It’s that time of year: we’re reaching out to you, our readers, because we know you appreciate what we do and want us to be able to keep doing it.

In order to pay our writers and keep the site sustainable, we partner with advertisers who invest in promoting with us, and we even apply for (and sometimes get!) community journalism grants. But that only covers part of what we need; it’s your contributions that will fill that gap.

This year, we’re doing something different to make you feel better about sending a few dollars our way (besides that warm feeling you get for supporting hyperlocal arts journalism, that is). This year, we’ve launched Third Coast Curates: Chicago Culture Prize Packs.

Thanks to some absolutely amazing organizations and friends of Third Coast Review, we have not one…not two…not even three prize packs to give away, but four separate prize packs that each include experience tickets, Chicago-centric books, events and meals and so much more.

And how can you make one of them yours? Simple: make a contribution in any amount to Third Coast Review through December 31, 2025. That’s right: just make a contribution and you’re entered to win one of four Chicago Culture Prize Packs.

It can’t be that easy, can it? Not only is it that easy, but it gets better: make your contribution a monthly payment and you’ll double your chances to win.

So, what’s exactly has Third Coast Review curated in these four Chicago Culture Prize Packs? Here’s a brief overview:

Prize Pack One

From film to theater to a classic walking tour around Chicago, this prize pack has it all.

  • Two All Access Passes to the 2026 Chicago Critics Film Festival
  • Four Walking Tour Passes with the Chicago Architectural Center
  • The Plan of Chicago: A City in Stories, a new book by Barry Pearce
  • Two-ticket Voucher to Steppenwolf Theatre
  • Two-ticket Voucher to Raven Theatre
  • Two-ticket Voucher to Trap Door Theatre

Prize Pack Two

With a bit of the dramatic and a dose of the fantastical, this Prize Pack has something for all ages.

  • Two Tickets to Eugene Onegin at Joffrey Ballet (June, 2026)
  • Gift Certificate to Chicago Comics
  • Two Tickets to Chicago Humanities Festival
  • Tickets CAMP x Paw Patrol Experience
  • Mixed 12-Pack from Marz Community Brewing (4 Malort Spritz, 4 Jungle Boogie. 4 Chug Life)
  • My Favorite Thing is Monsters Book 2 Graphic Novel from Fantagraphics

Prize Pack Three

Make it a date night and enjoy dinner, a show, a tour and cozy up with Chicago-centric books, too!

  • Two-Ticket Voucher to Lyric Opera
  • Two Tour Tickets for City Cruises Chicago
  • Dinner for Two at Carnivale Chicago
  • Chicago Transit Hikes: A guide for getting out in nature without a car by Lindsay Welbers
  • Chicago Homes: A Portrait of the City’s Everyday Architecture from Agate Publishing
  • The Barre Incidents by Lauren Bolger

Prize Pack Four

Have the ultimate Chicago experience with a night at Navy Pier, plus so much more!

  • Overnight Stay & Dinner Sable Hotel & Lirica Restaurant
  • Tickets to the 2026 One of a Kind Spring Show at Merchandise Mart
  • Mixed 12-Pack (4 Malort Spritz, 4 Jungle Boogie. 4 Chug Life) Marz Brewing
  • Clout City: The Rise and Fall of the Chicago Political Machine from University of Chicago Press
  • A Louis Sullivan Book Set from University of Minnesota Press, including:
    • Louis Sullivan: An American Architect
    • Reconstructing the Garrick: Adler & Sullivan’s Lost Masterpiece
    • Louis Sullivan’s Idea

You’ll be entered to win one of these amazing Chicago Culture Prize Packs when you make a contribution to Third Coast Review by December 31. Make it a monthly recurring contribution, and you’ll double your chances to win!

The fine print: Enter by December 31. Winners will be selected shortly after and notified via email. Open to US residents only; must be at least 18 years old to participate. No purchase necessary to win; use this form to enter without making a contribution.