Hot Mulligan at the Aragon (Friday)

Emo up-and-comers Hot Mulligan come to the Aragon Ballroom on Friday for a six band lineup featuring Heart Attack Man, Free Throw, Spanish Love Songs, Bogues, and Ben Quad. If you miss the chaotic frenzy of the Warped Tour, Hot Mulligan have become flag-bearers for a new generation of emo bands. This show is nearly sold out. Buy tickets here.

Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic (Thursday-Sunday) 

Light up the festive season with family and friends at Brookfield Zoo’s 42nd annual Holiday Magic®. Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festival returns from 3 to 9 p.m. More than two million LED lights transform the park into a winter wonderland. While strolling pathways, zoogoers can gaze up at a 41-foot-tall lit tree choreographed to seasonal tunes, stop at the 20-foot-tall orb and 3D gingerbread house to take memorable photos, walk through the 600-foot-long “Tunnel of Lights,” and more.

Winterland at Gallagher Way (Friday-Sunday)

Winterland at Gallagher Way is back and better than ever with family-friendly festivities both at Gallagher Way and inside historic Wrigley Field, including new experiences and returning favorites like the Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville and the Gallagher Ice Rink.

‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil (Friday-Sunday)

A thrilling interpretation of the well-known Christmas classic, this joyful show about the virtues of generosity and friendship promises to leave a lasting impression on families this holiday season. ‘Twas the Night Before…, Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever holiday production, is a whirlwind of love, holiday cheer, riotous fun, and adorably endearing characters that will establish a new tradition for families to treasure.

Join Q101 and Miller Lite for the “Not So Silent Night” Ugly Sweater Competition! (Friday) 

Join Lauren, the Q101 crew and Miller Lite for an event filled with holiday cheer and an Ugly Christmas Sweater Competition offering a chance to win a $500 prize! Hosted by Q101 and Miller Lite, the event will take place on Friday, December 15th, from 7pm -10pm at Fatpour Tap Works in Wicker Park located at 2005 W Division St in Chicago. Get more information here!

Millenium Park Holiday Singalong (Friday) 

There’s nothing stopping you from showing up in Millennium Park at any point during the year and belting out your favorite holiday songs, but you can do it with a crowd of like-minded exhibitionists at this annual series of winter concerts and sing-alongs. This year, the series takes place every Friday at 6:30pm from December 1-15, with a different local choral group leading attendees in song each week. Song books will be distributed at each event.

Braid at Cobra Lounge (Saturday) 

Chicago-based Braid, longtime emo-stalwarts, head to the Cobra Lounge for a sold-out show on Saturday night, only a few months removed from their stellar set at Riot Fest 2023.

Lucky Boys Confusion at Concord Music Hall (Saturday) 

Hometown heroes Lucky Boys Confusion head to Concord Music Hall on Saturday night for a night of fun and excellent music. Tickets are still available for this show.

Hot Mulligan at House of Blues (Saturday) 

After headlining the Aragon Ballroom on Friday, Hot Mulligan head to the intimate confines of the House of Blues on Saturday for an encore performance. This show has been sold out since the day it went on sale.

The Armed at Metro (Saturday) 

Experimental punks The Armed are back in Chicago as they take their act to Wrigleyville’s Metro on Saturday night for what could end up being one of the best gigs of 2023. Limited tickets are available here.

Ugly Dog Sweater Christmas Party at Cody’s Public House (Saturday) 

Celebrate the holidays with your pooch at Cody’s Public House. The Lakeview bar has teamed up with Second City Canine Rescue for a series of fundraising events throughout December. Bring your four-legged BFF in on Thursday, December 14, for photos with Santa, as well as a Tito’s ornament making station. On Saturday, December 16, Cody’s will host an Ugly Dog Sweater Party, with prizes for the best dressed humans and dogs. There will also be a complimentary Tito’s custom dog tag station and a pup cup station. $1 from every sale of a cocktail on the Santa-Paws Sippers menu will be donated to Second City Canine Rescue.

Blackhawks host the Vancouver Canucks (Sunday)

The Blackhawks aren’t any good. The Canucks are very good. Sunday afternoon, the puck drops and it could get ugly!