CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, River North, Lincoln Square, Evanston

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Ever wanted to do a walking tour of Bucktown and Wicker Park? You’re in luck! Bizarre Bucktown Walking Tours offers you just that! This tour features information about the area’s history, neighborhood mysteries, and ghosts. Experience interactive mysteries, forgotten history, and surprising secrets, all expertly presented by a neighborhood local. Each walking tour covers about a mile and has plenty of leisurely stops. Find more information here!

Lincoln Park: Just because summer is over doesn’t mean there are no festivals to be found! This Saturday, November 11, check out the Chicago Tequila & Sangria Festival at Joe’s Bar. There are two sessions, the first from 12 to 3 pm and the second from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. The ticket includes admission to tasting event, a souvenir tasting glass, tastings of a variety of tequilas and sangrias, and entertainment. Other beverages and food from Joe’s Bar will also be available for purchase. Get your tickets here now!

Lakeview: For the first time, Chriskindlmarket is headed to The Park at Wrigley. The annual German Holiday Market started 21 years ago on Daley Plaza. Both Chriskindlmarket and an 8,000 square foot ice skating rink will open on November 24. The holiday market will have some of the same vendors as the markets at Daley Plaza and Naperville. However, The Park at Wrigley also wanted to feature local vendors, including Taylor Street Soap Co., Candyality, and Decadent Flavor. These vendors are all based in Chicago and will sell only at The Park. The Wrigley market will be open November 24 through December 31 and will have 25 vendors.

River North: The Special Olympics Young Professionals Board is hosting their 7th Annual Thanks for Giving. All proceeds from this evening will benefit Special Olympics Illinois. The event is on Thursday, November 16 from 6 to 8:30 pm at Old Crow Smokehouse (149 W. Kenzie). Appetizers, sweets, red and white wine, and beers from different local breweries will be available throughout the evening. There will also be a raffle, silent auction, and a cork pull with prizes. Purchase tickets here in advance for a discount or at the door for $55.

Lincoln Square: The German International School of Chicago is hosting its 10th Annual Laternenfest and St. Martin’s Parade. Located at the DANK Haus (4740 N. Western Ave.), he event will be held this Saturday, November 11 at 3 pm. In Europe, Laternenfest is a festival where children walk through their villages with lighted lanterns on the eve of St. Martin’s Day. This celebration will begin with lantern making at 3 pm, continue with a lantern parade through Lincoln Square at dusk, and will finish with a brat dinner at DANK Haus at 6 pm. General admission tickets for adults are $13 and $20 for tickets that include dinner. Register now, here!

Evanston: Westminster Place, a Presbyterian Homes community, is hosting a Holiday Bazaar next week. Located at Westminster Place (3200 Grant Street), the event is on Friday November 17 from 10 am to 4 pm. Proceeds from the market will benefit intergenerational programming and other resident selected community causes. The market will feature handcrafted goods including jackets, purses, hand dyed silk scarves, doll clothes (made to measure for American Girl dolls!), and Christmas decorations. There will also be a bake sale with cookies for sale by the pound and a raffle. Lunch is available from 12:30 to 1:30 pm for $12.50 per person. For more information please contact Nancy Ichinose, Director of Community Programs at 847-492-4872 or nichinose@presbyterianhomes.org. No RSVP is required, the event is open to the public!

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO