This first month of the year is full of activities that will motivate you to get out of the house—even in freezing temperatures. Start your year off with the January Guide to 2019 and see the best in fashion, food, arts, culture, community and cultural events in Chicago.
Fashion:
Handmade Market Chicago
Saturday | January 12th | 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Empty Bottle | 1035 N Western Ave.| Free
Handmade Market Chicago is a unique event to connect the makers of beautiful things to people who appreciate the unique and handmade. There are more than 30 awesome and talented artists/vendors in-person. See what is new for 2019 at this monthly event. For more information visit the Facebook page here.
Level Up Mixer
Saturday | January 26th | 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
EvolveHer | 1366 West Lake St.| $35
For you go-getting, ambitious ladies out there who could use a pick me up. ReFind You wants to pour into you and fuel you up for the new year. The event will feature looks from Rent the Runway, professional makeup artists, and a professional photoshoot along with
StyleChicago.com’s Resolutions 2019
Friday | January 18th | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
W- Chicago City Center| 172 West Adams St.| Free
Join StyleChicago.com‘s 12th annual Resolutions 2019, an evening of cocktails, wine, hors-d’oeuvres, VIP Goodie Bags, mini-spa and beauty services, and lifestyle experts on-hand to help you improve at least one aspect of your life in 2019. For more information on this event, visit the website here.
Hyde Park Handmade Bazaar
Sunday | January 20th | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Promontory | 5311 S Lake Park Ave. | Free
Visit The Promontory this January for their monthly artisan neighborhood market. The Hyde Park Handmade market features food makers, artists, designers, and more. Admission is free for all attendees. For more information on this months bazaar, visit the event page.
Food + Drink:
Chicago Restaurant Week
Sunday – Saturday | January 25th – February 7th | Time Varies
Location Varies | $35 – $55
Chicago Restuarant Week is back and bigger than ever before. Nearly 400 local restaurants participating which includes over 100 first-time participants and 45 suburban restaurants. The 12th annual culinary celebration features special prix fixe menus starting at $24 for brunch and lunch, and $36 and/or $48 for dinner. It’s the perfect excuse to visit an old favorite or try somewhere new. Get a sneak peek at participating restaurants and their menus available here.
Mac & Cheese Crawl: Chicago’s Cheesiest Bar Crawl
Saturday | January 26th | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
River North | 149 West Kinzie St.| $15 – $30
It’s the cheesiest bar crawl ever — and that’s a “good” thing! Tickets to the event include seven servings of mac and cheese, access to drink specials at each location, fun giveaways and more. Bring your appetite and be ready to party—in the cheesiest way possible. Save on admission to the event by using my link here.
Dia De La Concha
Saturday | January 26th | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Zhou B Art Center | 1029 W 35th St. | $1 – $10
The second annual Dia De La Concha is a celebration of the love for everyone’s favorite pan dulce: the Concha. Chicago’s best Mexican bakeries will be serving up one of Mexico’s most quintessential pastries. The afternoon will consist of live music, local vendors, specialty Mexican drinks, and of course, a variety of delicious Pan Dulce. For the lineup, participating bakeries, vendor opportunities, tickets, and more, visit the website.
tbd food. event four: pop-up dinner 15-course
Friday – Saturday | January 11th – 12th | 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
TBD | $250
tbd food is an interactive
Community:
Mayoral Candidate Forum on Education
Thursday | January 31st | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
UIC Forum | 725 W Roosevelt Rd. | Free
The Illinois Education for Equality organization along with several other community partners will host a 2019 mayoral candidate forum on education this month in Chicago. Join neighbors and community
Snowball 2019
Saturday | January 26th | 8:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Field Museum | 1400 S Lake Shore Dr. | $190 – $2,750
The Snowball is Chicago’s premier black-tie event, hosted by Junior Council, an affiliated organization of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Put on your most chic gala wear and enjoy an open bar and access to tastings from more than 20 of Chicago’s best restaurants, plus live music and entertainment. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit the website here.
National Day of Racial Healing Storytelling EventI
Tuesday | January 22nd | 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
National Museum of Mexican Art | 1852 W 19th St.| $10 – $15
Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Greater Chicago will celebrate the National Day of Racial Healing (
Arts + Culture:
Chicago Travel & Adventure Show
Saturday – Sunday | January 12th – 13th | Time Varies
Donald E Stephens Convention Center | 5555 N River Rd. | $0 – $18
Find your next travel destination for 2019, plus get the latest tips and tricks on saving big from well-known industry stars and thousands of experts at Chicago’s largest travel show. With cultural performances and hands-on activities, camel rides and SCUBA lessons, attending the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center feels like its own little getaway. For tickets to the event, visit the website here.
The Beach Chicago
Sunday – Saturday | January 19th – February 3rd |Time Varies
Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier | 600 E Grand Ave. | Free
Navy Pier and Expo Chicago bring based designers, Snarkitecture, immersive art installation, The Beach Chicago this January. The setup consists of a large, open room filled with more than a million antimicrobial and recyclable plastic balls, along with deck chairs, lifeguard chairs, umbrellas and signage that mimic the sensation of a day at the beach. Escape the bitter cold Chicago weather this winter with a day at The Beach Chicago this winter. For tickets, visit the website here.
Afro Karaoke Chicago at The Promontory
Friday | January 25th | 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
The Promontory | 5311 South Lake Park Ave.| $0 – $10
Afro Karaoke is coming back to Chicago for the new year. Afro Karaoke is a social experience filled with cultural vibes. Bring your
Creative Minds Talks: Chance the Rapper + Renée Fleming
Saturday | January 12th | 6:00 p.m.
Civic Opera House | 20 N Wacker Dr. | $55
Chance The Rapper | Carol Fox and Associates Public Relations 
Renee Fleming Photo by Andrew Eccles | Carol Fox and Associates Public Relations
The latest edition Creative Minds Talks held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, brings together local hip-hop artist, philanthropist, and native Chicagoan Chance the Rapper along with opera singer Renée Fleming for an evening of conversation. Both artists have many shared passions which will prove to make the conversation that much more enticing. Make sure you are in the building for “The Art of Storytelling.” For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website here.
