MON 12/24
All about Eve
Ready for a new Christmas Eve tradition? Get into the spirit at Rockmitzvah, featuring 50 percent discounts on select items in the dining room from 7 to 10 p.m. and $6 specialty cocktails such as the Dreidel Drop (lemon drop) and Rabbi’s Little Helper (vodka, Kahlua and white chocolate liqueur). DJ Special K spins at 9 p.m. No cover. Rockit Bar and Grill, 22 W. Hubbard St. 312-645-6000.
Stub club
There’s nothing like capping off a holiday weekend with a blockbuster flick. Especially when your ticket is good for more than admission to the theater. Seat yourself at the AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.) in Streeterville, save your ticket stub and get a 20 percent same-day discount on your entire bill at nearby Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub (400 N. McClurg Ct. 312-467-1992). Bar opens at 4 p.m.
Never land
If you’re not the sort to go to bed with visions of sugarplums dancing in your head, dance the night away instead at NEVERMIND: ’90s Alternative and Beyond. DJs Kamar and Zahit spin everything from Soundgarden to Ministry till 4 a.m., so you’ve still got time to wrap your gifts and eat cookies with Santa (um, we mean leave cookies out for Santa). 10 p.m. No cover. Neo, 2350 N. Clark St. 773-528-2622.
Last chance
Monday is the last day of the 12th annual Christkindlmarket Chicago, so get to the open-air, German-style market while you still can. Treat yourself to German food and drinks, including beer, hot spiced wine, potato pancakes, bratwurst, schnitzel and strudel, or wrap up your shopping in a dash with handmade ornaments, accessories, clothing and more. 11 a.m. Free. Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St. 312-494-2175.
TUE 12/25
Bike lox
If your Christmas Day routine usually involves feasting and napping followed by snacking and more napping, here’s an alternative to lazing at home all day: Don your comfy apparel and kick off the day with the Chicago Cycling Club for the leisurely 12-mile Christmas Day Bagel Ride. The event ends with brunch at a Jewish deli. 10 a.m. Free; bring money for food and drinks. Meet at the Waveland Clock Tower, 3700 N. Recreation Drive. 773-509-8093.
CommUnity
In 1966, professor-author-activist Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa to unite the African-American community during the civil rights struggles. Celebrate the first day of the weeklong holiday at “Kwanzaa: The Exhibit,” where you’ll learn about the life and work of Karenga and the seven founding principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, collective economics, purpose, creativity and faith. 10 a.m. Through Jan. 6. Free with museum admission, $1-$3; Sundays free. DuSable Museum of African-American History, 740 E. 56th Pl. 773-947-0600.
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metromix@tribune.com
