By: Ashmar Mandou

Celebrate Christmas with light displays and festive pop-ups around the city. Although many events are adopting to the new COVID-19 guidelines, there is still fun to be had this holiday season. Below are just a few things you can do this weekend.

Maggie Daley Park
Situated in the heart of downtown Chicago, with the city’s sweeping skyline as a backdrop, the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is a winter attraction unlike any other. Admission to the Skating Ribbon is always free, but this year you’ll need a reservation in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines. The Ribbon stays open through March (weather permitting) and even offers limited hours on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. For more information on times, reservations, and price visit www.maggiedaleypark.com.

King McCallister Experience
Just in time for the holidays, our new Home Alone experience lets you spend the night like Kevin McCallister. Eat junk, watch rubbish. There’s no one to stop you. (Just go easy on the Pepsi.) Explore the streets where the Home Alone saga began with the King McCallister Experience, and enjoy these extras to help you relive your favorite movie moments:

• A polaroid to use throughout your entire visit to snap your favorite moments of your stay

• A lovely cheese pizza just for you (Chicago-style pizza decked out as Little Nero’s)

• In-room theater featuring Home Alone movies on demand

To check availability and prices, visit www.graduatehotels.com/evanston/package/king-mccallister-experience/

ZooLights
Each year, ZooLights brings millions of LED bulbs to the sprawling grounds of Lincoln Park Zoo for a twinkling after-hours display, plus other holiday-related events like carolers, Santa meet-and-greets and ice-carving demonstrations. This year’s exhibit runs through January 3. In addition to the regular ZooLights admission, guests will also be able to snag tickets for an adults-only night out (complete with mulled wine and hot chocolate) and A Charlie Brown Christmas tribute concert from the Chris White Trio.  For more information, visit www.lpzoo.org

Jack Frost Winter Village
The two-acre attraction boasts a sprawling Christmas tree farm, photo opportunities and a dazzling, light-filled jaunt that’s perfect for families who want to get some fresh air this winter. Tickets are available now and allow parties to explore the grounds for an hour and a half—the most affordable pass goes for $21 per person and includes Jack’s Winter Walk and a Christmas doughnut (a Christmas tree will cost extra, of course). The pop-up runs through January 10th. To learn more, visit https://www.showclix.com/event/jacks-winter-walk-2020acq1nyn