So you’re one of the poor, unfortunate souls stuck on campus during Thanksgiving while all of your friends go home to family, old friends and delicious roasted turkey. It’s going to be a little lonely and a little cold; suddenly, those four days of break aren’t looking that appealing anymore.
Don’t get too down on yourself (Thanksgiving is even worse for the turkeys). We’ve compiled a list of things to keep you occupied in your days of near solitude. There are plenty of events around Evanston and Chicago to kick off the holiday season, so there’s no reason to stay holed up on Turkey Day.
November 22: Happy Thanksgiving!
- Get Thanksgiving dinner at Foster-Walker. From noon to 2:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Plex is serving up some traditional Thanksgiving favorites. Plex is the only dining hall open (with limited hours) during break, but you won’t be able to use your meal plan — only cash and Munch Money ($5 for Thanksgiving dinner) will be accepted from Thursday’s lunch to Sunday’s brunch.
- Partake in the festivities. Just a few El stops away, you can witness the Chicago McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade. Marching bands, floats and celebrities will travel along State Street from Congress Parkway to Randolph Street from 8:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. in downtown Chicago. Nothing signals the beginning of the holidays better than a parade. Even better, the parade usually draws about 400,000 spectators, so no one will notice if you’re all alone.
- Meet Santa! If you’re really in the holiday mood, head from the parade to the Daley Plaza Santa’s House. Starting Thanksgiving Day, Santa is available every day to take pictures, sign autographs and hear your greatest holiday wishes (an “A” in Intro to Russian Lit, maybe?).
November 23: Black Friday
- Go shopping! Whether you cruise the stores in Evanston or make the trek to Chicago, Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year — when Americans realize that the holidays are just around the corner and they have yet to buy a single stocking stuffer. I highly recommend the Old Orchard Mall in Skokie or the Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Join in on the ringing in of the holiday season … with ringing cash registers! Cha-ching!
- Watch the tree lighting. If you happen to find yourself laden with shopping bags in downtown Chicago after a long day of spending, give your tired arms a break and watch Chicago’s 94th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Daley Plaza. The 90-foot “holiday” tree is actually 130 trees stacked together, and the moment its thousands of lights are lit (5 p.m., that is) is sure to be magical. Enjoy the holiday music, peruse the Christkindlmarket (a German holiday bazaar of sorts) and soak in the holiday spirit.
November 24
- Go to the zoo. The Lincoln Park Zoo will feature ZooLights, a free event, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come and be dazzled by holiday light displays, live ice carvings, Santa’s workshop (wow!) and a water laser show. Naturally, the animals of Lincoln Park Zoo will also be on proud display.
- Sing and skate. While you’re still in Chicago, haul yourself down to Millennium Park. Every Friday beginning Nov. 23rd from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., carolers will spread season cheer at Cloud Gate (better known as “the bean”). A variety of choral groups will perform and put on a holiday sing-along. After singing, strap on a pair of skates and glide across the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, also at Millennium Park. Rink entry is free, but skate rental is $7.
November 25
Ah, it’s finally Sunday. Your friends are coming back, probably still uncomfortably full from stuffing, pie and mashed potatoes, and burdened with food and care packages from home. Pretend not to be jealous, and tell them about all the cool things you did over break. With any luck, they’ll wish they had stuck around, too.