* HIDDEN AGENDA Free Saturday wine tastings at Wine Discount Center, 1826 N. Elston Ave., 773-489-3454; winediscountcenters.com
Check it out if you … need proof that culture doesn’t have to be costly, want to be able to pick out a decent bottle for your holiday party or love having a chance to try something new.
The details: From noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays you can sample 10 wines featured in Wine Discount Center’s monthly newsletter. The tastings feature a mix of five whites and five reds, with a range of varietals from around the world. The event brings out wine junkies who come every week and people stopping into the store for the first time looking for a free sip of something familiar before heading back out. Along with diverse tastes, you’ll also find a good range of prices, with three of the bottles usually selling for less than $10 and others for less than $20. The wines are all new in some way, whether they are recent releases that have been rated highly or a fresh batch of an old favorite.
The payoff: Expanding your palette without shrinking your wallet.
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Saturday
63rd Street holiday parade
WEST LAWN/CHICAGO LAWN
Expected to attract 25,000 people, the parade features the Jesse White Tumblers, the Medinah Clowns, marching bands, horses and more. Procession begins at 63rd Street and Tripp Avenue and heads east on 63rd Street to Oakley Avenue. 1:30 p.m., 6300 W. Tripp Ave. 773-436-1000. Free.
Ornament workshop
WEST LAWN
Learn how to make Lithuanian Christmas ornaments. BYO scissors, pencil and ruler. 1 p.m. Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski Rd. 773-582-6500. $12-$15; $6 for kids younger than 12.
REDEYE/MMX PICK
* Do Division holiday walk
WICKER PARK
Browse discounted merchandise and get deals at restaurants, bars and shops along West Division Street. Shops close at 8 p.m.; restaurants and bars keep normal hours. Noon Saturday. Division Street between Damen Avenue and Leavitt Street, 2000 W. Division St. 312-850-9390. Free
Free intro to yoga
LINCOLN SQUARE
Instructor Kerry Maiorca discusses the benefits of practicing yoga and teaches a set of basic poses. 1 p.m. R.S.V.P. required. Bloom Yoga Studio, 4663 N. Rockwell St. 773-463-9642. Free.
Holiday on Halsted
BOYSTOWN
The Northalsted Area Merchant Association hosts a festive wine-tasting event. Features carolers serenading guests as they visit area retailers. 1 to 5 p.m. 3407 N. Halsted Street. 773-883-0500. $10
Sunday
REDEYE/MMX PICK
* Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis 5K
RIVER NORTH
Don a holiday costume and tie bells on your shoes for a benefit jaunt through downtown. 6:30 a.m. same-day registration; 8 a.m. run/walk; 9:30 a.m. kids’ dash. Registration: chicagoevents.com. Merchandise Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza. 773-868-3010. $30-$35; $10-$15
Awassa Children’s Project World AIDS Day event
WRIGLEYVILLE
The benefit for Ethiopian children orphaned by AIDS features live music. 7 p.m. Wild Hare, 3530 N. Clark St. 773-818-9536. $25 suggested donation.
Toys for Tots motorcycle parade
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Riders deliver toys to the Marine Corps Reserve Center at Foster Avenue and Troy Street. Bring toys to the Dan Ryan Woods, the Marine Corps Reserve Center or anywhere along the Western Avenue parade route, from 83rd Street to Foster Avenue. 9:30 a.m. 773-866-8697. Free. Toy donation required (no stuffed animals).
Weekend
Julmarknad Holiday Festival
ANDERSONVILLE
The Swedish Christmas market features gifts, music and dance performances, a Christmas cafe, visits with Santa and more. Swedish American Museum Center, 5211 N. Clark St. 773-728-8111. $2. Millennium Park ice skating
Loop
Warm up with a few rounds on the outdoor rink. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Through March 15. McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park, 55 N. Michigan Ave. 312-742-1168. Free ($10 skate rental).
THE GAMER
Who’s playing at home
Bulls vs. Washington
7:30 p.m. Saturday, United Center, CSN
Bears vs. Jacksonville
Noon Sunday, Soldier Field, CBS
Blackhawks
6 p.m. Sunday, United Center, CSN
