WICKER PARK — There's plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit in the vicinity of Wicker Park this weekend, including opportunities to watch or hop on the CTA's Holiday Train and shop for gifts at local markets and trunk shows.
Hyde Park-based artist Joe Mills will be bringing his new "Heart of Bucktown and Wicker Park" poster map to the 15th Annual Bucktown Holiday ArtShow from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Holstein Park field house, 2200 N. Oakley Ave.
The 18 x 24 poster map, which costs $40 for a numbered edition signed by Mills or $25 for a print, is a follow-up to Mills' first local map, "Bucktown and Wicker Park," which sold out last month as word spread on social media.
Reached by phone, Mills said the new map contains a graffiti tag bearing the name of Frankie Machine, a card dealer in a novel by iconic Wicker Park writer Nelson Algren.
Other local images include a historic home in Wicker Park's "Beer Baron Row," the Charles Wicker statue and landmarks like the Flat Iron building and Northwest Tower.
A part-time art teacher, the 37-year-old Mills and father to two young children said he works on the maps when he can and usually will go online, or walk around a neighborhood and take pictures of "things of interest that are specific to the neighborhood that are longstanding."
"I know Wicker Park tends to get the hipster thing but I tried to pick stuff that's more longstanding," Mills said. View the map here.
For other locally-inspired gift ideas, check out DNAinfo Chicago's Wicker Park Bucktown Holiday Gift guide.
Here are some event and shopping highlights.
Friday
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Gingerbread Bop in Bucktown. Drop your kids off at an art studio, where they'll create a gingerbread house and work on holiday crafts. Dinner is included, along with "a mass amount of holiday music," according to organizers. Cost is $40 per child and registration is required. Email or call 773-360-1720. Easel Art Studio at 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Bucktown
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. "I Celebrate Exuberance When You Wave." Look up from your iPhone to watch poetry and video projected onto three historic buildings at the Milwaukee, Damen and North avenues intersection. Best view is in front of the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park.
6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Shame That Tune's "Midlife Crisis" party. Enjoy "improvised songs and awkward interviews, as well as embarrassing tales" from three funny contestants. Admission is $5 in advance online or $7 at the door of the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave. in far East Bucktown/West Lincoln Park.
Saturday
9 a.m. to Noon. Photos with Santa and Clothing Donation Drop-Off. Bring in your donations of warm coats, hats, mittens and scarves to support the Chicago homeless community and enjoy free photo opportunities with Santa by Melissa Song Photography. Dogs and cats are welcome too. Ugly Mug Cafe at 1458 W. Chicago Ave. in Noble Square.
Noon to 2:30 p.m. Holiday Party at Commercial Park. Pop into the park's clubhouse for refreshments, crafts, carriage rides and visiting with Santa. Sponsored by the park's advisory council, the event is free. 1845 W. Rice St. in East Village.
Noon to 4 p.m. Handmade Market at Empty Bottle. Crafters and shoppers unite at this indoor bazaar featuring affordable and mostly locally made items including jewelry, cards, clothing, handbags and more. Free admission, ages 21 and older. Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave.
Noon to 5 p.m. 15th Annual Bucktown Holiday ArtShow. Explore several rooms full of vendors offering paintings, jewelry, hand knit apparel, ceramics, cards and more. Admission is $2 but you can download a free pass here. Holstein Park field house at 2200 N. Oakley Ave. in Bucktown.
Noon to 12 a.m. Sweet 16 Anniversary Party. Celebrate a local shop's longevity all day long, with music, fashion and dancing. The Silver Room, 1442 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park.
Noon to 6 p.m. Krazy Krampus Art Market. Score unique gifts from 16 local artists including Uriel Correa, Ryan Duggan and Corrine Halbert at Peanut Gallery, 1000 N. California Ave. in Humboldt Park.
1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Mad Hatters Family Story Time. A community project of the Junior League of Chicago, the session brings live stories, poems and songs to life by performers who plan to wear "silly hats to encourage each child to expand his/her mind through reading," Free, geared toward children ages 3 to 9 and their parents. West Town library, 1625 W. Chicago Ave. in West Town.
5 to 9 p.m. Ugly Sweater Holiday Party. Put on your favorite hideous sweater and join the fun at One Strange Bird, 2124 W. Division St. in Wicker Park.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Farmers Market in Logan Square. Missing the outdoor Wicker Park Farmers Market and weekly Nosh Food Fest? Head seven blocks west to the old Pierre Bakery building and find both events going strong every Sunday at 2755 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Logan Square.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dose Market at Chop Shop's 1st Ward. The theme of this Sunday's Dose Market is "Holidose." The lineup includes craft whiskey award winner Few Spirits and "Icelandic beanies," among others. The market is located at 2033 W. North Ave. in Wicker Park.
Noon to 5 p.m. King Onye Label Trunk Show at Benefit Cosmetics. Oneka Ijeoma, creator of luxury accessories brand King Onye, will showcase her occasion jewelry and new pieces from the "From God & the King" Collection. The afternoon includes complimentary brow wax with any makeup and jewelry purchase. Mimosas will be served, too. Benefit Cosmetics at 1616 N. Damen Ave. in Wicker Park.
Noon to 5 p.m. 15th Annual Bucktown Holiday ArtShow, 2200 N. Oakley Ave., in Bucktown.
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Chester Allen Trunk Show. A renown New Orleans-based artist brings colorful gemstone baubles from the Universal Groove collection to Jackson Junge Gallery, 1389 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park.
