New year, fresh plans. Bundle up and make the most of a winter weekend near you.
Roll the dice at Board Game Bash.
Gotham Gaming's monthly Board Game Bash offers a casual, drop-in way to spend an evening around the table. Bring your own games or choose from a library of more than 75 options, ranging from quick party games to longer strategy-based favorites.
Date: Jan. 10
Time: 7–10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St.
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Our real estate agents love winter in Chicago. It's a season when neighborhoods and communities all over Chicagoland come alive with festivals and events. These are some of the happenings we're most excited about in the new year!
Whiskey connoisseurs will want to mark their calendars for January 24, when the Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival
Winter weather has arrived! Layer up, follow the holiday lights, and catch a few can't-miss events this weekend.
Shop local at Sparkle and Shop.
Kick off the new year with a stroll through this indoor market focused on local makers and small businesses. This event brings together vendors selling fashion, accessories, home décor, art, beauty products, and handcrafted goods, along with food vendors offering sweet and savory bites. Expect a lively, festive setup with interactive stations, live demos, and plenty of photo-worthy moments as Chicago rings in 2026.
Date: Jan. 2
Time: 10 a.m–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Winter weather has arrived! Layer up, follow the holiday lights, and catch a few can't-miss events this weekend.
Take an after-hours walk at Cocktails Under the Lights.
Lightscape takes on an adults-only twist during this evening stroll through the Chicago Botanic Garden's illuminated installations. Wander the winding paths at your own pace while stopping for specialty cocktails and mocktails along the way.
Date: Jan. 2
Time: 4:30–8 p.m.
Cost: $36+
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe
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Winter weather has arrived! Layer up, follow the holiday lights, and catch a few can't-miss events this weekend.
Enjoy the Holiday Magic.
This is the final weekend to catch Brookfield Zoo's long-running holiday tradition, now expanded with more than 3.5 million lights across themed displays, tunnels, and walk-through experiences. New additions include a giant illuminated maze, interactive light installations, and a twinkling star pathway woven throughout the grounds.
Date: Jan. 2–4
Time: 3–9 p.m.
Cost: $21+
Location: Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Gold Rd., Brookfield