Edition: Dance All Night
Quintessential Chicago: Big Balloons & Spooky Happenings
Author: Jennifer Nunez
This is a quintessential look at some of the many things to do in Chicago throughout this holiday season! Join the crowds at top-notch parades and other holiday happenings large and small. Hit the Mag Mile or Navy Pier if none of these float your boat.
THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE
Chicago's Thanksgiving Day Parade is the largest fall processional in the Midwest. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade, with more than 400,000 people expected to attend. Gigantic inflatable helium balloons, decorative floats, marching bands, performance groups and celebrities will march up historic State Street from Congress Street to Randolph Street from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on November 27. Temperatures range from 20 to 40 degrees, so be sure to tote along a coat and hat to keep warm during the festivities. www.chicagofestivals.org.
CHEER ‘EM ON
Chicago is a legendary sports town filled with a rich history, including five World Series wins between the Cubs and White Sox, six NBA titles by the Bulls, one Super Bowl Championship by the Bears, and three Stanley Cup acquisitions by the Blackhawks. Support the home team this fall and catch a mid-season football game at Soldier Field; dress for cool weather, bring blankets and sip hot cocoa, as the breeze off Lake Michigan can be chilly. If staying in is more your style, consider a Bulls or Blackhawks game at the United Center, just west of downtown. Get your Bulls tickets in advance, for the hometown superstar, Derrick Rose, is sure to draw a crowd.
FALL ART FAIRS
On October 6 the Lincoln Square neighborhood will host the Rockwell Crossing Artwalk, just steps off the Rockwell Brown Line stop. Hand-crafted goods from local artists such as paintings, jewelry and clothing will be on sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 15th annual SOFA (sculpture objects and functional art) Chicago will be held November 7-9 in the Festival Hall at Navy Pier. Works from 100 international galleries, from both emerging and established artists and designers, will be put on display. Tickets are on sale for $15 for a one-day pass, or $25 for a three-day pass at sofaexpo.com.
SPOOKY SITES
Between the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and the gangster presence of the Al Capone era, Chicago has a dark and chilling past. The city offers tours year-round of haunted spaces and ghostly spirits, but what better time to get spooked than the haunting month of October? Weird Chicago (600 N. Clark St., 888-446-7859), a local company devoted to investigating Chicago spirits, offers an array of thrilling tours. Their History and Hauntings tour takes you on a three-hour eerie learning experience to exclusive haunted Chicago buildings. During the fall season, walking tours are also available. Tours range from $20 to $30 per person. Call 1-888-446-7859 or visit weirdchicago.com for reservations.
Soldier Field
1410 South Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
Historic home of the Chicago Bears, Soldier Field is sacred space to Chicago's legions of Bears fans.
United Center
1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60612
Home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks.
