Most emailed Events items

1. Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker Drive - 990 N. Michigan Ave. - Chicago (Magnificent Mile)

Mickey Mouse leads a street-lighting procession along North Michigan Avenue at this annual event.

2. Christkindlmarket Chicago

Daley Plaza - 50 W. Washington St. - Chicago (Loop)

An open-air, German-style market showcases handmade ornaments, accessories, clothing and gifts from more than 50 vendors. Also features German food and drink such as beer, hot spiced wine, potato pancakes, bratwurst, schnitzel, strudel and more.

3. Holiday Art Sale

School of the Art Institute - 112 S. Michigan Ave. - Chicago (Grant Park Museums)

Browse gifts created by about 200 art students at the 21st annual sale in the MacLean Center Ballroom.

4. Metromix/RedEye Black Wednesday Pilgrimage

Emerald Loop Bar & Grill - 216 N. Wabash Ave. - Chicago (Loop)

A Thanksgiving Eve pub crawl with Metromix and RedEye

5. Modern Vintage Holiday Market

Journeymen Plumber's Hall - 1340 W. Washington Blvd. - Chicago (West Loop)

The third annual shopping event from the organizers of the Chicago Antique Market and the Indie Designer Market.

6. City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Daley Plaza - 50 W. Washington St. - Chicago (Loop)

It's smaller and slimmer this year, but the 55-foot tall tree still serves as the centerpiece of the 96th annual holiday spectacle

7. McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade 1

State Street and Congress Parkway - 500 S. State St. - Chicago (South Loop)

The 76th annual procession features marching bands, floats, giant helium balloons, horses, performances and more.

8. Scrabble Sundays

Swim Cafe - 1357 W. Chicago Ave. - Chicago (West Town)

Join in for some games of Scrabble. If you're the big winner, bring your score sheet up to the register for a free drink.

9. Green City Market

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - 2430 N. Cannon Drive - Chicago (Lincoln Park)

Shop for artisanal cheeses, meats, microgreens, apples, dried fruit, root vegetables, baked goods, fresh pasta and more.

10. Caroling at Cloud Gate

Millennium Park - 201 E. Randolph St. - Chicago (Grant Park Museums)

Hold a candle and watch it flicker on the surface of the Bean during 50 minute holiday sing-alongs featuring a different choral group each week.

11. ZooLights

Lincoln Park Zoo - 2200 N. Cannon Drive - Chicago (Lincoln Park)

More than two million lights add holiday cheer to the zoo grounds. Ice carving demonstrations, kids' activities and visits with Santa round out the festivities.

12. Spirit of Chicago Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise

Spirit of Chicago - 600 E. Grand Ave. - Chicago (Streeterville)

Skyline views from the lake complement a traditional menu of holiday fare. Includes a DJ and entertainment.

13. With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition

Newberry Library - 60 W. Walton St. - Chicago (Near North Side)

Celebrate the 200th birthday of America’s 16th president with a showing of rarely seen artifacts.

14. New Year's Eve Rock 'n' Roll Ball

The Hotel InterContinental O’Hare - 5300 N. River Rd. - Rosemont

Alt-rockers the Gin Blossoms headline the 13th annual party, featuring three stages of entertainment, a four-hour open bar. Hip-hop tribute act Too White Crew also perform, along with the Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra, The Breakfast Club and DJs.

15. Chicago Arts District Second Fridays Gallery Night

Halsted and 18th Streets - 1800 S. Halsted St. - Chicago (Pilsen/Heart of Chicago/Little Village)

This monthly walking tour of Pilsen features art galleries, performance art and shopping opportunities at about 30 neighborhood spots.

16. Chicago holiday events

Spread cheer with this festive crop of events in the city

17. DIY Trunk Show

Pulaski Park Fieldhouse - 1419 W. Blackhawk St. - Chicago (West Town)

Browse jewelry, stationery, housewares, body care products and other handmade items from more than 100 local artists and crafters.

18. Tango for Beginners

TangoChicago - 408 S. Michigan Ave. - Chicago (Grant Park Museums)

A lesson with professional instructors. Wear leather-soled shoes and comfortable clothes. Bring a partner for a buy one get one free deal on the class price.

19. Chicago Architecture Foundation's 'Modern Skyscrapers' tour

Chicago Architecture Foundation - 224 S. Michigan Ave. - Chicago (Grant Park Museums)

View modern, postmodern and contemporary skyscrapers including Trump Tower and the Art Institute's Modern Wing, during a two-hour walking tour.

20. Chicago Toy and Game Fair

Navy Pier - 600 E. Grand Ave. - Chicago (Streeterville)

Get your hands on new releases from major manufacturers.

21. New Year's Eve Soiree 2010 at the Westin

Westin Hotel - 909 N. Michigan Ave. - Chicago (Magnificent Mile)

Party in multiple ballrooms and get top shelf drinks from an open bar, champagne all night, appetizers, a midnight toast and party favors.

22. Camino a Casa: Coming Home on Day of the Dead

National Museum of Mexican Art - 1852 W. 19th St. - Chicago (Little Tuscany)

Celebrated author Sandra Cisneros (“The House on Mango Street”) created a special ofrenda (altar) for the 23rd annual exhibition, billed the largest of its type in the U.S.

23. Free Chicago events 2

Go ahead, be cheap! These fun events won't break the bank

24. Dance Along Nutcracker

Preston Bradley Hall at Chicago Cultural Center - 78 E. Washington St. - Chicago (Grant Park Museums)

Dress up as you favorite "Nutcracker" character or circus performer and hit the dance floor.

25. Chicago Architecture Foundation's 'Devil in the White City' tour