Happy Thursday! May your day be full of no subzero weather, the CTA holiday train and jolly cocktails. But without further ado..

We’re sending one winner and a guest to HiJinx in Philadelphia. The Flyaway includes weekend passes for December 27th-28th, a hotel stay for the festival, and a $600 travel credit. Sign up for DoMORE and enter to lock in your year-end escape.*

JUST ANNOUNCED

• Noche Buena at Moe’s Cantina is your December holiday stop featuring seasonal cocktails, Latin flavors, and a lively setting fit for groups and festive nights. Now in River North and Wrigleyville. Enter to win a $100 gift card to check it out.*

• Manifest 2026 at the NYE Cosmic Countdown at Punch Bowl Social! Kick off the night with tarot readings and flash tattoos from local talent and vibe with DJs all night long. Enter to win tickets!*

• LUDO is bringing their theatrical, shout-along, emotionally chaotic magic back to House of Blues for two nights on March 6th. Expect big hooks, bigger feelings, and free tickets you can win.*

• Ten years deep and still crowd‑pleasing, State Champs bring their tight riffs, big hooks, and pop‑punk fireworks to The Salt Shed on January 9th. Sing your heart out with a crowd that gets you, and win tickets today.*

• Plus other just announced shows from Martin Garrix, White Reaper x Drug Church, Sidepiece, Iration, Lacuna Coil, GWAR, CupcakKe, Iron & Wine, and more!

BUSINESSES OPEN ON XMAS DAY

You can only tolerate so much eggnog and family small talk before you need to escape. Luckily, some Chicago spots are staying open on Christmas Day. We mapped ‘em all out, whether you're chasing hot toddies or total silence.

WHENEVER

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LOCALS ONLY

• If it glows, blinks, or says “Merry Whatever,” it’s probably one of Chicago’s unhinged holiday pop-ups. So you can bask in the season chaos with style.

• Ryan Deffet helped build this city’s music scene. On January 3rd, his people are throwing a celebration at Thalia Hall. Proceeds go to Experimental Sounds Studio. Don’t miss this one.

• On February 5th, trivia gets a glow-up. Smart at Heart is a benefit night for Hearts to Art, with raffles, trivia and more at Auditorium Theatre. Play to win.

• Have you caught the holiday train yet? There’s just a few more days left. Get on the hunt.

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