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Chicago Events and Chicago Festivals (Chicago, IL, USA)



The residents of Chicago like to party and there are many exciting events that are held throughout the year in Chicago. The popular events in Chicago include numerous lively street fairs, carnivals, parades, festivals and numerous sporting events. Many of the events and festivals in Chicago draw enormous crowds of both participants and spectators.

Chicago National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• Third Monday in January - Martin Luther King Day
• 12th February - Lincoln's Birthday
• Third Monday in February - Washington's Birthday
• Third Monday in April - Patriot's Day (Massachusetts)
• Last Monday in May - Memorial Day
• 4th July - Independence Day
• First Monday in September - Labor Day
• Second Monday in October - Columbus Day
• 11th November - Veterans Day
• 4th Thursday in November - Thanksgiving
• 25th December - Christmas Day

Chicago Calendar of Festivals and Events - Chicago, IL, USA

Chicago Events in January - Chicago

• Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show - early to mid-January, one of Chicago's largest public events, held at McCormick Place
• Chinese New Year Parade - late January / early February - this popular festival takes place along Wentworth Avenue in Chicago's Chinatown

Chicago Events in February - Chicago

• Azalea and Camelia Show - held at Lincoln Park Conservatory, with many beautiful flowers

Chicago Events in March - Chicago

• St. Patrick's Day Parade - March 17th, the large parade starts at Dearborn Street and Wacker Drive and the Chicago River is colored green
• Spring Festival of Dance - late March to early June, this Chicago dance festival is held in the Shubert Theater and at other venues

Chicago Events in April - Chicago

• Spring and Easter Flower Show - this colorful flower show is held in Lincoln Park's large conservatory

Chicago Events in May - Chicago

• Art Chicago - second week in May, the annual Art Chicago event is a exhibition of contemporary art, held in the Navy Pier's Festival Hall
• Buckingham Fountain Re-Opening - celebrations as the famous Chicago fountain is started
• Viva - late weekend in May, this Chicago Latin Music Festival is held in Chicago's Grant Park in both the afternoon and evening

Chicago Events in June - Chicago

• Chicago Blues Festival - first weekend in June, held in Chicago's Grant Park both in the afternoon and evening
• Chicago Gospel Festival - second week in June, held in Chicago's Grant Park both in the afternoon and evening
• Old Town Art Fair - second week in June, this popular event is the oldest art fair in Chicago and is held at Lincoln Park West and New Orleans Street
• Grant Park Music Festival - mid-June to mid-August, this Chicago music festival is mainly classical music and is held in Chicago's Grant Park during the evenings
• Chicago Country Music Festival - last weekend in June, held at Chicago's Grant Park
• Taste of Chicago - end of June to mid-July, this 10-day food festival features more than 60 food stands from many of Chicago's best restaurants

Chicago Events in July - Chicago

• Fourth of July - with fireworks on the lakefront and celebrations in most Chicago neighborhoods
• Venetian Night - last Saturday in July, this popular event features a procession of boats past Chicago's Grant Park

Chicago Events in August - Chicago

• University of Chicago Summer Opera Festival - held on the university's campus, this Chicago Opera festival is well attended
• Gold Coast Air Fair - mid-August, this jazz, blues and gospel festivals is an open-air even in the North Pullman District
• Chicago Jazz Festival - late August to early September, this jazz festival is held in the Petrillo Music Shell in Chicago's Grant Park

Chicago Events in September - Chicago

• Berghoff Oktobervest - mid-September, this Chicago street festival takes place outside of the famous German restaurant

Chicago Events in October - Chicago

• Chicago International Film Festival - this Chicago film festival is held at many theaters and cinemas throughout Chicago
• Chicago Bears - the start of the American football season, there are many opening concerts in the Civic Center for Performing Arts
  

Chicago Events in November - Chicago

• Magnificent Mile Lights Festival - from mid- to late November, this festival is held on North Michigan Avenue and side streets nearby
• Lighting of the Christmas Tree - late November / early December, held at Daley Center Plaza in Chicago
• Christmas Parade - late November / early December, this popular Christmas parade takes place along Michigan Avenue

Chicago Events in December - Chicago

• Christmas Flower Show - seasonal flower show held at Lincoln Park's large conservatory
• New Year's Eve Celebrations - parties and general festivities take place throughout , culminating in many spectacular fireworks displays

 
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