It would take a lifetime to explore everything in the greater Chicagoland area! Chicago is home to top-ranked sports teams, world class museums, great music, fantastic food, shopping, hiking, boating, and much, much more!
The City of Chicago offers entertainment all year long, including free festivals and city-wide holiday celebrations. Use Chicago’s outstanding public transportation system whenever possible or simply call 312-836-7000 for transit information.
The Chicago Reader is the City’s best, most comprehensive resource for things to do all over the area. Enjoy it either in print or online.  Chicago Celtic Festival
Location: Grant Park
Date/Time:September 15th & 16th, 2007
Cost: FREE
The 11th annual salute to Celtic music, dance and traditions features live entertainment, beer, food, arts and crafts vendors and more.
Chicago Gospel Music FestivalLocation: Chicago's Millennium Park (Randolph & Michigan) Date/Time: June 1-June 3, 2007; June 1: 4:00-9:30 p.m.; June 2: 12:00-9:30 p.m; June 3: 12:00-9:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE The largest free outdoor Gospel Music Festival in the world. Take a cushion!
Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest
Location: Sheffield from Belmont to School St.
Date/Time: Jun. 2: noon - 10 p.m; Jun. 3: noon - 9 p.m., 2007
Cost: $5 donation benefits Central Lake View Merchants Association
National, regional and local bands; food, beer, crafts and more.
Phone: 773-868-3010  Chicago Blues Festival
Location: Grant Park, and other locations around the City
Date/Time: June 7-10, 2007
Cost: FREE at Grant Park; other venues may charge
The world-famous four-day Blues Fest, featuring everything from zydeco to lap guitar.
Andersonville Midsommarfest
Location: Andersonville, 5200 N. Clark St., Chicago
Date/Time: June 9th & 10th, 2007
Cost: FREE
A great family festival, Swedish style!
Ribfest Chicago
Location: Along Lincoln Avenue, between Irving Park Road & Warner Avenue
Date/Time: June 9th and 10th, 2007
Cost: FREE
Taste the Flavor of Northcenter, boasting some of the best ribs in the area.
Wells Street Art Festival
Location: Old Town, on Wells Street between North Avenue and Division
Date/Time: June 9th and 10th, 2007
Cost: $7 - $10 donation benefits Old Town Merchants and Residents Association
Phone: 773-868-3010
One of the oldest and most prestigious street festivals in Chicago. Fine art, local artists, food, and music.
Greater Chicago Jewish Festival
Location: 8600 W Oakton, Morton Grove
Date/Time: Sunday, June 15, 2008
Cost: adults $5, kids 12 and under FREE
The largest Jewish cultural event in Chicago, and one of the largest ongoing Jewish festivals in the U.S. Performer Lisa Loeb highlights this year’s entertainment.
Grant Park Music Festival
Location: Grant Park
Date/Time: Spring & Summer, 2007 See calendar
Cost: FREE
Classical concerts, the Joffrey Ballet, symphonies, and even the Tibetan Monks. Take a cushion!
Summer Dance Festival
Location: Grant Park , in the Spirit of Music Garden
Date/Time: June 15 Through August 22nd, 2007
Cost: FREE
An 11-week dance festival offering an hour of professional instruction, followed by 2 hours of supervised practice. Ballroom dancing, country swing, line dancing, cha-cha, big band, Latin and more. Under the stars.
Taste of Randolph Street
Location: 1200 W. Randolph St.
Date/Time: June 15th, 16th and 17th, 2007
Cost: $10 suggested donation benefits the West Loop Community Organization
Phone: 312-458-9401
Features neighborhood eats, local artists, cooking demonstrations, and more.
Lincoln Park Summerfest
Location: Lincoln Park
Date/Time: June 17th and 18th, 2007
Cost: $5 donation
Located next to the Lincoln Park Zoo, just off Lake Michigan. Features live music, upscale art shows, food, drink and a family area for the kids.
St. George Greek Festival
Location: 2701 N. Sheffield
Date/Time: September 28 - 30th, 2007
Cost: Donation requested
Greek food, wine, dancing, and more.  Taste of Chicago
Location: Grant Park
Date/Time: June 29 - July 8, 2007
Cost: FREE admittance, food extra
One of the highlights of Chicago’s Summer Festivals. Lasting 10 days, enjoy food delights from 70 Chicagoland restaurants. Free performances by Macy Gray, India.Arie, Dennis DeYoung and Kenny Wayne Shepherd and many more. Fireworks. Picnics on the lawn. And if you’re worried about calories, join the daily noontime "Crunch and Lunch" where members of the Mayor's Fitness Council lead exercises. Food and beverage tickets are sold in strips of 11 for $7 and may be purchased at participating Dominick's grocery stores. Public transportation recommended. Take cushions and blankets!
African/Caribbean International Festival of Life
Location: Washington Park, 55th Street & South Cottage Grove, Chicago
Date/Time: July 4 - July 8th, 2007
Cost: $10; $5 for kids 7-11
More than 100 international musical acts, ranging from reggae to soul to rock to gospel, plus handicrafts and food. Headliners include Tito Jackson and members of the Jackson Family, LeToya from Destiny’s Child, Reggaeton Specialist, Bless, and more. Take cushions and blankets! Wrigleyville Summerfest
Location: 3309 N Seminary Ave, Chicago
Date/Time: July 7, 2007
Cost: $5 suggested donation benefits Resurrection Lutheran Church
Music, activities for the kids, a dunk tank, and more.
 Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
Location: Grant Park, Butler Field
Times/Dates:
Jul. 17: 8:56 p.m. "Young Frankenstein" (1974)
Jul. 24: 8:50 p.m. "Double Indemnity" (1944)
Jul. 31: 8:42 p.m. "Written on the Wind" (1956)
Aug. 7: 8:34 p.m. "The Awful Truth" (1937)
Aug. 14: 8:24 p.m. "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969)
Aug. 21: 8:13 p.m. "Sweet Smell of Success" (1957)
Aug. 28: 8:01 p.m. "The Sound of Music" (1965)
Cost: FREE
Sunset showings of classic films projected onto a 50-ft wall in Chicago’s Grant Park. Film critics Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper open the festival. Food and non-alcoholic beverages available for sale, or bring your own. Take cushions and a blanket!
Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party Festival
Location: Old St. Patrick's Church, (773) 929-9255
Date/Time: July 20 - 21st, 2007
Cost: $35-$40 (21+). Proceeds Old St. Patrick's Church outreach programs. Tickets (available mid-June): worldslargestblockparty.com
“Party for a good cause.” Proceeds go toward expansion of the campus.
Summer on Southport
Location: 3700-3900 N. Southport (773) 665-4682
Date/Time: July 21st - 22nd, 2007
Cost: Donation requested
Family entertainment, including the 5th Annual Children’s Festival, art festivals for everyone, and bingo and dance lessons for the seniors.
Wicker Park Summerfest
Location: Damen Avenue between North Avenue and Schiller Street
Date/Time: July 28th - 29th, 2007
Cost: $5 donation
Indie music, great food, and eclectic art.
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
Location: 2400 N. Lincoln Ave.
Date/Time: July 28 & 29, 2007
Cost: $7-$10 donation
Six blocks of music, fashion shows, food, and a kids’ carnival.
Tall Ships® Chicago 2007
Location: Chicago River to Lake Shore Drive, and from NavyPier® to DuSable Harbor. Click here for map.
Date/Time: To Be Determined
Cost: FREE to enter the grounds, $12/day to board ships
Displaying real vessels reminiscent of the 1800s. Public are allowed to board ships August 4-9!
Gold Coast River North Art Fair
Location: Huron, Erie, & Superior Streets, between Wells & Clark
Date/Time: August 3, 4, 5, 2007
Cost: FREE
Over 400 juried artists set along city streets and sidewalks in the gallery-filled River North area.
Retro On Roscoe
Location: Roscoe Street from Damen Avenue to Leavitt Street
Date/Time: August 4th & 5th, 2007
Cost: $5 donation.
Retro cars, motorcycles, food, and lifestyles from the 70’s through the 90’s.
Chicago Air and Water Show
Location: Along the Lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street
Date/Time: August 18 - 19, 2007
Cost: FREE
One of the most exciting air and water shows in the country, and the largest free show of its kind. This year’s headliners include the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Army Parachute Team. Take chairs and binoculars!
Taste of Greece 2007
Location: Halsted, between Monroe and Van Buren
Date/Time: August 25th - 26th, 2007
Cost: Donation requested
Belly dancing, acrobats, and of course food, food, food!
Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival
Location: Grant Park
Date/Time: August 25th - 26th,
Cost: FREE
Phone: 312-744-3370
Considered one of Chicago’s most danceable festivals, music includes salsa, tango, merengue, reggae and more. Take a cushion!
Chicago Jazz Festival
Location: Grant Park
Date/Time: September 1 - 30, 2007, Dates to be confirmed
Cost: FREE at Grant Park, other venues may charge
World renown, this year's annual Festival honors New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. While the Festival begins earlier in the week at different venues around the City, the festival moves to Grant Park on Friday, September 1, for three full days of free music. Public transportation recommended. Take a cushion!
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Theatre
Chicago has some of the most architecturally beautiful theatres in the world. Excellent views from most seats, fabulous acoustics, and elegant (mostly Art Deco) surroundings. Links to individual theatres follow.
Apollo Theatre: Season Calendar
Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University: Season Calendar
Briar Street Theatre: Season Calendar
Broadway in Chicago: Season Calendar
(various venues, including the Cadillac Palace, the Shubert, and the Ford Center for the Performing Arts)
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: Season Calendar
Chicago Theatre: Season Calendar
Civic Opera House: Season Calendar
Drury Lane: Season Calendar
Goodman Theatre:
Season Calendar
Lookingglass Theatre: Season Calendar
Piper’s Alley: Season Calendar
Raven Theatre: Season Calendar
Royal George Theatre: Season Calendar
Shakespeare in the Park: Season Calendar
Steppenwolf Theatre: Season Calendar
Smaller theatre venues - Looking for a small, more intimate theatre? Shakespeare, musicals, international topics – something for every taste!
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Chicago Film Festivals
Chicago hosts a number of film festivals, both indoor and outdoor. Click here for details.
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Sports
Chicago is the proud home to many great sports teams. Each of the following links gives game schedules, news, statistics and special events.
Bears (football)
Blackhawks (hockey)
Bulls (basketball)
College ball (all kinds)
Cubs (baseball)
Fire (soccer)
Rush (football)
Sky (women’s basketball)
White Sox (baseball)
Wolves (hockey)
For a comprehensive listing of Chicago’s pro sports teams, log on to ChicagoSports.com
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 Chicago Race to Taste:If you're interested in participating in Chicago's "Race to Taste" 5K Run & 2 Mile Walk, you better keep in mind that online registration closes on June 22.
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Biking
Check out About.com for bike trails, maps, and clubs.
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Especially For Kids
The Chicagoland area is uniquely Kid Friendly. Lots to do and see.
Brookfield Zoo
ChicagoKids.com
Wanna go bowling? Mini-golfing? Roller skating? Turn the computer over to the kids and let them check out ChicagoKids.com. Hot events, camp guides, theatre, and fun & games, in a user-friendly website.
GoCityKids.com lets kids choose exactly the kind of day they’d like to have: indoor/outdoor, thinking/learning, exploring nature, or whooping it up – and then gives them a list of activities to choose from.
Chicago Children’s Museum
A great place for kids 12 and under. Plenty of exhibits to delight and stimulate growing minds. The first Monday of the month is free all day, and Thursday evenings from 5 till 8 are also free. Otherwise, $8/person for kids and adults, seniors $7.
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Food
Links to everything from cheap eats to fine dining.
Zagat Survey – over 700 of listings.
CitySearch
DineMe
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Museums
Chicago’s museums are among the best in the world. From art to science to surgery!
MuseumSpot.com
Chicago Public Library museum listings
About.com’s Chicago museum listings
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Nightlife
Chicago is known for the blues, but there’s so much more to offer. Jazz, classical, symphony, alternative, hip-hop, rock…
Bars and clubs – check out Metromix or The Chicago Reader online
Music
About Chicago’s musical venues
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Concert Listings and Performances
Click on the links above to find comprehensive concert listings and performances. Or zero in on one of the individual venues below.
Concert Venues
Allstate Arena
Just minutes from O’Hare International Airport. 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont, IL. (847) 635-6601.
Alpine Valley Music Theatre (Troy, WI)
A popular summer concert spot. Outdoors. Approx 90 minutes from Chicago, and worth it!
Aragon Ballroom
A 1920’s Moorish style room. 1106 W. Lawrence, just east of Broadway in Chicago.
Park West
Soft rock, hard rock, and alternative in an intimate setting (approx 900 of your best friends). 322 W. Armitage, Chicago. (773) 929-1322.
Ravinia
More than a concert venue, Ravinia is an experience. Picnic on the lawn with friends, or dine at one of several restaurants. Enjoy world class music, from Bach to the B52’s, in four different venues. 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park 60035 (north of Chicago). (847) 266-5100.
Tweeter Center (First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre)
Chicago’s largest outdoor amphitheatre. Summer 2006 line-up includes Bruce Springsteen, Nine Inch Nails, and Steely Dan. 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park (about 45 minutes south of Chicago).
United Center
Madonna, Mariah Carey, Barbra Streisand, Cirque du Soleil, and Eric Clapton all headline. Also home to the Chicago Blackhawks and the Bulls. 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago. (312) 455-4500
The Vic Theatre
A Chicago tradition. From music to movies, with three bars open to patrons during films (fondly referred to as Brew & View). 3145 North Sheffield, Chicago. (773) 472-0449.
Live music listing
Brew & View schedule
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Outlying Areas
Want something closer to home? ChicagoNorthwest.com offers listings for the Northwest suburbs, including family activities, sports, cultural/educational events, theatres, spas, and nightclubs.
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The "Buzz" on Chicago Architecture
Chicago’s buildings are nothing less than a work of art. Noted for their master craftsmanship, beauty, and originality, architectural styles range from fabulous Art Deco to towering pillars of glass. Click here for a brief history of Chicago’s architecture.
Chicago Architecture Foundation
Venue rentals
Tours:
Walking tours
Riverboat tours
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Financing Your Home >Qualifying For A Loan
It is useful for home buyers to understand the difference between loan pre-qualification and pre-approval. Pre-qualification, which in today's marketplace is usually done by mortgage brokers, means working with the buyers to determine how much they can afford and which loans are the most likely to be available to them. Loan pre-qualification can save buyers time and money and can even be a bargaining tool with a seller. However, pre-qualification is not the same as loan "pre-approval". The mortgage broker can often get the buyer a pre-qualification letter, but pre-approval must be issued by the mortgage lender.
Pre-approval means that the lender has definitely committed to loaning the buyer money, once the house itself is approved. Since it is a much stronger pledge, it is a much more valuable negotiating tool. When you hear someone talking about "pre-approval", they are referring to specific acknowlegment by a lender that they are willing to loan the buyer money. The real estate agent can be of assistance in this process.
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Lenders in 14 states--California, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin and 9 others--have what in common?
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Lender in these states must pay interest on funds held in escrow accounts. |
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Coldwell Banker's "Concierge Department"
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage proudly presents Concierge... a whole new level of truly remarkable service.
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Chicago Country Music Festival
Chicago Fireworks Show
Chicago Marathan:
