Festivals
Thanksgiving in Chicago
Thanksgiving in Chicago is a wonderful time of year with lot’s to do. There are advantages to being in a major metropolitan area on a holiday, in the suburban areas everything is closed and there is very little going on. The Chicago Getaway Hostel invites you to join us for the weekend and take in all of what the city has to offer.
McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:
Hey, New York isn’t the only one with a Thanksgiving Day parade. Chicago puts on its own pretty great turkey day spectacular, thank you very much, and has done so since 1934. The State Street Thanksgiving Parade is attended by over 400,000 spectators and features over 100 participating “units”, including marching bands, floats, horses, drill teams, circus performers, and more.
The parade also features huge character balloons, some topping out at 50 feet tall. Previous years’ cast of balloon characters have included Elmo, the Pink Panther, the Cookie Monster, Popeye, Kermit the Frog, Bear in the Big Blue House, Strawberry Shortcake, Tom Turkey, Rudolph, The Nutcracker, Big Bird, Animal and Billy Blazes. Trust me that the people holding on to the long ropes tethering the balloons hope that the Windy City does not live up to its name on that day…
So if you’re fretting being in Chicago instead of NYC on Thanksgiving, head on down to the State Street Thanksgiving Parade, stand in front of the Macy’s, and you’ll never know the difference.
Where: State Street from Congress to Randolph
Time: The parade starts at 8:30 AM and is expected to last until 11AM
How: Take the “Red Line” from Fullerton to any of these stops: Jackson, Monroe or Washington
Dinner or Lunch Cruise:
Where: Odyssey Cruises| 600 East Grand Avenue | Navy Pier
Reservations: 1-866-305-2469 or by clicking here
Time/Price: 2PM, $54.90 for adults | 6PM. $69.90 for adults *prices subject to change
How: Take the “Red Line” from Fullerton to Grand and walk east towards Navy Pier.
Movie Theater:
Where: Century Centre Cinema
Time/Price: Click Here for Pricing and Showtimes
How: Walk out the front door of the hostel and swing a left and head east down Arlington Place. Take a right on Clark and follow Clark to Diversey, it’s on this corner that you’ll find the theater.
Food:
Click Here for ALL of the options
Chicago Festivals in June
Summer is upon us and Chicago is the place to be, here are some popular fests to experience this month…
Green Music Fest
Randolph St. Market Fest
Check out Taste of Randolph St.…why because? Well, this fest focuses on the culinary creations of some of Chicago’s great restaurants surrounding the area. Good music, good food, and a good neighborhood…June 17th is the kickoff date…900 W. Randolph St.
Pitchfork Music Festival 2011
July 15/16/17
Every year we provide our guests with affordable accommodations for Pitchfork Music Festival, this year is no different. Here’s why you should book your room with us today:
Spring Events in Chicago
Spring has sprung with some upcoming outdoor events…
Want a taste of Germany? Mayfest delivers heaping servings of brats and beer and live music, it kicks off June 2nd in beautiful Lincoln Square for FREE. However, Lakeview’s Mayfest kicks off May 21st and offers food vendors, a pet parade, as well as some local live bands for $10 admission.
**Any of you wine connoisseurs? Chicago’s first annual WINE RIOT is also beginning May 21st and features 250 wines from around the world for your sampling pleasure, and also will boast DJs, food pairings and a photo booth.
Upcoming Chicago Events
Here’s a few reasons why you should book your stay with Chicago Getaway Hostel for February, March, April, and May or just about every day…
TNK Festival 2011 Chicago
Here at the hostel we’re psyched about the TNK Festival coming to Chicago January 12-16th at Lincoln Hall, Metro, and Schubas. A 5 day pass is $100 and includes an opening night reception, free cocktails, trolley travel between the venues, and a chance to meet some Chicago rock critics. Otherwise, the shows are $15 a piece.
Celebrating Winter in Chicago
Coming to our beloved city in the winter season? Don’t mind some cold temps, there is a beautiful side of Chicago to explore this season:
November Events in Chicago’s Autumn Season
No, that building is not erupting in festive flames, this is just a small part of The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. This event has been going on for over 40 years along the acclaimed Michigan Ave. and once again lights up on Nov. 20th. The light procession begins at 5:30pm, and the fireworks start at 7pm along North Michigan Ave and the Chicago River.
Holiday Rates at The Chicago Getaway Hostel
Who says you can’t have winter fun in Chicago? From ice skating, concerts, sledding, a frosted skyline, drinks, Zoolights, Bulls games, The SkyDeck, Navy Pier- there’s a bunch of Holiday fun to have in Chicago.
Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Riot Fest 2010
Achtung punk rock enthusiasts! The annual Riot Fest concert series will bestow its snarling, three-chord, beer-swilling, band-filled, moshing, crowd-surfing, glory upon our city once again. If you need cheap accommodations, grab your favorite band shirt & book a room with us ASAP. The fest packs another stellar lineup of rock-n-roll: Bad Religion, The Lawrence Arms, Agnostic Front, The Bouncing Souls, Cobra Skulls, and The Circle Jerks are just a fraction of the massive lineup.
