It’s time to finally say goodbye to 2022, and welcome in 2023.
And so, another year has drawn to a close and we start off the year anew with more normalcy than we’ve had for quite some time. Despite the arrival of the Midwest’s merciless winter Chicago is alive and kicking and there’s so much going on.
From immersive exhibitions and captivating concerts to new bars and spectacular speakeasy experiences, here’s a roundup of some amazing things to do this January in Chicago whether you’re a long-time local or an enthusiastic tourist.
365 days, 365 new chances!
1. Experience “alpine in the city” at Maggie Daley Park
There’s no better way to glide into 2023 than with some winter skating. Though Chicagoland has a wide range of ice rinks offering wonderful skating experiences during the winter months, there are none quite like the Maggie Daley Park ice rink.
One of Chicago’s best winter-time activities, the Maggie Daley ice rinks offers an “alpine in the city” experience skating down a quarter-mile rink in the heart of Chicago. The winding ribbon of ice curves up and down around a 40-foot climbing wall with the city’s stunning skyline in the backdrop.
More information can be found here..
2. Check out the best of Chicago’s vegan-friendly restaurants
Of course, the beginning of the new year marks pastures new for many. New year’s resolutions and lifestyle changes see people approach the first month of the year differently from others. While some harbor intentions of changing their ways for the entire year there are many who go into it looking to complete ‘Dry January’ or ‘Veganuary’.
If the latter applies to you we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best vegan restaurants in Chicago for brunches, snacking, and dining out, so you can cut to the chase and enjoy the very best vegan options in Chicago this January.
You can find the full list of Secret Chicago’s best vegan-friendly spots here.
3. Send your senses soaring with a Dining in the Dark experience
This January and February, engage your taste buds at a romantic night out as you indulge in a delicious three-course meal at the exclusive ‘Dining in The Dark’ dinner party coming to Chicago.
Take your date night to the next level, tempting your senses with dark surroundings to focus on more important things like the delicious three-course meal and wine pairing you’re about to have at Hubbard Inn.
Diners can choose vegan, seafood, or red meat options, enjoying a starter, main entree, and dessert.
Grab tickets to a Dining in the Dark experience here.
4. Check out Chicago’s Harry Potter experience
The massive Harry Potter™: Magic at Play experience is finally here in Chicago. Taking over three floors at the Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue, where guests of all ages can interact, explore, play, and climb their way through the most iconic moments at Hogwarts™.
Don’t miss this magical adventure for wizards, witches, and even muggles (gasp!)—Accio tickets!
5. Immerse yourself in The Art of the Future at Holographic Art Gallery
Another incredible January activity can be found at Navy Pier. Verse: The Art of the Future fuses art and technology allowing guests to step right into the metaverse in a digital art exhibition featuring augmented reality holograms and artwork by top-selling artists from the burgeoning world of NFTs.
With the help of an AR headset, smartphone, or tablet, each guest will experience their own reality in the same activation area (like a silent disco for holograms!). Verse provides an introduction to the people, technology, and stories that are shaping this disruptive evolution of the art world.
Get your tickets for Verse: The Art of the Future in Chicago here!
6. Revel in the mayhem of The Roar: A Prohibition Era Speakeasy
If the turn of the year has you recalling your bygone days, go back in time even further to Chicago’s Prohibition Era at The Roar on Rush!
A lively Speakeasy that lights the way to a hidden 4-room cocktail experience where you will meet vibrant figures from the elaborate web of a Roaring Twenties bootlegging operation. Each room tells a story and is paired with a cocktail tasting from Prohibition times!
Afterwards, take a seat in the Speakeasy for more cocktails, food, and live music with special performances. Break out your best flapper dresses and linen jackets, this cocktail party at The Roar is not to be missed!
7-10. Be captivated by a Christmas Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s sublime Candlelight Concert series is bringing another year of breathtaking spectacles to the Windy City. Talented musicians will be performing at extraordinary venues all over the city offering guests the chance to marvel at the enchanting combination of flickering candles and melodic sounds.
Here are some of our favorite Candlelight concerts taking place this month:
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyoncé at Stan Mansion on January 21
- Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer at Music Box Theatre on January 25
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen and More at Theater on the Lake on January 26
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen and More at Oak Park Arts Center on January 28
See the full list of candlelight concerts taking place in Chicago here.
11. Enjoy an intimate live jazz show at Le Piano
When it comes to live music, few places offer a better jazz experience than Chicago. There are so many wonderful places to see live jazz in its rawest form here in the Windy City.
Alongside esteemed venues like South Loop’s The Jazz Showcase, and Uptown’s Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Le Piano has emerged as a phenomenal new jazz hideout.
In the middle of Le Piano sits a magnificent grand piano where some of Chicago’s most talented pianists and jazz performers come to play. Here you will find a mind-blowing musical experience merging dinner and intimate performances. Immersive Live Jazz & Dinner for Two and Immersive Live Jazz & Cocktails both ensure memorable nights of fine dining and drinking cocktails in a truly vivacious venue.
Grab tickets for an unforgettable live jazz experience here.
12. Enjoy dazzling lights at Chicago’s Premiere ‘BYOB Party Bus Holiday Lights Tour’
Hop aboard a party bus for a can’t miss night of lights! Zip around town on a tour of Chicago’s best and brightest holiday lights, markets and so much more! This adventurous tour bus brings the holidays to you with a festive night of games, drink deals and dazzling holiday cheer!
13. Marvel at a Burlesque Show at ‘Tis The Season The New Year’s Grand Masquerade’
Celebrate 2023 with a grandiose three-course meal and an unforgettable live performance at a luxe West Loop restaurant! Filled to the brim with excitement, including world-class drag, burlesque, and magic performances from The Witch of Chicago– you can also grab a tarot reading from house resident Rita Tarot for a magic filled night that’s sure to start the new year off with a bang!
14. Ring in the year of the rabbit at Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Parade
On January 29th, Celebrate the ‘Year of the Rabbit’ by joining in on festivities in Chinatown. The neighborhood is set to celebrate the official Lunar New Year with a massive parade featuring vibrant floats, decorations and plenty of revelry. The celebration takes place after the Chinese New Year on January 22nd. Grab a good spot in the crowd and see lively marching band performances, decked out parade floats and the traditional lion dancers group performance. Beginning at 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue and traveling north to Cermak Road, head over around 1 pm as the parade is set to start then!
15. Stay sober at Chicago’s first ‘NA’ festival
For those celebrating Dry January head to Chicago’s first non alcoholic festival in the West Loop! Featuring over 20 kinds of alcohol-free spirits, beer and wine, NA Day is the first-ever non-alcoholic centric tasting event in the city, put forth by Chicago AF, a local nonprofit showcasing alcohol free events. The event will be held at Loft on Lake, (1366 W Lake St. Chicago, 60607) on January 14, 2023.
16. Embrace the winter chill on a sledding adventure
January heralds the return of snow that sticks– and what better way to celebrate than to speed down a steep hill with friends? Luckily, there are several sledding hills in the Chicago area– from local parks to farther out areas, the free activity embraces the winter chill and brings about a sense of adventure! Try out Caldwell Woods (W Devon Ave & N Nagle Ave, Chicago, IL 60646) or head over to Lincoln Park’s Cricket Hill (4500 Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60640) for a day of showstopping adventure, and when the snow melts, head on over to any of Chicago’s top bucketlist experiences!
17. Indulge at Wrigleyville’s Mac &Cheese Crawl
A universally beloved food item– mac n cheese– now has an annual bar-style crawl in Wrigleyville! From 11 a.m to 7 p.m. enjoy six servings of cheesy pasta goodness, and grab a drink or two at this fabulous can’t miss event made for lactose lovers everywhere! Tickets also include giveaways, vouchers and much more! Get your mac n cheese on this January 28, 2023 in Wrigleyville! Learn more here!
18. Drink in a personal snow globe
As winter gripped hold of Chicago and the global pandemic forced restrictions on indoor dining over the last couple of years some of the places we turned to were Chicago’s renowned rooftop bars and rooftop restaurants. Thriving utopias in the summer months, we saw rooftops reinvent themselves during the winter months with igloos, fire pits, and more offering memorable moments up among the Chicago skyline.
Boasting Chicago’s largest indoor-outdoor rooftop with a retractable roof, the Godfrey Hotel in River North was one of these and its annual whimsical winter wonderland provided respite during the doom and gloom of winter.
Signature heated igloos cover the rooftop’s portico and offer the perfect place to shelter from the winter elements in style cozying up with a cocktail, s’mores, and sweeping skyline views.
More information can be found here.
19. Enjoy curling and cocktails at Gwen Hotel
Another unique January experience can be had up on The Gwen Hotel’s luxury rooftop. While you won’t find lavish igloos here you’ll instead be able to enjoy the hotel’s annual Curling & Cocktails experiences. The hotel kits out its rooftop with not igloos, not ice skating, but an outdoor curling rink high in the sky.
Curling sessions come with small bites and a complimentary round of cocktails meaning you can sip away on your favorite tipple while battling your buddies on the state-of-the-art curling rink.
20. Check out Chicago’s extravagant new mini golf cocktail bar
If those kinds of competitive leisurely activities are up your alley, you might want to check out Chicago’s brand new mini golf concept bar, Puttery, which fuses high-tech gameplay with craft cocktails and curated cuisine!
The exciting new mini-golf and cocktail experience transports guests to wholly unexpected locations while motivating competitive socializing.
According to an official release, the new 23,000-square-foot venue in the heart of Fulton Market District features “uniquely themed putting courses, stunning bars and swanky lounge spaces within a lively atmosphere to provide an unmatched immersive experience.”
21. Head down to the Grand Cabaret After Dark speakeasy
If you really want a buzz we suggest you head down to Porkchop’s speakeasy “Grand Cabaret After Dark” this month for a roster of rip-roaring revelry.
There is always something happening at the West Loop speakeasy throughout the weekend. On Saturdays, you’ll find dynamic burlesque performances courtesy of BimBamBoom for Peep Show Burlesque lasting from 8 until late offering action-packed adult fun and then Boozy BBQ Drag Brunches on Sundays are there to help you soothe the Sunday scaries.
Check out all the chaos going on at Porkchop’s Grand Cabaret After Dark here!
22. Chuckle away at Chicago comedy show
We could all do with a chuckle after the tumultuous last few years and luckily there’s no place better for that than at a Chicago comedy show.
At Laugh Factory Chicago some of today’s biggest names and local comedians are delivering something for every taste and style throughout the year.
Grab tickets to a show at Laugh Factory Chicago here.
23. Buckel up for a Drunk Shakespeare show
Another brilliant Chicago experience comes in the form of a live Drunk Shakespeare show.
Taking place on a stage in a hidden speakeasy located behind the Chicago Theater, guests will find a glam cocktail bar and library with over 10,000 books. Five classically-trained actors meet as members of “The Drunk Shakespeare Society”. One of them has had at least 5 shots of whiskey and then they (quite over-confidently) attempt to perform a major role in a Shakespearean play!
Hilarity and mayhem ensue while the four sober actors try and keep the script on track. Every show is different depending on who is drinking… and what they’re drinking!
Grab tickets to a Drunk Shakespeare show here.
24. Kick back in an AMC movie theatre
Talking of the theatre, with the new year comes a great many new movies to look forward to. With titles like Avatar 2, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Babylon, and The Whale, there are loads of critically-acclaimed movies showing this month and there’s no place better to experience them than at AMC Theatres®.
Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a special date night, all the best comedies, action flicks, and everything in between can be enjoyed at a discount in Chicago, and nationally, with an AMC black ticket
Grab discounted tickets to a movie showing here.
25. Drink cocktails at the new 360 CHICAGO bar up in the clouds
A new bar opened in Chicago in the second half of last year at the former John Hancock Center. Sitting 1,000 feet above Chicago up on the 94th floor European design meets Chicago’s neighborhoods at 360 CHICAGO’s CloudBar.
The 18-seat lounge bar celebrates the 77 boroughs with a locally inspired menu, and illustrations from renowned Chicago street artist— Lauren Asta. Sip on an Orange Line or opt for the Gold Coast Manhattan and take in the breathtaking views at the $2 million lounge this month.
26-27. Explore Chicago’s museums for free midweek
Chicago has one of the best collections of museums and attractions on the planet. Visiting all of them can get a little costly, especially if you’re taking the family. So it’s understandable why free admission days generate quite a lot of hype!
As the new year starts many of our marvelous museums and attractions begin bringing back frequent free admission days and the most recent to do so is none other than the beloved Field Museum.
Starting Tuesday, January 10th, Illinois residents will be able to enter Chicago’s popular natural history museum completely free of charge on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays through to February.
More information about Field Museum’s free days can be found here.
28. Gaze at the stars at the Adler Planetarium for free on a Wednesday
Another place you’ll find a fantastic free experience is at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. The planetarium reopened in 2022 after a two-year hiatus and now boasts a brand new telescope in the Doane Observatory holding the title of the largest public telescope in the Midwest.
As well as a new observation park, guests will notice the planetarium’s shiny new dome roof which has been restored with brand-new copper tiles giving the 80-year-old dome an iconic new glow.
The best news, however, is that Illinois residents can enter for free every Wednesday evening from 4-10 pm provided they bring proof of residency.
More information and tickets can be found at adlerplanetarium.org.
29. Peruse the magnificent street art murals of Chicago
With more formality and respect from the local community the street art and graffiti scene in Chicago has thrived in Chicago over the last decade with new pieces popping up all over the city every week. Some of these are so esteemed that they’ve embedded themselves in the very fabric of Chicago and are now part and parcel of the Windy City’s identity.
Today murals do more than just provide an extraordinary spectacle for our eyes. They pay homage to icons, fight for racial equality, celebrate different heritages, and honor the essential workers of our societies during turbulent times.
Hunting down the must-see street art murals in Chicago is a rewarding experience any time of the year whether surrounded by snow or flattered by fall foliage.
We’ve rounded up our top 25 most amazing murals in Chicago so you can navigate your way around the best of the best and learn about its history and the inspiration behind some of Chicago’s famous murals. Alternatively, you can jump on an Offbeat Street Art Tour of Chicago and be guided by a seasoned street art enthusiast!
30-31. Savor sensational food samples on a food tour
For foodies who prefer to sample tasty delicacies over perusing extraordinary street art, there is a range of fantastic food tours for all manner of foodies.
Taste all of Chicago’s classic eats on a four-hour guided bicycle tour courtesy of America’s longest-running city bicycle tour company with Bikes, Bites, and Brews: Chicago’s Signature Dishes Bike Tour. The journey is 14 miles in total (traversed at a nice leisurely pace) and includes a slice of deep-dish pizza, a gourmet brownie, a Chicago-style hot dog, and a few samples of Chicago’s legendary craft beer!
Despite having a kaleidoscopic food scene offering all manner of savory and sweet treats, nothing in Chicago has truly celebrated donuts in all their glory, until now. The Underground Donut Tour is Chicago’s first-ever donut tour and was born to give those who truly enjoy donuts the perfect excuse to sample the Windy City’s very best. Tours include such favorites as Do-Rite Donuts, Firecakes, Stans, and Doughnut Vault as well as some lesser-known spots.
Grab tickets to the Bikes, Bites, and Brews tour here or a donut tour here.
32. Head out of the city and see Illinois’ natural spectacles
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Though our state may not boast wonders with the universal magnitude of the Grand Canyon nor the grandiose reputation of Niagra Falls, Illinois is teeming with diverse ecological landscapes that transform into incredible winter wonderlands this time of the year. From monolithic marvels covered in snow to cascading waterfalls frozen in time, here are 7 natural wonders of Illinois that you can visit while they’re a different beast in winter:
- Garden Of The Gods: Saline County
- Wildcat Canyon In Starved Rock State Park: La Salle County
- Cache River State Natural Area: Johnson County
- Cave-In-Rock: Hardin County
- The Pomona Natural Bridge: Jackson County
- Cascade Falls In Matthiessen State Park: La Salle County
- Bork Falls In Ferne Clyffe State Park: Johnson County
More information can be found here.
33. Stay in a Starved Rock Getaway cabin
For an even more prolonged experience in nature. Getaway House is a chain of tiny cabin hideaways helping people in big, bustling cities like Chicago, DC, LA and NYC, disconnect from their busy city lives with restorative stays in the middle of nature.
One of the aforementioned spots, Starved Rock State Park, has just opened a selection of minimalistic cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing guests to wake up fully immersed in the wilderness. Located in lush landscapes and with minimalistic yet comfortable designs, they offer the perfect escape for those wanting to disconnect from busy city lives with restorative stays in the middle of nature.
More information can be found here.
34. Try an indoor skydiving experience
If you’re the outdoorsy type who likes a thrill you might be the type who would be interested in testing your skydiving skills in one of Chicago’s state-of-the-art indoor skydiving centers. With an iFly Indoor Skydiving Center in Lincoln Park and another iFly Indoor Skydiving Center in Rosemont, there are two conveniently located cutting-edge centers to choose from.
Kids and adults can both experience the same sensation you’d get 12,000 feet up in the sky and if you feel you have what it takes, you can test your vertigo above Chicago’s iconic skyline at Skydive Chicago, one of the world’s largest skydiving resorts.
Grab tickets to an indoor skydiving experience here.
35. Warm-up and revitalize at Chicago’s most unique spas
With the turn of the year following the chaos of Christmas, there’s never been a better time to relax and reset. Add to that Chicago’s unforgiving frostiness and you’ve got to take your well-being into consideration during these hostile months. Especially if you’re spending time outdoors exploring nature or doing extreme sports. Luckily Chicago is full of answers to combat both the Christmas chaos and the numbing chill that settles into your bones.
There is simply no better place in Chicago for some rest and relaxation than AIRE’s Ancient Baths located inside a restored historic River West factory. Inspired by the traditional Roman, Greek, and Ottoman ancient experience of bathing, this preserved structure has been restored to its original splendor and you can now find optimum relaxation within the exposed brick, wooden beams, and industrial columns of the building.
There are, however, an array of idyllic spas and bathhouses in Chicago all offering medicine for mind, body, and soul.
Check out the full list of Chicago spas here.
[Featured Image from Shutterstock]