Thanksgiving Weekend Family Fun

If you're staying in town for Thanksgiving, you'll find that there's no shortage of activities this weekend! In addition to Thanksgiving fun, many of this year's Holiday events are now getting underway. So forget shopping on Black Friday - get out there and do something fun!

November 25-27
Shrek the Musical
Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont
Shrek the Musical tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren’t only found in fairy tales. Ages 4 and up. See web site for show times. Ticket prices range from $22.50 - $87.50. Read more...

November 25
From Trash to Table: Transforming Leftovers into Delicious Dishes
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
Join Chef Jill Houk as she shares her passion for food this Friday by turning Thanksgiving leftovers into all new meals! She'll take you through cooking with your surplus turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, and will explain how food doesn't have to be boring the second time around. All ages. 1:30 -3:00 p.m. Included with admission. Read more...

November 26
The Flying Karamazov Brothers
The Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
For more than 35 years, The Flying Karamazov Brothers have brought their signature brand of physical humor and entertainment to theaters around the globe. Direct from Broadway, their latest show 4-Play is 100 minutes of cleverness and comedy with endless juggling (including items from the audience), a zany ballet, and banter that's part Marx Brothers, part Monty Python - 100% pure glee! 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. $28.50-$38.50. Read more...

November 26
Vienna Boys Choir
Symphony Center, 220 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
One of the oldest boys' choirs existing in the world and a symbol of Austria for nearly 500 years, Vienna Boys Choir returns to Symphony Center with a variety of traditional and holiday songs that are sure to delight the whole family. Kick off your holiday celebration with this popular and essential Thanksgiving weekend event! Ages 8 and up. 3pm. $22 - $83. Read more...

BUDGET BETS

November 19
Ice Skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue between Randolph/Monroe, Chicago
Skate of those holiday calories -The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park is open! The rink, now in its eleventh season, draws more than 100,000 skaters annually and is free and open to the public. Skate rental is available for $10. This weekend, the rink is open Thanksgiving 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., Friday 12pm - 10pm, Saturday 10am - 10pm, Sunday 10am - 9pm. Read more...

November 24
McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade
State Street from Congress to Randolph
Start your holiday with a parade! The McDonald’s® Thanksgiving Parade features sky-high balloons, dazzling equestrian units, the nation’s top marching bands, talented dance troupes and the best in varied cultural entertainment. It takes place on State Street on Thanksgiving Day, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This year’s lineup includes a wide range of spectacular group performances including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® present Fully Charged, Million Dollar Quartet and more. Free. Read more...

November 24
Thanksgiving Day Feast for the Animals
Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield
The annual Thanksgiving Day feast for the animals begins at Noon and features guests helping dish out tasty nutritious treats to the goats, cows, llamas and horses. Menu items include apples, carrots, sweet corn, oranges, timothy hay, alfalfa, hog chow, grapes, lettuce, bananas, and duck chow. After helping out, guests can watch as zookeepers feed some of the not-so-tame animals like the hawks, owls, woodchucks and raccoons. All ages. Starts at noon. Free admission! Read more...

November 25
20th Annual Wreathing of the Lions
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Celebrate the start of the holiday season with the 20th anniversary of this Chicago family favorite as the lions are adorned with traditional evergreen wreaths! Performances by the Wooten Choral Ensemble add melodic cheer outside during the ceremony and inside the museum immediately following. Hot tea, provided by Argo Tea, will keep your taste buds happy and your insides toasty warm. Families can stop by the Ryan Education Center to create wreaths inspired by the many treasures in the museum’s collection and meet Artie the Lion! All ages. 10am - 3pm. Free. Read more...

November 23 through December 24
Christkindlmarket
Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington, Chicago
The Christkindlmarket outdoor market is no longer just a German tradition, it has become a Chicago institution. The unique shopping experience, typical German food and drinks, as well as diverse holiday entertainment make the Christkindlmarket Chicago a preferred and popular destination. Admission is FREE! Read more...

November 26
Santa's Craft Corner at Cosley Zoo
Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton
Can’t make it to the North Pole? Do the next best thing and come to Cosley Zoo! Enjoy a visit with Santa, make a craft or two and enjoy cookies, punch and coffee. Photos with Santa are available for a small fee. Free Zoo admission! For ages 2 and up. 10am - 2pm. Zoo admission is free; $2/person suggested donation. Read more...

November 25-27
ZooLights
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago
Opening this weekend! Zoo lights takes place weekends through the 11th, and then nightly from December 16 - January 1. You can visit with Santa, see animals from around the world, watch live ice carving, try holiday crafts, and enjoy delicious food, hot spiced wine and holiday shopping. All ages. 5-9 p.m. Free. Read more...