Arts & Entertainment

Get Into the Holiday Spirit in Chicago’s Neighborhoods With Events Hosted by Small Businesses, Community Groups

(Courtesy of Choose Chicago)

While downtown is known to host some of Chicago’s most popular wintertime traditions, you don’t need to travel too far from home to get into the holiday spirit.

The local tourism agency Choose Chicago and the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events are hosting a series of holiday events in partnership with neighborhood chambers of commerce and community-based organizations.

The holiday-related activities such as holiday markets and tree-lighting ceremonies start this month and run through early January.

Neighborhoods include Austin, Avondale, Bronzeville, Englewood, Humboldt Park, Hyde Park, Little Village, North Lawndale, Pullman and South Shore.

(Courtesy of Choose Chicago)

“By encouraging more visitors and Chicagoland residents to explore our neighborhoods over the holidays, we’re supporting diverse-owned businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to a vibrant and welcoming city for all,” Rich Gamble, interim president and CEO of Choose Chicago, said in a statement.

The first event is the Hyde Park Holiday Market, which kicks off Saturday at the restaurant and venue The Promontory. The market will feature around 30 minority-owned businesses and vendors, as well as music, hot chocolate and holiday activities for families. The market is also set to be held again at The Promontory on Dec. 14.

Below is a list of holiday programming as part of the city’s neighborhood holidays program. More details can be found on the neighborhood holiday events page.

• Austin (in partnership with the Austin Chamber of Commerce)
  • 20th Annual Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade | Friday, Dec. 6
• Avondale (in partnership with the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce)
  • Tree Lighting at Solidarity Triangle | Friday, Nov. 29
  • Holiday Banners along four major intersection entrances | Friday, Nov. 29
  • Winter Bazaar | Friday, Nov. 29 and every Saturday in December
  • Wreath Pick-Up Mixer | Friday, Nov. 29
• Bronzeville (in partnership with the Quad Communities Development Corporation)
  • Public space holiday decorations and lighting | Installation by Saturday, Nov. 30
• Englewood (in partnership with Englewood Branded and Teamwork Englewood)
  • Miracle on 63rd Street | Saturday, Dec. 21
• Humboldt Park (in partnership with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center)
  • Small Business Saturday kick off, tree lighting, and Puerto Rican Steel Flag lighting at Paseo Boricua | Saturday, Nov. 30
  • Navidad Activities at Mercado del Pueblo | every Saturday in December
  • Paseo Boricua Parranda | Saturday, Dec. 21
  • Three Kings Day | Monday, Jan. 6
• Hyde Park (in partnership with the South East Chicago Commission)
  • Holiday Makers Market | Saturday, Nov. 16 & Saturday, Dec. 14
  • Small Business Shop Local Reception | Tuesday, Nov. 19
• Little Village (in partnership with the Little Village Chamber of Commerce)
  • Christmas tree lighting at Manuel Perez Jr. Plaza | Installation by Sunday, Dec. 1
  • Window painting displays for businesses on 26th Street | December TBD
  • Holiday Posada/Toy Drive at Manuel Perez Jr. Plaza | Friday, Dec. 6
  • Holiday Trolley kick-off event at Little Village Arch | Saturday, Dec. 7
• North Lawndale (in partnership with New Covenant Community Development Corporation)
  • Soulé Restaurant Holiday Event | TBD
  • Cocina Shared Kitchen Holiday Decorations | Installation by Saturday, Nov. 30
  • Del Kar Pharmacy Holiday Decorations | TBD
  • 24th Ward Christmas Tree | TBD
  • Principle Barbers Holiday Event | TBD
  • Momentum Coffee Holiday Series | Throughout November and December
• Pullman (in partnership with the Pullman National Historical Park and the 9th Ward)
  • Winter Lights of Pullman | Saturday, Nov. 30
  • 9th Ward Christmas Crawl | Saturday, Nov. 30
• South Shore (in partnership with the South Shore Chamber of Commerce)
  • Lighting Ceremony on 75th Street | TBD
  • South Shore Community Holiday Event | TBD

(Courtesy of Choose Chicago)

Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]

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