Things to do / Travel Guide
No matter what time of year, metro Chicago and southern Wisconsin always have something unique going on. Whether it's a tribute to the Irish with the Saint Patrick's Day parade, or the Indian Summer Festivals, you will likely find something going on during your visit.
January
Start off the new year right in Chicago - the Chinese New Year that is! Dates vary depending on the Chinese calendar, but the grand parade takes places in Chinatown, and is a welcomed relief to all the snow.
February
Chicago pays tribute to the best of Detroit, Tokyo, Italy and Bavaria during the Chicago Auto Show, held in mid-February. The show takes place at McCormick Place in the south Loop area of Chicago just west of Lake Michigan.
March
During the first week of March, Milwaukee holds the Indian Summer Festival - Winter Pow Wow at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds. A fine display of the Native American heritage through song and dance, it gives attendees the chance to renew old friendships and spark new ones.
Chicago's Saint Patrick's Day Parade, one of the best in the country, attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year. The parade kicks off with the dying of the Chicago River green, from the Michigan Avenue Bridge to Buckingham Fountain. It continues with the election of the Parade Queen. Then the actual parade commences, frolicking its way down Columbus Avenue. Don't miss out on a traditional and tasty corned beef and cabbage dinner, which you can find all over the downtown area!
April
Earth Day is held on the fourth Saturday of April, and the Chicago Park District as well as the Penny Notebaert Nature Museum go all out to celebrate the earth. Events are held all over the city, and include art projects for the kids and park clean-up projects.
May
Cinco de Mayo - the fifth of May - is the annual Mexican bash celebrating the French Army's defeat at the Battle of Puebla. Chicago does it better than most, in which over 350,000 people flock to the Pilsen area in Lower West Side for food, music, and rides. This extravaganza is usually held the first Saturday of May.
Also on the first Saturday of May is the Polish Constitution Day Parade, on Columbus Avenue in Grant Park. This parade celebrates the Polish heritage and the Polish Constitution, the second democratic constitution in the world and the first in Europe. Fully a quarter of a million people join this event every year!
June
RiverSplash! is a three-day celebration summer along ten blocks of Milwaukee's downtown river. Complete with food, music, and fireworks, this celebration is held on the first weekend of June.
The Chicago Blues Festival, held on six stages in Grant Park, starts the first weekend of June and goes for three days, and features more than 70 performers.
Swedish dancing and maypole activities take over Andersonville in Chicago, during the Andersonville Midsommerfest in mid-June.
The ten days leading up to July 4th weekend are saved for the Taste of Chicago Festival. Grant Park closes for this mammoth event, where over 60 eateries serve up their best grub. While the concerts that take place are free to the public, you must purchase “Taste Tickets” to enjoy the food and beverages.
The largest music festival in the world, Summerfest, is held in downtown Milwaukee just overlooking Lake Michigan during the last weekend of June and runs until the second week in July. Summerfest promises a great time for all with over 45 food and beverage vendors to try out while you're listening to rockin' tunes. The music is all kinds of rock, most all of it family-friendly.
July
Only in Wisconsin can you combine the Greek heritage with the traditional Friday fish fry. During Greek Fest, held the second weekend of July at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds just off I-94 and west of Milwaukee, attendees celebrate Greek traditions with gyros, and saganaki (flaming cheese).
Tall Ships Chicago features over 30 wind-powered vessels traveling through the St. Lawrence Seaway to Navy Pier. Ship-boarding is encouraged during this activity at the end of July. Boarding is available with purchase of an individual wristband at one of the boarding stations like Navy Pier and DuSable Harbor.
August
For two weeks at the beginning of August, Milwaukee plays host to the Wisconsin State Fair at the State Fair Grounds in western Milwaukee County, with blue ribbon livestock, an international bazaar, and top-name entertainment , including the likes of Beyonce and Christina Aguilera.
Henry W. Maier Festival Park hosts at least two festivals this month, first midmonth's Irish Fest, then Mexican Fiesta. These ethnic occasions are accompanied by music, song and dance, poetry and sports.
See the latest military hardware fly over Chicago during the Chicago Air and Water Show, held during the afternoon on the third weekend of August. Watch the acrobatic planes fly over the lakefront from Diversey Parkway south to the Oak Street Beach.
September
Early month - Indian Summer Festival, billed as the largest Native American festival in North America
Germans take over Wisconsin during Oktoberfest. Held every weekend in Old Heidelberg Park, this event is sponsored by the United German Societies of Milwaukee. It features Bavarian folk dancers, brass bands, yodelers, and of course beer!
Oktoberfest continues in Chicago on the third weekend of September at Lincoln Square.
October
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon takes place the third Sunday in October, as runners compete in a 26-mile course around the city.
Mid-October through Halloween, Daley Plaza magically transforms to Pumpkin Plaza as it sets up a Haunted Village for kids during Chicagoween.
November
Celebrating cultural diversity with over 50 different ethnic displays, the Holiday Folk Fair International during mid-November, proudly displays the different ethnicities through food, and dance at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds.
Chicago's Thanksgiving Day Parade is legendary. It runs along State Street from Congress to Randolph Street. On Thanksgiving, the mayor proudly flips the switch to light the Chicago Christmas tree in Daly Plaza.
December
Catch all things Christmas-y during the first weekend of December, at Christmas in the Old Third Ward district in downtown Milwaukee. A great deal is packed into just one weekend, including the annual tree lighting ceremony, concerts, and dance performances.
Have a rockin' New Years Eve with fireworks at Buckingham Fountain in Chicago's Grant Park.
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