THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Winter Activities Include Another New Year!
Winter isn’t over yet but the spring-like temps from this past week sure felt good. Unfortunately, we’re back to colder temps for this weekend’s winter activities which include celebrating another New Year!
It’s time again to ring in the Lunar New Year (February 15-March 1) here in Chicago with the following events taking place this Saturday.
Join Uptown United, local businesses, non-profit, and cultural organizations for this year’s Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Uptown neighborhood. To welcome in the Year of the Horse, many pop-ups by local businesses will get the celebration started with free family-friendly activities such as the Year of the Horse Storytime & Craft at Bezazian Library (1226 W. Ainslie St.) with two sessions (10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.); a Lunar New Year Market (11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.); and more. Then at 1:00 p.m. sharp, the Lunar New Year Parade will step off from Argyle Street and Sheridan Road featuring over 20 local community groups, cultural institutions, dazzling dragons, drummers, dancers and performers. Afterwards, head on over to Argyle and Winthrop for post-parade performances by local groups, and more!
If you prefer to stay indoors to welcome in the Year of the Horse, then Global Connections: Lunar New Year is being held at Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom (840 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This free event not only brings traditional and modern artistry together with festive music, vibrant dance, and good fortune but it also brings an unforgettable celebration especially to the first 1,000 attendees who will be receiving a lucky envelope!
Didn’t quite make it to the Winter Olympics in Italy this year? Well, downtown Chicago has brought the spirit of the Winter Games to Industry Ales (230 S. Wabash Ave.) with our very own Olympic Village Experience! which wraps-up this weekend. Industry Ales has been transformed into a mini-Olympic Village complete with Ski Lodge themed décor; internationally inspired food and drink specials; and live Olympic coverage on all Beer Hall TVs. This experience also includes an around-the-world bar snack tasting board; two drink pairing flights of either beer or wine; and two free plays at their Bag Challenge for a chance to win prizes like pints, pitchers, and gift cards. It’s the next best thing to being there!
To help get you through the remaining days of winter, it’s time to book your upcoming vacation or vacations at the 2026 Chicago Travel Show this Saturday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Rd.) in Rosemont. Get started by exploring endless vacation options with 450+ of the top destinations, tour companies, cruise lines, and travel providers from around the world; meet and learn from the travel experts who are on hand with top travel tips; get advice from over 60 travel seminars; and meet your favorite travel celebrity (Samantha Brown, Pauline Frommer, and/or Peter Greenberg). In addition, you’ll have access to over tens of thousands of dollars in travel savings, trip giveaways, and exclusive show-only deals, all included with your ticket. Don’t miss America’s premier travel event all under one roof and book your dream vacation on your budget!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
