The Hot Karl's Santa Claus Conquers the Nazis

World War II is going poorly for Hitler and the Nazi party. So the Fuehrer decides the best way to turn the tide in the war is to kidnap Santa Claus and take control of Christmas and all of Santa's magical secrets. The only thing standing in the way of their evil plot is a misunderstood elf, a misfit toy and a couple of hit men reindeer. Will that be enough to save Christmas? Find out when The Hot Karl presents, "Santa Claus Conquers the Nazis: The Musical." Read more here.

The show starts at 11:59pm at Comedy Sportz, 929 West Belmont. Tickets are $10, and you can get 'em here or call (312) 559-1212.

1985 @ The Factory Theater

Closing night for The Factory Theater's spoof of George Orwell's classic 1984 with a distinctly mid-decade Chicago Bears twist. Eric Roach directs. Located at 3504 N. Elston, between Albany and Kedzie. Show starts at 8pm, tickets are $20. For information and tickets call (312) 409-3247 or visit The Factory Theater.

Songs of Good Cheer @ Old Town School

The Old Town School of Folk Music presents its 11th annual Songs of Good Cheer concert, an evening of OTS musicians playing holiday music hosted by Chicago Tribune columnists Mary Schmich and Eric Zorn. The concert will be performed tonight at 7:30pm, and tomorrow night at 5pm. Tickets are $40 for the general public, $38 for OTS members and $36 for seniors/children. For more information and to purchase tickets please see the OTS Website. Old Town School: 4544 N. Lincoln. (773) 728-6000.

Indie Arts Market @ Schubas

Sponsored by Paper Boy, this holiday craft market features the latest creations from Chicago illustrators, artists and crafters. Jewelry, screen prints, letterpress, housewares and more for sale. At Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, from 11am to 5pm today. Admission is free. For more information visit the Indie Arts Market website.

Big Shoulders Bike Tour @ Washington Park

Big Shoulders Realty is hosting a bike tour of Hyde Park, ride two of a four part "Big City Bike Winter Classic." The mellow-paced ride is a tour of the architectural treasures in the Hyde Park area and is also an opportunity to learn how to properly ride a bike in the icy chill of a Chicago winter -- representatives from Bike Winter will be on hand with advice and possibly free winter-specific cycling gear. Bring any bike you want, but a helmet is mandatory. The free ride leaves at 1pm from the Washington Park Field House (5531 S Martin Luther King Drive).

Chicago Afrobeat Project @ Martyrs

Chicago Afrobeat Project plays tonight at Martyrs. Bombay Beatbox and Get up with the Get Downs open. You will need to bring your dancing shoes to this one. Admission is $12 in advance and $15 at the door. The show starts at 10pm. Martyrs is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Ave. 21+.

Sexy Santa Fun Run @ Sidetrack

Raise $35 and you can show off your best "Sexy Santa" costume at the Sexy Santa Fun Run, a benefit for the Howard Brown Health Center. The festivities begin at 1pm and the actual race begins at 3pm. Even if you don't plan on running, you can donate $35 and join in the fun. See the Fun Run website for details.

2010 Midwinter Marathon Training Program

The Chicago Area Runners Association hosts a midwinter marathon training program beginning today, 8 am, at the Waveland Clock Tower. See the CARA website for details.

Empty Bottle Farmers Market

The Empty Bottle (1035 N. Western Ave.) hosts its first-ever farmers market from 11am to 5pm today in collaboration with the Advocates for Urban Agriculture. Twelve vendors will sell everything from hand-spun wool to organic herbs and canned goods. Free admission.

Ugly Sweater Party @ Luxbar

Luxbar, 18 E. Bellevue Pl., holds an Ugly Sweater Party tonight from 10pm to 3am. Wear your tackiest, ugliest sweater (Christmas or otherwise) and compete for $250. Or just show up and enjoy $5 martinis and a green screen Christmas photo booth. Also, anyone who brings a gently used article of clothing for the Salvation Army will receive a $20 gift certificate valid January 1 through March 31, 2010. No cover, 21+.

Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary Holiday Merriment and Benefit @ Double Door

Performances by The Detroit Cobras, Dex Romweber Duo, The Blacks and The Lawrence Peters Outfit. $10 suggested donation for entry. 100% of the door goes to the recovery funds of Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and Lawrence Peters. There will also be a canned food drive. 8:30pm. 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Paul Fehribach @ Green City Market

Paul Fehribach of Big Jones will conduct a 10:30am chef demonstration at Green City Market, which is currently located at the Notebart Nature Museum (Fullerton at Lake Shore).

The View from the Kitchen @ Chicago History Museum

Presented by the Culinary Historians of Chicago, today's lecture about the culinary travels of a former chef of the family who owned Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece Fallingwater will not disappoint. "The View from the Kitchen: an Upstairs-Downstairs Look at Frank Lloyd Wright's Most Famous House" runs 10am-noon at the Chicago History Museum,1600 N. Clark. Admission starts at $3; RSVP requested.