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Playlist Holidays

Holidays

Call the Midwife Season 9 Holiday Special. Photo: Neal Street Productions

'Call the Midwife' Recap: Season 9 Holiday Special

Daniel Hautzinger

Mother Mildred brings a contingent of midwives with her to the Outer Hebrides, where fickle electricity and isolated attitudes create difficulties for them as they try to help a hotheaded young woman and another who lives far away at a lighthouse.
Kristin Chenoweth with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Your Guide to WTTW's Holiday Specials

Daniel Hautzinger

As the end of the year and the holidays approach, here’s a run-down of holiday specials that WTTW is airing, to help you get your holiday cheer on!
The CTA Holiday Train. Photo: CTA

The CTA Holiday Fleet is Here

Daniel Hautzinger

Don't miss your chance to ride on the bus or train in the CTA's Holiday Fleet, which brings Santa around the city over the next month. 
Museum of Science and Industry

‘Tis the Season: 10 (And More!) Things to Do for the Holidays in Chicago

Meredith Francis

It already feels like winter in Chicago, so it’s time to break out the mittens, lace up the skates, and fill your mug with hot cocoa­­—though not necessarily in that order. Here are just some of the things you can do around Chicagoland this holiday season.
Fireworks over the US Capitol. Photo: Leonid Andronov/Alamy Stock Photo

The Performers of 'A Capitol Fourth' in 2019

Daniel Hautzinger

From Carole King and the cast of a Broadway musical about her life to Sesame Street Muppets to Colbie Caillat, this year's A Capitol Fourth features the old and new across various genres. Meet the performers here.  
A chocolate pave heart from Chicago's Bittersweet

How to Make Chocolate Hearts for Valentine's Day

Daniel Hautzinger

Instead of buying chocolates for Valentine's Day (whether for a loved one or for yourself!), why not try making some delectable chocolate hearts studded with cranberries, with a recipe from Chicago's Bittersweet in Lakeview?
Call the Midwife holiday special. Photo: Neal Street Productions

'Call the Midwife' Recap: Season 8 Holiday Special

Daniel Hautzinger

As Christmas approaches, the Nonnatus sisters are called back to the Mother House to elect a new Mother Superior. There, they care for newly arrived orphans from China as well as a pregnant woman who used to live there. Back in Poplar, Trixie returns and helps with a birth in an unusual place.
Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood in the Great British Baking Show Masterclass Christmas Special. Photo: Love Productions

What to Stream this Month

Daniel Hautzinger

December obviously brings the holidays, making it the perfect time to curl up in your warm home and watch some TV while snow falls outside. Here are holiday specials, a Christmas concert, festive baking episodes, and more to tide you through those dark, cold nights.

The Chicago Botanic Garden's Wonderland Express exhibition. Photo: Chicago Botanic Garden

Tour a wintry Chicago – made out of nuts, twigs, bark, and mushrooms!

Daniel Hautzinger

Imagine Chicago transformed into a festive forest fairyland, and you have the Chicago Botanic Garden's holiday Wonderland Express. Over 80 landmarks are constructed completely out of natural materials, from bark to gourds. Take a magical video tour here.

Lincoln Park ZooLights. Photo: Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park ZooLights and Its More Than Two Million Lights Are Back

Daniel Hautzinger

More than two million lights, a crew of twenty-two people, 7,200 working hours, 600,000 visitors: it's ZooLights, one of Chicago's beloved holiday traditions. What does it take to plan, set up, and run the extravagant light shows?
The CTA Holiday Train. Photo: CTA

The CTA Holiday Train and Bus Are Returning!

Daniel Hautzinger

Starting the day after Thanksgiving, the CTA Holiday Train will begin bringing joy to "L" riders, and the Holiday Bus starts service the next week. Find their schedules here so that you can get a chance to enjoy the lights and take a photo with Santa!
Wreathed Lion. Photo: Art Institute of Chicago

13 (And More!) Things to Do In Chicago For the Holidays

Daniel Hautzinger

The holiday season is upon us, as going into any store and hearing the music will inform you. If you want to make sure that the most wonderful time of the year is truly full of wonder, Chicagoland offers plenty of magical opportunities, from tree lightings to markets to parades.
Martha Stewart's Grown-up Grilled Cheese. Photo: Bryan Gardner

Happy Grilled Cheese Day!

Daniel Hautzinger

Not only is April 12 Grilled Cheese Day, the entire month of April is National Grilled Cheese Month. And why not – who doesn't like this humblest, simplest of sandwiches? Find some tips from Martha Stewart to gussy up your grilled cheese in celebration.
Naturally dyed deviled eggs for Easter

Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs

Daniel Hautzinger

Dyeing eggs for Easter is a time-honored and beloved tradition, and it's fun and easy to make natural coloring. Once you've dyed them, why not spice your hard-boiled eggs up by deviling them, using greek yogurt instead of mayo for something a bit healthier?

Kopanisti red pepper dip

Simple, Wholesome New Year's Hors D'Oeuvres

Daniel Hautzinger

Looking for some simple, healthier snacks for your New Year's Eve gathering? Try these three appetizers from Gaby Dalkin, courtesy of PBS Food. 

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