While this year’s St. Lucia Festival at the Swedish American Museum has already passed, there’s still plenty of holiday cheer to be had in Andersonville, Edgewater and nearby neighborhoods. Whatever holidays you celebrate and whatever your favorite traditions, take some time to look through the festivities and find something to enjoy.
Explore holiday events
Are you looking for some holiday cheer? Do you still need to wrap up your holiday shopping? Andersonville and Edgewater have the events for you. From 6 to 10 p.m. on December 16, Late-er Night Andersonville brings live music, discounts at local stores and more. This is a great event to visit as a family or a group of friends, all while supporting the local small businesses that make Andersonville the thriving neighborhood it is. If preparing for the holidays is stressing you out, there are even free guided meditations and yoga breathing demonstrations.
Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons through the end of the year, you can also check out the Edgewater holiday craft fair at Broadway Armory. Browse the work of 53 local artists and you just may find that perfect holiday decoration or unique gift for someone special. Better yet, you can also take the opportunity to donate to Care for Real, a local Edgewater organization that provides food, clothing and counseling to those who need it most.
Attend a local concert
Andersonville, Edgewater and our nearby neighborhoods are home to a wealth of local artistic groups, including many choirs and choruses. Is music an important part of the holiday season for you and your family? Then put one or more of these concerts on your calendar:
- Allegrezza Singers’ Stars Andersonville, Friday, December 16
- Chicago Fringe Opera’s Holiday House Party, Saturday, December 17
- Ravenswood Community Orchestra’s Holiday Concert, Sunday, December 18
Give back
The holidays are always a great time to give back to your community. If you’re able, consider joining Dreams for Kids’ Holidays for Hope Toy Wrapping Party at the Broadway Armory on December 15. At the event, you’ll help package gifts for 1,500 kids who could use some holiday cheer.
Of course, you can also support Chicago Methodist Seniors Services’ work this season. This is the time of our Annual Appeal, when we make a special request for contributions to support our programs. Read our Annual Report to see just how your donations fund our work, from art therapy to specialized rehabilitation. We hope it inspires you to contribute so that CMSS can continue the good work in 2017 and beyond.
What other great holiday events in our area would you recommend? Tell us on Facebook or Twitter!