ML Interest Tag: release-date

Amazon Drops ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Final Season Trailer & Release Date

by Christina Marfice

Will Midge finally achieve her dreams?

If you’ve been watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and rooting for Midge for all four seasons so far, this is for you. The Amazon Prime hit show’s fifth and final season is coming and just dropped a full trailer that might lend some hints as to whether Midge is finally going to make it big.

In the final season, Rachel Brosnahan’s character “finds herself closer than ever to the success she’s dreamed of, only to discover that closer than ever is still so far away,” according to the Prime description of the final season. And the trailer really drives that home, as we see Midge saying, “It’s two steps forward, three steps back, and I’m tired of it,” about her standup comedy career.

Luckily, fans don’t have too long to wait. If the trailer made you anxious for more Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the fifth and final season begins on April 14 with a three-part premiere. Then, new episodes will air weekly until the series finale on May 26.

The Emmy-winning series will see a lot of familiar faces return for the final season, including Brosnahan (of course), Luke Kirby (dearest Lenny!), Marin Hinkle, Michael Zegen, Kevin Pollak, Caroline Aaron, Reid Scott, Alfie Fuller, and Jason Ralph. Milo Ventimiglia and Kelly Bishop, of Gilmore Girls fame, are also set to return for the show’s last season.

Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, Maisel‘s showrunners, spoke to The Hollywood Reporter last year about some of what fans can expect in the show’s final installment.

“We always had a general endpoint in mind for the series, but it was somewhere at four or five or six, or something like that. And it just seemed to fit in season five,” Palladino said.

Sherman-Palladino added, “When it came down to five and out, we sat down and said, ‘OK, now what do we do to make sure that we stick the landing?’ Because that’s the most important thing. We’ve invested so much time and energy and resources in these people and their journeys, the bar is just making sure that we put this cast through what we put them through and made them work as hard as they did, and that they get to come out of this feeling like they’ve made a good journey, and that their characters have traveled and ended someplace of worth.”

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Part 1 of the ‘Wicked’ Movie Is Coming Sooner than Expected

by Shahrzad Warkentin

It’s time to try defying gravity—here’s everything we know about the movie version of Wicked

Everyone deserves a chance to fly—and to see Wicked the musical. If you haven’t had a chance to experience the Broadway sensation, you won’t have to wait much longer forever. There’s a movie version of Wicked that’s coming to theaters—and its release is even sooner than we expected.

Part of the reason we’ll be able to return to Oz so soon is because Wicked is now being split into two movies. But the first installment has also been bumped up a month earlier than planned. Originally slated for a release around Christmas, Wicked part one is now set to open in theaters nationwide on Nov. 27, 2024. According to Variety, Universal thought a Thanksgiving release would give it a better chance of success since Christmas 2024 is already stacked with Avatar 3 and a new Sonic the Hedgehog movie.

Wicked will be directed by Jon M. Chu, who announced the new release date on Twitter.

What is Wicked about?

Wicked acts as a sort of prequel to The Wizard of Oz, telling the story of how green-skinned Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West, long before Dorothy and pals hit the Yellow Brick Road. The original Broadway production opened in 2003, with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth in the iconic roles of the two witches, Elphaba and Glinda. The Broadway show is well known for hit songs like “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” and “For Good,” and the movie version is expected to feature at least two new songs.

Who is starring in Wicked?

The leads in the movie version have some big (pointy) shoes to fill. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are set to star as Elphaba and Glinda. Also on board: Bridgerton‘s Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, Oscar winner(!) Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Ethan Slater as Boq.

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Halle Bailey Hits All the High Notes in the 1st Full-Length ‘Little Mermaid’ Trailer

by Julie Scagell

The newest The Little Mermaid trailer gives a first look at important characters

Ariel fans should be thrilled. Disney dropped its first full-length trailer for the live-action remake The Little Mermaid (May 26), and this one gives us a glimpse at characters like King Triton, Scuttle, and yup—Ursula. We also get a better look at Prince Eric, his kingdom, and the infamous storm at sea where the lovebirds meet for the first time. Most importantly, we hear Halle Bailey sing “Part of Your World.”

When we do get a look at Ursula (an almost unrecognizable Melissa McCarthy), there’s still a lot of mystery surrounding the infamous villain. One thing that remains constant is the haunting cackle all movie-goers will instantly recognize, first heard in the teaser trailer below. It may not be identical to the original (voice actor Pat Carroll sadly passed away in 2022), but McCarthy is giving it her all.

 

Disney also dropped a poster well ahead of the movie’s release date this spring, giving us plenty of time to build up our excitement before we head to the theater to belt out the lyrics alongside Bailey. In it, the actress looks stunning, posing as Ariel in an ethereal, underwater scene.

Disney

The first two-minute teaser for ‘The Little Mermaid,’ which admittedly is near-identical to the second one, premiered in September as part of Disney’s annual D23 expo and showed Bailey swimming through the gorgeous underwater scenery.

People lost their collective minds on social media as soon as they heard her angelic voice:

Disney previously announced the rest of the cast at the end of last year and it’s one strong group. Daveed Diggs of Hamilton fame plays Ariel’s BFF Sebastian, Javier Bardem is King Triton, Awkwafina plays the previously male seagull Scuttle, and Jonah Hauer-King plays Prince Eric.

In a Variety cover interview, Bailey talked about her love for the original animated film and that she used to pretend she was Ariel whenever she went swimming. She also talked about the importance of seeing more Black females in roles.

“I want the little girl in me and the little girls just like me who are watching to know that they’re special and that they should be a princess in every single way,” she explained. “There’s no reason that they shouldn’t be. That reassurance was something that I needed.”

She said her family helped keep her grounded after online criticism of her playing the iconic role. “It was an inspiring and beautiful thing to hear their words of encouragement, telling me, ‘You don’t understand what this is doing for us, for our community, for all the little Black and brown girls who are going to see themselves in you.’”

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Illumination Drops the Final ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Trailer

by Gabby Cullen

The original voice of the video game Mario and Luigi will have a cameo in the new film!

Get your coin-collecting, cart-racing selves ready because Illumination has just dropped the final Super Mario Bros. movie trailer. The animated film, which hits theaters on Apr. 5th, looks to be a ride through a thrilling new universe based on the classic ’80s Nintendo game that had kids guiding two Italian plumbers through the toadstool world of Princess Peach and Bowser.

In this new, animated version, Brooklyn plumbers Mario and Luigi are working on a water main when they’re transported to a magical world via a mysterious pipe. When the two are separated, Mario sets off on a quest to find his brother. He’ll team up with well-known characters in the battle against Bowser and his Koopa Troop. The star-studded cast includes Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, and Seth Rogen (who’s been all over the animated world as of late) as Donkey Kong.

Related: All the New Family Movies Hitting Theaters in 2023

The first Super Mario Bros. movie trailer had everyone talking about how different it was from the ’90s live-action version

While the video game is one of the most popular of all time, unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the disastrous 1993 film that is easily one of the worst movies ever made—and that’s according to the film’s director! Things are about to turn around for Mario and Luigi, however, as their story has landed in the magical hands of Illumination.

“I like that this was not done well the first time,” producer Chris Meledandri told Variety. “I think that’s more exciting or more worthy than simply making another version of a film that was done incredibly well, to begin with.”

Melendandri also explained that he planned to work closely with the game’s creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, on developing the film. The 1993 version did not involve Miyamoto at all, and Melendandri believes that was a huge mistake. The new Super Mario Bros. Movie is a true collaboration, as Miyamoto is listed as a co-producer of the film and worked with Melendandri for over six years on the project. If the trailer is any indication, it’s clear that this one won’t miss the mark.

—with additional reporting by Sher Warkentin

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If Your Kids Love ‘Harry Potter,’ Read These Books Next

by Amber Guetebier

Harry Potter and his journey from the neglected boy under the stairs to the triumphant hero has left his mark on the hearts and minds of children for more than 25  years. But once your kids have read or re-read the series, there are plenty of books like Harry Potter yet for them to explore. Read on to see what titles will delight your little witches and wizards. 
Yearling

The Uncommoners Trilogy by Jennifer Bell

$8 BUY NOW

Harry Potter fans will be thrilled to discover the secret underground city below London, where everything ordinary is magic: think yo-yos as weapons, buttons that can heal, belts that help you fly. When their grandmother is taken to the hospital, siblings Ivy and Seb are forced to flee their home and find themselves the strange city of Lundinor where they begin to discover their family is not as ordinary as they thought. Recommended age: 8 to 11

The Marvelers is a book like Harry Potter
Henry Holt

The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton, illustrated by Khadijah Khatib

$13 BUY NOW

Marvellers from around the world attend the prestigious Arcanum Training Institute, a school in the sky where students come to practice cultural arts, including bartering with Irish pixies and brewing Indian spice elixirs. Hot off the press in May of 2022, this fantastic new series brings readers into the world of 11-year-old Ella Durand, the first Conjuror to attend the school. But being the first is fraught with difficulty—some of the other students mistrust Ella’s magic. But Ella befriends other misfits at the school and together, they must fight the world’s most dangerous criminal. The connection to discrimination against people of color and the fight against the white patriarchy will not be lost on your child. It’s beautifully done, a Hogwarts for the next generation. We can’t wait to read anything and everything this author writes. Recommended age: 8-12

 
Sandpiper

The Young Wizards Series by Diane Duane

$11 BUY NOW

This first book in this epic series of ten books, "So You Want to Be a Wizard," was published in 1983, so it pre-dates Harry Potter by a good ten years. That year it won the American Library Association "ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers" award. Exceptionally well written and engaging, the series starts with a bullied young girl taking refuge in the library, where she runs her hands along a bookshelf. She feels a loose thread in the spine of a book. She pulls it from the shelf and discovers it is a "So You Want to Be a Wizard" book. That night she takes the Wizard's Oath, which sets her on a path of discovering her true powers and those around her who are wizards. After reading the first book, they'll be thrilled to learn that nine more are to go. Recommended age: 8 to 12.

Candlewick

$7 BUY NOW

This funny, cute series follows little Mildred Hubble and her magical misadventures at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. As you might have guessed, Mildred is not exactly the best at flying on her broomstick without crashing or doing her spells right. And she's also got a Draco Malfoy-like problem: the teacher's pet, Ethel. Your kids will enjoy cheering for Mildred throughout this seven-book series. It's a chapter book, but even younger kids can enjoy it as a read-aloud or read together. Recommended age: 5 to 10.

 

Merlin The Lost Years is a book like Harry Potter
Puffin Books

The Lost Years of Merlin Series by T.A. Barron

$9 BUY NOW

This epic twelve-book series follows a young boy who washes up on the shores of Wales—Merlin—before he was the infamous wizard. The saga is set to be adapted to film by Disney, though no exact release date is known, which means they’ve got plenty of time to devour every book. There’s a decidedly “Lord of the Rings” quality to this book, and we mean that as a compliment. Recommended age: 10 to 13

Aladdin

The Thirteen Witches Trilogy by Jodi Lynn Anderson

$7 BUY NOW

This fantasy trilogy features a young girl as the heroine, Rosie. She is the caregiver to herself and her mother because a curse is stealing her mom’s memory. Rosie vows to break the curse but must face dark magic and dark things to triumph. Recommended age: 9 to 13 or even a little older.

The Wizards of Once is a book like Harry Potter
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

The Wizards of Once series by Cressida Cowell

$9 BUY NOW

Written by the author of the How to Train Your Dragon series, Cressida Cowell, who has artfully created another beautiful and epic landscape of adventure and magic. The books will have your kids hooked from page one. Read them in order—one to four—to track the escapades of Xar, son of the King of Wizards, and Wish, daughter of the Warrior Queen, who are driven together despite being from two opposing worlds. Recommended age: 8 to 12

Inkyard Press

Forthcoming: How to Heal a Gryphon by Meg Cannistra

$17 BUY NOW

The first book in the brand new Giada the Healer series won’t be out until October of 2022, but it’s a well-worth a pre-order for holiday gift-giving. As Giada Bellantuono approaches her thirteenth birthday, she knows she will need to decide whether to join the family business as a healer or follow her heart and her dreams. Though she is a gifted healer and specifically skilled at healing animals, she also wants to heal magical creatures, which is strictly forbidden. Get in on this series from the start, as it promises to be just what Harry Potter fans, or fans of magical fiction in general, are craving. Recommended age: 8 to 12.

Inkyard Press

Forthcoming: The Gingerbread Witch by Alexandra Overy

$17 BUY NOW

A clever “fractured fairy tales” type of witchscapade, order this book now for its fall release date, just in time for Halloween. Told from the point of view of the gingerbread-turned-human-daughter of the witch (Agatha, of course!) in Hansel and Gretel, Maud storms off after a fight with her mother. Upon her return, she discovers that her mother has been pushed into the oven by a couple of nasty witch hunters—Hansel and Gretel. This forces Maud into a quest to find a magical spellbook that will hopefully bring her mother back. Incredibly clever, this would make a delightful autumnal bedtime story to read together. Recommended age: 8 to 12.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.

 

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‘It Ends with Us’ Movie Adaptation Release Date Announced

by Christina Marfice

Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, It Ends With Us, will be released in 2024. Here’s everything we know about the movie so far

Anyone who has read Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, It Ends With Us, has dreamed about the movie version. This book is so jam-packed with action and intrigue, it was made for the big screen, and we all know it. It was announced back in Jan. 2023 that casting the primary roles was completed and filming had started (though paused in May due to the ongoing WGA strike), and now, we have a release date! On July 7, Sony Pictures announced the much-anticipated movie will be released in Feb. 2024.

The announcement comes after the author defended the casting decisions and costume choices, which garnered strong reactions from fans when first-look production stills were released in May. Hoover discussed the film with Jenna Bush during her annual Book Bonanza festival in June and, according to Today, fans will be extremely pleased with the movie. “I got to see the footage they filmed thus far. I’m not a crier. I know that I write emotional books but I’m not an emotional person. And I cried so much on set… You guys are going to be so happy. I’m extremely happy and now my expectations are up and I’m going to keep them there,” she said.

It Ends With Us Cast

In Jan. 2023, on Instagram, author Colleen Hoover posted a video with a big casting announcement for the movie.

Shot in front of her own childhood home, Hoover used the video to announce that two of the main roles—Lily and Ryle—had been cast.

“Our Lily is going to be played by Blake Lively,” a visibly emotional Hoover said in the video. “Blake Lively, y’all. She’s my dream Lily.”

As for Lily’s abusive neurosurgeon husband Ryle? He’ll be played by the film’s director, Justin Baldoni.

“When I first met Justin Baldoni, who is directing the film for It Ends With Us, I immediately wanted him to be Ryle,” Hoover said.

The third main character from the book: Lily’s childhood love, Atlas, will be played by Brandon Skenlar.

Hoover also addressed the backlash about the ages of the actors playing the main characters when speaking to Bush. “Back when I wrote ‘It Ends With Us,’ the new adult (genre) was very popular. You were writing college-age characters. That’s what I was contracted to do. I made Lily very young. I didn’t know that neurosurgeons went to school for 50 years. There’s not a 20-something neurosurgeon,” she says.

It Ends With Us Plot

The casting announcement that Hoover posted on Instagram also gave us some clues about the plot of the movie. Hoover has been open about how It Ends With Us is loosely based on her own life and how her mom fled an abusive home with her when she was just a little girl. In the book version of It Ends With Us, Lily struggles to protect her own daughter from her abusive father and to end the cycle of abuse that started with her own childhood.

“I’m going to do what I can to sneak y’all as much footage as I can without getting kicked off the set,” she said in an Instagram video. “I’m so excited, y’all. I can’t even wrap my mind around this… I know y’all are going to be happy. Y’all are going to be happy.”

It Ends With Us Trailer

No trailer has been released yet for the film adaptation.

It Ends With Us Release Date

The official release date for It Ends with Us is Feb. 2024.

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‘Grease’ Prequel ‘Rise of the Pink Ladies’ Is Coming & It Looks Amazing

by Maria Guido

There is a prequel to Grease coming to Paramount+ and it’s all about the Pink Ladies

Who among us raised on the 1978 classic Grease didn’t fantasize about being a Pink Lady? The love story between Sandy and Danny was great and all, but the biggest takeaway from the epic movie for any teen girl was how cool it would be to start a girl gang with matching pink satin jackets. My friends and I fought over who would be Rizzo. I can’t remember if I won. Anyway, I digress. Some genius at Paramount+ realized the Pink Ladies never got the shine they deserved. The studio is releasing a prequel series all about the amazing crew—Rise of the Pink Ladies.

Rise of the Pink Ladies Plot

“The musical series takes place four years before the original “Grease”; in 1954 before rock ‘n’ roll ruled, before the T-Birds were the coolest in the school, four fed-up outcasts dare to have fun on their own terms, sparking a moral panic that will change Rydell High forever,” the press release from Paramount+ teases.

Rise of the Pink Ladies Trailer

“A girl’s reputation is all that she has.” We already see where this is going, Assistant Principal McGee. And it looks like there are some inclusive updates, like one of the Pink Ladies having a crush on a girl, that will bring this timeless story into this century. Here for it!

Rise of the Pink Ladies Cast

The new series stars Marisa Davila as Jane, Cheyenne Isabel Wells as Olivia, Ari Notartomaso as Cynthia, Tricia Fukuhara as Nancy, Shanel Bailey as Hazel, Madison Thompson as Susan, Johnathan Nieves as Richie, Jason Schmidt as Buddy, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper as Wally and Jackie Hoffman as Asst. Principal McGee.

 

Rise of the Pink Ladies Release Date

The Rise of the Pink Ladies will premiere on Paramount+ on April 6, 2023.

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The ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ Trailer Is Everything

by Maria Guido

Ask any woman in her thirties or forties if there was a pivotal book in her childhood and Judy Blume’s name will definitely come up. She was the original queen of YA fiction—and such a part of so many of our pasts. Now, the book is coming to life in a movie starring Rachael McAdams, Kathy Bates, and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret. The movie was set to premiere on September 16, 2022.

Are You There, God fans will now have to wait until April 28, 2023.

But today, Lionsgate released some cast info and images—and the developments are exciting! “For over fifty years, Judy Blume’s classic and groundbreaking novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. has impacted generations with its timeless coming of age story, insightful humor, and candid exploration of life’s biggest questions,” the release begins. And we have a trailer!

“In Lionsgate’s big-screen adaptation, 11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, going through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. She relies on her mother, Barbara (Rachel McAdams), who is also struggling to adjust to life outside the big city, and her adoring grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who isn’t happy they moved away and likes to remind them every chance she gets. The film also stars Benny Safdie (Licorice Pizza, Good Time) and is written for the screen and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig.”

Kathy Bates? Rachel McAdams? Sign. Us. Up.

The book was published in 1970, and follows a girl, Margaret, going through so many of the recognizable milestones puberty and growing up as a tween brings. Margaret Simon is an 11-year-old girl who moves to a new town. As she struggles to understand her developing body, changing emotions, and navigating life at a new school, she reaches out to “God”—but with a Christian mother and Jewish father, the “God” figure isn’t attached to any particular religion, just a source of comfort to her as she questions all the changes going on around her and within her.

In the decades since its publication, the book has topped the list of banned books—and with the recent resurgence of banned books lists, it’s gotten a lot of attention. Anyone who has read the book and had it play such an important part in their early understanding of the changes we all go through at that age can attest to just how damaging keeping books from children is.

Judy Blume is a hero to so many of us, and I personally can’t wait to share this movie with my own young children, along with the book, to let them know it’s always okay to talk about what you’re going through and seek more information.

 

 

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‘Stranger Things’ Final Season Details Made Netflix Execs Cry

by Christina Marfice

If the Duffer brothers are to be believed, Stranger Things season five will be the show’s most emotional installment yet

Most of us are still reeling from Stranger Things season four, but it’s time to buckle up, fam — at a press event in LA last weekend, the show’s creators, Ross and Matt Duffer, offered some hints about the emotional turmoil that’s yet to come when the show’s fifth and final season hits Netflix.

“We did get our executives to cry, which I felt was a good sign,” Matt Duffer said, after describing a meeting in which the show’s creators pitched the entire fifth season to the streaming giant. “The only other times I’ve seen them cry were like budget meetings,” as the crowd laughed.

Still shot from Netflix's Stranger Things, season 4
Netflix

Producer Shawn Levy, who was also at the event, added, “Those were different tears. As a witness and having been in that two-hour pitch room and having read this first script—I’m paralyzed with fear that I’ll spoil anything, but I will say the thing about these Duffer Brothers is that even though the show has gotten so famous and the characters have gotten so iconic and there’s so much about the ’80s and the supernatural and the genre, it’s about these people, it’s about these characters.”

He added, to the delight of fans of the show, “Season five is already so clearly taking care of these stories of the characters because that’s always been the lifeblood of Stranger Things.”

Still shot from Netflix's Stranger Things, season 4
Netflix

There’s no set release date yet for the fifth season, but considering the production timeline, it’s probably not realistic to expect it until late 2023 or early 2024, at the earliest. During the press event, the creators did update fans that they were making good progress.

“We turned in the first script a couple of weeks ago, and we’re onto the second. It’s full steam ahead,” Ross Duffer said. “I remember season one, we were just amazed that Netflix was letting us do this at all, but season two was when we really, with the writers, we developed an overall plan and a backstory for all of this and make sure that, with the Upside Down, everything about what it was.”

Still shot from Netflix's Stranger Things, season 4
Netflix

The Duffer brothers also hinted that season four laid the groundwork for a lot of what’s still to come, but there will still be surprises for fans.

“We do have quite a bit more to get in,” Ross explained. “But just as important as the supernatural, we have so many characters now—most who are still living—and it’s important to wrap up those arcs. A lot of these characters have been growing since season one so it’s a balancing act between giving them time to complete their character arcs and also tying up loose ends and doing our final reveals.”

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Ice, Ice Baby: Chill Places to Ice Skate in Chicago

by Amy Bizzarri

Want to take the kids ice skating? These family-friendly outdoor ice skating rinks in Chicago are perfect for beginners

Sock skating on a wooden floor might be fun (have you ever tried it?), but there’s nothing like feeling the cool breeze on your face as you glide across a real ice rink. It’s time to lace up your skates for an essential winter activity. Keep reading to find great places to ice skate in Chicago. Many are free, some are new—and most offer loads of other activities in the same location. So after attempting a few figure eights (or, you know, just making it from one side of the rink to the other), you can cozy up with Santa or warm your bellies with a cup of hot cocoa.

best ice skating in chicago
Rosemont

 

1. Parkway Bank Park

In the wintertime, Parkway Bank Park in Rosemont offers skating in the park, where The Chicago Wolves ice rink takes center stage with the perfect ticket price: free! You're allowed to bring your own skates, but if you need to rent a pair, they're available on site for $8. Easy parking and plenty of dining options round out the seasonal fun. After untying your skates, head over to the Sugar Factory and warm up with over-the-top hot cocoas.

Between Nov. 18 and Jan. 1, make it a full day of wintry fun by visiting the Sparkle Light Festival at Impact Field. You'll be treated to tubing, a holiday market, festive food and beverages, Santa's workshop, a train ride, and holiday crafts, all amongst an immersive display of more than one million holiday lights.

Dates: Nov. 19-Jan. 29

5501 Park Pl.
Rosemont
Online: rosemont.com

2. Millenium Park

Spectacular city skyline views will be your backdrop when you take a spin at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park. Reservations are required for 90-minute skate sessions. Once again this year, the rink will offer free ice skating lessons on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 to 10 a.m. (Skate rentals are extra.)

Dates: Nov. 18-Mar. 5

201 E. Randolph St.
Loop
Online: chicago.gov

3. Maggie Daley Park

The Maggie Daley Park ice skating ribbon is one of the best spots in the city to skate a figure eight. Meanwhile, the railing that lines the loop is the perfect pick-me-up for wobbly skaters, young and old alike. Tickets are released on a rolling basis at 12 p.m. on select dates. Check their website for the release date schedule.

Pro Tip: A skate assist sled is available for use by skaters with physical disabilities and their companion skater.

Dates: Nov. 18-Mar. 5

337 E. Randolph St.
Loop
Online: maggiedaleypark.com

4. Winterland at Gallagher Way

New this year, the ice rink at Gallagher Way will be moved into Wrigley Field as part of their Winterland attractions. It's open for skating and bumper car riding. Admission into Winterland is $5. Skating is additional. Visit prior to Dec. 31 and shop Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville, Chicago's take on a traditional German Christmas market. Shop, eat, enjoy free entertainment, shop some more, and even say "guten tag" to Santa Claus. Admission to Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville continues to be free.

To learn more about Christkindlmarket's two locations, read our review here.

Dates: Nov. 18-Jan. 8

3650 N. Clark St.
Wrigleyville
Online: gallagherway.com

5. Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic is Chicagoland's largest and longest-running lights festival featuring over a million twinkling LED lights, and it's best enjoyed on ice. Take the family to circle the skating rink on the East Mall.

Dates: Nov. 25-Dec. 31

3300 Golf Rd.
Brookfield
Online: czs.org

6. Navy Pier

Although not outdoors, Navy Pier's Light Up the Lake ice rink provides all the holiday feels that make it worth mentioning. This indoor, temperature-controlled experience features a sprawling light garden of large-scale sculptures comprising more than 600,000 twinkling lights, a massive Alpine ice rink, authentic beer garden, kiddie train rides, Santa's Merry Main Street and gift market, and other family friendly and date-night activities.

Dates: Nov. 25-Jan. 7

500 E. Grand Ave.
Streeterville
Online: navypier.org

7. Watts Center at Watts Park

Double the fun! Watts Center boasts not one but two outdoor ice rinks. Tucked away in north suburban Glencoe, this gem offers figure skating lessons, ice hockey and recreational skating. When the conditions allow, you can also play on the sled hill. Check their calendar for themed skate sessions, like Glow Skate, Skate & Create, Holiday Skate, and more.

Dates: Nov. 25-Feb. 26

305 Randolph St.
Glencoe
Online: glencoeparkdistrict.com

8. Midway Plaisance

Feel the history in the air at Midway Plaisance ice skating rink, the original site of the world-famous Chicago's 1893 World's Fair. Skating is free and skates are available to rent. You can request sled-assisted skating, which allows people of all abilities to skate together, by calling 312-442-2194. Skate trainers are also available at the rink, first-come, first-served, for children new to skating.

While you're in Hyde Park, visit the Museum of Science & Industry's Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light and be enchanted by the trees and displays decorated to represent the rich multicultural heritage of Chicago.

1130 Midway Plaisance North
Hyde Park
Online: chicagoparkdistrict.com

9. Peninsula Chicago

Located above Michigan Avenue, the Peninsula Sky Rink is the only hotel skating rink in the city, now in its 10th year. Surrounded by skyscrapers and the glow of twinkling lights, the synthetic rink is tucked into a winter wonderland with festive music and dazzling snowflake lighting. Warm your bellies on a selection of hotel beverages and snacks at the Chalet.

Skates are available to rent with proceeds donated to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Hephzibah Children's Association.

Dates: Nov. 25-Feb. 28

108 E. Superior St.
Near North Side
Online: peninsula.com

For up-to-date information on ice rinks operated by the Chicago Park District, check out their dedicated Skate in the Parks page. 

—additional reporting by Debra Flanagan

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