Celebrating Lunar New Year in Chicago’s Chinatown

Each winter, Chicago’s Chinatown comes alive with color and celebration as thousands gather for the annual Chinese New Year Parade. Held along Wentworth Avenue, the event is one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations in the Midwest and a cherished tradition for families across Illinois.

Celebrations take place from February to March, and the parade marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year on the traditional Chinese calendar. With this being the year of the horse. Spectators line the streets to watch vibrant dragon and lion dances, marching bands, cultural performances, and community organizations make their way through the neighborhood. The steady beat of drums and the flash of red and gold decorations create a festive atmosphere, even on the coldest winter day.

The lion and dragon dances are highlights of the celebration, symbolizing good fortune, prosperity and strength in the year ahead. The event not only celebrates heritage but also invites visitors from all backgrounds to learn more about Chinese culture and traditions.

Beyond the parade, Chinatown’s restaurants and shops buzz with activity. Families gather for special meals, storefronts are decorated with lanterns and banners, and local businesses welcome guests exploring the neighborhood.

Chicago’s Chinese New Year Parade reflects the rich cultural diversity that makes Illinois unique. It’s a joyful reminder that even in the heart of winter, communities across our state find meaningful ways to come together and celebrate new beginnings.

Did you know? Black History Month has close ties to Illinois!

Black History Month has seeds planted in Illinois, thanks to Carter G. Woodson!

Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History Month,” attended the University of Chicago and attained both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history in 1908, eventually earning a PhD in history from Harvard University in 1912 and becoming the second African American to do so.

Several years later, Woodson returned back to Chicago for the National Half Century Exposition and Lincoln Jubilee, honoring what was the 50^th anniversary of the freedom of enslaved peoples occurring on the June 19, 1865—now acknowledged as Juneteenth. The celebration lasted from Aug. 22 – Sept. 16, 1915 and was hosted at the Chicago Coliseum.

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University of Chicago listed among Time Magazine’s top schools

• The University of Chicago
• Time Magazine
• World's Top Universities

Time Magazine recently released its “World’s Top Universities” list, ranking the 500 best colleges from around the globe.

Holding the fifth spot on that list is the University of Chicago, following the University of Oxford, Yale University, Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Five other Illinois schools also made the list: Northwestern University (No. 99), University of Illinois Chicago (No. 151), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (No. 235), Illinois Institute of Technology (No. 266) and Southern Illinois University (No. 338).

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Chicago to host UNESCO International Jazz celebration

Chicago’s legendary jazz scene is preparing to shine on the world’s stage in April, when the city hosts the UNESCO International Jazz Day 2026 for the first time. The global event will kick off April 1 with weeks of educational programming, master classes and special performances to the city. The month will culminate in the All-Star Global Concert on April 30 at Chicago’s Lyric Opera House. It will feature more than 40 international artists, including Herbie Hancock, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Ernest Dawkins, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Terence Blanchard.

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