Jesse Dukes

Dec 11, 2024 | wbez.org | Andrew Meriwether |Erin Allen |Susie An |Jesse Dukes

Entering Miller’s Pub, it’s easy to see why it’s a holiday gathering spot. The restaurant is warmly lit with vintage stained glass fixtures, and dark woods combine with classic Christmas decor for a cozy ambiance. Among those who gather is special education teacher Jason Munchoff, who has met his friends here for an annual holiday celebration since 2007. Essential to their festivities is drinking a Tom and Jerry. “I’m really into traditions, especially around the holidays,” he said.

Dec 4, 2024 | wbez.org | Erin Allen |Susie An |Jesse Dukes |Robert Loerzel

Bust out the handmade goods, beer steins and bratwurst. It’s Chicago’s annual holiday tradition, the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza. The market started in 1996, and it may feel much older because it’s inspired by the original Christkindlmarket in Nuremberg, Germany. It features German food and beverages and the market’s signature mugs. Curious City listener Dahiana Barasz collects the mugs to use at her annual Yuletide party.

Nov 27, 2024 | wbez.org | Erin Allen |Susie An |Jesse Dukes |Robert Loerzel

The holiday travel season is in full swing, with nearly 80 million people expected to travel across the country over Thanksgiving, according to AAA. A record-breaking 5.8 million of those travelers are expected to fly. That’s likely to mean long lines at airport security checkpoints, giving passengers plenty of time to … bird-watch. “I was looking around and seeing so many different types of birds just flying around and landing right by us,” said Nicole Burmingham.