Chicago Thanksgiving Weekend in Five Plans, Thursday to Sunday
A 9 AM race, gospel after the feast, a free Sunday rink. A Berliner decodes his first American long weekend.
🦃 Thursday 9 AM, the Turkey Trot in Lincoln Park
Nobody warned me that Americans run before they eat. The Life Time Turkey Trot starts both the 5K and the 8K at 9 AM on Cannon Drive, just south of Diversey, and the corrals open at 8 AM. Entry is 60 dollars for the 5K and 65 for the 8K, and finishers get a medal, post-race food and hot drinks before the Fressnarkose sets in. The costume contest at 10:30 AM is a glorious Schnapsidee.
🎡 Friday Morning, WonderFest Opens at Navy Pier
Black Friday has two camps, the mall crowd and everyone avoiding it. Wintrust Winter WonderFest opens its season on Friday inside Festival Hall at Navy Pier, with carnival rides, giant slides and an indoor rink. Tickets bought online at least 24 hours ahead cost 27 dollars instead of 32 at the door, and skating is included. Kids two and under enter free. Pure Vorfreude for December, and my alibi for skipping every checkout line.
🎶 Friday 6:30 PM, Gospel at the Foundation Room
After a day of leftovers, Mark Hubbard and The Voices bring gospel harmonies to the Foundation Room at House of Blues for their Friday After Thanksgiving concert. The set is listed for 6:30 PM. The room is standing only and strictly 21 and up, and the door checks ID. For someone raised on Berlin techno, a choir this close is Gänsehaut on demand, and the last chorus stayed with me as an Ohrwurm all weekend.
🎭 Saturday 2 PM, Mrs. Doubtfire at the Nederlander
Saturday asks for something warm and a little silly. Mrs. Doubtfire plays a 2 PM matinee at the James M. Nederlander Theatre on Randolph Street, the musical about an out-of-work actor who disguises himself as a Scottish nanny to stay near his kids. The show is recommended for ages 8 and up, a family outing with real Gemütlichkeit. Check seats with the box office ahead of the weekend.
⛸️ Sunday 9 AM, Free Lessons at the Millennium Park Rink
The long weekend ends where Chicago skates in public. The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park has free admission with skate rental extra, and free learn-to-skate lessons run from 9 to 10 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. The rink opens daily from 11 AM to 10:30 PM, weather permitting. I fell twice, laughed once, and called it Feierabend for the whole holiday.
