Chicago Gets November Rockin'

BEST DATE NEWS

Nov. 13, 2025: Best Date News Volume #152

Welcome to Best Date News, your favorite Chicago weekly newsletter! In this week’s edition, you’ll read about New Year’s Rockin’ Eve coming to Chicago, Alinea’s Michelin star status, the Metra Holiday Train, Winter Fireworks at Navy Pier, the end of the penny, weekend plans and more!

Nov. 13: National Holidays

• World Kindness Day

• National Hug a Musician Day

• National Sadie Hawkins Day

• National Indian Pudding Day

• National Tempranillo Day

Sponsored by our friends at Chicago Artisan Market

Chicago Artisan Market

• Market This Weekend: The Chicago Artisan Market is back for a one-day Pre-Thanksgiving Market event this weekend! This market brings together 115+ of the best local artisans from Chicago, and the Midwest, all under one roof. Watch our video for a sneak peek!

• The market will take place at Morgan MFG (401 N. Morgan St.) in West Loop’s Fulton Market this Sunday, Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• You can eat and drink while you shop local vendors in categories like food, fashion, home, art and more. It’s a great place to find unique, locally-made gifts as you start your holiday shopping this season. You can also bring your dog!

• Tickets are either one for $8 or four for $20, if you buy them online in advance! As a heads up, they are more expensive at the door, so get yours now. See you there!

Chicago News

• New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: ABC announced that Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will broadcast live from downtown Chicago this year with the show’s first Central Time midnight countdown. The Chicago broadcast will feature a new host along with live performances and on the ground reporting throughout the night, though details have not been announced yet. The special returns Wednesday, Dec. 31, airing live on ABC beginning at 7 p.m. Fireworks will once again be launched from bridges along the Chicago River at midnight.

• Alinea: Chicago’s celebrated fine dining restaurant Alinea announced yesterday that it has been downgraded from three Michelin stars to two, ending a 14 year run at the top. The Lincoln Park spot, known for its theatrical tasting menus and long standing reputation as one of the country’s top restaurants, had been one of only 14 restaurants in the United States to hold three stars. The change leaves Smyth as Chicago’s only remaining three star destination.

• Metra Holiday Trains: This year’s Metra Holiday Trains will return next month with festive rides on the Metra Electric, BNSF, Milwaukee District West, Rock Island and Union Pacific Northwest lines. Millennium Station will turn into a North Pole setup with treats, music, games and free button making. Rides run on Dec. 6, 13 and 20, and tickets are $10. They go on sale this Sunday, Nov. 17, at noon and are expected to sell out quickly.

• Aldi River North: Aldi officially opened its new River North store this morning at 8:20 a.m. at 30 W Huron Street, bringing curbside pickup, delivery and a budget friendly grocery option to the neighborhood ahead of the holidays. The space previously housed a Whole Foods that closed in 2022 when the grocer relocated north to a larger store at the then new One Chicago tower, and it was later slated to become a Dom’s Kitchen & Market that never opened. The store is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Schneider Deli: The team behind Schneider Deli, the 21 seat shop at the Ohio House Motel in River North that opened in August 2023, is opening a second location in Lincoln Park in early 2026. The new space is being remodeled with an expanded all day menu and a full coffee and espresso program, and it will bring over staples like hand sliced pastrami, house made pickles, Nova lox bagels and their brisket with Russian dressing and hot giardinera.

Just For Fun

• Goodbye Pennies: In what feels like a headline you wouldn’t expect to be real, the U.S. officially stopped making pennies yesterday. The final coins were pressed at the Mint in Philadelphia, the same place pennies have been made since 1793. Existing pennies will still be used, but no new ones are coming because each one now costs about 3.7 cents to make and the rise of digital payments has made the coin increasingly obsolete.

• Winter Fireworks: Navy Pier is bringing back its Winter Fireworks, with shows lighting up the lakefront every Saturday at 8 p.m. from Nov. 29 through Dec. 27. They are free to attend and are best viewed from the Wave Wall Staircase. Beginning Dec. 5, the pier will also have Winter Wonderfest with family holiday activities.

• Jonas Brothers: A Very Jonas Christmas Movie premieres tomorrow, Nov. 14 on Disney+ and Hulu, following Nick, Joe and Kevin as they try to make it home for the holidays. The film features a stacked cast and a soundtrack with seven new Christmas songs. And if you want to see the Jonas Brothers for yourself this holiday season, they are coming to Chicagoland on Dec. 11 for a one night show at Allstate Arena in Rosemont with Jesse McCartney. Tickets.

• Oak Street Sauna: Chicago’s lakefront has a new winter highlight thanks to a pop-up sauna (Oak St. Sauna) that opened last week at Oak Street Beach. The custom unit sits right off the lakefront trail and offers individual “social” bookings for $45 and private two hour reservations for groups up to 12 for $440 (see all options). There is even a cold plunge set up outside for those looking for the full contrast experience. The sauna will stay open through March 31.

• Paulo Gelato: One of Chicago’s best gelato shops is looking to open a second location, and they are asking for your help in choosing where it should be. Paulo Gelato, the small-batch family business at 1058 W. Chicago Ave, known for its pure ingredients and vegan and keto options, is searching for a space to expand their concept. If you know a location/neighborhood that could be a good fit, leave them a comment on this Instagram post.

Weekend Plans

• Ice Skating Ribbon: Winter at Maggie Daley Park officially kicks off tomorrow, Nov. 14, when the Ice Skating Ribbon opens for the season with timed sessions running most days from morning through 10 p.m. Reservations are released on a rolling basis at noon on select Mondays, with spots through Nov. 30 already live. Skate rentals start at $17 on weekdays and $21 on weekends and holidays, or you can bring your own skates and join the first session free before a $5 fee applies to later sessions.

• Wrigley Field Football: Big Ten action is back at the Friendly Confines this weekend as Northwestern hosts #18 ranked Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. It’s a rare chance to see football at Wrigley Field! If you cannot make it this weekend, Northwestern will be back at Wrigley next Saturday, Nov. 22 to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

• Eras After Dark: The Field Museum is hosting Eras After Dark: A Field Museum Homecoming, a 21+ after-hours event this Friday, Nov. 14 from 6 to 10 p.m., celebrating science, nostalgia and the decades that shaped us. Guests can explore themed lounges, enjoy photo ops, music and hands-on science stations throughout the museum. Tickets include access to all lounges and exhibits, plus light snacks, beer, wine and specialty cocktails, giveaways and a DJ playing hits from across the eras.

• Gangnam Market: A Labubu takeover is coming to Gangnam Market this weekend as the Labubu Pop-Up returns on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15–16, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1001 W. Chicago Ave. The event will feature new collectibles, live Labubu tattoos from LA artist @crybabyhunter, exclusive merch from Build Your Collectibles and limited blind boxes with Sonny Angel and other rare figures. There will also be giveaways, roaming Labubu mascots and food, drink and liquor demos throughout the market.

• Reindeer Run: Brookfield Zoo’s annual Reindeer Run returns this Saturday, Nov. 15, giving runners and walkers a chance to see the zoo’s holiday lights and decorations before they open to the public. The event runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m., with the run kicking off at 7 p.m. Every participant receives a commemorative Reindeer Run winter hat. Strollers are welcome.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last week, we asked if you drink Starbucks at least once a week, and 81% of you said that you do not. We are right there with you. As it turns out, last week’s holiday Bearista cups may have created more problems than they solved.

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

Here is today’s outlook in Chicago (compared to last week):

• Sunrise: 6:38 a.m. (9 minutes later)

• Sunset: 4:31 p.m. (7 minutes earlier)

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