Year in Review: A Great Year for the Great Street
State Street, the Chicago Loop’s spine of retail, dining, entertainment, and historic attractions, had nothing short of an eventful year.
Kyle Tolie
Your insider's guide to the best things to do, see, and experience in Chicago.
Downtown Futures Series Inspires a Smarter Chicago
Chicago Loop Alliance completed its third year of the Downtown Futures Series, a trio of conversations – moderated by David Broz, principal of Gensler Design – with innovative minds to create a smarter Chicago.
Chicago Loop Alliance’s Placemaking Initiatives Revered at IDA Conference
Chicago Loop Alliance’s placemaking efforts recognized as an “immersive urban experience and a best practice of how to create mini destinations.”
History of Chicago Loop’s Christkindlmarket
The Christkindlmarket, which literally means Christ Child Market in Deutch, was inspired by the 16th-century Christkindelmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany. It was a pre-Christmas celebration to usher in Advent. Typically held in Main Market Square, it is accompanied by traditional singing and dancing to bring light and joy to the cold, dark season.
Introducing Free Write Sound & Vision: Bringing sound with a mission to ACTIVATE
Sounds bumping through the alleys at ACTIVATE have been brought to you by a company with a social mission. Learn more about Free Write Sound & Vision from founder and executive director Ryan Keesling.
Chicago Architecture Center Teen Fellows Reimagine The Gateway
Teens in the Chicago Architecture Center’s Teen Fellows program reimagined The Gateway.
Then and Now: Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
What is the Chicago Athletic Association? How old is the building? Why am I seeing the Chicago Cubs logo all over the place?
Art on theMART to Light Up Chicago
Art on theMART, a curated series of digital art, will be projected across 2.5 acres of theMART’s exterior river-façade.
What's Happening
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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Aboard First Lady
marzo 15, 2026
Chicago’s top-rated architecture boat tour, 90 minutes with expert CAC guides, stunning skyline views, open-air seating, and onboard amenities.
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Creepy Cruise
marzo 21, 2026
Explore Chicago’s haunted past on a nighttime river cruise featuring ghost stories, mob history, and eerie secrets of the Windy City.
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Chicago by Night River & Lake
abril 17, 2026
Experience Chicago at night on a 90-minute river and lake cruise, featuring a glittering skyline, cool breezes, and lively, family-friendly commentary.
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Sightseeing River & Lake Cruises
abril 17, 2026
Chicago River & Lake Michigan cruise with skyline views, iconic landmarks, and engaging guides sharing the city’s history and stories.
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3D Fireworks Cruise
mayo 23, 2026 | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cruise from the Chicago Riverwalk to Lake Michigan for skyline views and a 3D-enhanced fireworks show with music and narration.
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Summer Art Classes at SAIC
junio 1, 2026
Let your creative potential shine this summer with a class at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with options available for kids, teens and…
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Millennium Park Summer Film Series
junio 30, 2026
An exciting lineup of outdoor films on Tuesdays this summer.
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Canine Cruise
julio 11, 2026
Cruise Chicago’s waterways with your dog. Pet friendly, scenic, and fun. Available July to October every Saturday and Sunday for pups of all sizes.
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OCTET
julio 17, 2026
Extended by popular demand through August 2! The Goodman presents Raven Theatre's production of OCTET Music, Lyrics, Book and Vocal…