105-$150. 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, 773-472-5959.
Tizi Melloul
Dine on dishes such as Moroccan-spiced duck confit, curried lobster bisque and ginger creme brulee. Plus: DJ Disco Kitty spins Moroccan music, and you’ll get party favors and a midnight champagne toast. Three-course dinners: 6-8 p.m., 8-10 p.m.; four-course dinner: 10 p.m.-midnight. $50-$75. 531 N. Wells St. 312-670-4338.
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES
Moda
This fashionista haven offers an open bar from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., a champagne toast at midnight, free appetizers and DJs spinning hip-hop, house and ’80s music. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. $115-$135. 25 W. Hubbard St. 312-670-2200.
Transit
Get down with DJs spinning house and dance, and quaff champagne at midnight. Special packages include open bar until midnight. 8 p.m.-4 a.m. $35-$150. 1431 W. Lake St. 312-491-8600.
W Hotel-City Center
This metromix/RedEye party, Midnight Kiss, features DJ Jesse De La Pena on the decks. And sure, the tickets might be pricey, but you get an open bar, free appetizers and a champagne toast at midnight.
9 p.m.-2 a.m. $125-$145. W Hotel-City Center, 172 W. Adams St. 312-421-7672.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Hanukkah Party
This bash includes a performance of “What’s So Funny About Being Jewish?” by comedian Caryn Bark, plus a lunch of blintzes, latkes and other traditional foods. Bring a menorah and candles for a lighting ceremony. 11:30 a.m. Dec. 15. $36. Carlyle Party Room, 1040 N. Lake Shore Drive, 847-675-6790.
12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl
Stroll around Wrigleyville and hit 12 taverns–such as John Barleycorn, Moxie and Tryst–all in the name of charity. Your $20 ticket gets you admission to participating bars and drink specials. Proceeds benefit Lakeview Shelter. Find more information on metromix.com. 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Dec. 11. 773-814-3224.
Kwanzaa: The Exhibit
This seasonal exhibit features paintings, textiles, artifacts and sculpture that highlight the African diaspora and complement the seven principles of Kwanzaa, a celebration of family, community and culture. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Through Jan. 3. Free-$3. DuSable Museum of African-American History, 740 E. 56th Pl. 773-947-0600.
SEASONAL STAGE
A Merry Jewish Christmas
Holiday antics involving manger scenes, take-out food and menorahs arise when an extended family gathers on the last night of Hanukkah. Saturday-Jan. 2. $22.50-$30. Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. 773-883-1090.
13th Annual Winter Pageant
An ailing giant (Redmoon’s largest puppet creation to date) struggles to unite a kingdom and bring back the sun in this year’s family celebration of the changing seasons. Expect quirky characters, hand puppets, a shadow show and fairy-tale setting. Dec. 2-Jan. 2. $10-$15. Redmoon Central, 1463 W. Hubbard St. 312-850-8440, ext. 111.
Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer
The tried-and-true claymation classic of misfit friends and their search for happiness gets a big rainbow injection in David Cerda’s campy parody. Dec. 2-31. $10- $15. Loop Theater, 8 E. Randolph St. 312-744-5667.
