Festivals and Fairs
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Best bets: Morton Arboretum’s Chocolate Weekend, Renee Fleming at Lyric, Kevin Nealon at The DenJan 27, 2026 10:32 am - Morton Arboretum welcomes chocolate lovers, divas Patti LuPone and Renee Fleming headline two Chicago venues, and “Saturday Night Live” veteran Kevin Nealon brings the laughs to The Den Theatre.
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Things to do Jan. 30 to Feb. 5: Norge Ski Jump Tournament, comedian Michael Winslow, Groundhog Day and moreJan 26, 2026 3:53 pm - Make plans for the Downtown Downers Grove Ice Festival, 121st annual Norge Ski Jump Tournament, Groundhog Day events and more.
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Top dogs compete in show at Lake County FairgroundsJan 24, 2026 5:42 pm - The Lake County Fairgrounds was filled with man’s best friends and their owners as they vied for top honors at the Cool Cluster Dog Show this frigid Saturday in January.
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Palatine pausing Street Fest this summerJan 20, 2026 5:12 pm - Palatine officials announced this week the annual Street Fest will not be held this summer, due to upcoming improvements in the downtown. In its place, though, will be two summer food truck events.
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Beat the winter blues at Chicago Botanic Garden’s ‘Feelin’ Groovy’ orchid showJan 20, 2026 4:27 pm - The Chicago Botanic Garden rewinds to the 1960s and ‘70s during The Orchid Show: Feelin’ Groovy, which opens Feb. 7 and runs through through March 22.
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Things to do Jan. 23-29: Aziz Ansari, Paula Poundstone, Disney on Ice, Wheeling Winterfest and moreJan 20, 2026 11:38 am - Make plans for stand-up comedy from Aziz Ansari and Paula Poundstone, Disney On Ice “Jump In!” at Rosemont’s Allstate Arena, the Chicagoland Fishing Expo in Schaumburg, Wheeling Winterfest and more.
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Metra stops provide ‘natural opportunity’ for communities to share eventsJan 19, 2026 5:59 pm - Frozen Fest this Saturday in downtown Libertyville will be a first for the village’s recreation department but it will be its second partnership with Fox Lake using Metra as a draw.
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Sled dogs, birds of prey and ponies draw interest at Winterfest in PalatineJan 17, 2026 5:05 pm - Animals, including birds of prey, sled dogs and ponies, were the main draw during the annual Salt Creek Park District Winterfest at Twin Lakes Recreation Area in Palatine Saturday.
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Side Street Studio Arts presents the seventh annual Winter Mini FringeJan 16, 2026 10:17 pm - The Winter Mini Fringe, a one-day festival on Jan. 31, features a diverse lineup of performances and events designed to capture the bold and experimental spirit of the Fringe Festival.
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St. Charles Business Alliance accepting entries for St. Patrick’s ParadeJan 14, 2026 9:12 pm - The St. Charles Business Alliance is accepting entries for the 2026 St. Charles St. Patrick's Parade, taking place on March 14.