Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
concert halls (
&
312/661-1028;
www.chfestival.org). Over a period
of 11 days, the festival presents cul-
tural performances, readings, and
symposiums tied to an annual theme
(recent themes included “Brains &
Beauty” and “Crime & Punish-
ment”). Expect appearances by
major authors, scholars, and policy-
makers, all at a very reasonable cost
($5 per event). Early November.
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
(
&
312/642-3570
)
.
Beginning at
dusk, a colorful parade of Disney
characters makes its way south
along Michigan Avenue, from Oak
Street to the Chicago River, with
lights being illuminated block by
block as the procession passes. Car-
olers, elves, and minstrels appear
with Santa along the avenue
throughout the day and into the
evening, and many of the retailers
offer hot chocolate and other treats.
Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Christmas Tree Lighting,
Daley
Center Plaza, in the Loop (
&
312/
744-3315
). The switch is flipped
the day after Thanksgiving, around
dusk.
December
A Christmas Carol
, Goodman
Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.
(
&
312/443-3800
). This seasonal
favorite, performed for more than 2
decades, runs from about Thanks-
giving to the end of December.
The
Nutcracker
ballet
, Joffrey
Ballet of Chicago, Auditorium
Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy. For
tickets, call
&
312/559-1212
(Ticketmaster) or 312/739-0120
(Joffrey office). The esteemed com-
pany performs its Victorian-Ameri-
can twist on the holiday classic. The
production runs 3 weeks from late
Thanksgiving to mid-December.
Celtic Fest Chicago,
Petrillo Music
Shell, Jackson Drive and Columbus
Drive in Grant Park (
&
312/744-
3315
). The city's newest music fes-
tival celebrates the music and dance
of global Celtic traditions. Third
weekend in September.
World Music Festival Chicago,
various locations around the city
(
&
312/742-1938
). The World
Music Festival is a major undertak-
ing by the city's Department of Cul-
tural Affairs. Held at venues around
town—notably, the Chicago Cul-
tural Center, Museum of Contem-
porary Art, Old Town School of
Folk Music, and Hot House—the
festival brings in top performers
from Hungary to Sri Lanka to Zim-
babwe, performing traditional, con-
temporary, and fusion music. Shows
are a mix of free and ticketed ($10
or less) events. Call for information
and to receive updates on scheduled
performances. Late September.
October
Chicago International Film Festi-
val
(
&
312/425-9400;
www.
chicagofilmfestival.org). The oldest
U.S. festival of its kind screens films
from around the world at various
theaters over 2 weeks beginning the
first Thursday in October.
Chicago Marathon
(
&
312/
904-9800;
www.chicagomarathon.
com). Sponsored by LaSalle Bank,
Chicago's marathon is a major
event on the international long-dis-
tance running circuit. It begins and
ends in Grant Park, but obviously
can be viewed from any number of
vantage points along the race route.
Second Sunday in October.
November
Chicago Humanities Festival
takes over locations through-
out downtown, from libraries to
