1. Treat yourself to some klezmer
The Botanic Garden’s Hanukkah Concert is a perennial favorite; it’s absolutely worth the trek out to the burbs to see the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band perform. Come ready to dance to violins, clarinets and a whole lot of clapping. (Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL. 11am. $23, advance $20.)
2. Catch a musical ghost story
PigPen Theatre Co. always produces weird, wonderful, lo-fi folk work, marked by excellent storytelling. Their latest production, The Hunter and the Bear, is definitely worth checking out. (Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct, Glencoe, IL. 7:30pm. $35-$80.)
3. Skate around the Lincoln Park Zoo
The little frozen patch at the Farm in the Zoo may not be as expansive as the Skating Ribbon downtown, but close proximity to cows gives this rink a few extra points. (Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St, 12-9pm. $5 admission, $5 rentals.)
Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.