EAT
STOP AND SHOP
Grass Fed
1721 N. Damen Ave. 773-342-6000
Whether you're on a mission to complete your holiday shopping or just recharging from Thanksgiving, you can refuel at the Bucktown restaurant's Black Friday Brunch, which features such entrees as buttermilk-brined, fried Amish chicken and waffles ($14) and cocktails including a Smoked Black Manhattan ($12) made with house-smoked Buffalo Trace bourbon. 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday.
TURKEY DAY REDUX
Butcher & the Burger
1021 W. Armitage Ave. 773-697-3735
Extend that holiday feeling with the Thanksgiving Leftover Burger, a limited edition turkey burger dressed with cranberry mustard, maple-sage mayonnaise, smoked bacon and Swiss cheese ($10.50). 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
DRINK
LIFE IS A CABARET
Marty's Martini Bar
1511 W. Balmoral Ave. 773-454-0161
All you have to do to support The Cabaret Project's Holiday Cabaret Cram is to cram yourself into the bar and order a cocktail-75 percent of the bar proceeds goes to support new caroling costumes for the group-and then settle back as ensemble members serenade with impromptu caroling performances. 2-5 p.m. Sunday. No cover.
DO
SO BAD IT'S GOOD
Montrose Harbor
601 W. Montrose Ave.
Don the most hideous sweater you can find for the Ugly Sweater Run, a 5K fun run that includes a free Santa or reindeer hat, fake mustache and souvenir pint glass, stops for hot chocolate and sledding, prizes for best and worst sweaters and facial hair and a finish line party at State Restaurant (935 W. Webster Ave.) where your race bib earns you a $1 Sam Adams winter lager.11 a.m. Saturday. $35 plus a new toy to donate to Toys for Tots. RSVP: theuglysweaterrun.com.
HEAVY METAL
Harris Theater
205 E. Randolph Drive 312-334-7777
Vancouver-based percussion group Scrap Arts Music brings its high-energy show-featuring kinetic instruments crafted with repurposed materials ranging from accordion parts to artillery shells-to the Chicago Human Rhythm Project's annual Global Rhythms program. 8 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. $15-$55. Tickets: harristheaterchicago.org.
(Free!) POP-UP FREEBIES
Chicago Loop State Street between Lake and Van Buren streets
Celebrate the season downtown during Winter Wonderloop, which features Lightscape color and sound installations and "Random Acts of Holidays" for State Street pedestrians, including free treats and beverages from Corner Bakery (beginning at 9 a.m.) and free festive souvenirs from Berghoff Restaurant's giant bratwurst mascot, Herman the German (beginning at noon). Friday. Schedule: winterwonderloop.com.
TREE TIME
Big Star
1531 N. Damen Ave. 773-235-4039
Stop in the parking lot to browse locally sourced Christmas trees, wreaths, lights and stands from City Tree Delivery, where you can arrange for delivery, set-up, removal and recycling and partial proceeds benefit environmental initiatives. Then, head indoors to keep the holiday spirit going with a limited edition Three Floyds Alpha Klaus Christmas porter ($19 for a 22-ounce bomber). 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE
Chopin Theatre
1543 W. Division St. 773-769-3832
For a dark twist on a holiday classic, check out The House Theatre of Chicago's "The Nutcracker," a magical fable featuring large-scale puppets, spectacle and songs in which a brave young girl must battle the Rat King to save her family. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday. $25-$35; $10 for students. Tickets: thehousetheatre.com.
REDEYE TIP OF THE DAY
Six outdoor ice rinks are scheduled to open this weekend, weather permitting: chicagoparkdistrict.com.