Entertainment

Best Bets: 'Holiday Magic' returns to Brookfield Zoo

Posted November 24, 2020 5:00 am

By Scott C. Morgan

Brookfield Zoo's 39th annual outdoor “Holiday Magic” returns for select dates Friday, Nov. 27, through Thursday, Dec. 31. Courtesy of Brookfield Zoo

Illuminated zoo

Brookfield Zoo's “Holiday Magic” returns for another season, albeit with new safety protocols for outdoors-only light displays. It's on now through Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Chicago Zoological Society, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. $24.95; $19.95 seniors; $17.95 kids; $13.39 parking. Advance reservations are required as no tickets will be sold on-site; some times and dates are sold out. The zoo will be closed in January and February. (708) 688-8000 or czs.org/holidaymagic. Select evenings from 3 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 31

Six Flags Great America's outdoor "Holiday in the Park Lights" runs on select evenings through Wednesday, Dec. 30, in Gurnee. Courtesy of Six Flags Great America

All aglow

Marvel at more than 2.5 million lights on display as part of “Holiday in the Park Lights,” an outdoor and socially distanced experience on select evenings now through Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. $19.99; advance reservations required. (847) 249-1776 or sixflags.com/greatamerica. 4 to 9 p.m. select evenings through Wednesday, Dec. 30

Chicago holiday origin stories are included in an online event called "Virtual Holiday Stories Happy Hour" on select evenings through Dec. 28 (no meetup on Dec. 25). Courtesy of Chicago Detours

Online holiday antics

Chicago Detours sponsors a “Virtual Holiday Stories Happy Hour” with social games, costumes and other interactive online activities on select evenings now through Dec. 28. $20 per individual; $35 per household. Limit of 45 participants per event. (312) 350-1131 or chicagodetours.com. 7 p.m. Friday (no meetup Dec. 25), 4 p.m. Saturday, 6 p.m. Monday; through Dec. 28

On-screen Santa

Parents who don't want to venture out of the house can have their children share their Christmas wish lists via “Virtual Santa Visits.” The Zoom meetings are this weekend via the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $25. Advance reservations requested. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28-29, and 3-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3

Tony Award-wining actor Brian Stokes Mitchell is part of Chicago's Sarah Siddons Society 2020 Virtual Gala honoring him at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29. Associated Press, 2019

Broadway star

Tony Award-winning Broadway star and COVID-19 survivor Brian Stokes Mitchell is the 2020 honoree of the Sarah Siddons Society Virtual Gala. Meet online with Mitchell, see Broadway stars sharing greetings and hear Sarah Siddons Society Scholarship recipients in song for this virtual event on Sunday. No charge, but donations are appreciated. sarahsiddonssociety.org. 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29

Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Judith Light is the host of the virtual "World AIDS Day 2020 - A National Conversation" event on Tuesday, Dec. 1. Associated Press, 2019

World AIDS Day event

Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Judith Light is the host of the virtual commemoration event “World AIDS Day 2020 - A National Conversation.” Guests include Dr. Anthony Fauci, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and more on Tuesday. Also featured is an AIDS Quilt Virtual Exhibition. Free, but donations are appreciated. aidsmemorial.org/wad2020. 8-10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1

Loop online

Val Warner of ABC 7 Chicago's “Windy City Live” hosts “Re-ACTIVATE - A Virtual Fundraiser” for the Chicago Loop Alliance. The online event features live painting, lively conversations and more. RSVP required. Free, but donations are appreciated. (312) 782-9160 or loopchicago.com. 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago presents the online world premiere of "The Sky Was Different" starting Thursday, Dec. 3. Choreographer Jonathan Fredrickson's surrealist filmed dance piece is inspired by stories shared by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago dancers. Courtesy of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

A 'Different' dance

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago presents the online world premiere of “The Sky Was Different” on Thursday. Choreographer Jonathan Fredrickson's surrealist filmed dance piece takes its inspiration from the personal stories of company dancers. Free, but RSVP in advance; donations are appreciated. (312) 850-9744 or hubbardstreetdance.com. 6 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 5, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

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