The Mix: Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier and more cool things to do in Chicago Dec. 5-11

A holiday train is among the family-friendly attractions at Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier. | Nick Ulivieri Photography

Looking for some cool things to do and see around town?

We’ve got some suggestions for the week ahead:

Fun at the Pier

For some lakeside holiday fun at Navy Pier, check out Winter Wonderfest. Now in its 19th year, the family-friendly spectacle features lots of indoor fun with 500 decorated trees, carnival rides, giant slides, holiday themed activities, ice-skating rink, obstacle course, climbing walls, train, acrobatic performances, a market place, rides on the Centennial Wheel and more. From Dec. 6-Jan. 12, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. Admission prices vary. Visit navypier.com.

Visit with a ‘Crown’ star

Alex Jennings stars in the play “Hansard.”

If the name Alex Jennings rings a bell, think Netflix’s “The Crown,” where the Olivier Award-winning actor spent two seasons playing to perfection the bitter Duke of Windsor. Jennings, now in town to perform in the Lyric Opera’s staging of the musical “The Light in the Piazza,” makes a special appearance at the Gene Siskel Film Center (164 N. State) following a National Theatre Live screening of Simon Woods’ play “Hansard.” A portrait of the ruling class, the play follows a Tory politician (Jennings) and his wife (Lindsay Duncan) as they spar and the familiar rhythms of marital arguments amp up. Jennings takes part in a Q&A after the 7:45 p.m. screening on Dec. 6. Tickets: $14. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.

Celebrating a local legend

Milos Stehlik

Facets will host a celebration of the life of its late founder at a mini-film fest, “Milos Stehlik: A Life in Film,” which includes screenings of some of his favorite films with introductions from friends and colleagues. It’s the prefect way to honor Stehlik, who devoted his life to film education, exhibition and distribution for independent, international and arthouse films. Among the films screened are Tom Palazollo’s “Labor Day, East Chicago” (1979), Jill Godmilow’s “The Popovich Brothers of South Chicago” (1978), Forough Farrokhzad’s “The House is Black” (1963), and Jan Nemec’s “Oratorio for Prague” (1968). From noon-10 p.m. Dec. 8, Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton. Admission is free. Visit facets.org.

Artists’ print show

Mirka Hokkanen’s woodcut “Sparrow & Dandelion” at the International Small Print Show and Holiday Sale

Works by more than 60 artists from around the globe are on display at the 30th annual International Small Print Show & Holiday Sale hosted by the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative. Also for sale are handprinted greeting cards and artist books as well as the CPC’s 2020 calendar, which features work by 12 artists suitable for framing. From 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 7-8, Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, 4912 N. Western. Free. Visit chicagoprintmakers.com.

Beat the drum

Taiko Art Legacy

Taiko Art Legacy is one of the largest taiko drumming concerts in the Midwest. Directed by multi-instrumentalist Tatsu Aoki, it marks the 23-year journey of Tsukasa Taiko, the multigenerational ensemble dedicated to the often-overlooked melodic capacity of the taiko. Both concerts are all ages, but children will especially enjoy the Dec. 8 matinee performance, which features the ensemble’s younger emerging musicians and a comedic dancing dragon. At 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago. Tickets: $15, $20. Visit mcachicago.org.

Holiday revue

Ashlee Hardgrave and Larry Todd Cousineau in “Songs from My Holiday Closet.”

Lyricist Larry Todd Cousineau (“America’s Best Outcast Toy,” “All That He Was”) performs “Songs from My Holiday Closet,” an evening of heartwarming and hilarious “HoliGay” music featuring his original songs written in collaboration with a variety of composers. The revue also features Ashlee Hardgrave and members of the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus. Musical director is Jimmy Morehead, artistic director of the Gay Men’s Chorus. At 8:30 p.m. Dec. 9, The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway. Tickets: $25. Visit pridefilmsandplays.com.

2020 Country Calendar

An image from the 2020 Country Calendar.

It’s time once again for Chris and Heather’s Country Calendar Show, the event in which Chris Ligon and Heather McAdams celebrate Heather’s new 2020 calendar (featuring her great drawings of singers and musicians who are not strictly country anymore). The show features a dozen music acts each assigned to perform songs by a given month’s featured performer including Kelly Hogan and Andrew Sa (Johnny and Jack), Paul Cebar (Graham Central Station) The North Berwyn Rhythm and Soul Organization (Nat King Cole), Jodee Lewis (Dolly Parton), The Laurence Peters Outfit (Ricky Nelson) and The Hat Stretchers (Hank Williams Jr.). At 8 p.m. Dec. 7, FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt, Berwyn. Tickets: $25. Visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Christmas list solutions

Gifts for everyone on your holiday list (including yourself) are in abundance at the One of a Kind Holiday Show. The popular market is the place to find unique gifts with more than 600 artists selling jewelry, household items, food, clothes, art and many other items. From Dec. 5-8 at Merchandise Mart, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza. Tickets: $12. Visit oneofakindshowchicago.com. The Renegade Holiday Craft Fair is one of the best holiday markets for finding affordable, handmade items. From Dec. 7-8 at Bridgeport Arts Center, 1200 W. 35th. Free. Visit renegadecraft.com.

Holiday happenings

“Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party”

• Peter Rabbit and his pals are the stars of “Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party,” Dec. 7-29 at Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine. Tickets: $45-$55. Visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
• Find local artists, crafters and bakers plus German food and beer at Krampus Fest. Dec. 7 at Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln. Free. Visit martyrslive.com.
• Harry Shearer & Judith Owen’s “Christmas Without Tears” is a reverent and irreverent antidote to the most stressful of seasons. Dec. 7-8 at Space, 1245 Chicago, Evanston. Tickets: $20-$75. Visit evanstonspace.com.
• Dancers of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in “The Dance-Along Nutcracker.” Dec. 8 at Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. Free. Visit chicagoculturalcenter.org.
• The inaugural Jingle Jog 5k begins at 10 a.m. Dec. 8 at Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore. To register, visit jinglejog5k.org.

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.