{"id":406682,"date":"2025-11-26T19:43:30","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T19:43:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/406682\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T19:43:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T19:43:30","slug":"thanksgiving-weekend-kicks-off-in-chicago-enjoy-free-live-music-ice-skating-and-the-iconic-parade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/406682\/","title":{"rendered":"Thanksgiving Weekend Kicks Off in Chicago\u2014Enjoy Free Live Music, Ice Skating, and the Iconic Parade"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/thanksgiving-parade-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"img-fluid\" alt=\"Members of 2019 Uncle Dan's Chicago Thanksgiving Parade wore balloons and toy balloons and walked around in the Thanksgiving Parade.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSource\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>    Save<\/p>\n<p>We can\u2019t believe<strong> Thanksgiving is already tomorrow,<\/strong> which means it\u2019s officially the weekend! One of our favorite holidays, there are <strong>many ways to celebrate and give thanks,<\/strong> whether it\u2019s watching the iconic parade, devouring delicious pies, or shopping small! If you\u2019re looking for <strong>activities to do for Thanksgiving weekend in Chicago<\/strong>, we\u2019ve got you covered!<\/p>\n<p>  <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-52718\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/aliveone.jpg\" alt=\"band playing at aliveone\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1027\"  \/>Source\/PaperGirl Pr <\/p>\n<p><strong>Kick off the holiday weekend on Black Wednesday with a full night of bar-hopping, drink specials, and DJ parties across Chicago\u2019s neighborhoods.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From<strong> free live music and half-price happy hours at aliveOne<\/strong> to creative \u201cWeird Wednesday\u201d art nights at Remedy and l<strong>aid-back cocktail deals at The Getaway,<\/strong> there\u2019s a spot to match every friend reunion.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udccd <strong>Location: <\/strong>Multiple bars and lounges across Chicago, including Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Lincoln Square, Lakeview, Logan Square, and more<br \/>\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f <strong>Dates: <\/strong> Black Wednesday, the night before Thanksgiving (Wednesday, November 26)<\/p>\n<p>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36011 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/thanksgiving-parade-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"teddy turkey balloon during the chicago thanksgiving parafe\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\"  \/>Source\/Shutterstock <\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Chicago Thanksgiving Parade fills State Street with giant balloons, marching bands, dancers, and festive floats for a lively holiday morning celebration.<\/strong> Join the crowds on State Street between Ida B. Wells Drive and Randolph Street and enjoy the procession from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., or upgrade your experience with reserved bleacher seating in the TV Zone near Washington and Randolph.<\/p>\n<p>For the best views and shorter waits between floats, <strong>arrive early and choose a spot closer to the start of the route, as spaces along the parade path fill up quickly<\/strong>. Families, visitors, and locals alike can soak in the atmosphere while taking in all the entertainment of this classic holiday tradition, and <a href=\"https:\/\/secretchicago.com\/thanksgiving-parade-in-chicago-2025\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" target=\"_self\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/secretchicago.com\/thanksgiving-parade-in-chicago-2025\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_2\" data-category=\"click_internal\">plan their perfect Thanksgiving morning in downtown Chicago<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udccd <strong>Location: <\/strong>State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street, Chicago<br \/>\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f <strong>Dates: <\/strong> Thursday, November 27, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.<\/p>\n<p>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-69229 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GoddessandtheGrocer2023-10.05-34.jpeg\" alt=\"Goddess and the Grocer\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"  \/>Source\/Goddess and the Grocer <\/p>\n<p><strong>Skip the grocery store this year and treat your Thanksgiving guests to artisan pies from some of Chicago\u2019s most beloved bakeries.<\/strong> From roasted pumpkin and chocolate pecan at Bang Bang Pie &amp; Biscuits to Turkish Coffee Chocolate Cream Pie at Caf\u00e9 Yaya, this guide highlights local spots offering standout seasonal flavors and extra treats like biscuits, rolls, and savory pot pies.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udccd <strong>Location: <\/strong>Various bakeries across Chicago, including Logan Square, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, the West Loop, and more<\/p>\n<p>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-37053 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/chicago-artisan-market-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"black flag for chicago artisan market hanging up outside\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\"  \/>Photo: Chicago Artisan Market <\/p>\n<p><strong>Celebrate Small Business Saturday in Ravenswood with a free neighborhood trolley that makes it easy to shop local, eat, and explore without worrying about parking.<\/strong> The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is hosting a festive route that links unique boutiques, breweries, artisan studios, pet shops, markets, and a beloved candy store!<\/p>\n<p>Three trolleys will run a continuous loop, and early birds who<strong> stop by the welcome station at Hazel Gift Store can snag \u201cShop Small\u201d tote bags filled with perks<\/strong> and local offers. Use this <a href=\"https:\/\/secretchicago.com\/small-business-saturday-ravenswood-chicago-2025\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" target=\"_self\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/secretchicago.com\/small-business-saturday-ravenswood-chicago-2025\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_5\" data-category=\"click_internal\">Ravenswood Small Business Saturday trolley guide<\/a> to plan a full day of browsing gifts, grabbing a drink, and discovering neighborhood gems.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udccd <strong>Location: <\/strong>Ravenswood, Chicago, with trolley stops at Hazel Gift Store, Dovetail Brewery, Chicago Glass Collective, Chicago Artisan Market, Urban Pooch, Is\/Was Brewing, Salsa\u2019s Family Market, and Amy\u2019s Candy Bar<br \/>\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f <strong>Dates: <\/strong> Saturday, November 29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-15718 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Christkindlemarkt-1-1024x553.jpg\" alt=\"the Christkindlmarket annual Christmas market in Daley Plaza in Chicago\" width=\"1024\" height=\"553\"  \/>Source\/Christkindlmarket <\/p>\n<p><strong>Get into the gifting spirit at Chicago\u2019s most iconic holiday markets, from German-inspired Christmas villages to sprawling indoor artisan fairs.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>With twinkling lights, European eats, hot drinks, and unique vendors, these <a href=\"https:\/\/secretchicago.com\/holiday-markets-in-chicago-to-visit-2025\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" target=\"_self\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/secretchicago.com\/holiday-markets-in-chicago-to-visit-2025\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_7\" data-category=\"click_internal\">Chicago holiday markets are perfect for finding one-of-a-kind gifts<\/a> <strong>while soaking up cozy winter vibes.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udccd <strong>Location: <\/strong>Multiple venues across Chicago, including Daley Plaza and Gallagher Way<\/p>\n<p> Go ice skating <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-53099 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MaggieDaleyIceRibbon2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Ice skaters enjoy the Ice Ribbon in Maggie Daley Park\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\"  \/>Photo\/Chicago Park District <\/p>\n<p>The ice skating rinks are officially back! Maggie Daley Park\u2019s <strong>quarter-mile skating ribbon<\/strong> is one of the City of Chicago\u2019s most famous<strong> ice rinks,<\/strong> offering the chance to glide and glimmer on a 40-foot climbing wall in the heart of Chicago. The rink curves up and down around pine trees, with <strong>the city\u2019s stunning skyline<\/strong> providing a stunning backdrop.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udccd <strong>Location:<\/strong> Maggie Daley Park<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Source\/Shutterstock Save We can\u2019t believe Thanksgiving is already tomorrow, which means it\u2019s officially the weekend! One of our&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":406683,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5124],"tags":[960,5386,1818],"class_list":{"0":"post-406682","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-chicago","8":"tag-chicago","9":"tag-il","10":"tag-illinois"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115617716047728750","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/406682","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=406682"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/406682\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/406683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=406682"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=406682"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=406682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}