chicago events

Chicago Market for Makers: Summer 2022

August 3, 2022

Market for Makers at Artifact Events

Every year I attend Market for Makers Chicago, an event highlighting a variety of small businesses, and this year was just as exciting! The Ravenswood favorite at Artifact Events featured 50+ makers with products available for purchase. These ranged from gorgeous jewelry pieces to gourmet dip mixtures. All spread out over two days! Below I’ve included my four favorite booths and the item I added to my possessions.

My Favorite Booths at Market for Makers Chicago

Chicago Market for Makers has so many great small businesses to meet. This made it hard to narrow down my one budgeted purchase! Above show the four booths that caught my eye. Read about them below!

Tribe + Temple: These tropical glam jewelry pieces were BEAUTIFUL and so colorful. Designed by Emmy Davidian, the brand is inspired by places she has lived and take pride in representing a culture of resilient women.
Kono & Co: My favorite items from this jewelry vendor was the collection of Birth Flower and Zodiac Sign necklaces! Set very mini, these pieces were delicate and perfect for everyday wear. Definitely on my birthday wish list!
Kiki Earrings: I ended up getting a white smiley face necklace from this maker! It’s small and PERFECT. Featuring earrings and necklace, this new fav had a variety of wearable, everyday pieces.
Milwaukee Terrarium Company: AKA the cutest, unique terrarium displays. I can’t get my hands on one!

The next Market for Makers Chicago event will be in the Fall on October 22-23, 2022. General Admission tickets are usually between $8-$10, with VIP tickets usually between $15-$18 each. VIP gets you early admission an hour before general and market access all weekend instead of a specific day. Keep a look out for ticket sales on their website!

Pride in the Park Chicago

August 3, 2022

What Is Pride in the Park Chicago?

One of the best music festivals I’ve ever been to was Pride in the Park Chicago! This year it occurred in Butler Field of Grant Park, the weekend of June 25-26, 2022, during Pride Month. Attending with my sister was a blast. We dressed in rainbow, danced to newly-discovered artists, ate empanadas, and saw The Chainsmokers live! It will definitely be a top highlight of my summer. I can’t wait to attend again next year! Read below to learn more about Pride in the Park Chicago.

If interested, here is a link to my rainbow tie dye dress! On a side note, I have this dress in different colors and it is my most flattering favorite.

Pride in the Park General Info

This was my first year attending Pride in the Park Chicago, and it did not disappoint. Occurring over two weekend days, the music festival was held outside in downtown Chicago. Featured were LGBTQ+ performers, artists, and food vendors. AND really fun photo backdrops (peep the disco wall above)! Tickets were about $75 each for a 1-day pass, which is pretty good value compared to other music festival pricing. General Admission and GA+ was available for all ages, and VIP tickets were for those 21+.

My Pride in the Park Experience

We went straight to one of the stages when we got to Pride in the Park. Even discovered some new artists we like! After dancing – a lot – we explored the space and viewed local vendors. There was plenty of food options to choose from. I went with the buffalo chicken empanada from Cafe Tola and it was BOMB. Definitely something you can’t miss to try if you live in Chicago. The Chainsmokers were the main act for when we went on Saturday, and Alesso was the main act for Sunday. Dancing to their songs was so much fun! Leaving the park and seeing the skyline lit up with rainbow colors was the cherry on top of a great night. I highly recommend getting tickets to next year’s event!

Jack’s Big City Ranch Chicago

June 17, 2022

Chicago’s New Western Pop-Up

Saddle up for the wild wild (mid)west! Jack’s Big City Ranch Chicago, brought to us by the same creators of Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up and Jack’s Winter Village, is here for the summer. Located in Chicago’s Goose Island neighborhood, the pop-up features Instagramable photo ops, mini golf, go karts, mechanical bull riding, axe throwing, gem mining, food & drink. Tickets can be purchased for $23+ each. I recommend buying them ahead of time online. The experience is open to all ages, however you must be 18+ for axe throwing.

Instagramable Photo Ops

The best part of Jack’s Big City Ranch was the Western-themed photo backdrops positioned throughout the event’s 2 acres. From Shania Twain’s “Let’s go girls” to Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 clock to a big denim star, the options were top notch. Some of my other favorite photo ops included “Main Character Energy”, a cowboy hat wall with a beaded curtain, “Howdy”, a caravan filled with flowers, “Love Y’all”, and “Feeling Lucky?”.

Tickets & Event Add-Ons

Tickets for Jack’s Big City Ranch come in the form of a bundle. This will include admission plus one or more extras or drink tickets. Some popular packages include, but are not limited to:

Hole in One: 1 Drink + Mini Golf ($23-$26)
Wild West: 1 Drink + Bull Ride + 3 Axe Throws ($29)
Outlaw: Bull Ride + Mini Golf ($31)
Ready to Race: Go Kart + Mini Golf ($32)

Add-ons that can be purchased with a package include:

1 Alcoholic or Non-Alcoholic Drink ($9)
2 Alcoholic or Non-Alcoholic Drinks ($16)
Mechanical Bull Ride ($9)
3 Axe Throws ($9)
Gem Mining Rough Bag 5lbs ($10)
Cowboy Hat ($10)
Go Kart Ride ($15)

Things to Know

As mentioned, I recommend buying tickets online ahead of time. Walk-ups vary on availability and are usually priced higher in person. All sales are final and can not be cancelled or rescheduled. You will need your government-issued ID to enter the pop-up. Restrooms are available on-site via portable toilets. There are more drink options than food, so you may want to eat beforehand if you don’t like limited BBQ selection. Jack’s Big City Ranch is completely cashless and only accepts credit card or Apple Pay for payment. Free street parking is on a first-come-first-served-basis, and paid parking is available on select nights. You can view their FAQ page for additional information.

Jack’s Big City Ranch is one of many fun events happening this summer. To view more, take a look at Things to Do in Chicago: Summer 2022!

Pixar Putt: Chicago Pop-Up

June 4, 2022

Pixar Putt at Navy Pier

I had such a fun time checking out Navy Pier’s new mini golf pop-up, Pixar Putt! Located at the entrance in Polk Bros Park, this outdoor experience features 18 holes of fun, interactive Pixar movie displays – Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Inside Out, Up, Brave, Finding Nemo, Onward, A Bug’s Life, Coco, and more. It was a Disney fan’s paradise! Not to mention a great place for photo ops. For $30-$33 per adult, tickets are available (online only) for reservations. Check it out now through August 21, 2022!

18 Pixar-Themed Holes

The best part about Pixar Putt was the nostalgically-decorated holes inspired by popular Pixar stories and characters. Each one created unique photo ops to capture while moving through the course. Some of the 18 holes were simple and quick, like putting through the open doors of Monsters, Inc., while others were more interactive, like the floating house from Up landing on top of Paradise Falls. Others that I enjoyed included Merida’s archery target from Brave, the memory bank from Inside Out, the claw from Toy Story, the oceanside from Luca, and a Ratatouille cooking board. All made for great laughs and a great time!

The Pixar Putt Experience

Experiencing Pixar Putt at Polk Bros Park will take about an hour to an hour and a half. After showing your pre-purchased tickets at the check-in hut, you will receive your club, a score card, and the option to choose the color of your golf ball. I recommend taking pictures in front of the Pixar Putt sign with your golf club and ball before getting in line to go in. We only had to wait about 5 minutes to enter the course, but this may vary depending on the time of day and amount of people. To reduce congestion and lines around a specific hole, putters are allowed to go to any hole that was open and float around as they saw fit. This made the experience more enjoyable by removing any painful, stagnant waiting. Small shade umbrellas are scattered throughout the course, however it is important to note that majority of your time will be uncovered in direct sunlight. There are no food or bathrooms offered at the pop-up, however the entrance to Navy Pier is right around the corner for easy access.

Pixar Putt is just one of many fun events happening this summer. To view more, take a look at Things to Do in Chicago: Summer 2022!

Things to Do in Chicago: Summer 2022

May 24, 2022

Upcoming Events in Chicago

#SummertimeChi is here! With warm weather making an appearance, the event calendar is filling up fast. I’ve compiled a list of things to do in Chicago this summer including a variety of festivals and events. While it doesn’t include everything, I made sure to include some of my favorites and those on my to-do list!

June 2022 Events

Fireworks at Navy Pier

Date: June 1-September 3, 2022
Location: Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Avenue)
Cost: Free
Features: Firework show
Photo: navypier.org

Pixar Putt

Date: June-August 21, 2022
Location: Polk Brothers Park at Navy Pier (600 E Grand Ave.)
Cost: $31-$33
Features: mini golf
Photo: pixarputt.com/chicago

Wings of Mexico

Date: June-October 1, 2022
Location: Plaza of the Americas (410 N. Michigan Ave.)
Cost: Free
Features: photo opportunity
Photo: by yours truly

Rooftop Cinema Club

Date: June-July 4, 2022
Location: The Emily Hotel (311 N Morgan St.)
Cost: $18.75–$27.75
Features: outdoor cinema, personal headphones, classic movie snacks, full bar, city views
Photo: facebook.com/rooftopcinemaclub

JoJo’s Retro Summer

Date: June-September 5, 2022
Location: JoJo’s Shake Bar River North
Cost: reservations, dining
Features: 90’s themed patio, retro cocktails, shakes, regular & Retro Summer food menu
Photo: facebook.com/jojosshakebar

Lincoln Park Greek Fest

Date: June 3-5, 2022
Location: St. George Greek Orthodox Church (2701 N. Sheffield Ave. Chicago, IL)
Cost: $10 suggested donation
Features: live music, entertainment, food
Photo: lincolnparkgreekfest.com

Jack’s Big City Ranch

Date: June 3-August 27, 2022
Location: Goose Island (1261 West LeMoyne)
Cost: $23-$69
Features: photo opps, mini golf, mechanical bull, go karts, axe throwing, gem mining, food & drink
Photo: facebook.com/bigcityranchchicago
Fun Fact: same company & location as Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up and Jack Frost Winter Village

Do Division Street Fest

Date: June 3-5, 2022
Location: Division Street between Damen & Leavitt (2000-2200 W Division St. Chicago IL 60622)
Cost: $10 optional donation
Features: live music, food, local artists, retail vendors, family fun fest, fashion shows
Photo: westtownchamber.org

Windy City Hot Dog Fest

Date: June 4-5, 2022
Location: Portage Park (4000 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago IL)
Cost: Unknown
Features: hot dogs, live entertainment, arts & crafts vendors, dog parade
Photo: chicagoevents.com

Run for the Zoo 5k & 10k

Date: June 5, 2022
Location: Lincoln Park Zoo
Cost: $25-$54
Features: 5k, 10k, swag bag, scenic views, post-race celebration
Photo: runsignup.com

Chicago Blues Festival

Date: June 9-12, 2022
Location: Millennium Park (Michigan Ave. & Columbus Ave.)
Cost: Free admission
Features: live music
Photo: wdcb.org

Puerto Rican Festival and People’s Parade

Date: June 9-12, 2022 (9th – carnival opens, 10th – festival opens, 11th – parade, 12th – closing day)
Location: Humboldt Park (Division Street)
Cost: Unknown
Features: carnival rides, live music, food, dancing, artisans, parade
Photo: secretchicago.com

Andersonville Midsommarfest

Date: June 10-12, 2022
Location: Andersonville’s Clark Street corridor (5200 N Clark St.)
Cost: $10 suggested donation
Features: live music, food, dancing, vendors, pet parade
Photo: andersonville.org

Old Town Art Fair

Date: June 11-12, 2022
Location: Old Town triangle
Cost: $12 per adult, kids are free
Features: live music, artists, garden walk, food
Photo: oldtownartfair.org

Grant Park Music Festival

Date: Select Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays June 15-August 20, 2022
Location: Grant Park
Cost: Free seating available, $26-$100 for reserved closer spots
Features: live music, bring-your-own food, beer and wine available for purchase
Photo: grantparkmusicfestival.com

Summer Smash Festival

Date: June 17-19, 2022
Location: Douglas Park
Cost: 3-Day GA $275 + service fees, 3-Day VIP $450 + service fees
Features: live music, food
Photo: thesummersmash.com

Chicago Pride Fest

Date: June 18-19, 2022
Location: Northalsted on Halsted Street from Addison to Grace St.
Cost: $15 suggested donation
Features: live music, food, art vendors, dancing, drag shows, pride parade, pet parade, giveaways
Photo: chicagopride.gopride.com

Gold Coast Art Fair

Date: June 18-19, 2022
Location: Grant Park’s Butler Field (S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St)
Cost: $10, free for children 12 and under
Features: live music, artists, food
Photo: chicagoparent.com

Célébrez en Rosé

Date: June 25, 2022
Location: Burnham Park (4100 S Lake Shore Dr)
Cost: GA $85 + fee, Wine Admission $130 + fee, Rose Garden Lounge $200 + fee, plus more
Features: live entertainment, photo installations, food, cashless bars, lawn games
Photo: facebook.com/celebrezenrose

Pride in the Park Chicago

Date: June 25-26, 2022
Location: Grant Park (between Columbus Dr. and Lakeshore Dr. on E Monroe St.)
Cost: $45-$300
Features: live music, food
Photo: facebook.com/prideparkchi

July 2022 Events

Chicago SummerDance

Date: July 6-September 17, 2022
Location: Varies per event
Cost: Free admission
Features: live entertainment
Photo: chicago.gov/city

Taste of Chicago

Date: July 8-10, 2022
Location: Grant Park (Jackson & Columbus)
Cost: Free admission
Features: food trucks, live music
Photo: nbcchicago.com

Millennium Art Festival

Date: July 15-17, 2022
Location: Michigan Avenue & E Lake St.
Cost: Free admission
Features: artists, food, live music
Photo: amdurproductions.com

Museum of Ice Cream

Date: July 16-September 1, 2022
Location: Tribune Tower (435 North Michigan Ave.)
Cost: $36-$44
Features: 14 installations, ice cream treats, ice cream history, retail shop
Photo: instagram.com/museumoficecream

Pizza City Fest

Date: July 23-24, 2022
Location: West Loop (1340 W Washington)
Cost: $59-$249 + service fees
Features: all you can eat from 18 vendors, book signings, drinks available for purchase
Photo: starevents.com

Sundays on State

Date: Sundays July 24-September 4, 2022
Location: State & Lake (190 N State Street)
Cost: Free admission
Features: food, shopping, arts
Photo: starevents.com

Lollapalooza

Date: July 28-31, 2022
Location: Grant Park
Cost: $125 and up
Features: live music, food and drink for purchase
Photo: lollapalooza.com

August 2022 Events

Windy City Smokeout

Date: August 4-7, 2022
Location: United Center parking lot
Cost: $44.95-$184.95 + service fee
Features: live music, food and drinks for purchase, photo opportunities
Photo: windycitysmokeout.com

Dancing in the Street

Date: August 5-7, 2022
Location: Hubbard Street between Paulina and Wood (1700 W. Hubbard Street)
Cost: $10 suggested donation
Features: live music, dancing, food & retail vendors
Photo: westtownchamber.org

LatiNxt Music Festival

Date: August 6-7, 2022
Location: Polk Bros Park (600 E. Grand Avenue)
Cost: Free
Features: live music
Photo: navypier.org

Stan’s Donut Run

Date: August 27, 2022
Location: Solider Field
Cost: $39.99+ (cost will increase as the event gets closer)
Discount: $6 off with promo code SWEATINGCHAMPAGNE
Features: 5k, 10k, swag bag, mini donuts on course
Photo: donut5k.com

One of a Kind Chicago: Spring Show

April 30, 2022

One of a Kind Chicago: Spring 2022

I love a good market. One of a Kind Chicago visited The Merchandise Mart this weekend with their 6th annual Spring Show. Featuring over 300 artists, this shopping event showcased unique items from a variety of categories – food, jewelry, bath and body, art, ceramics, and more. Thanks to Heron Agency, I was able to check out One of a Kind Chicago on opening day! Keep reading below for my favorite artists and more about One of a Kind Chicago.

My Favorite Artists

One of a Kind Chicago offers a lot of quality items to purchase. I wanted it all! Out of the artists I saw, these listed, and the ones shown above, were my favorite.

Raw Edge – modern artisan boutique
Janvier – artisan bath and body products
Tubby’s Taste – Jamaican inspired vegan cookies
Dip’n Good Dips – gourmet dips (I bought a bag of Garlic Parmesan and Lemon Dill!)
margo.rebecca – handmade fine art
Judi Powers Jewelry – handcrafted jewelry
Kent Youngstrom – 2d paintings

About the Event

One of a Kind Chicago’s Spring Show was held April 29-May 1 in the River North neighborhood. Tickets were $10 each for adults, with an optional event tote bag for an additional $5 (it was really cute!). Aside from the artists, the event had live music and a cafe to purchase quick food. Merchandise Mart is accessible off of the brown or purple line, and there’s a public garage across the street for paid parking. The event was wheelchair accessible and offered a coat check.

The next One of a Kind Chicago will be in Winter 2022! Mark your calendars for December 1-4, 2022 at The Merchandise Mart.

Interested in more Chicago-focused posts? View a list here!

Santa Hustle 5k Chicago

December 15, 2021

Santa Hustle Chicago

Ho ho ho! This year I partnered with Santa Hustle 5k‘s Chicago event to recap a fun, festive experience. Held at the iconic Solider Field, my family and I enjoyed 3.1 miles outside at a brisk walking tempo. The course wrapped around the lake for great scenic views! Each Santa Hustle 5k benefits a chosen local charity. This year’s efforts went towards Cal’s Angels, a pediatric cancer foundation based in St. Charles, IL. Their mission is to grant wishes, raise awareness, and fund research.

The Swag

The Santa Hustle 5k had some of the best race swag I’ve ever gotten. Each participant received a red performance zip-up jacket, Santa hat, Santa beard, and a finisher medal that also serves as a souvenir ornament. Additional swag (red tutu, candy cane socks, Santa coat, and more) was available at registration for an additional price.

Future Events

Santa Hustle 5ks are held all over the U.S. Both kids and adults can attend and enjoy the festivities. Registration ranges between $35-$60 depending on how early you purchase. It’s always a good idea to take advantage of early bird pricing! If you’re interested in volunteering instead of running/walking, Santa’s helpers are always needed!

Christkindlmarket Chicago

November 24, 2021

Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza

This past weekend I kicked off the holiday season with two events: watching the Festival of Lights parade from my window and checking out Christkindlmarket Chicago with my family. This German Christmas market is an annual favorite in the city. Running now through December 24th – downtown and in Wrigleyville – visitors can attend for free while enjoying food, music, and souvenirs for sale. We stayed for about an hour – read below for our experience!

The Traditional Christkindlmarket Mug

Each year a new mug design is featured at Christkindlmarket. These can be bought when purchasing hot cider, spiced wine, beer, chai, or hot chocolate. The mug this year, shown above in forest green, celebrates the event’s 25th anniversary. In my opinion it’s the best design yet!

Experiencing Christkindlmarket Chicago

Aside from having something to drink, we also tried the cherry strudel and traditional pretzels. Make sure to bring plenty of cash – a lot of the booths do not take credit cards! There were also a lot of great ornaments, traditional clocks, and unique gifts for sale. You can find a full list of market vendors here. If you’re looking for something sit-down, you can make a reservation for Stammtisch in the Timber Haus heated tent.

What’s your favorite holiday event in the city? Comment below!

Chicago’s HideSeek Pop-Up

September 2, 2021

If you know me you know that I really love a good pop-up. They’re always fun and full of great photo ops! My sister and I attended a preview of Chicago’s HideSeek pop-up in Old Town and had the best time exploring their 15 Instagramable rooms of childhood nostalgia. I’m talking big 90’s baby energy. View my favorite rooms below!

My Favorite HideSeek Rooms

HideSeek offers 15 rooms of photo-worthy backdrops. We had a blast capturing content while feeling like a little kid again. My favorite rooms were Slinky Spring (pictured above), Rad Ride, Bubble Trouble, Daydream Days, Pillow Playhouse, and Fuzzy Fix.

Rad Ride

Bubble Trouble

Daydream Days

Pillow Playhouse

Fuzzy Fix

Tickets for Chicago’s HideSeek pop-up are available on their website for designated time-slots now through October 31. Don’t forget to stop by their gift shop on your way out for cute 90s apparel, enamel pins, candy, and toys!

View more Chicago-focused blog posts here.

Tickled Pink: A Bright Pink Fundraiser

March 6, 2020

I recently attended Tickled Pink, an annual fundraiser for Bright Pink, and had a great time! Bright Pink, the organization whom the proceeds of the event went to, is the only national non-profit organization that focuses on early prevention and detection. They were celebrating their 15th year of generating awareness about breast cancer. The event consisted of drinks, food stations, live music, dancing, and raffle prizes.

About Tickled Pink

Tickled Pink was started 15 years ago by Jodi Fyfe in honor of her cousin who passed away from breast cancer. The first event held raised $35,000! Since then Tickled Pink continues to be one of the most popular annual fundraiser events in Chicago. This year the event was held at Rockwell on the River.

The Food and Drinks

The event consisted of an open bar for guests. There was many options to choose from, however my favorite was the specialty drink: The Tickle Tini. I believe it was vodka, sparkling rose, and cranberry juice. Regardless, it was really good! There were also food stations set up, wrapping around the event space. Popular Chicago restaurants such as Barrio, Bar Ramone, Cindy’s, Joe’s Imports, Gene & Georgetti, XO Marshmallow, JoJo’s Milk Bar, and more were there with samples of food.

The Entertainment

For the first half of the event there was a DJ playing a mix of different music. But for the second half the crowd really came alive dancing to live music by The Chicago Players. They were really good! Amazing voices and even better dance moves. I had a lot of fun dancing on the floor!

My Pink Romper

Gotta throw in a shout out to my new favorite romper! I wore a glittery pink pleated romper to the event to go along with the pink theme. You can find it HERE at Nordstrom’s.