FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Chicago

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Chicago each year.
The main ones are listed below.

A federal holiday in the United States, celebrating the life and achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr. In recent years, it has increasingly been seen as a day of service, when Americans are encouraged to volunteer to help others less fortunate than themselves. Many events inspired by Dr. King's legacy are held each year in Chicago: musical concerts, other performances, exhibitions, debates.

Festivities are held each year to ring in the Chinese New Year in Chicago's Chinatown, one of the largest such neighbourhoods in the world, including a big parade along Wentworth Ave., from Cermak Rd. to 24th St.), and includes marching bands, floats, dragon and lion dance performers, and a 100-foot paper dragon. There are also martial arts demonstrations.

The oldest outdoor music festival in the United States and a premier cultural destination for Chicagoans, Ravinia welcomes world-class musicians each summer to several venues in the northern Chicago suburb of Highland Park. Enjoying often elaborate picnic dinners under the stars, concertgoers can choose from a vast array of classical, pop, folk, jazz, dance and family-oriented programmes.

A federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by which the 13 American colonies officially severed their political ties with Great Britain. Celebrated with parades, barbecues, picnics and fireworks.

Without a doubt, one of the world's leading jazz festivals. Over this three-day period, more than fifty concerts are presented in Grant Park. Admission is free!

Commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World (October 12, 1492). Many cultural events are organized to mark this anniversary each year, including performances, exhibitions and parades.

Halloween is celebrated each year by Americans of all ages. In the late afternoon and early evening hours, children don costumes and go door-to-door in their neighbourhoods to ask for treats, typically candy. Adults often attend costume parties in the evening.

Originally a Christian religious observance, for many years Thanksgiving has been a secular holiday in the United States, celebrated by Americans of all faiths. Families come together to prepare and enjoy a large feast at home. The meal typically includes roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce as well as various side dishes and ends with an assortment of pies (pumpkin, pecan, apple).

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Chicago

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	-7/19	0/32	52/2.0	Not the best period to go
February	-5/23	2/36	49/1.9	Not the best period to go
March	0/32	9/48	69/2.7	Not the best period to go
April	5/41	16/61	92/3.6	Not the best period to go
May	11/52	22/72	104/4.1	Good period to go
June	16/61	27/81	103/4.1	Good period to go
July	19/66	29/84	101/4.0	Good period to go
August	19/66	28/82	101/4.0	Good period to go
September	14/57	24/75	84/3.3	Good period to go
October	7/45	17/63	82/3.2	Not the best period to go
November	1/34	9/48	87/3.4	Not the best period to go
December	-5/23	2/36	65/2.6	Not the best period to go

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

O'Hare International Airport is located about 29 kilometres (18 miles) north-west of Chicago's central business district, known as the Loop.

• Four terminals:
  • Terminal 1
  • Terminal 2
  • Terminal 3
  • Terminal 5 (Air France)

• By car
  • Accessible via I-90 and I-190.
  • There are short-term parking facilities at Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5 (USD 2 for 1 hour or less, USD 60 for 24 hours) and long-term parking lots with a free shuttle service to the terminals (between USD 10 and USD 17 per day).
  • Several car rental companies have counters at the service centre on the airport property and all of them operate free, 24-hour shuttle buses picking up customers outside the baggage claim areas at each terminal.
• By shuttle bus
  Go Airport Express buses connect the airport to various city and suburban locations. Fares start at USD 16 each way (50 minutes to the Loop, with departures every 10 to 15 minutes).
• By rail
  The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the city's famous "L" trains, with the Blue Line running directly from the airport to the Loop. The O'Hare station is located on the lower level of the parking garage and trains run 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The fare is USD 5 each way.
• By Taxi
  There are taxi stands outside baggage claim at each terminal. The trip to the Loop will take about 40 minutes and the average fare is about USD 40.
• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport
• Telephone:+1 800 832 6352
• Website:www.flychicago.com/ohare/

GETTING AROUND Chicago

For years, Chicago has shown that the dark periods having tarnished its international reputation are truly a thing of the past! Today, Chicago is a very enjoyable place to visit and one that is particularly well served by its public transport system. Known as a city of distinctive neighbourhoods, Chicago is perhaps best seen on foot or by bicycle.

By metro

With 59 kilometres (37 miles) of its network above ground and just 19 kilometres (12 miles) running through tunnels, the “L” system of (mostly) elevated trains operated by the CTA is without question one of the most practical and pleasant ways to discover the city. The system has eight rapid transit routes, serving 146 stations throughout the city.

Fare options:

• CTA 1-Day Pass (USD 10)
• CTA 3-Day Pass (USD 20)
• CTA 7-Day Pass (USD 28)

By bus

The CTA also operates more than 200 bus lines, with many of them running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The fare for a single ride is USD 2.25.

By taxi

Taxis are plentiful in Chicago. The initial charge is USD 3.25, to which you add USD 2.25 per extra mile. It is customary to tip cab drivers about 15 to 20% of the total fare. Credit cards are accepted.

By car

A driving licence from your country of residence delivered more than one year before visiting may be sufficient to drive around Chicago n international driving license delivered at least one year before visiting may be sufficient to drive around Chicago for stays under three months. Beyond that limit, you will have to take a driving test in the state you reside in. For countries whose language does not use the Latin alphabet, an international driving licence may also be required.

Driving a car yourself in Chicago is not a simple matter. Traffic can be quite congested at times throughout the day. Furthermore, it is difficult to park in the city centre and fares are high (about USD 40 for 24 hours). It is recommended to favour public transportation.

By bicycle

Bicycles are an ideal solution for exploring Chicago. The city has many bike paths as well as Divvy, a bicycle-sharing network with over 4,000 bikes made available at nearly 500 stations around the city. A 24-hour pass costs USD 15.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Chicago, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.

These two centres, operated by Choose Chicago, the city's official destination marketing organization, offer practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

Chicago Cultural Center

• Address: 77, East Randolph Street - The Loop
• Telephone: +1 312 744 6630
• Website: www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_culturalcenter.html

Macy's on State Street

• Address: 111 N. State Street, Lower Level
• Telephone: +1 312 781 1000
• Website: www.visitmacysusa.com

The website maintained by Choose Chicago (http://www.choosechicago.com), also provides a wealth of information for visitors to Chicago.

Visit the USA, a public-private marketing entity, works closely with the travel industry to promote tourism in communities around the country. Its website offers excellent information on all US travel destinations, including Chicago: https://www.visittheusa.co.uk/destination/chicago

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Chicago counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to the United States.

For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38, quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr/
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

There are no food safety risks in Chicago.

Tap water is safe to drink in Chicago.

Administrative formalities

Entry requirements for the United States

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens or nationals of various countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, whether for tourism or business.

For further information, see the Visitor Visa page on the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State:

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html

Useful addresses

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Chicago, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Good to know

+1

+ phone number (without 0)

-1 : 00
of time difference with
New York

Start of daylight saving time: second Sunday in March
End of daylight saving time: first Sunday in November

Banks

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon

Government offices

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

110 V / 60 Hz

Tipping
In Chicago as in the rest of the United States, a service charge is not included in the bill and tips form a major portion of income for waiting staff. Prices on restaurant menus are indicated before taxes and tips. You are therefore expected to leave a tip (generally between 15 and 20% of the bill). Tipping less than 15% (or leaving no tip at all) means that you are very dissatisfied with the service