Specific Events Guide Chicago
Holidays
Constitution Day – September 17th: Celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the US Constitution.
Pulaski Day – first Monday of March: The Pulaski Day commemorates Casimir Pulaski, a polish revolutionary war officer. It is celebrated in Illinois and more particularly in Chicago because of its very large Polish community.
Saint Patrick’s Day – March 17th: This day celebrates the Patron Saint of Ireland. The Irish community is very important in Chicago and the parade that is organized throughout the city is one of the biggest of Chicago. To start the festivities, the Chicago River is dyed in Irish green each March 17th.
Saint Valentine’s Day – February 14th: It is more a commercial day than a real celebration but it is much followed. The tradition is to send cards to people who are loved. Even children in schools follow it by giving cards to each of their classmates with a candy (not mandatory).
Thanksgiving and Christmas are the most celebrated days. In Chicago, there is a parade for each of these holidays. At this time of the year, there are lots of activities for families and children.
Resource about Festivals in Chicago
Chicago Festivals http://www.chicagofestivals.net/
This website lists all the scheduled festivals of the year in Chicago with the last up to date information (dates, hours, locations, admissions, etc.).
Chicago Travelers http://www.chicagotraveler.com/chicago_festivals.htm
This is a list of the 2010 Chicago festivals with links to the events
Each neighborhood organizes its own event. Chicago neighborhood festivals take usually place between May and September of each year.
http://www.chicagoneighborhoodfestivals.us
Music Festivals in Chicago
Grant Park Music Festival http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/
Grant Park Music Festival a free, outdoor classical music festival each summer in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park. Each year the festival starts mid of June and ends mid of August.
World Music Festival in Chicago http://www.worldmusicfestivalchicago.org/
The World Music Festival: Chicago 2010 will be from September 24-30, 2010. It is a multi-venue festival of traditional and contemporary music from diverse cultures across the world. The venues take place in various locations within Chicago.
Lollapalooza http://www.lollapalooza.com/
Lollapalooza is a three day, eight stage music festival happening August of each year in Chicago Grant Park. The 2009 edition welcomed more than 130 bands. The 2010 edition will be from August 6-8.
Food Festivals in Chicago
Taste of Chicago
Tauted as the world’s largest food festival, Taste of Chicago takes place in Chicago Grant Park. It starts the Friday before 4th of July and last for 10 days. There are also free music events ongoing.
Chicago Gourmet
This festival, only in its third season this year, takes place in Millennium Park. It generally occurs at the end of September for two days.
Other Event of Interest
Bike the Drive http://bikethedrive.org/
Each year at the end of May, the Lake Shore Drive is open to bikes only. This is a beautiful occasion to bike with family and friends on the Lake Shore Drive and discover the beauty of the city from your bike. This is a unique feeling as usually this road is full of cars. The 2010 edition will be on May 30.
