Don’t let the winter scare you. Embrace it because you don’t want to miss these winter gifts that will bring joy to your closet, ears, eyes, and belly.
Unique Gifts
If you want to stand out during gift exchanges this holiday season don’t miss the One of a Kind Show and Sale at the theMart. With more than 600 artists from across North America there is surely a vendor to match your style. Not only are the vendors unique, but so is the experience where you can enjoy fashion shows, live music, artist talks, a sports cafe, and other events. New this year will be the Emerging Market where the festival will feature 40 up-and-coming designers.

One of a Kind Show and Sale
Wonderland
Nothing gives you that warm feeling inside than spending time with the ones you love. Lincoln Park Zoo’s ZooLights provides a perfect setting for just that. The zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with two million lights, ice carvings, musical light shows, animal encounters, ice skating, holiday crafts, and more. Just a touch south you can also head to Winter Wonderfest with 170,000 square feet of rides, a Blackhawks ice rink, and more family fun at Navy Pier.

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights. © Todd Rosenberg Photography 2015
Rise to the Occasion
Last year saw the establishment of a new tradition in Chicago with Chi-Town Rising, which saw 90,000 people celebrate the new year at the Chicago River. Last year brought great musical acts including Chicago who performed as a star rose 36 stories in the air, and this year promises to be bigger and better than last year.

Chi-Town Rising.
Rock2017
Throughout the year visitors love to visit Buddy Guy’s Legends to catch a glimpse of the blues icon, but sometimes they leave missing him. Make sure to make it in January for the Buddy Shows where the legend will perform 16 shows with special guests at his blues club. He may be 80 years old, but Buddy Guy can still play and wail.

Buddy Guy’s Legends
Foodie Week
Get your Instagram accounts ready for all the beautifully delicious plates awaiting during Chicago Restaurant Week. Over 250 of Chicago’s most popular and revered restaurants will be offering special prix fixe menus from $22–$44. New this year will be the addition of a brunch prix fixe menu starting at $22.