#1 Parade & Holiday Event
It's the oldest, largest African-American parade in the country and the second-largest annual parade in the nation, typically drawing 1.8 million spectators and 350 floats. The event is also broadcast on national TV and is viewed by 26 million people. The picnic draws around 150,000 guests. Next: August 9, 2014
#2 Parade & Holiday Event
The nation’s largest evening holiday celebration centers on a grand tree-lighting parade down Michigan Avenue, with Minnie and Mickey Mouse as the grand marshals. The festive affair lures one million locals and tourists and ends with a fireworks display over the Chicago River. Next: November 2014
#3 Parade & Holiday Event
The upbeat event drew a record crowd of one million this year, which marked quite a leap from the 850,000 attendees in 2012. Next: June 2014
#4 Parade & Holiday Event
Presented by the Chicago Festival Association, the holiday event celebrates its 80th anniversary this month. The event will include a dozen character balloons, national marching bands, floats, and celebrity guests; some 1,000 volunteers helped coordinate the massive, nationally broadcast affair. Next: November 28, 2013
#5 Parade & Holiday Event
Set on Daley Plaza, the German-style village has wooden huts, roasted nuts, and a massive Christmas tree. The event got an oversize Advents calendar in 2011 and a new “Kindern Korner” in 2012. This year’s event will have the first Christkind—a fairylike character who doles out gifts to children. Next: November 26-December 24, 2013
#6 Parade & Holiday Event
Using 45 pounds of vegetable dye, organizers famously dye the Chicago River green for the annual celebration of Irish culture. The procession takes place every year on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day, and around 400,000 spectators make it out. Next: March 15, 2014
#7 Parade & Holiday Event
With mariachi bands, flamenco dancers, and dancing, the parade is one of Chicago’s most colorful events. It’s also one of the country’s largest celebrations of Hispanic culture, drawing 500,000 spectators. Next: September 2014
#8 Parade & Holiday Event
This year, the downtown parade joined forces with Humboldt Park’s neighborhood parade, known as “the Puerto Rican People’s Parade.” The combined, larger celebration in Humboldt Park had music, carnival rides, and plenty of plantains—it also brought about 15,000 new guests to the northwest-side neighborhood. Next: June 14, 2014
#9 Parade & Holiday Event
A tradition since 1870, the event is one of the nation’s largest Memorial Day parades. This year, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and United States Defense Secretary Leon Panetta served as the grand marshal. Next: May 26, 2014
#10 Parade & Holiday Event
Produced by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, the event includes a special mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii and a wreath-laying ceremony in Arrigo Park. The parade—which travels down Columbus Drive—sees about 150 floats, bands, and marching units. Next: October 13, 2014
#11 Parade & Holiday Event
One of Chicago’s biggest charitable traditions, the warm-hearted parade sees thousands of motorcyclists collecting donations for underprivileged children. Many of the cyclists wear Santa suits and deck their motorcycles with ornaments. Next: December 1, 2013
#12 Parade & Holiday Event
Held the night before New Year’s Eve, the massive bash at Union Station draws around 2,000 young professionals. Sponsors have included Ariel Investments and Edelman, and proceeds benefit Hindsight. Next: December 30, 2013
#13 Parade & Holiday Event
More than 1,200 guests gathered at the Hilton Chicago last year for the sugary fete, which offered lavish treats from 30 confectioners and pastry chefs. This year’s event takes place at Union Station for the first time. Next: December 6, 2013
