Send in a recommendation for your favorite restaurant to be added to our list. Be sure to mention why you think they are worthy of being featured and include a link to their website.
The Purple Pig
Expanded outpost of a famed pork & wine specialist with an open kitchen & chic, airy setting.
444 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Aba
Posh destination for elevated Mediterranean fare & cocktails, plus a lounge-style rooftop patio.
302 N Green St 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL
Quartino Ristorante
Bustling, bi-level spac, for small & large plates plus cocktails & carafes of wine.
626 N State St, Chicago, IL
Boka
Creative American cuisine in a stylish, modern setting with a lounge & candelit back garden patio.
1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
The Loyalist
Rustic-chic gastropub with a seasonal patio offering specialty burgers, handcut fries & wine.
177 N Ada St #001, Chicago, IL
Virtue Restaurant
Hearty Southern cooking paired with wines & cocktails in funkychic quarters & an open kitchen.
1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL
Alinea
Chef Grant Achatz draws foodies with New American tasting menus featuring highly creative plates.
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
The Gage
Inventive American eats plus a long list of beers in a lively space with Millennium Park views.
24 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Tanta Chicago
Inventive Peruvian fare served in a stylish Peru-inspired space; known for its pisco sour cocktail.
118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
Longman & Eagle
Hipster spot with modern farmto-table fare & nose-to-tail eats plus whiskey & craft cocktails.
2657 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL
EVENTS 2024
Nov 23
B3 Bourbon, Beer & BBQ Fest
B3: The Trinity of Fun: Bourbon, Beer & BBQ is Back and taking place on Saturday, November 23rd, from 2-6 pm. This is an Indoor & Outdoor Tented Event. The day will include Mixology, Cocktails, Bourbon, Whiskey, Scotch, Beer, as well as other craft spirits, & wine sampling and. Don’t forget the BBQ. You will have a chance to sample a handful of free products; however, all other samples are priced with tickets. ALL drink tickets will be sold at $1.00 each.Spirits will be sampled in 1/4 oz. tastings, and beers will be sampled in 4 oz. tastings. Learn more at eventbrite.com.
Nov 23-24
Pilsen’s Autumn Vintage & Artisan Market
Join us at at the Pilsen Autumn Vintage & Artisan Market at the Xoco House Gallety for a fun time at this one of a kind market featuring Vintage, Artisan & Food vendors, Art Gallery Room, Full Bar for beverages & More! Discover unique treasures, meet fellow vintage & artisan good enthusiasts and enjoy delicious food & beverages. If you own a small business and are interested in vending submit your application for consideration! We are accepting a wide array of vendors from Vintage, Artisan, Food & beyond! Learn more at eventbrite.com.
Dec 14
The 6th Annual “Christmas On 55th Street” (CO55)
Welcome to the **6th Annual “Christmas On 55th Street” (CO55)**! Get ready for a jolly good time filled with festive cheer and holiday magic. Join us on **Sat Dec 14 2024** at **4:00 PM** at The Arts Lawn for a celebration like no other. Bring your friends and family to enjoy live music, delicious food, fun activities, and of course, a visit from Santa Claus himself! Don’t miss out on this wonderful event that will surely get you in the holiday spirit. See you there! Learn more at eventbrite.com.
EVENTS 2024-25
Dec 15
Winter’s Wonderrland
Winter in Chicago...but drag. You’re invited to my magical winter-themed party featuring festive decorations and holigay cheer! Join me in commemoration of the [small rodney] who first set out on the drag journey that has dazzled you all thus far and the community that’s helped me piece Winter Diorr together one twirl at a time. Mark your calendars for a night full of laughter, joy, and drinking! I can’t wait to see you all at Winter’s Wonderrland! LGBTQ+ & BIPOC folk encouraged, everyone welcome. Learn more at eventbrite.com.
Jan 19
AFROINTL FASHION SHOW CHICAGO
The AFROINTL Fashion Show is a premier event in Chicago that celebrates African and international fashion, creativity, and culture. Set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most vibrant cities, this fashion show showcases the artistry of top designers from across the globe, featuring bold, innovative designs that reflect the rich diversity of Afrocentric and international fashion. Learn more and join us at eventbrite.com.
Jan 25
2025 Chicago Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival
Whiskey your way through 1-3.5 hours – A smooth journey of tasting fun you’ll savor sip by sip! Take a shot at 20+ whiskies – Sample craft, smallbatch, and world-class varieties that’ll make your taste buds do a jig! Get “whiskey wise” with the pros – Learn straight from the barrel with whiskey ambassadors sharing their liquid gold knowledge. Pour over food & drink specials – Tasty bites and sips at prices worth raising a glass to! Jam with our “on the rocks” DJ – Dance to beats as smooth as your favorite dram. All this and much more at eventbrite.com.
EVENTS 2025
Feb 1
Stan’s Donut Fest - Chicago’s Tastiest Party!
Indulge your sweet tooth and savor the delightful flavors of sugary bliss at Stan’s Donut Fest, a mouthwatering celebration of all things donuts! Whether you’re a dedicated donut enthusiast or simply someone who can’t resist the allure of these delectable treats, this festival promises to be a day of pure, sweet joy! Learn more about this event and join us this year at eventbrite.com.
Feb 16
The Shops - Black History Month Edition Pop-up
The Shops: Black History Month edition will be taking place February 18th! Shop the collections of various black owned businesses exhibited here. If you’re a design business looking to go to market with your brand sign-up and secure your 9x9 vending space at Water Tower Place on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue at our FashionBar space on level 3. The Shops take place during regular Water Tower Place hours of operation. Learn more to come see us at eventbrite.com.
Mar TBD
St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago
The Chicago River dyeing is one of the most unique St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world. Typically held the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day (the same day as the downtown parade), this bucket-list event is a beloved tradition that dates back over half a century. The best place to watch the St. Patrick’s Day spectacle, now in its 70th year, is along the Chicago River between State and Columbus. The lower Riverwalk will be closed, but spectators can watch from Upper Wacker and the many bridges. Learn more at choosechicago.com.
Mar TBD
South Side Irish Parade
The Wee Folks of Washtenaw & Talman, founders of this great parade, along with the South Side Irish Parade Committee, would like to announce continued on page 12
EVENTS 2025
the 2025 South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade has returned! Tradition Marches On! A family-friendly event, the South Side Irish Parade began in 1979 and has grown to become the largest St.Patrick’s Day communitybased parade outside of Dublin, Ireland. Learn more about this event and join us at southsideirishparade.org.
Apr 11-13
C2E2: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo
Comics, cosplay, gaming, authors, and anime abound in the only pop culture convention in the heart of Downtown Chicago! We’ve gathered your favorite celebrities, unique exhibitors, incredible comic creators, and larger-than-life literary authors into one place to celebrate the fandoms you love. From the halls of Artist Alley to the depths of the Show Floor, our goal is to provide a space of creativity and fun, but most importantly, one that cultivates a sense of belonging, safety, and inclusiveness. Learn more at c2e2.com.
Apr TBD
Chicago Latino Film Festival
The Chicago Latino Film Festival is the longest running Spanish & Portuguese language film festival event dedicated to Latino Filmmakers and Cinema. Since 1985, the Festival has brought together audiences, film directors and actors to enjoy and lift motion picture arts from a Latino point of view. Celebrating its 41st anniversary in 2025. CLFF continuing by bringing these films to the theatre where we find the full experience of film watching at its most enjoyable. Visit chicagolatinofilmfestival.org.
May 24-25
Sueños Music Festival
Sueños Music Festival, founded in 2021, unites the city of Chicago under the banner of incredible Reggaeton and Latin Music. Bringing unprecedented star power to Grant Park and offering spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, Sueños Festival (translation: dreams), was created to be an inclusive event with a mission to continue
to celebrate and uplift Latin culture and the extraordinary music, people, food, and amazing energy that comes along with it. Learn about this years lineup and more at suenosmusicfestival.com.
May TDB
Mole de Mayo
Since 2009, Mole de Mayo Festival strives to deliver a culturally dynamic and gastronomic outdoor festival that propels a short and long-term range of economic and social benefits to Chicago’s historic Pilsen neighborhood. Mole de Mayo donations help ESDC: Create Jobs, Support family-owned businesses, Support aspiring entrepreneurs and Reduce poverty in our community. Explore all this event has to offer and more at choosechicago.com.
Jun 16 / Jul 14
Sundays On State
Having debuted as recently as 2021 the first few years of Sundays on State, despite being hugely successful, have been teething years, and organizers haven’t been able to guarantee how, when, or if it will return the following year. It seems, however, that now Sundays on State has found some form of a consistent format and has just announced that it will again return this year on two select summer dates.Visit secretchicago.com.
Jun 29
Pride in Chicago
PRIDEChicago – the organization that has produced the iconic Chicago Pride Parade for over 50 years – invites you to celebrate Pride in Chicago. Join us for the 54th annual Chicago Pride Parade stepping off from Sheridan and Broadway at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to pack the 2-mile parade route, which starts in the landmark LGBTQ+ neighborhood of Northalsted and wraps up in Lincoln Park. We look forward to celebrating Pride with you! Learn more at pridechicago.org.
Be Flexible: Travel during off-peak seasons for cheaper flights and accommodations. Midweek flights are often more affordable than weekend ones.
Stay Smart: Skip pricey hotels and opt for hostels, vacation rentals, or even house-sitting gigs.
Eat Local: Ditch the tourist traps and try street food or local markets for authentic, wallet-friendly meals.
Use Freebies: Many cities offer free walking tours, museums with free days, and parks brimming with charm.
Plan Ahead: Book tickets early to snag the best deals.
Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing fun. With these tips, you can make memories that are priceless—without spending a fortune! Where will your next adventure take you?
EVENTS 2025
Jul TBD
Millennium Park Summer Film Series
Every summer in Chicago, visitors and locals flock to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park to kick back, picnic, and watch free movies against the city’s iconic skyline. This year’s line-up includes blockbusters, award-winners, family classics, and cult favorites curated by some of the city’s top film festivals as part of Millennium Park’s 21st Anniversay Summer Season. Learn more and join us this year at choosechicago.com.-
Jul TBD
Millennium Park 21st Anniversary Celebration
Scheduled to take place almost exactly 21 years since Millennium Park’s official opening on July 16, 2004, this four-day free celebration features award-winning headliners, activities for families and youth, workouts, new public art, dance performances, and concerts. Learn more about this event and join us this year at choosechicago.com.
Aug TBD
The Chicago Ducky Derby
Every summer, over 60,000 yellow ducks splash away in the Chicago River in a lip-biting race to the finish line to raise money for Special Olympics. Thousands of Chicagoans flock to the downtown area to watch the spectacle and many adopt ducks for $5 each or go big with a Quack Pack (six ducks) for $25! The event raises upwards of $300,000 for over 20,000 athletes and more than 10,000 young athletes. Learn more at secretchicago.com.
Aug TBD
Bud Billiken Parade
The Bud Billiken Day Parade is the largest African-American parade in the United States and has been held in Chicago every summer since 1929. Taking place on the city’s south side on the second Saturday in August, it travels on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive through Bronzeville and Washington Park finishing with a picnic and festival in Washington
CENTER ON HALSTED
Center on Halsted is the Midwest’s most comprehensive community center dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people of Chicagoland. More than 1,000 community members visit the Center every day, located in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview Neighborhood. WWW.CENTERONHALSTED.ORG
AFFINITY 95
Black- and queer-led group that works to advance social justice within and for Black LGBTQ communities. It has a book club, hosts support groups and organizes events to provide information about wellness and resources to people in need.
WWW.AFFINITY95.ORG
BRAVE SPACE ALLIANCE
Brave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center located on the South Side of Chicago, dedicated to creating and providing affirming, culturally competent, for-us by-us resources, programming, and services for LGBTQ+ individuals on the South and West sides of the city. BRAVESPACEALLIANCE.ORG
EQUALITY ILLINOIS
Equality Illinois protects the civil rights of LGBTQ people, and trains and empowers queer and allied organizations. It also has a political action committee that promotes candidates who support legislation that protects and empowers LGBTQ people.
EQUALITYILLINOIS.US
PRIDEARTS
celebrates the queer experience through performances at its theater, as well as through film festivals and events that showcase short and feature films, as well as documentaries about LGBTQ life. It also works to provide queer artists with a safe space to explore their work. PRIDEARTS.ORG
EVENTS 2025
public park. According to a dedicated website, the parade unites AfricanAmericans throughout the city of Chicago in music, dance, food, and laughter while commemorating the past and celebrating the future. Learn more at secretchicago.com.
Sep TBD
Taste of Chicago
Of all the free activities and events in Chicago throughout the year, few offer such an iconic and eclectic experience as Grant Park’s long-running Taste of Chicago. Established in 1980, the uniquely Chicago summertime tradition features numerous food vendors and trucks, all showcasing the diversity and world-class talent of Chicago’s culinary scene in the city’s most beloved park. With an array of live music acts, the free Chicago festival has fast become one of the city’s most cherished annual traditions with more than a million attendees in recent years. Learn more at secretchicago.com.
Oct TBD
Chicago International Film Festival
After six decades, North America’s longest-running competitive film festival gets bigger and better each year. The Chicago International Film Festival celebrates the best that cinema has to offer. Showcasing films from established masters and emerging storytellers, the Festival welcomes films from around the world. Offering an impressive selection of competitive and non-competitive programming, the Chicago International Film Festival brings films both domestic and international to silver screens in Chicago. Visit chicagofilmfestival.com.
Feeling drained by endless notifications and screen time? A digital detox might be just what you need to reclaim your energy and focus!
Start small—try unplugging for an hour a day. Use this time to read, journal, or simply relax. Gradually extend your tech-free periods to rediscover what life feels like offline.
Create phone-free zones, like your bedroom or dinner table, to reconnect with yourself and loved ones. Replace mindless scrolling with meaningful hobbies, like painting, yoga, or gardening.
You’ll notice big changes: better sleep, improved concentration, and more time for what truly matters. It’s not about ditching tech completely—it’s about finding balance.
So, go ahead! Power down to power up your life. What will you do with your reclaimed time?
