⭐ What’s “review-bombing”?

How Are Chicago’s Seasons Changing?

After even more snow fell this weekend, Chicago is having its snowiest start to the season since 1978. But climatologists say the seasons are still getting warmer overall. This fall was one of the warmest recorded in Illinois, and Chicago is experiencing more warmer-than-normal fall days than it did in 1970. [Sun-Times, Tribune 🔒]

• Related: Make sure you bundle up this winter with a certain limited-edition beanie. [City Cast Chicago Neighbors 🩵]

Long-Awaited Obama Center Set To Open

After more than a decade in planning and construction, the Obama Center is set to open in June 2026. But has it been worth the wait and will it live up to its promises? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Celebrated Architect Frank Gehry Dies

The architect behind Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion and the BP Pedestrian Bridge over Columbus Drive passed away at the age of 96. During his life, he won every major architecture prize, including the locally-founded Pritzker Prize. [ABC7]

• Related: What would Chicago be like without Millennium Park? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Scammers Threaten Restaurants With 1-Star Reviews

There’s been an uptick in “review-bombing” among mid- to upscale restaurants, according to the Illinois Restaurant Association. The practice involves leaving enough negative reviews to bring down a restaurant’s overall rating, and demanding a ransom. [Block Club]

From classics like “A Christmas Carol” and “The Nutcracker” to original productions and reimaginings, there’s no shortage of holiday shows in Chicago. Here’s your guide to everything you might want to see!

🎩 “A Christmas Carol”

Whether on a screen or in a theater, it’s hard to make it through December without seeing at least one version of the Charles Dickens classic. There’s Goodman Theatre’s traditional full-length production or an abbreviated one that’s great for families with young kids at Drury Lane Theater in Oakbrook Terrace. You also have your pick of one-man reinterpretations with a begrudging Dickens impersonator at Theater Wit or the ghost of Jacob Marley himself at Lifeline Theatre. Finally, there’s an artful puppet rendition by Manual Cinema at the Fine Arts Building.

🌰 “The Nutcracker”

You’ve got a couple of choices for the Nutcracker this year — the Joffrey Ballet’s quintessential performance at Lyric Opera House through Dec. 28 or a totally different kind of Chicago classic dubbed “The Nut Tapper” featuring Reggio “The Hoofer” McLaughlin at the Old Town School of Folk Music Dec. 21. It’s a multicultural percussive variation of the original, featuring tap, Spanish flamenco, and Mexican zapateado that’s been going on for 26 years!

🎄 “Elf The Musical”

This all-new tour is based on last year’s hit Broadway reinterpretation of the modern Christmas classic and will be at The Auditorium through Dec. 14. And if you leave wanting to rewatch the Will Ferrell film, you can see it Dec. 21 at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

🎪 “'Twas the Night Before…”

This vivid Cirque de Soleil performance draws inspiration from the traditional Christmas poem and is bound to be a colorful and memorable treat for viewers of all ages! The acrobatics will be at The Chicago Theater from Dec. 11 through Dec. 28.