THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Celebrating a Dragon!
There’s never a dull moment to be had during a Chicago weekend no matter the weather. In fact, this weekend has us covered with celebrating a new year, a birthday, and more!
Join in as Chicago celebrates the Chinese New Year with the following events:
First up is the annual Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration this Saturday (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) in the Uptown neighborhood. As they welcome in the Year of the Dragon, attendees can enjoy the annual parade kicking off at 1 p.m. from Argyle Street and Winthrop Avenue featuring over 20 local community groups, cultural institutions, dancers, and performers. Plus, pop-ups from several local organizations will have family-friendly activities, and more!
Next, we have the Lunar New Year Parade this Sunday (1 p.m.-3 p.m.) kicking off from 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue in Chinatown. Attendees line Wentworth Avenue to see and enjoy traditional lion dancers; colorful, decorated floats; marching bands and groups; cultural performances; and more. It’s a very colorful celebration of a dragon indeed!
Lastly, there’s the 20th annual Chinese New Year Dumpling-Making Dinner this Sunday (3 p.m.-5:30 p.m.) at Hing Kee Restaurant located at 2140 South Archer Avenue, 2nd Floor, in the Armour Square neighborhood. It’s a fun-filled, exciting event of making dumplings with your own hands, learning the story of Chinese New Year, and discovering the dos and don’ts for this celebration. You’ll also enjoy a sumptuous feast of a wide variety of Chinese food from classic Mongolian beef to vegetarian options while enjoying the traditional Chinese lion dance as they welcome in the Year of the Dragon!
There’s also a second annual birthday bash taking place this Saturday (6 p.m.-11 p.m.) at Artifact Events (4325 N. Ravenswood Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood with Best Friends Turn 11! Begyle Brewing and craft beer shop Bottles & Cans team up to celebrate the brewery’s 11th birthday with plenty of beer, cider, wine, and cocktails as well as live rock ‘n roll music, games, and more. In addition, local food trucks and pop-ups will be serving food for purchase!
Experience the charm of Cupid’s Vintage Fest this Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m.-6 p.m.) at the Patio Theater (6008 W. Irving Park Rd.) in the Portage Park neighborhood. Discover unique treasures and meet fellow vintage enthusiasts as you browse through 100+ vendors offering vintage clothing, accessories, art, home goods, and more. Plus, live DJs will be on hand providing the entertainment along with food and other vendors. It’s a step back in time and a must visit!
If you’re in the mood for a challenging hunt, check out the Field of Screams Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt this Saturday (2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.) at the Field Museum (1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the South Loop. This is a murder mystery scavenger hunt where you’ll have to crack a hieroglyphic code, question a suspect, and uncover the museum’s secrets to stop the killings while enjoying a tour of the best of the Field Museum! Advance purchase is required.
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
