Festivals & special events
Chicago House Music Festival and Conference
Aug. 27 – 30, 2026 Free admission • Millennium Park and beyond The Chicago House Music Festival is an annual celebration of Chicago house music…
Kelsey O'Connor
62 posts by Kelsey O'Connor
Blog, Special events
Bud Billiken Parade 2026: Experience Chicago’s legendary South Side tradition
The 97th annual Bud Billiken Parade steps off Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026 at 10 a.m. on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Bronzeville, ending…
Blog, Hotels, Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Chicago: hotels and things to do by area
Chicago is a city of multitudes — skyscrapers and sparkling waterfronts, bustling city streets and sprawling green spaces, a cosmopolitan downtown and charming neighborhoods. And…
Special events
How to celebrate Pride Month 2026 in Chicago
In Chicago, Pride is more than just a month. The city celebrates LGBTQ+ culture all year long with film festivals, art exhibits, drag shows, theatrical…
Arts, culture & entertainment, Special events
Celebrate Haitian American Heritage Month in Chicago
Haitian heritage runs deep in Chicago. The city has a special connection to the Caribbean nation — Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, Chicago’s first permanent…
Blog, Dining
VietFive brings authentic Vietnamese coffee and a community-minded space to Chicago
Located in Chicago’s buzzing West Loop neighborhood, VietFive has quickly become a staple in the city’s exploding coffee scene. Since opening in 2022, VietFive has…
Blog, Music
International Jazz Day 2026 is coming to Chicago
Chicago is proud to be the official host city of International Jazz Day 2026, a global celebration that honors jazz and its unique power to…
Articles, Bucket list, Itineraries, Parks & outdoors
Things to do in Chicago in the spring
What’s spring like in Chicago? Tulips bloom along iconic Michigan Avenue, cherry blossoms fill the Japanese garden in Jackson Park, and the Lakefront Trail fills…
Blog, Special events
26+ things to do in Chicago in 2026: concerts, exhibits, festivals, and more
For Chicago, 2025 was a milestone year — the city hosted major events and gatherings, welcomed millions of visitors from around the globe, and was…
Blog, Dining
Sober Chicago: N/A bars, mocktails, and more
After the indulgence of the holiday season, January is a time when people tend to cut back and seek out dry bars, mocktails, and other…
Blog, Nightlife
Winter rooftop bars, curling, and igloos in Chicago
Rooftop bar season is year-round in Chicago. These seasonal spaces are the perfect place to cure your cabin fever while still staying warm and cozy…
Festivals, Festivals & special events, Special events
Your guide to the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 8 – 11 a.m. State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive north to Randolph Street The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, a local…
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