When out-of-town relatives invade — oops, we mean enter — your home for Thanksgiving, they expect the usual bag of tricks: turkey, booze, pie and a few strained conversations after too much wine. But once the bird is gone and the dishes are dry, gift your guests with these alternatives to traditional holiday events. (If you can’t throw all your traditions out the window, go to metromix.com for details on all the if-you-must classics we mention below.)
Bucktown Bazaar
Holstein Park Fieldhouse, 2200 N. Oakley Ave. 773-263-5882
Avoid downtown crowds at Christkindlmarket Chicago and make a group shopping pilgrimage to this DIY fair touting jewelry, mosaics, paper goods and more from 60 crafters and professional artists, including many from the annual Bucktown Arts Fest.
Go: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Ice Skating at Midway Plaisance
1130 Midway Plaisance North. 312-745-2470
Need to break the ice with your sister’s new beau? There are plenty of options outside of Millennium Park, including this Olympic-size outdoor rink overlooking the University of Chicago. After a few rounds, give your ankles a rest at BYOB cafe Medici on 57th (1327 E. 57th St. 773-667-7394), and dig into dishes such as a half-pound burger on a potato-bread bun ($7.99).
Go: 1-9 p.m. Saturday; noon-7 p.m. Sunday. Free; $5 skate rental
‘It Came Upon a Midnight Queen’
Chemically Imbalanced Theater, 1420 W. Irving Park Rd. 800-838-3006
Everyone knows the story of Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.” But do your guests know the story of a nerdy girl-turned-YouTube sensation? This new holiday comedy of accidents features the music of rock band Queen and a dramatic plea to Nick Nolte.
Go: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday. $15
Cocktails with a view
Vertigo, 2 W. Erie St. 312-202-6060
Share the love — for each other and for killer cityscape views — at this 26th floor indoor-outdoor alternative to Signature Lounge, featuring a heated rooftop and handcrafted winter warmers made tableside from a drink cart, such as the Firecracker Peppermint Patty (hot chocolate, peppermint schnapps and cayenne pepper, $15).
Go: 5 p.m.-2 a.m. daily (terrace closes at 11 p.m.)
Ben Lerman
Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. 773-784-6969
Lively music is a holiday weekend must, but what package it comes in is up to you. Skip Aussie singers The Ten Tenors for the release of “Size Matters,” the new EP from a New York-based, gay ukulele-playing comedian who gets big laughs with his tiny instrument and bawdy songs about bondage, crystal meth, chubby chasers and more.
Go: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $8-$12
‘Carnival Nocturne’
Chicago DCA Storefront Theater, 66. E. Randolph St. 312-742-8497
Bypass Cirque du Soleil prices with this dark fable from Silent Theatre Company — complete with live music and circus arts — about the secret lives of carnival performers. The company leads a free workshop on circus shtick from 2-5 p.m. Saturday. Go: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. $20; $10 for students
‘Camino a Casa’ exhibit and Mercado Navideno
National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St. 312-738-1503
If your annual trek to the Museum of Science and Industry’s “Christmas Around the World” exhibit is wearing thin, feast your eyes on more than 20 handcrafted ofrendas (altars) at this Day of the Dead exhibit. Don’t miss the Mexican folk art holiday marketplace featuring pottery, paintings and more.
Go: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Live band karaoke
Piece, 1927 W. North Ave. 773-772-4422
Trade classic carols at Cloud Gate for classic rock — or pop, punk or soul — with backing by The Karaoke Dokies. If belting makes you hungry like a wolf, grab a New Haven-style pizza ($10.95 and up) and wash it down with award-winning homebrews, such as a Dark-n-Curvy Dunkelweizen wheat ale ($7).
Go: 11 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday. No cover
———-
metromix@tribune.com
