If there is one Holiday party you go to this year, know that WXRT's Big Holiday Concert is sure to be the most colossal celebration. Headlining the show is The Flaming Lips who are notorious for their spectacular of a live show. The Lips have showered their fans in balloons and confetti, covered their stage in dancing large furry animals and walked into the audience inside a giant clear ball - so there is no telling what will be pulled out for a Holiday show. From their college rock days with their unexpected top 40 hit "She Don't Use Jelly" to their Grammy-winning albums and smash hit 'Do you Realize," the Lips have become one of the top American rock bands. While their songs gain more and more recognition, it is the live shows that people go starry-eyed and crazy over, so ticket-holders brace yourself!

Insider Info:  I cannot stress "Anything Goes" enough for the proper attire. It should also be said to get creative, trying to get attention from the band. Before every show, someone in The Flaming Lips’ entourage picks about 20 people from the audience and dresses them in costumes to dance on either side of the stage during the show. These fans have been dressed as aliens, animals, monsters and much more. So come early and put yourself in view!

In a veritable extravaganza of extraneous punctuation, the Hideout is hosting both Detholz! and Volcano!, along with A Tundra, this Saturday night. If you are living in Chicago and have yet to see Detholz!, I beg you to crawl out from under that enormous rock that's preventing you from witnessing one of the great Chicago experiences. Detholz! has a mythos as big as their animated new-wave sound, with a creation story involving getting expelled from a Christian college, forming a category-defying band and proceeding to be chosen by the Big Chicago Man himself, Jeff Tweedy, to open for Wilco on several tours. Often (too often?) described as avant or post-rock, Volcano! manages to ignore such rote classifications and defy expectations of both fans and random pissed-off audience members. That 'avant' label means that some freaky electronic programming mischief will be going on which you definitely don't want to miss. So show up early and stay late. It's what Jesus would want, if, y'know, he were a show promoter and indie music enthusiast living in Chicago. And who's to say he isn't?

Insider Info: Stick around at the Hideout post-show for a hellafied good dance party courtesy of the Chances Dances DJs. Chances Dances is a semi-regular queer (but straight-friendly) dance party catering to those realms of the LGBTIQ communities that aren't currently being served by the bumping and grinding available at Hydrate. Dance off your Detholz!-induced adrenaline, into the wee hours: the Hideout's open 'til 3 a.m. on Saturdays.

If there is one Holiday party you go to this year, know that WXRT's Big Holiday Concert is sure to be the most colossal celebration. Headlining the show is The Flaming Lips who are notorious for their spectacular of a live show. The Lips have showered their fans in balloons and confetti, covered their stage in dancing large furry animals and walked into the audience inside a giant clear ball - so there is no telling what will be pulled out for a Holiday show. From their college rock days with their unexpected top 40 hit "She Don't Use Jelly" to their Grammy-winning albums and smash hit 'Do you Realize," the Lips have become one of the top American rock bands. While their songs gain more and more recognition, it is the live shows that people go starry-eyed and crazy over, so ticket-holders brace yourself!

Insider Info:  I cannot stress "Anything Goes" enough for the proper attire. It should also be said to get creative, trying to get attention from the band. Before every show, someone in The Flaming Lips’ entourage picks about 20 people from the audience and dresses them in costumes to dance on either side of the stage during the show. These fans have been dressed as aliens, animals, monsters and much more. So come early and put yourself in view!

It’s been a swift rise to fame for the Arctic Monkeys since Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, the fastest selling debut album in British music history that came out in 2006. One of the first bands to garner extreme amounts of popularity from exposure on sites like Myspace, the Arctic Monkeys were Internet darlings that might have taken a fast track to the top, but have kept fans around with their infectious garage rock. Their live shows are punk infused with tons of fast power chords and general madness from the band and crowd. Their latest album, Humbug, sees the band exploring a more dark and full sound, which they will showcase this week at The Riv.

Insider Info: I saw the band this past summer at an after party for Lollapalooza at the Metro, and their tight set really impressed me. It was fun, catchy and full of high energy, so expect to move a bit if you head out to the show. Opening for the Arctic Monkeys on this tour is New Jersey punk rock trio Screaming Females. The band has a similar story to the Arctic Monkeys, since both bands originally started out their careers in basement shows in their local scene, a scene that Screaming Females have encouraged and promoted in their hometown of New Brunswick.

A timely holiday exhibition at Gallery KH kicks off December - their Annual Small Works Show, featuring nearly two-dozen pieces priced under $3,000, but with many for under $1,000.  Below $1,000 is a great price point for starting to buy art – for yourself, or for someone else, and the pieces in this show are intended to be appealing gifts because of their size and subject matter, in addition to price.

Insider Info: Gallery KH has an impressive space in River North that's great for private events.  But the rest of the time, they always have a few shows going on in addition to the small works show: Invoking the Unknown-a show of new abstracts by artist Rick Stevens.  Stevens’ romantic, colorful landscapes appeal to a broad audience and will seem pleasantly bright to gallery visitors this winter. Three young women run the gallery– they took over Mary Bell Gallery a couple of years ago - and they run a lively program of accessible shows and happening openings. Make sure to stop in on Friday, December 4 between 5-8pm for cocktails and a start to an arty evening.

Come join the crowds at the Hyde Park Art Center. An artist talk not to miss is happening soon with Chicago's established artist Juan Chavez, who has reached celebrity status through the Hyde Park Art Center and his amazing installation on display there. Chavez will be discussing his three week research visit to New Zealand which inspired his installation for the exhibition Close Encounters. Juan's artist talk is on Thursday, December 17th at 6pm. On Friday December 11th from 6-8pm Chicago's international photographer Dawoud Bey leads the Hyde Park Art Center Open Crit program with four artist artworks being discussed. Then stick around for Cocktails and Clay from 8pm-midnight (donation suggested). A get your hands into clay, art making, party happening, socializing event at the Hyde Park Art Center.

Insider Info: It is now time to register for Professional art classes at the Hyde Park Art Center. The Winter Session 2010 begins on Monday January 11th. Classes are 10 weeks long with half session offered along with short classes and workshops. Click here to see the full listing of classes taught by Chicago's leading established and working artists. How better to learn than from artist making a mark on the Chicago art map. Make friends in your classes, learn something creative, check out the exhibitions and become a part of Chicago's number one art center.

If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family this Christmas, then the One of a Kind Art Show and Sale is a must-attend. This show will feature fine arts and crafts from over five hundred different artists, craftspeople, etc, and each item on display is entirely hand-made. The artists and designers who have made the pieces will be there, so you’ll have a chance to talk to the makers themselves! In addition to some spectacular shopping, there will also be live music and food, to keep you sustained while you shop.

Insider Info: You can purchase tickets in advance for this event, but if you decide at the last minute that you’d like to attend, tickets will also be available at the show. All ticket sale proceeds on the first day of the show will go to the Children’s Memorial Hospital. Live fashion shows will also take place during the course of the show, so you can see the designs for sale on the runway, too! Whether you’re looking for some unique clothes, gifts for the kids, or some great art, this event is definitely a great place to start off your Christmas shopping this year!

Gingerbread houses are a staple in the holiday season, but many people don't get a chance to learn how to make them.  That's why Whole Foods has created an event to help you learn the secrets of the masters! They are hosting a workshop dedicated to showing beginners how to make gingerbread houses. The workshop will be led by the Whole Food Market Bakery Team and all the supplies will be provided by Whole Foods, but just be careful to not chow down on all the snacks that you’ll need to build your gingerbread house!

Insider Info: The fee for this event is $19.99, but that price is for one family and includes a gingerbread house and all the goodies you’ll need to decorate it.  All in all, this is a pretty great deal!  If you decide to go to this event be sure to register online at the official website beforehand or contact Whole Foods at 312-587-0648, because there’s only so much space in the Whole Foods Market where the class will be held. If you’re really interested in learning the techniques of gingerbread house-making, this event is not the only thing that Whole Foods will have this season. If you come by their Lifestyle Center any time between 12-3 p.m., you can decorate your own all-natural gingerbread house. One of Whole Foods pastry chefs will be there to help you out in case things get messy!

Get in the holiday spirit this year by visiting Lincoln Square’s Christkindl Market. This event is perfect if you want to enjoy Chicago’s downtown atmosphere during the Christmas season but are looking to get away from the intense crowds of Michigan Avenue at this time of year. While there will lots of crafts and art to buy, many vendors specialize in food! German chocolates, coffee, sausages, jam and baked goods are among the delicacies available. As you buy your goods, vendors will also tempt you with snacks of bratwurst, potato pancakes and warm apple strudel. I have attended this event in previous years and I’ve personally bought some great Christmas ornaments and jewelry here so I recommend this event to all Christmas shoppers! Plus, the gifts are decently priced and shows that you went out of your way to get something authentic for your Christmas gifts.

Insider Info: The Christkindl Market isn’t just for holiday shoppers-there are plenty of activities for kids here, too. This event features a Kids Korner where they can decorate cookies, make ornaments, play games, and most important of all: get their picture taken with Saint Nick!  There will also be a tree-lighting ceremony on December 5.  The Christkindl Market is also adjacent to the Western stop on the Brown line, so it’s easily accessible by public transportation (which is probably the best option to travel downtown during Christmas shopping season).  However, if you can't make it up to Lincoln Square, there is always the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza which lasts for the entire season.

Delilah's is hosting their annual holiday celebration with a tasting of vintage and winter beers. This winter party has the largest tasting of Christmas and Winter beers anywhere in North America! Delilah's is serving over 100 different wintery brews with many vintage ales in the mix. Expect tastes from Anchor Christmas Ale (6 vintages), King & Barnes Christmas Ale (5 vintages), Sam Smith’s Winter Welcome (6 vintages), Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale (6 vintages) and Goose Island Christmas Ale, Three Floyds Alpha Claus Christmas Porter, Lakefront Holiday Spice Lager, Summit Winter Ale, Capitol Winter Skal, St. Freulian Noel and Fantome Winter 1998.

Insider Info: Even though this is a Christmas event and Christmas music at a December holiday event is de rigueur, it would be highly irregular if Delilah's went the Bing Crosby chestnuts and cheer route. It is more likely that you will hear some ska, punk or rockabilly while you sip your holiday beer. Maybe they'll even just have their infamous jukebox going, so you can pick among the rare punk and ska albums. While you are hanging out, check out the galactica arcade machine on the stairwell and the pool table and pinball upstairs

Sick of the DJ boy duo trend ala Justice, Daft Punk, MSTRKRFT and every wanna-be-boy in the city? Come out to see the city' hottest female DJ's throw down. This event features DJ Danni Deahl, DJ Meg and DJ Lori. Deahl is the headliner and has been blowing up all year. She specializes in a rock-inspired heavy electro sound, though through playing the glossy club circuit she keeps it accessible. DJ Lori is also well known in the house scene and mainstream club scene as one of the top female DJ's. DJ Meg is known for inspired fun sets as well.

Insider Info: This spot is known for their handcrafted martinis, so be sure to ask for a menu. If you are hungry, definitely check out the dinner menu. Recommended are the beef tenderloin sliders and smoked gouda pizza. This bar also prides itself on their drink and bottle specials, so be sure to ask the bartender about them!

Want a real excuse to drink and go on a pub crawl? Well, a pub crawl whose proceeds go to charity sounds like a pretty good one! Come and check out the Second Annual 2009 Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl on December 5. This holiday festival of binge drinking will start at Uncle Redmond’s at 1 p.m. and end at Uncle Fatty’s. The best part is, you don’t even have to get dolled up for this event, just simply wear your ugliest Christmas sweater (borrow one of your mother's for that perfect 80's tackiness)! As mentioned earlier, all proceeds from this event will go to three non-profit organizations that are working to help Chicago’s homeless community. This is probably one of the few opportunities you’ll have to indulge in a guilt-free way to indulge this holiday season, so definitely take advantage of it!

Insider Info: A $15 donation to this event will get you $2-$3 drink specials at all the bars on this crawl. If you’ve definitely decided to attend, be sure to RSVP ahead of time on the official website because tickets to will be $25 instead of $15 at the door. There’s also an incentive to be the tackiest-dressed person at this event, as there will be a $100 cash prize for the best and worst dressed!

KDM is a Chicago dance party that has kept it's head above water in the nightlife scene for an entire year! To celebrate, the party is going all out. LA nightlife fixture, Mark the Cobrasnake is in town to snap some party photos at this gig. Also working the camera flash will be local photogs, Glitter Guts. Chicago dance party favorites, the Dark Wave Disco DJ's, will be spinning at the event and the drink specials will be flowing. There is an open bar courtesy of Stoli from 12:00-1:00 a.m. and drink specials include $5 Stoli drinks and bombs and $3 Jameson and $2 PBR.

Insider Info: This party is kind of like all of the hipster electro dance parties that were underground a few years ago but have since gone super glossy and upscale (meaning: it's not just for the PBR set anymore). But if you aren't yet super glossy and able to afford cab fare, don't worry, this party is actually providing a shuttle from Wicker Park to the event! The Shuttle bus will be in front of Double Door or Debonair at 11:40 to take you to the club.

Explore in detail some of Chicago’s southside neighborhoods while getting a great workout at the same time!  The monthly bicycle tour of Pilsen, Little Village, and several other southwest side neighborhoods will be taking place this coming Friday, December 4, at 7 PM. This ride is open to anyone who has a bike and wants to join! The ride will be followed by an optional dinner at a restaurant close to the starting point of the race, so you’ll actually be able to try out one of the many restaurants you’re bound to see on the tour!  This event is also much like Critical Mass, a bike ride that takes place starting from Daley Plaza on the last Friday of each month.  Check that ride out if you're interested in more routes to take and the various themes they choose.  Also, if you want to be hip on your language, do not be afraid to yell 'Happy Friday!' to people as your ride by.

Insider Info:The bike tour is about eight to ten miles in length, and the ride is circular so it ends in the same place it started. This event was started by residents of the Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods as a way of getting local cyclists together as a community, so you’ll really be able to see these neighborhoods from an insider’s perspective! The route is also not the same each time-participants can suggest different routes and the group as a whole votes on where they would like to go, making this event different each month.

Come and experience the beauty of Chicago in wintertime while getting a great workout! This December, Adrenaline Sports Management will be hosting a 5K Santa Shuffle as a part of the Go Green, Get Fit race series. The race will be held between Lake Shore Drive and Clark Street and will run through the Lincoln Park neighborhood. To make things more fun, participants won’t just be wearing their normal workout clothes-all participants are encouraged to dress like Santa Claus and will be given a free Santa Claus beard and hat while competing in the race. There’s also an incentive for you to be as creative as possible while dressing for this run as awards will be given to the person and/or group of people that come up with the best Santa costume!

Insider Info: Participants in this race will be well taken care of after the 5K run. All racers over age 21 will receive a drink coupon and breakfast buffet at McGees Tavern and Grille after the race. Registration is also required to participate-this can be done online for $30 beforehand or for $40 on the day of the actual race.  We could all use a fun way to burn off the calories that the holiday season saddles us with, so definitely consider attending this event!

Improve your upper body strength and balance in a workshop with well-known Chicago yoga specialist, Rich Gonshak. The class specializes in the technique of arm balancing and aims to improve the way yoga enthusiasts approach such a feat. Don't be afraid of embarrassing yourself while trying to balance upside-down on your hands either, the class accommodates all skill levels and nobody is going to be a real pro. The workshop will focus on improving your confidence over actual mastery of each pose.

Insider Info: Rich Gonshak has been a student of many styles of yoga and is almost a decade into his practice. He describes his style of teaching using the sanskrit word "lila," which means "divine play". For more information on Gonshak, his profile is available on Yoga View. Also, you must register in advance for this workshop and can do so through Fixe.

Do you like hearing original work being read? Literary Trivia? Shots? Reading Under the Influence combines the three together each month in a nonstop evening of rowdy intellectualism mixed with alcohol. This month, guests will read original work, along with famous excerpts dealing with the theme of snow and whiskey. Guests include a performance artist (Sean Ewert), Literary Death Match Champion (Jill Summers), 2nd Story member (C.P. Chang), and Chicago author (Jeff Phillips). Making a guest appearance will also be Onrie Kompan, author of the upcoming Yi Soon Shin: Warrior and Defender, a graphic novel depicting the tail of a Korean admiral from the 16th Century.

Insider Info: During the trivia portion, which stems from the themed reading, feel free to shout out answers. Besides trivia, the fun of the evening is in the shots. Before and after reading, each speaker does a shot. The audience is welcome to join in. If you prefer not to drink, go ahead and take a nonalcoholic shot; we won't tell.

Rather than fighting the crowds at Nordstrom to get your mom that perfect sweater, hit the Shop IN Chicago event on December 2 at the Drake Bros. Restaurant in the Drake Hotel to view collections from Chicago's hottest designers. Hosted by Cece & Melinda of Raymi Productions, this free event will feature top Chicago boutiques like Chic Gems, CC Bella, Eclectica by Vika, Liliana Haute Couture, Sophia Forero, Tzen Boutique, Ms Catwalk, Chocolate Sushi Couture and The F@B. Victim empowerment non-profit, PAVE, will host a raffle for fabulous prizes.

Insider Info: If amazing shopping isn't enough for you, Dior's professional make-up artists will be giving away samples, and Aniko Salon & Spa will be offering complimentary manicures for all shoppers. I received a consultation and make-up application at the last shopping event, and not only did they give me great advice, but I got to walk around for the rest of the event with professionally applied make-up.

Pick up a copy or two of one of the funniest books of the season for the mom in your life, have a cocktail and nibble on appetizers at the See Mom Run Chicago Book Launch. See Mom Run is a collection of essays that takes a lighthearted look at motherhood. The nation’s most talented authors, mom bloggers, television producers, parenting experts, entrepreneurs and grandmothers will make you laugh with stories of motherly bliss, angst and joy. In addition to readings from the book by local contributors and a book signing, the event will feature a sneak preview of one of the song parodies that will be featured in the off-Broadway stage version of See Mom Run that's currently in development.

Insider Info: If you're one of the first 30 women to arrive, you will receive a Whimsical Jewelery Designs bookmark!  Prizes ranging from copies of the book to a $250 Swiffer gift pack and Windy City Social Gift bag with over $300 in gift certificates from high-end restaurants and businesses will be raffled off throughout the evening. This hilarious stocking stuffer will be sold for $12.95 the evening of the event.