Skate Millennium Park Presented by Hilton    Through March 8 (weather permitting) DJ Nights: 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 6-8pm Millennium Park   Take a spin on the ice this winter at this Chicago tradition. For those looking for some extra guidance, check out the free lessons happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings and other select dates. And join us for DJ nights on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month. More info at millenniumpark.org. Grant support for Winter Workouts ice skating lessons is provided by McDonald's Active Lifestyles Endowment, managed by the Millennium Park Foundation.

Dance-Along Nutcracker® Sunday, December 8 Dance Lessons - 9am & Noon Performances - 10am & 1pm  Chicago Cultural Center Sugar plum fairies and mouse kings of all ages and dance skills are invited to point their toes to the familiar music of Tchaikovsky's holiday classic. Optional dance lessons precede the hour-long participatory performances. More info at chicagoculturalcenter.org. The Dance-Along Nutcracker®, created in 1985, is the property of the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, the world's first openly gay musical organization.

Chicago Architecture Biennial Programming December 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 21 Chicago Cultural Center	Dame Myra Hess Concerts December 4, 11 & 18 Chicago Cultural Center	Juicebox featuring Wendy & DB December 6 & 7 Chicago Cultural Center & Garfield Park Conservatory

UofC First Friday Lecture Series December 6  Chicago Cultural Center	Caroling at Cloud Gate December 6, 13 & 20  Millennium Park	Tsukasa Taiko December 7   Millennium Park

Birdfeeders for Winter Birds December 7 Millennium Park, Choral Room	Maxwell Street Market December 8, 15 & 22 800 S. Desplaines St. Presented by	Enhanced Building Tour for Visitors Who are Blind or Visually Impaired December 10 Chicago Cultural Center

A Towering Task: A Peace Corps Documentary December 11 Chicago Cultural Center	Serums and Salves December 15   Millennium Park, Choral Room	The 249th Beethoven Birthday Bash: SPIRIT December 16   Chicago Cultural Center

"Scrooge & Marley" Film Screening December 18 Chicago Cultural Center	New Music Chicago Presents: Grand Delusions on a Small Scale December 19 Chicago Cultural Center	Live Music Now! Young People's Concert December 19 Chicago Cultural Center

Juicebox featuring Future Hits December 20 & 21 Chicago Cultural Center & Garfield Park Conservatory	Chamber Mondays December 23 Chicago Cultural Center	Chicago Architecture Biennial Through January 5  Chicago Cultural Center & other locations

Setting the Stage: Objects of Chicago Theatre Through January 5 Expo 72, 72 E. Randolph St.	City of Chicago Christmas Tree Through January 6   Millennium Park	Screenhouse by Edra Soto Through Fall 2021  Millennium Park

Christine Tarkowski Exhibition Through Fall 2021 Millennium Park	Flying Creatures Ongoing Hanging from the street poles along Wabash Ave. between Washington and Randolph Streets Chicago Cultural Center

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced recently that the City of Chicago will increase funding for cultural grants by $1 million, fulfilling a commitment to prioritize equitable grantmaking and microfinancing to individual artists, organizations and arts corridors throughout Chicago - particularly in communities of need. This new investment increases the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Cultural Grants Program budget by 59% from $1.7 million to $2.7 million. At least $500,000 will be restricted for projects taking place on the South and West sides and in wards that have traditionally been least served by the Program. For more information, visit chicago.gov/dcase.

IAP grants aim to assist Chicago's practicing artists in creating work that develops their craft and elevates their careers, while adding to the cultural vitality of the city of Chicago. IAP grants support artists across all artistic disciplines including Film & Media Arts, Literary Arts, Performing Arts (Theatre/Dance), Music and Visual Arts/Design. To apply visit chicagoculturalgrants.org.

The Chicago Cultural Center will be closed on December 25 and January 1, and the building will close early at 5pm on December 24 and 31. Visit chicagoculturalcenter.org for more info.

 

Millennium Park and the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink (weather dependent) are open daily through the holidays. Visit millenniupark.org for hours.  

 

Get your holiday shopping done at the Maxwell Street Market on Sundays through December 22. The market will then take a season break until Sunday, March 1.