CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Chicago Loop, Edgewater, Oak Park

Lakeview: Beat Kitchen is hosting Beat Kitchen Winterfest this Sunday, January 5 from 11 am to 3 pm. This event is geared towards kids and families! It features Chicago’s best “kindie” music and activities in Beat Kitchen’s party room. At 11 am there will be ice cream vendors; at 12 pm is JiggleJam; at 1 pm is Music for New People; and at 2 pm is Wendy & DB & The Band. There will also be glitter tattoos, a passport craft, and paint crafts. Tickets are just $10 and a whole day of fun is guaranteed! Purchase yours here now.

Lincoln Park: It’s the first weekend of the month at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! This means it’s a Cold Blooded Weekend. Provided by the Chicago Herpetological Society, this offers you and your kiddos a chance to get up close to a large collection of reptiles and amphibians. The event is from 10 am to 3 pm this Saturday, January 5 and Sunday, January 6. It is free with museum admission. Find more information here.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: It’s time for the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce January Mixer! On Tuesday, January 14 from 6 to 8 pm, get ready to kick off 2020 at No Bones Beach Club for an evening of mixing and mingling. You’ll enjoy delicious bites and drinks, while networking with the awesome businesses of Wicker Park. Non-member tickets are just $10; members attend for free. Find more information here.

Chicago Loop: Did you overspend this holiday season? No worries! The Museum of Science and Industry is hosting free museum days for many days in January. From January 6 until January 9; January 13 through 16; January 20 through 23; and January 27 through 30. Museum entry is free for all Illinois residents who show valid proof of residency. The museum features over 10 hands-on exhibits; including Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze, Science Storms, The Great Train Story, and more. Find more information here.

Edgewater: Planning to go to the Women’s March on January 18? Get yourself to the Indivisible Happy Blue Year event on Monday, January 13 to make your own awesome sign for the March. All of the materials you need to make an amazing sign will be provided, including foam core poster board, colorful permanent markers, and more. The event is from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Black Ensemble Theatre. The event is free to attend, but attendees are asked to think about a $10 donation. Registration prior to the event is required and can be done here.

Oak Park: Don’t miss the finest foodie event of the season- the 6th Annual Bite Night 2020! On Friday, January 31 from 5:30 to 9:30 pm, you’ll experience a winning combination of food, drinks, and live music at The Nineteenth Century Club. The Oak Park- River Forest Chamber of Commerce has gathered over 50 local restaurants, caterers, and food brands under one roof to provide you with small sample mains and delicious desserts. Event ticket are $50 and include sample gourmet food bites from over 50 restaurants, “Ask the Chef”- where you can interact with local chefs and restaurant owners, live music, a cash bar for wine and beer, and much more. Find more information and buy your ticket here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO