EAT
(Free!) YULE BE SWEET
Brasserie 54
5420 N. Clark St. 773-334-9463
You can have your cake and eat it too as chef de cuisine Ben Reaves prepares the traditional French buche de noel holiday dessert, which looks like a Yule log. Sample the results and take home a recipe to recreate it yourself. 1 p.m. Saturday.
HAM IT UP
Fox & Obel Market
401 E. Illinois St. 312-410-7301
Take your taste buds on a global journey to Spain and back at an Iberico ham tasting where Spanish cured meat expert Pilar Esteban-Ordorica offers samples of the savory delicacy made from black Iberian pig and demonstrates slicing and presentation techniques. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.
DRINK
EUROPEAN TOUR
Marie's Riptide Lounge
1745 W. Armitage Ave. 773-384-0494
Blast off with Trap Door Theatre at the Rocket to Romania benefit, which features complimentary appetizers, a cash bar, raffles, live and DJ music and the satisfaction of helping the theater company raise funds to take their Jeff Award-winning production, "The Word Progress on My Mother's Lips Doesn't Ring True," to three venues in Romania. 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday. $10.
PANIC ROOM
Beauty Bar
1444 W. Chicago Ave. 312-226-8828
After a three-month hiatus, Panic! Dance Party-the popular indie, new wave and Brit-pop club night previously hosted at Darkroom-is back on at its new home. Resident DJs Pogo and Arturo help you lose control on the dance floor but you can calm yourself down with drink specials such as $4 Brooklyn Lager drafts, $5 Tito's vodka cocktails and-if your nails look a fright-the bar's signature $15 martini and manicure combo. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday. No cover.
DO
DIVA DOES DJ SET
The Mid
306 N. Halsted St. 312-265-3990
Soul singer Erykah Badu gets her groove on as DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown when she hits the decks at the River West club with opening DJs Zebo, Jon Huang and Eric Williams. Drink specials include $4 PBRs and $6 Jameson whiskey drinks. 10 p.m. Friday. $30. Tickets: themidchicago.com.
ONE STOP SHOP
Pulaski Park Fieldhouse
1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Browse giftable merch from more than 150 indie crafters and workshops at the seventh annual Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Market, which also features workshops, music by Reckless Records DJs, a DIY gift wrap station and vendors selling food, beer and spiced wine. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. No cover. Vendors: renegadecraft.com.
(Free!) CLASS ACTION
Lou Conte Dance Studio
1147 W. Jackson Blvd. 312-850-9766
Learn some new moves from the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago instructors at this open house featuring free, drop-in beginner classes in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, African, yoga, hip-hop, Zumba and musical theater. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Schedule: hubbardstreetdance.com/lcds.
HOW SWEDE IT IS
Swedish American Museum
5211 N. Clark St. 773-728-8111
Get into the holiday spirit-Scandinavian-style-at Julmarknad, an annual holiday bazaar which features traditional and modern handicrafts from 15 vendors, Lucia processions, folk dance performances and a kaffestuga (cafe) with sandwiches, pastries and coffee for purchase. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. $2 suggested donation.
REDEYE TIP OF THE DAY
From 2-4 p.m. Friday, attend a free Passion House Coffee Roasters tasting at Grass Fed, 1721 N. Damen Ave.