One of a Kind Show and Sale @ Merchandise Mart

The annual One of a Kind Show and Sale runs Thursday through Sunday at the Merchandise Mart, 8th floor. More than 600 juried artists, craftspeople and designers from across North America are showcasing their imaginative, handmade creations, for sale at a wide range of price points. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online. A portion of all ticket sales will benefit Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital. For more information, see the website.

Chicago Elite Classic @ UIC Pavilion

Seven basketball games, each featuring a Chicago area high school team, will be on display at the UIC Pavilion in the 2013 rendition of the Chicago Elite Classic. 17 top prospects in the next three recruiting classes will be featured, including Chicago's own seniors Jahlil Okafor and Cliff Alexander in this one-day event. General admission tickets starting at $22 (per session) are available through the UIC ticket office, or online via Ticketmaster. The early session tips at 10:30am, while the afternoon/evening session gets underway at 6pm. Tickets to each are sold separately.

Holiday Shop Hop on Grand

On December 7th and 8th, the local home design boutiques, furniture and accessory-makers, and vintage and antique collectors along the Grand Avenue Design District (on Grand between Ashland and Western) offer holiday discounts, free treats, carols, and crafts. Shop from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Renegade Holiday Craft Fair

The Renegade Holiday Craft Fair runs today and Sunday from 11am to 6pm in the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, 1419 W. Blackhawk St. Shop for handmade gifts from more than 150 artists and crafters. Admission is free.

Do-Division Holiday

Up to 35 shops and boutiques, salons and restaurants along Division between Ashland and Leavitt are participating in this year's Do-Division Holiday. From 11 a.m.-6 p.m. this December 7th-8th, there'll be events and kids activities like (wooden) Snowman and wreath-making, carolers and live music. Designated food areas are serving hot cocoa, hot toddies, mulled wine, and more. There's free wine and holiday bites sampling at select shops and a dog adoption event. Jolly Trolleys will be available to transport shoppers from Michigan to Division, and they're serving drinks too.

Tasting Table Open Market

Heather Sperling and Tasting Table presents Open Market, a "two-day artisan food fair" on the third floor of Block 37, 108 N. State St. Today from 6 to 9pm, more than 40 chefs, vendors and restaurants will be selling sweet and savory foodstuffs, perfect for the foodie on your gift list. Tickets are required and cost $6.75 in advance, $8 at the door; VIP tickets get you in an hour earlier (10am) for $35.57.

The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony @ Roosevelt University

Tonight at 7pm in Roosevelt University's Ganz Hall (430 S. Michigan), The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame will honor six historical writers inducted this year. The program will also explore the ways that the honorees' visions of the city reverberate with its current writers and other assorted arts-adjacent figures--presenters range from Joe Meno and Thomas Dyja to Sex and the City actor David Eigenberg.

Enhancing the sense of eras colliding, the awards themselves will be accepted by relatives, descendants, and friends of the inductees, including Baum's grandson and Wilder's nephew. Guests can reserve a seat at the strange and wondrous festivities for free online.

Rookie Yearbook 2 Release Party @ Saki

Rookie and Drawn & Quarterly celebrates the release of the Rookie Yearbook 2 tonight at saki, 3716 W. Fullerton Ave., from 6 to 9pm. Tavi Gevinson and other local Rookie contributors will read, a special guest band will perform, and there will be the requisite dance party. More details and RSVP on Facebook. Free.

Red Hot Christmas Charity Pub Crawl

A pub crawl always is a fun time for anyone involved. But how about a pub crawl that benefits kids at Advocate Children's Hospital this Christmas season? That's right, grabbing a few drinks along Chicago Avenue, with stops at Cleo's (6:30pm), High Dive (8pm) and Roots Pizza (9:30pm) for a mere $15 online at redhotchristmas.com ($20 at the door) certainly will go a long way. Come on out, grab a drink or two, a little nosh, and don your free Santa hat and spread a little cheer along the way.

Mortified! @ Schubas

Mortified! hosts more true stories of disaster and embarrassment tonight at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave. Shay DeGrandis hosts, with special guests the Blue Ribbon Glee Club. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 21+

Brendan & Jake's Acoustic Holiday Show @ Park West

Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger, the guitarists of Umphrey's McGee, bring their 11th annual Acoustic Holiday Show to the Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave. This year's event will benefit for The People's Music School. Doors will open early for the UM Holiday Garage Sale. Tickets are $25. All Ages.