This season, West Side is alive with the holiday spirit. This weekend alone features plenty of places where kids can pick up free toys, enjoy tasty treats and take pictures with Santa. There are also some events for adults and seniors.
This list isn’t intended to be all-comprehensive, but we tried our best to include as many as we could.
Friday, December 15
Better Life Faith Church, 5401 W. Lake St., is hosting a Christmas Spectacular Spectacle. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., but the festivities will kick off at 7 p.m. The church promises a “LipSync Battle, great music, giveaways and an entertaining night of fun.”
Saturday, December 16
UCAN and the Chicago Park District are organizing a Christmas Party at Franklin Park, 4320 W. 15th St, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children will get a chance to take pictures with Santa and get free toys and books. The organizers also promise “food and lots of fun.”
Garfield Park Community Council is holding a Pajama Jam and karaoke event at the Hatchery, 135 N. Kedzie Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Singing, dancing, activities and pizza are on tap.
345 Art Gallery, 345 N. Kedzie Ave., is hosting its fourth annual Ugly Sweater Party and Toy Drive from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guests are invited to bring unwrapped gifts suitable for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. There will be a raffle and treats, a comedy show and music by DJ Imani. Tickets are $10 a person.
Light Up Lawndale initiative is organizing a special “Gingerbread Edition” event at Douglass Park. Held from 5 to 9 p.m., the event will feature youth carolers, a fully decked out CTA Holiday Bus, a gingerbread house exhibition, free photos with Santa and live music. This is another opportunity for families to pick up free toys.
Sunday, December 17
Earth’s Remedies, a West Side organization that seeks to connect local residents, businesses and scholars to resources and information, is teaming up with Youth Guidance tutoring organization and My CHI My Future initiative to hold a Winter Wonderland event for the West Side youth. The event will be held at the Garfield Park Conservatory, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Families will be able to pick up toys, electronics, art prints and warm meals.
The 29th Ward staff is organizing a “Christmas with Chris” event from 12 to 2 p.m. at the ward office, 6272 W. North Ave. The staff will give away toys and home supplies, and free food will be provided.
Monday, December 18
Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin and her husband, Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) will be hosting a Senior Holiday Luncheon at Cinespace Studios’ Kedzie campus, 3555 W. 31st St. The luncheon will take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with the lunch served at noon. The event is free, but attendees must register by Dec. 15 by calling 773-242-6547
And more!
This year, Metra is running trains decked out in Christmas-style decorations on all of its lines. The trains will run on Milwaukee District West Line, which has stops in North Austin and Galewood, all the way until Jan. 2, 2024. The trains will follow regular schedules – the trick is catching the right train.
All trains will stop at the two of the stations serving Galewood – the Galewood station at Narragansett Avenue and Montclare station at Medill Street. Catching the train in North Austin is trickier, since Grand/Cicero station at the eponymous intersection and Hansen Park station at Central Avenue are weekday, rush hour only stops, and so is the Galewood’s Mars station at Oak Park Avenue.
For detailed schedule of decked-out trains on Milwaukee District West and other Metra lines, click here.
