Entertainment, Events, Holidays, Seasonal
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival 2021

The highly-awaited Spectacular Lights and Decorations Show lights up the city every year. Here’s your opportunity to watch Chicago’s world-renowned Magnificent Mile all lit up. The BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Light Festival returns on Saturday, November 2021! Join The Wrigley Building for a holiday tree lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. in The Wrigley Building Centennial Plaza on Friday, November 19, to kick-off the festive weekend. Enjoy the free family fun at the grand Tree-Lighting Parade down North Michigan Avenue on Saturday, November 20 with Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World® Resorts in Florida.
Events, History, Museums
The Great Chicago Fire, 150 Years Ago

On the Sunday night of October 8, 1871, in a hay-filled cow barn the Great Chicago Fire started. The fire ran and grew, swept by a strong wind from the southwest, eating its way north and toward downtown and beyond. The city awoke Tuesday to find more than 18,000 buildings destroyed. In the aftermath of the fire, the great city rose almost immediately from the ashes, with architects and others arriving to help rebuild better, bigger, and newer.
The Chicago History Museum will open a new exhibit on October 8th called City on Fire: Chicago 1871, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the fire. This is designed for families to learn, explore, and discover the impact the Great Chicago Fire had on the city and the people who lived here. For more information on the exhibit, please visit About — City on Fire (chicago1871.org)
Events, Seasonal
Taste of Greektown 08/27-08/29

Chicago’s popular Taste of Greektown festival returns for its 31st year from Friday, August 27th through Sunday, August 29th. It will take place along Halsted Street from Adams to Van Buren. The neighborhood’s acclaimed Greek restaurants will be the stars of the show, along with live music, entertainment, Greek dancing, unique shopping, retail, family friendly activities and more. Opa!
Events, Seasonal, We Recommend
U.S. Navy Blue Angels Air Show: Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22
The City of Chicago presents the U.S. Navy Blue Angels on Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. They will be performing along the Lakefront between Oak Street and Fullerton Avenue. The event will be free and the best viewing locations along the lakefront are between Oak Street and Fullerton Avenue.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will have practice runs on Friday, August 20, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
Events, Restaurants, We Recommend
Lou Malnati’s Michigan Avenue Re-Opened!
Located in the Wrigley Building and offering dine-in, a full bar, carryout, delivery, and catering services. Welcome back and celebrate Lou Malnati’s 50th Anniversary with a slice or two of pie!

Events, Gifts & Floral, Seasonal
Spring into Chicago Farmers Markets
Enjoy fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, and unique Chicago-made products at community markets throughout Chicago-land neighborhoods. View locations and schedules here.

Events, Holidays, Seasonal, We Recommend
Cart of Chicago -Spring Savings!
Treat the crew to an ice cream cart for the week for the price of 1 day!
Contact your concierge for details and special rates.
Events, History
Chicago History Museum: International Women’s Day

Today marks International Women’s Day, which recognizes the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
The first National Woman’s Day was organized by the Socialist Party of America and observed on February 28, 1909. The following year, at the second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, Denmark, it was proposed that there be a celebration on the same day every year for women to advocate for their demands. International Women’s Day was honored for the first time on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. By 1914, the day was agreed globally to be observed annually on March 8, which it has remained ever since.
The way the day has been recognized varies from country to country. In the early years, it was often a day for marches, where women protested for the right to vote, to hold public office, and for equitable working conditions and pay. In the US, the day has moved away from its origins within the labor movement and is often used to recognize women’s achievements. In Chicago, March 8 has been a day that numerous women’s organizations have hosted rallies, programs, and other celebrations.
Women’s activism has a rich history in the Chicago area. Chicago women have chosen to challenge unfair employment policies, structural racism, and a lack of political representation. Chicago History Museums’ online experience Democracy Limited: Chicago Women and the Vote offers a glimpse of recent and distant moments when Chicago-area women mobilized for change, part of a long history of activism and protest.
Image: Women march down State Street for the first women’s liberation march since 1916, May 15, 1971. ST-20003470-0019, Chicago Sun-Times collection, CHM © Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved.