Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22 this year. The observance spreads awareness for environmental protection around the world. Chicago is getting in on the holiday with Earth Day-themed events and specials.
Earth Week at the Lincoln Park Zoo
Starting Monday, April 21, the Lincoln Park Zoo will celebrate the planet with Earth Week. With family-friendly fun, a storytime with the Chicago Public Library, daily penguin feedings, seal training and more, the week is packed with environmentally-conscious activities. The Zoo will also honor trees on Arbor Day on Friday, April 25 with a free arboretum tour and an oak tree cookie table demonstration.
Earth Day Fest
Garfield Park Conservatory has a series of family-friendly nature-themed activities held throughout Saturday, April 19. With a free reservation, guests can learn from nature education teachers, go on a Dinosaur Discovery with T-Rexplorers, shop at a wellness market and more, all from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Field of Sunflowers
BYOB art studio Painting with a Twist will host a themed painting session on Earth Day from 6:30 – 9 p.m. For $40 per person at its Lakeview location, guests can paint on their own take-home canvas as they sip on their drinks of choice. Glasses, wine openers, paper plates, napkins and ice — along with painting supplies — will be provided. For an added $20, guests can make their own all-natural scented soy candle.
Holiday Drink Specials
Seven bars are teaming with Plant With Purpose for an Earth Day special, “Raise a Glass, Plant a Tree.” For every drink purchased at the bars on April 22, Plant With Purpose will plant a tree in an impoverished part of the world. The participating locations are:
- aliveOne in Lincoln Park
- Central Park Bar in Avondale
- Easy Bar in Wicker Park
- Estelle’s in Wicker Park
- Remedy in Bucktown
- The Getaway in Lincoln Square
- The Owl in Lincoln Square
The Grillroom Chophouse & Wine Bar in the Loop will offer the Bee Line cocktail, a pollinator-friendly floral gin sour. The $14 cocktail is made of Vermont gin infused with raw wildflower honey, lemon juice, lavender bitters and and edible flower garnish.
The Bee Line is the first cocktail in the Grillroom’s new “Sips That Give” program. Every month, the restaurant will donate 10% of proceeds from sales of one drink to environmental causes. The donation will double to 20% for all Bee Lines sold on Earth Day. This month’s beneficiary is Bee Haven, a local organization dedicated to creating and preserving pollination. Plus, from Earth Day to May 1, guests who order the Bee Line at the bar will also receive a packet of native wildflower seeds to promote urban pollination.
