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Chicago Blues Festival |
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(Events - Best of the City) |
June 12 - June 14, 2009
331 E Randolph St, Chicago 60601 • 312-744-3315
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Distance:
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Description:
The soulful Windy City puts on annual Blues Festival with as big of names as ever including, yes, B.B. King. Along with King: James Cotton, Buckwheat Zydeco and Koko Taylor will belt their blues amongst many of local favorites. Grab a drink and spill your guts to those around you; that's what has kept this festival growing. From its debut year with nearly 165,000 in attendance to last year's 800,000, it boasts plenty of Chicagoan pride. |
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SOFA Expo |
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(Events - Best of the City) |
November 6 - November 8, 2009
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago 60611 • 800-563-7632
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Distance:
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Description:
Not exactly the World's Fair, but the World's "Foremost Fair of Contemporary Decorative Arts and Design," nonetheless, the annual fair will host dealers from over 15 countries, 400 plus artists, and more than 100 galleries. Critically acclaimed for its exhibition of such renowned collections, the SOFA Expo also hosts intensive lecture series which are included in the admission cost. |
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Magnificent Mile Lights Festival |
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(Events - Best of the City) |
November 21, 2009
Michigan Ave and Oak St, Chicago
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Distance:
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Description:
Along Michigan Avenue, from Oak Street to the Chicago River, all the trees are strung with twinkling lights and turned on just in time to signal the start of the holiday season.
Prior to the procession, retailers along the Mile elaborately decorate their shop windows, which are then rated by a panel of judges from several local arts institutions and businesses, and numerous entertainers regale visitors with live music, dance, comedy and acrobatics at Pioneer Court (401 N Michigan Avenue) and along the procession route. The lighting procession begins at 6pm, and is followed by a fireworks display. Be prepared for crowds – it’s common for more than a million people to participate. |
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Christkindlmarket Chicago |
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(Events - Best of the City) |
November 25 - December 24, 2009
50 W Washington St, Chicago 60602
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Distance:
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Description:
Daley Plaza is the center of all Chicago’s holiday festivities, morphing into a haunted village for Halloween, and into various international markets throughout the summer. For the Christmas season, it’s transformed into a traditional German-style market. Vendors offer all sorts of arts and crafts from around the world, and restaurants and caterers provide the best German food, beer, and wine. The event also promises a visit from the Christkindl (a gift-bearing spirit, identified with the Christ child and similar to Santa Claus), direct from Nuremberg. Other highlights include the official City of Chicago Holiday Tree Lighting and the Children’s Lantern Parade. |
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McDonald's® Thanksgiving Parade |
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(Events - Best of the City) |
November 26, 2009
State St and Congress to Randolph, Chicago
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Distance:
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Description:
Dress warmly and bring an umbrella, because bad weather is no deterrent to this annual parade, and you don’t want to miss it! State Street, from Congress to Randolph, is a non-stop procession of huge balloons, colorful floats, marching bands, dancers, singers, and celebrities. You could watch the parade on television, but nothing compares to actually being there in person! |
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Zoolights Festival |
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(Events - Best of the City) |
December 2009
2001 N Clark St, Chicago 60614
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Distance:
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Description:
In a city like Chicago, you can see twinkling holiday displays just about everywhere. But at Lincoln Park Zoo, there’s more than just lights. You’ll also find arts and crafts, ice carving demonstrations, storytellers, and a laser light show. Plus, you can visit with Santa and ride the carousel, train, or safari simulator – all while sipping warm spiced wine, cocoa, or a cold beer. Festive and fun for the whole family. |
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Holiday Treasure Hunt and Tea Party |
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(Events - Best of the City) |
December 2009
111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago 60603 • 630-472-1900 • FAX: 312-443-0849
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Distance:
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Description:
Tea time may have you thinking you're in Britain, but this special holiday treat, running for the 27th year, is just as fun for adults as it is for children. The treasure hunt is a win-win as all will receive art to bring home and show off. After tea and treasure-hunting, stick around for the Holiday Party. This event is recommended for children 4-10, and reservations are needed. |
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Mayor Daley's Holiday Sports Festival |
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(Events - Best of the City) |
December 27 - December 28, 2009
2301 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago 60616 • 312-791-7000 • FAX: 312-791-6543
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Distance:
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Description:
The ground is covered in snow, the kids are out of school for the winter holiday, the excitement of the holidays is over, and everyone’s got cabin fever. What do you do? Well, if you’re in Chicago, you go to McCormick Place, the “Biggest Indoor Playground and Sports Facility in the Midwest,” where, for three days, kids can try out more than 25 fun activities, like air hockey, golf, climbing walls, football, chess, an obstacle course, bowling, martial arts, table tennis, tumbling, tennis, badminton, boxing, fishing ponds, a giant slide, a 50-yard dash, skateboarding, rollerblading, cheerleading, volleyball, and basketball. For free! All ages welcome. |
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New Year's Eve Fireworks |
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(Events - Best of the City) |
December 31, 2009
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago 60611 • 800-563-7632
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Distance:
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Description:
Chicago actually has two New Year’s Eve fireworks displays: one at Buckingham Fountain and one at Navy Pier. Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park (Columbus Dr and Congress Pkwy) is a fabulous sight on a regular day, but when fireworks are added, it’s absolutely spectacular. Lots of people agree, so if you want to see this display, the mayor’s office recommends you arrive no later than 10pm. Navy Pier (600 E Grand Ave), on the other hand, is well-suited for families with a smaller fireworks display at 7pm, followed by fun activities throughout the evening. At midnight, there’s a second round. Who needs to watch a giant ball slide down a pole when you’ve got pyrotechnics like this! |
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Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival |
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(Events - Best of the City) |
January 2010
1225 W Belmont Ave, Chicago 60657 • 773-327-5252 • FAX: 773-327-1404
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Distance:
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Description:
Chicago is the place to be when you need a good laugh, thanks to a number of great comedy clubs. Complementing the club scene are a couple of terrific comedy festivals. Over the course of two weeks, Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival gives laugh-seekers additional opportunity, presenting 100 sketch comedy teams like Sketchcore, Teatro Bastardo, The Whizgiggers, and Some Assembly Required. |
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* All distances are
approximate "straight-line" distances.
See Directions for actual "travel distances."
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