Chicago Cultural Center Open House: Get a taste of all the Chicago Cultural Center has to offer under that gorgeous dome. The event showcases artists-in-residence, puppetry, poetry, music, storytelling, the photography exhibit “Paul D’Amato’s Midway” and much more. 1-6 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; free, more at chicago.gov
Tink: Don your best winter whites and get to the United Center for the Winter’s Diary Music Festival, presented by Tink. The Calumet City native will be joined in the lineup by Sexyy Redd, Muni Long and others. 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets $300 at livenation.com
Samara Joy: The 25-year-old Grammy Award-winning jazz phenom brings her “Joyful Holiday” tour to the Chicago Theatre. NPR deemed her “a classic jazz singer from a new generation.” 8 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets $45.50-$65.50 at samarajoy.com
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The prog-rock band promises a new version of its “Lost Christmas Eve” tour, which is apparently the final chapter in the Orchestra’s Christmas trilogy. But true fans already knew that. 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 23 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont; tickets $59.99-$129.99 at trans-siberian.com
Pickleball Holiday Extravaganza: Think you can beat Santa and his elves at pickleball? Find out this weekend at SPF’s Holiday Extravaganza. Or if that’s not your thing, compete in an ugly sweater tournament, watch classic holiday movies on a big screen, or indulge at the hot chocolate bar. Noon-6 p.m. Dec. 21 at SPF, 2121 N. Clybourn Ave.; free, more at playspf
Art and Faith of the Crèche: Nearly 60 creches — models depicting the nativity scene — offering their own interpretation of Christian faith. It’s an annual Loyola University Chicago tradition. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Dec. 21 at Loyola University Chicago, 820 N. Michigan Ave.; free, clothing and toiletry donations are encouraged, more at luc.edu
Holidays in Andersonville: Need a little more time to find that perfect gift? Head to Late Night Andersonville on Dec. 20, where stores will stay open longer for holiday shoppers. Look for discounts and perks. Then, at 4-6 p.m. on Dec, 22 at the Rogers Park Montessori School, Drag Bubbie Merriam Levkowitz will offer storytime, music and lighting of the Hanukkah menorah. More at andersonville.org
“Little Women”: Head to Northlight Theatre to see a “very lively new adaptation” of “Little Women.” This interpretation of the classic novel centers on paying tribute to its author, Louisa May Alcott. Through Jan. 5 at Northlight Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie; tickets $49-$91 at northlighttheatre.org
Michael Kosta: “The Daily Show” senior correspondent and host of the “Tennis Anyone” podcast performs in Wicker Park. The tennis pro-turned-standup comedian is working on a memoir, “Lucky Loser,” due out next year. 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Den Theatre,1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; tickets (2 drink minimum) $23-$41 at michaelkosta.com
“Hokusai’s The Great Wave”: Katsushika Hokusai’s famous print, now nearly 200 years old, is on display at the Art Institute of Chicago, but only through Jan. 6. The print is featured in the plot of “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin— this year’s Chicago Public Library One Book, One Chicago pick. Also on display through Jan. 6 is the Institute’s 18th century “Neapolitan Crèche.” Fridays through Mondays 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursdays 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays) through Jan. 6 at the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.; tickets $26-$32 (children under 14 free) at artic.edu
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.
