We’re halfway through finals week and most of our brains are fully fried, but the end is almost soon.  Soon us DePaulians will be able to enjoy our six-week winter break, free from classes, essays and tests (except for the poor souls taking a December intersession course). Although our six-week break will be a well-deserved one, for many it means six weeks away from the city. So if this is the last weekend at DePaul until 2014, take advantage of the city while you can.

The annual Festival of Lights will be taking place this Saturday afternoon down the Magnificent Mile.  The festival celebrates the beginning of the holiday season in Chicago and starts off with a bunch of holiday activities, at Light Festival Lane in Pioneer Court.  At 5:30 p.m. a tree-lighting parade down Michigan Avenue begins with Mickey and Minnie Mouse as the grand marshals, and the night ends with a firework show aver the Chicago River.  The event is free and great way to get into the holiday spirit before heading home.

If the holidays stress you out and you need a laugh, visit The Second City this weekend for their Dysfunctional Holiday Show.  The show contains original songs, brand new sketches and holiday favorites.  Tickets start at $16 and there’s a performance this Saturday at 4 p.m. If you can’t make this one, the show will be playing all Holiday season.

If you need to get one last concert in before heading back home, Paramore will be headlining their self-titled tour this Sunday at the UIC Pavilion.  The rockers will be performing songs from their new album as well as some of their classics.  Metric and Hellogoodbye will be opening the show.  Ticket prices range from $43.32 to $60.05 from Ticketmaster.