Festivals, Special events
Where to celebrate the 4th of July in Chicago
Fourth of July is an iconic summer event. And no one celebrates like Chicago. Whether it’s a bustling neighborhood street festival, a scenic boat cruise,…
Chicago Like a Local blog
Unique perspectives on the city from the people who live here.
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Festivals & special events, Music, Special events
Chicago Jazz Festival
Free admission • Millennium Park The oldest of Chicago’s free lakefront music festivals boasts an incredibly diverse lineup, which includes free neighborhood concerts leading up…
Parks & outdoors, Special events
Chicago beach guide
Chicago’s stunning skyline soars over 26 miles of uninterrupted lakefront, including 24 free public beaches. Whether you’re looking to swim, kayak, paddleboard, sip cocktails, or…
Special events
Celebrate summer with these free events at the Chicago Riverwalk
What: Chicago Riverwalk Season Celebration When: Monday, May 13 – Sunday, May 18, 2019 Where: Chicago Riverwalk between Lake Street and Lake Shore Drive What…
Special events
Chicago Dance Month: 6 must-see events and shows
Salsa, rumba, or waltz your way into spring during the seventh annual Chicago Dance Month. Through the entire month of April, an array of cultural…
Special events
Star Wars Celebration is coming to Chicago: Here’s what to expect
If you’re feeling a disturbance in the Force, it’s because there’s about to be thousands of voices crying out — in celebration. Star Wars Celebration…
Special events
50+ things to do in Chicago this spring
You can feel spring coming from a mile away in Chicago. The minute the snow melts, the city starts buzzing with outdoor concerts, neighborhood street fests,…
Special events
6 reasons to check out C2E2 in Chicago
The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (more commonly known as C2E2) makes a vibrant return to McCormick Place from March 22 – 24, 2019. The…
Dining, Special events
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2021 at these Chicago bars and restaurants
St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago is a celebration like no other. And the local bars and restaurant are getting in the Irish spirit with specials…
Special events
6 things to do in Chicago on St. Patrick’s Day
At times, it can feel like Chicago is the most Irish city in the country. While apparently there are places with larger Irish populations, there’s…
Special events
A new fireworks show will light up the Chicago River this New Year’s Eve
Chicago will ring in the New Year with a bang this year. A midnight fireworks display will dazzle spectators along the Chicago river and lakefront…
Arts, culture & entertainment, Special events, Tours & attractions
20 Chicago tours, attractions, and events to catch this winter
A little cold isn’t enough to keep Chicagoans indoors. The winter is packed with holiday festivities, raucous concerts, artisan markets, must-see shows and so much…
Special events
Where to see Santa in Chicago
You can catch Santa all over Chicago during the holidays. He might be feeding hay to his reindeer at the Lincoln Park Zoo, sipping hot…
Special events
Celebrate the Day of the Dead in Chicago
The Day of the Dead is fast approaching, and Chicagoans are eagerly gearing up for the three-day Latin American holiday that honors the dearly departed.
Dining, Festivals, Special events
Come “Rock the Fork” at two of Chicago Gourmet’s new events
Food and music – they’re a fabulous pair, and “two of Chicago’s most beloved cultural institutions,” says Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois…
Special events, Tours & attractions
10 of Chicago’s most haunted places
Chicago is a city with history — a whole lot of history. So it’s hardly surprising that it’s also a city with ghosts — a…
Arts, culture & entertainment, Nightlife, Special events
Chicago’s music legacy: 3 summer festivals celebrate house, gospel and blues
Chicago boasts a musical legacy that few cities can challenge. This is the Midwest Mecca, where urban blues, gospel and house music were born.
Special events
Celebrate the Illinois Bicentennial with these Chicago landmarks
The state of Illinois celebrates its 200th birthday this year, but you don't have to travel too far to explore the state's history.
Holidays, Special events
A Chicago romance: 5 neighborhoods made for love
Whether your idea of romance is fine dining or craft brews, there’s a Chicago neighborhood to match any Valentine’s Day vibe. Here’s how to feel…
Arts, culture & entertainment, Free & cheap, Special events
Celebrate Chinese New Year 2018 in Chicago
As a young girl, I remember performing with my dance troupe beneath the pagoda in Chinatown Square for Chinese New Year, fluttering silk ribbons and…
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