10th Annual War on XMas with The Lawrence Arms at Metro (Friday, Saturday) 

Iconic Chicago punk band The Lawrence Arms are back for their annual Christmas shows at the Metro. Two-day passes for this event are still available.

The Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Friday-Sunday)

Witness the iconic Christmas show, The Nutcracker, presented by the Joffrey Ballet. The show opens this Friday at 7pm at the Lyric Opera House and will run until December 28th. Tickets are available here.

One of a Kind Holiday Show (Friday-Sunday)

Running behind on holiday shopping? Buy a ticket to One of a Kind Holiday Market and shop up to 600 unique vendors. The market takes place all weekend on the seventh floor of the Merchandise Mart. A portion of ticket proceeds go towards the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and get you access to every day of the market.

Twisted Ticket Drop at Pub 97 (Friday)

Want a shot at tickets to Q101’s Twisted X–mas? Join Brian Phillips and the Q101 crew at Pub 97 for your chance to win! On Friday from 5:30-7:30pm, hang with friends, enjoy a Heineken Silver and win amazing prizes. Pub 97 is located at 3626 N Talman Ave.

Twisted Ticket Drop at Sluggers (Friday)

Looking for a way to get into Q101’s Twisted Christmas? We’ve got you covered! Head to Sluggers from 8:00pm-10:00pm for your chance to win tickets and other amazing prizes. Grab a Heineken, play at the batting cages and hang with Brian Phillips! Sluggers is located at 3540 N Clark St.

Bulls host the Pacers (Friday)

The Bulls look to get a leg up on their midwestern counterparts, the Indiana Pacers, with a home game on Friday night. 

Winterland at Gallagher Way (Friday)

Looking to get into the holiday spirit? Winterland opens this Friday at Gallagher Way. Shop unique gifts, grab a hot chocolate and get photos with Santa at this fun winter market. Winterland kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony at 6pm and will run until December 22. For all the info, click here.  

Harms Way & Weekend Nachos at Bottom Lounge (Saturday)

It’s a banner weekend for Chicago punk bands. Not only do The Lawrence Arms play a set of homecoming shows this weekend, but standout Chicago hardcore bands Harms Way and Weekend Nachos play a sold-out show at Bottom Lounge this weekend.

Twisted Ticket Drop at Tin Lizzie (Saturday)

Head to Tin Lizzie at 2483 N Clark St. to hang with Brian Haddad and the Q101 crew for your chance to win tickets to Twisted X-mas! Grab a Heineken Silver, watch the turtle races and win amazing prizes. The crew will be hanging out from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Twisted Ticket Drop at Uptown Lounge (Saturday)

It’s not too late to win your way into Q101’s Twisted X-mas! Head to Uptown Lounge at 1136 W Lawrence to hang with Brian Haddad and the Q101 crew. They’ll be with Heineken Silver from 8pm to 10pm handing out cool prizes and raffling tickets.

‘Love Actually’ in Concert (Saturday)

Celebrate the holiday season with Love Actually in Concert! Hear the Chicago Philharmonic play Craig Armstrong’s score as the film plays on the big screen. Tickets are available here.

Is/Was Brewing Holiday Market (Saturday)

Check out the new Ravenswood brewery Is/Was and enjoy some artisan vendors this Saturday from noon to 6pm. Grab a drink, shop gifts and hang with friends. For more info, check here.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets (Saturday)

Cheer on your Chicago Blackhawks as they take on the Winnipeg Jets this Saturday at United Center. Tickets are available here.

Clark Street Cookie Crawl (Sunday)

Satisfy your cravings with Lincoln Park’s annual Cookie Crawl this Sunday from 1pm to 3:30pm. Enjoy a delicious cookie at every stop, plus some boozy drink stops along the way! You can purchase tickets here.

The vinyl resurgence will not let up. According to a recent report by former Spotify economist Will Page predicts that record labels will gross $1 billion by the end of the year in vinyl sales alone. Globally, the old-school vessel for music is expected to overtake CDs. In fact, the economist reported that vinyl outpaced streaming, with records growing 15.4% and streaming only 10.4%.

This is the 18th straight year that vinyl sales have exceeded expectations.

It’s been a long time since a band as heavy as Knocked Loose has been on national TV.

The Kentucky-bred metal standouts have been on a tear in 2024. They brought metal to Coachella, headlined both The Salt Shed and the Aragon Ballroom, and now, have brought their one-of-a-kind screams to television. The band played ‘Kimmel’ last week, and their performance drew the ire of some die-hard viewers of ABC’s late-night show.

According to The Mirror, one particularly dramatic Facebook user recounted the show’s impact on their teenage son, writing, “I was sitting on the couch with my son who is an ADOLESCENT waiting to see the musical guest because we like the nice music the show usually books. By the third or fourth ‘JUNT’ from the guitars my son was in tears. He doesn’t like scary things and quite frankly I think the Kimmel show and its staff should make a formal apology.”

You can view Case from Brian & Kenzie’s interview with Knocked Loose below.

Christkindlmarket (Friday-Sunday)

The iconic Christkindlmarket comes to Chicago and Aurora this Friday for another season of holiday cheer! Shop unique gifts, try German foods and snatch a special Christkindlmarket mug full of your favorite holiday drink. For more information, check here. 

Millennium Park Holiday Market (Friday-Sunday)

After catching the iconic Chicago Christmas tree lighting ceremony, the Millennium Park Chase Promenade North will host a special Christmas market full of holiday gifts. The market runs all weekend long. 

Light of Christmas Drive Thru (Friday-Sunday)

Starting this weekend, Guaranteed Rate Field will host a Drive Thru light show featuring over one million LEDs set to holiday music. Tickets are available here. 

Willow Hill Lights (Friday-Sunday)

Head to the suburbs this weekend for a Drive Thru light show on the Willow Hill Golf Course. Proceeds go to Misericordia, benefitting those with developmental disabilities. Tickets are available here.

Santa Baby Christmas Bar (Friday-Sunday)

 Get into the holiday spirit with this immersive Wrigleyville Christmas bar! Enjoy multiple floors of decorations and handcrafted holiday cocktails. The bar opens this weekend at Bamboo Club with reservations open through January. You can make a reservation here.

JoJo’s Winter Wonderland (Friday-Sunday)

Looking for sweet holiday treats? JoJo’s ShakeBAR in River North for incredible shakes and over-the-top Christmas decorations. The ShakeBAR also features mixology classes and gingerbread house workshops! For more info, click here.

The Story So Far at the Aragon (Friday)

The Story So Far heads to the Aragon Ballroom tonight for a show with the incredible Superheaven and Koyo. Tickets are still available.

Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (Friday)

Head to Millennium Park this Friday for the annual city of Chicago tree lighting! The pre-show starts at 5pm and is followed by the tree lighting at 6pm. 

Whiskies of the World (Friday)

Sample a range of whiskies at Whiskies of the World. Over 150 variants will be featured along with masterclasses to those who purchase VIP tickets. More information is available here.

Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers (Friday & Saturday)

Check out an exciting weekend of brews at FoBAB for a collection of over 350 beers. The fest takes place over two days at 525 S Racine Ave. Beer lovers can purchase their tickets here.

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (Saturday)

Head to the Mag Mile this Saturday for the annual holiday parade! Catch 200 dazzling trees, marching bands and more along Michigan Avenue. The parade starts at 5:30pm, but you can show up early starting at 11am for activities along Michigan including photos with Santa.

Cake at The Salt Shed (Saturday) 

Shoutout to the short skirt & long jacket crowd. They’ll be at The Salt Shed on Saturday night for what should be a thrilling show. There is exactly one ticket left.

Morrissey at The Genesee Theatre (Saturday)

If anyone is looking to sell two tickets to this show, please contact Case the Producer on Instagram at (@_caselowe). This show is sold out but Case is looking to buy tickets.

Chicago Holiday Market (Saturday & Sunday)

Looking for unique Christmas gifts? The Chicago Market for Makers is showcasing over 90 artisan vendors at Artifact Events this weekend. The market runs from 11am to 5pm. Tickets are available here.

Saves the Day & Senses Fail at House of Blues (Sunday, Monday) 

The New Jersey vs. The World Tour heads to House of Blues for shows on Sunday and Monday for a pair of shows. Sunday is sold out but you can still find your way into Monday’s show.