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Best Fall and Winter Festivals in Downtown Chicago
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The seasons are changing, my friends. It is a time of year to get back into focus and to sober up from the giant party that is summer in Chicago. Just don't let that Chicago winter get the best of you; you need to plan and attend active and social events to survive the colder months and your impending brain freeze. As part of Examiner.com's great effort to highlight the "Best of" in Chicago, I will first focus on some of the best fall and winter events located at the heart of it all...downtown Chicago! It is important not to take for granted our great downtown...it misses you anyway.
Chicagoween
October 17-31, various times, 50 W. Washington (Daley Plaza)
A great fall event that offers a lot to do with the kids. Daley Plaza (Washington and Dearborn Streets) will host the Haunted Village and Pumpkin Plaza, with pumpkin decorating, spooky storytellers and high flying aerial entertainers.
Midnight Circus: 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday through Sunday includes evening shows scheduled at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Free pumpkin decorating is offered Saturdays and Sundays (except for parade day, Saturday, October 20) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or while supplies last).
The State Street Halloween Happening Parade is on Saturday, October 25. The parade steps off at noon at the corner of State and Randolph streets. Following the parade, kids can enjoy trick-or-treating, a performance by Midnight Circus and a costume contest-all at Pumpkin (Daley) Plaza. (There is no pumpkin decorating on parade day.)
New this year are movie screenings in the Plaza; remember to bring your own chair. They are showing Halloween-themed classics (all showtimes at 6pm):
Oct. 18 - The Goonies (PG)
Oct. 19 - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (PG)
Oct. 25 - Monster House (PG)
Oct. 26 - Ghostbusters (PG)
Oct. 31 - Frankenstein (NR, 1931 Original)
Christkindlmarket
November 27-December 24, 11am-8pm Monday-Thursday, 11am-9pm Friday and Saturday, 50 W. Washington (Daley Plaza)
Inspired by the Christkindlsmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545, the Christkindlmarket Chicago brings a cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Chicago. Chicago's largest open-air Christmas festival was first held on Pioneer Court in 1996. By special invitation of Mayor Richard M. Daley, Christkindlmarket Chicago moved to Daley Plaza in 1997 and has become a staple event on the plaza ever since. You have many shopping options, as well as sweet treats that include gingerbread, stollen, holiday cookies, waffles, roasted almonds and candies. Entertainment includes carol singers and brass bands.
This is a great event to stop by before some downtown event (dinner, taking in a show) with your friends and enjoy a nice glass of gluhwein, a hot spiced red wine. Be careful not too have too much of this great holiday libation.
