September

Hyde Park Jazz Festival (September 27)

Various venues throughout Hyde Park

hydeparkjazzfestival.org

Too close to miss, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival features both big names and local favorites at spitting-distance venues such as the Smart Museum, the Oriental Institute, and the International House.

October

Fashion Focus Chicago (October 1-8)

Events at several locations, including runway shows at Millennium Park

chicagofashionresource.com/events/89

Find out what’s in this season firsthand at Fashion Focus Chicago. The week-long event presents five runway shows in Millennium Park with supporting fashion installations and shopping events fanning out through the neighborhood.

November­

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (November 22)

North Michigan Avenue

themagnificentmile.com/SeasonalEvents/fall/schedule_of_events.cfm

To herald the holiday season, over a million lights will illuminate the trees along Michigan Avenue. Not included in that figure is the culminating fireworks display over the Chicago River.

December

Christkindlmarket (November 27-December 24)

Daley Plaza between Washington, Clark, and Dearborn streets

christkindlmarket.com

Enliven your holiday shopping experience at the Christkindlmarket, which organizes vendors of food, ornaments, and gifts from around the world in the style of a German village.

January

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 19)

DuSable Museum of African American History

dusablemuseum.org

Remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. locally at the South Side’s own black history museum.

February

Chinese New Year (January 26)

South Wentworth Avenue

chicagochinatown.org

Give the Year of the Ox your salutations by visiting Chicago’s Chinatown when she’s in her finest. Don’t miss the annual parade, usually scheduled a few days after Chinese New Year.

March

South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 8)

Starts at East Balbo Drive and North Columbus Drive and ends at East Monroe Drive and North Columbus Drive

southsideirishparade.org

The Irish-American communities of Beverly and Morgan Park fly their colors and don their kilts during this St. Patrick’s Day parade, known as one of the largest community celebrations of the holiday outside Ireland.

April

Chicago Improv Festival (April 13-19)

Performances at several locations, including Lake Shore Theater on North Broadway Street

chicagoimprovfestival.org

Featuring dozens of comedy acts, the Chicago Improv Festival mixes homegrown talent and big-name headliners, often of MADtv, SNL, or Colbert Report fame.

May

Art Chicago (May 1-4)

Merchandise Mart

artchicago.com

Check out Art Chicago either to see displays of works by thousands of contemporary and modern artists or to people-watch the tens of thousands of curators and collectors who flock to the event each year.

—Supriya Sinhababu