COMEDY
CHICAGO SKETCH COMEDY FESTIVAL
1/7–17 Since 2002, a hodgepodge of sketch troupes from around the country descends annually upon Lake View. $15 per performance, $150 festival pass. Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont. chicagosketchfest.com
BOB SAGET
1/17 at 8 Most famous for his kid-friendly roles in Full House and as the inaugural host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, the Grammy-nominated comic has a staunchly R-rated standup act. $39–$85. Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport. thaliahallchicago.com
UP COMEDY CLUB
1/15–17 Chris Redd and Megan Gailey. Two rising comics with strong Chicago ties tag-team here. (Redd is a native who’s guested on Empire, and Gailey lived in the city until last year, when she moved to New York.)
1/21–23 Kate Berlant and John Early. Berlant, endorsed by The New York Times, specializes in pseudo-intellectual comedy—earning comparisons to Andy Kaufman and Tig Notaro, while her frequent collaborator John Early opts for a more flamboyant style.
1/28–30 Sean Patton. From New Orleans originally, Patton favors high-energy storytelling.
$20. Up Comedy Club, 230 W. North. upcomedyclub.com
FESTIVALS
B-FEST
1/22–23 Northwestern University’s A&O Productions presents its annual 24-hour marathon of B movies. Sing along to the 1989 cult film The Wizard of Speed and Time. Shouting at the screen is encouraged. $25–$35. McCormick Auditorium, 1999 Campus, Evanston. b-fest.com
THE 19TH ANNUAL FILLET OF SOLO FESTIVAL
1/15–31 Fourteen storytelling collectives and a variety of solo performers share personal tales using comedy, music, and theatrical performance. $10 per performance, $50 festival pass. Various locations. lifelinetheatre.com
WINTER WONDERFEST
Through 1/10 Let the kids run rampant at the 15th annual fest, full of family-friendly activities, from ice-skating to carnival rides. Child friendly. $9–$25. Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. winterwonderfest.com
GARDENS, PARKS, ZOOS
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
Through 1/3 Wonderland Express. Follow handmade model trains as they wind through replicas of Chicago landmarks and decorated flora. Pick up a handcrafted wreath at the holiday market on the way out. Child friendly. $8–$12 (free for children under 2). 1000 Lake Cook, Glencoe. chicagobotanic.org
LINCOLN PARK ZOO
Through 1/3 Zoolights. Admire the holiday light displays on a brisk walk through the zoo. Child friendly. Free. 2001 N. Clark. lpzoo.org
INTERVIEWS, LECTURES, READINGS
ABBY GENI
1/14 at 7:30 The Iowa Writers’ Workshop graduate celebrates the debut of her first novel, The Lightkeepers, with a reading. The story follows a nature photographer who embarks on a one-year residency on a dangerous archipelago off the coast of California. $5 suggested donation. Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark. womenandchildrenfirst.com
MCA TALKS: RUN THE JEWELS
1/16 at 6 The Museum of Contemporary Art’s first interview series, a Q&A between Carrie Brownstein and local writer Jessica Hopper, sold out in record time. Expect tickets to go just as fast for this event, in which Hopper chats with the hilarious and thoughtful rap duo. $6–$10. Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago. mcachicago.org
SPORTS & REC
CHICAGO WINTER BIKE SWAP
1/31 at 9:30 a.m. Join Chicago’s cycling community to find bargains on a variety of new and used bicycles as well as other items to meet every cyclist’s needs. $5. Harper College, 1200 Algonquin, Palatine. chicagowinterbikeswap.com
NEW YEAR’S DAY 5K RUN/WALK
1/1 at 11 a.m. Follow through on that resolution to get fit by participating in the city’s first official 5K of 2016. Run, walk, or cheer on participants along the lakefront bike path, and attend an after-party with raffle prizes and trophies for race winners. $20–$50. Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton. eventbrite.com/e/new-ears-day-5k-run-walk-registration-18330593298