From Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park Best Nearby Events (Events) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Chicago, IL Chicago Blues Festival (Events - Best of the City) 331 E Randolph St, Chicago  IL  60601 • 312-744-3315 Distance: ~0 ft         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. Zoolights Festival (Events - Best of the City) 2001 N Clark St, Chicago  IL  60614 Distance: ~0 ft         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. Holiday Treasure Hunt and Tea Party (Events - Best of the City) 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago  IL  60603 • 630-472-1900 • FAX: 312-443-0849 Distance: ~0 ft         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. Mayor Daley's Holiday Sports Festival (Events - Best of the City) 2301 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago  IL  60616 • 312-791-7000 • FAX: 312-791-6543 Distance: ~0 ft         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. New Year's Eve Fireworks (Events - Best of the City) 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago  IL  60611 • 800-563-7632 Distance: ~0 ft         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! Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival (Events - Best of the City) 1225 W Belmont Ave, Chicago  IL  60657 • 773-327-5252 • FAX: 773-327-1404 Distance: ~0 ft         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. The Dream Lives On! Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Events - Best of the City) 220 S Michigan Ave, Chicago  IL  60604 • 312-294-3333 • FAX: 312-294-3329 Distance: ~0 ft         Description: Patrice Jackson, Sphinx competition-winning cellist joins the Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir to honor the great Martin Luther King Jr. Expect the music to shake the walls and maybe even bring down the house. In addition to the soulful sounds, this night also features plenty of spoken words of wisdom and inspiration, including a special guest who will narrate from Dr. King's famous 1965 Selma, Alabama speech. AWP Annual Conference (Events - Best of the City) 720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago  IL  60605 • 312-922-4400 • FAX: 312-922-5240 Distance: ~0 ft         Description: Readers, writers and poets drool over the line-up of events at the Annual Writers and Writing Programs Conference. This four day conference boasts 300 some events and more than 500 press representatives. After Wednesday's registrations, attendees can choose from the impressive selection of lectures and writing seminars. Those looking to get published are sure to attend but writers of all trades adore this event for its rich learning experience and unique opportunity to network with publishing houses and authors from around the country. Chicago Auto Show (Events - Best of the City) 2301 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago  IL  60616 • 312-791-7000 • FAX: 312-791-6543 Distance: ~0 ft         Description: Not only is this the oldest auto show in North America, but it’s also the biggest. The very first Chicago Auto Show was held in 1901, and it has grown to include about 1000 different vehicles, from passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs to concept, antique, and collector cars. Virtually every make and model from around the world is showcased: Cadillac, Toyota, Lamborghini, Land Rover, BMW, Bentley, Hummer, Lotus, Porsche, Maserati, Nissan, Honda, and more. The Chrysler Group has a test track as well (more than 64,000 people have taken a ride on it!), and numerous athletes and movie/television stars make appearances. Climb Chicago (Events - Best of the City) 555 W Madison St, Chicago  IL  60661 • 312-441-0836 Distance: ~0 ft         Description: Perhaps your New Year's resolution to lose the aftermath of the holiday sweets has failed you. If that's the case or even if you're one of those year round health nuts, the 2009 Climb Chicago is an event for everyone. Climbing the stairs of a skyscraper may sound like a nutty idea, but believe it or not, the average time for 45 flights of stairs is just twelve minutes! This kind of work-out time sounds like an infomercial claim but, the best part about the climb is that it benefits the American Lung Association of Illinois. Now occurring in major cities in the Midwest, Chicago's Presidential Towers are by far, the coolest location. Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.