OUR KIND OF TOWN

VISIT CHICAGO AT THE HOLIDAYS, AND YOUR HEART MIGHT JUST GROW THREE SIZES.

- WRITER ALLISON YATES

MAGGIE DALEY ICE SKATING RIBBON

Good luck to any grinches who try to resist the charms of a Chicago Christmas. Shoppers bustle along Michigan Avenue and State Street. Wreaths hang round the necks of the Art Institute's beloved bronze lions. There are marquees aglow, popups galore— and always the hope you'll glimpse the Allstate CTA Holiday Train, decked out in twinkle lights. Sure, there's only one, and 224 miles of L track. But what's the season for if not a small miracle—and a wish list of 11 more festive ways to fill a weekend?

GO ICE-SKATING

Don't miss your chance to glide, stumble, and laugh with the skyline as your backdrop. Warm up with hot cocoa at Millennium Park's McCormick Tribune Ice Rink or wind around the frozen path at the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon. Want to sharpen your skills? The McCormick Tribune rink offers free skating lessons for all ages on weekends at 9 a.m. WHEN TO GO Reservations required for the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, open through early February. The Maggie Daley Ribbon is open until March 8; tickets are released twice a month on Mondays.

SIP ON GLÜHWEIN

Held in Daley Plaza downtown, Wrigleyville, and suburban Aurora, Chicago's spin on an outdoor Germanstyle Christkindlmarket is nearly always mobbed—but so fun. (The crowds are a bit more manageable during the week.) Indulge in a soft pretzel or gooey raclette cheese, or warm your hands with a mug of the festival's signature mulled wine. You can also browse gift vendors, take in music and dance performances, or check out special classes like ornament making. WHEN TO GO Open daily November 21-December 24 in downtown and Aurora and November 23-December 31 in Wrigleyville.

DREAM OF SUGAR PLUMS