Lincoln Commons Hosts Tree Lighting, Santa and Reindeer December 5th & Menorah Lighting December 22, 2019

LINCOLN COMMON CELEBRATES 

THE HOLIDAYS 

Lincoln Park’s newest destination to host 

first Tree Lighting & Menorah Lighting

Lincoln Common, 2345 N. Lincoln Ave., in partnership with the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, kicks off its first holiday season on Thursday, December 5 at 5:30 p.m. on its central Plaza with Alderman Michele Smith. The evening will include an appearance by Santa, two of his reindeer, caroling with Old Town School of Folk Music, special holiday dance performances by Equinox Lincoln Common and hot cocoa from Philz Coffee. The 22-foot tree will be centered on the Plaza beneath the trellis, complete with a large snowflake topper.



Lincoln Common and Belmont Village Senior Living will mark the first night of Hanukkah, Sunday, December 22, with the Festival of Lights, a family-friendly evening of activities. From 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., guests will gather and enjoy lite bites at Belmont Village, 700 W. Fullerton Ave., then proceed to the Lincoln Common Plaza for the lighting of the menorah at 5:30 p.m. with Alderman Smith and Rabbi Mendy Benhiyoun of Chabad Lincoln Park.

Guests are invited to take advantage of the multiple CTA travel options or park in the Lincoln Common garage located at 2316 N. Lincoln Ave., where the first 90 minutes are free with validation.

Visit www.lincolncommon.com for event details or call (773) 938-3001.



About Lincoln Common
Lincoln Common, developed by Hines and McCaffery and designed by world-renowned architect Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and Antunovich Associates to LEED Silver certification standards, is home to world-class residential, retail, dining and fitness experiences, featuring 100,000 square feet of retail space, 538 upscale luxury apartment units, 32 luxury condominiums, a five-story boutique office building, an 850-stall parking garage, a 156-room senior living facility, and more than an acre of open space for residents, Chicagoans and visitors to enjoy. Offering year-round events on the central plaza, this conveniently located live-work-play destination and vibrant new crossroads of Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood is a gathering center for community members of all ages. For more information, visit www.lincolncommon.com. Follow Lincoln Common on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.

Meet Santa at Skydeck Chicago 12/18-23 12-5pm

Come ChiIL out at one of Chi, IL's TOP locals, Skydeck Chicago, home of the infamous Ledge. The view rivals what Santa can see from his sleigh. Snap a selfie or unique holiday card with the family. 

Santa is making a stop at Skydeck Chicago this year! From December 18 – 23 (12pm – 5pm), Mr. Claus will be visiting the Ledge, inviting Chicagoans to take a selfie or capture the perfect Christmas card. At 1,353 feet up, The Ledge’s glass boxes extend out 4.3 feet from the skyscraper’s Skydeck on the 103rd floor. On a clear day, visitors can view up to 50 miles and four states.



What: Selfies with Santa at Skydeck Chicago



When: December 18-23 (12pm – 5pm)

Where: Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Dr.

Ages: All ages

Cost:
·         Adult (ages 12 and up): $23
·         Youth (ages 3 to 11): $15              
·         Children (under 3): Free

Free Gifts Galore at the Ashley Homestore Downers Grove Grand Opening This Saturday at 9:30am

Hey Chicago area readers, this Saturday ChiIL Mama will be ChiILin' at the grand opening event at Chi, IL's newest Ashley Homestore in Downers Grove. The location is 2900 South Highland Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515. We're pleased to partner up with them for this sponsored post and have been compensated for sharing this information with our readers. 



Come on out to The new Ashley Homestore in Downers Grove and check off your gift list in style. 

You are invited to celebrate the grand opening of the newest Chicagoland Ashley HomeStore at 2900 S. Highland Avenue in Downers Grove. The festivities begin at 9:30am on Saturday, Dec. 9th and continue throughout the day.

The day will kick off with a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. The first 100 guests in line will receive a $100 gift cards and the first 200 in line will receive a Bluetooth headsets. Guests will also enter to win over $30,000 in prize giveaways that include a $1,000 Dining Room, $1,500 Bedroom and a $2,000 Living Room and even a $15,000 home makeover. There will also be a prize wheel with spaces for items such as tumblers, wine glasses and chances to enter a money machine.

Making a special appearance will be Kelly Rizzo, the rocker-chic host of “Eat Travel Rock TV,” the popular on-demand entertainment series where she goes behind the scenes with master chefs, rock stars and creative industry heavyweights. Rizzo will get insights from an Ashley HomeStore Lifestyle Expert on how visitors can make their homes ready for the holidays and will share a mocktail recipe.

Refreshments will be served and families will have the opportunity to take their own photos with Santa. Rounding out the entertainment will be face painters, balloon artists and live music from your favorite local radio deejays.

Help Out:
Ashley HomeStores is committed to serving its communities. This location is partnering with Northern Illinois Food Bank of Geneva to accept donations for its holiday food drive. Guests are encouraged to drop off nonperishable food items in special donation boxes.


Please follow the grand opening fun with #myashleyhome.





Disclosure: Once again this is a sponsored post, and I have been compensated for sharing this information with my readers. As always, all opinions are my own.

Last Call For HGTV's Santa HQ at Fashion Outlets of Chicago

Have you taken the littles to see Santa yet?! With school in session in Chicago up till 12/23 it may have been tough. If you haven't seen the jolly old elf yet, go already! It's not too late.

Waaaaay back on November 10th, I had the chance to check out Santa HQ by HGTV at Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Check out my original photos below. 



ChiIL Mama ChiILin' with Santa just north of Chi, IL at HGTV's Santa HQ at Fashion Outlets of Chicago



Since then, thousands of Chicago area families have enjoyed this high tech trek to Santa. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, go already. 







Fashion Outlets of Chicago is one of our favorites, and a stellar spot to find last minute gifts. We also recommend taking your holiday money there next week to treat yourself. I was given a fun goody bag for coming out to cover Santa HQ. I was not compensated in any other way. As always, all opinions and experiences are my own.

ChiIL Mama's Adventures at Santa HQ

Look! I made the top of the "Nice List". 

After exploring Santa HQ and telling the big guy in the red suit what I wanted for Christmas, I went to Hot Topic, The Body Shop, and a close out sale at Aeropostale where I found a great deal on a bunch of awesome jeans for my teen daughter, 4 flannels, and loads of cozy polar bear and panda socks for stocking stuffers. 

We're wishing you and yours happy holidays, magical memories, and warm winter fun with family and friends. 

Stick around outside of Santa HQ for fabulous tips on holiday gifts from HGTV!!

OPENING: From Carol King to Lion King! 5 Fabulous Shows We're Reviewing This Week.

We're back from Thanksgiving Break with family and it's going to be a WHIRLWIND WEEK of theatre openings in Chicago. Check back with ChiIL Mama & ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often for original coverage, theatre & entertainment news and reviews, great nationwide giveaways and more! 

Here's what's on our plate this week:

Today we'll be taking an elf led press tour and meeting the big man himself, Santa Claus, at Swissotel Chicago.

Tuesday is Opening Night of The Christmas Schooner, one of our annual holiday favs at Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 North Southport Avenue, Chicago, IL, US, 60613

Wednesday through Friday we have Broadway In Chicago press openings:

BEAUTIFUL – Wednesday, December 2 at 7:30 PM at the Oriental Theatre (24 W Randolph)

POTTED POTTER – Thursday, December 3 at 7:30 PM at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E Chestnut). heart emoticon this show! It's so creative and fun. 

Click here for show details and ChiIL Mama's past review from 2012.

The last time they played Chicago, a few years back, ChiIL Mama and the kids got in on the opening night action at Potted Potter and we all loved it!  I honestly can't remember the last time an audience full of adults and kids all laughed so hard. This low tech, old school show is brilliant sketch comedy, and supreme silliness coupled with over the top talent. Dan and Jeff are two funny guys. Don't miss this! Get your Potted Potter tixs and enjoy these brilliantly beguiling Brits before they leave Chi-town!

THE LION KING (this one's still a maybe pending availability) – Friday, December 4 at 7:30 PM at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W Randolph).

Saturday is one of our all time top holiday favorites, opening night of 

A Q Brothers Christmas Carol at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. 

JOY!! 

Click here for show details and ChiIL Mama's past reviews from 2013/14.

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