Things to Do in Chicago This November (2022)

I know most of us are already in the holiday season mood, but not everyone turns on Christmas lights on Nov. 1st. While we love Chicago’s holiday vibe and the dedication to festivity, we would hate for you to miss out the other cool things happening this month for getting too preoccupied by light shows, snowflakes, turkeys, and santa. Therefore, here are our pick of things to do this November in Chicago — on top of whatever holiday celebration you’ve planned!

Food & Drinks

Image Credit: Aboyer

Chef Lachowicz Signature Series at Aboyer

64 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093

Aboyer – Chef Michael Lachowicz’s renowned French brasserie in Winnetka, has announced the the Chef Lachowicz Signature Series running from this November through Janujary 2023. This three-month culinary series will highlight three classic preparations for a limited time. From November 1 thru 30, the menu includes Roasted Saddle of New Zealand Venison served with Sweet Potato Gratin, Chestnut Puree, Roasted Baby Turnips, and Sauce Myrtilles. This is the perfect dish for this month since November marks the beginning of venison season!

Boozy Tea at Bar Pendry

81 E Wacker Pl, Chicago, IL 60601

Only on Sundays, Pendry Chicago’s sultry ground-floor fireside retreat Bar Pendry, has brought back their luxe tea service with an elegantly boozy twist. The stars of the show are the four-serving sharable tea-cocktails offerings, such as the Tango in the Vestibule, a floral infusion of Queen Mary tea, Maker’s Mark bourbon, Chinese five spice, and orange or the Convivial Punch, a fruity concoction of blackberry infused Four Roses bourbon, rhubarb bitters, apple pie tea syrup, ginger beer, chilled with a raspberry vanilla rooibos tea ice cube. Boozy Tea service also offers inventive a la carte tea-focused cocktails and bubbles for guests who prefer single serving selections.

Image Credit: MIMI LEI

Duck Sel Fine-Dining Pop-Up

One of Chicago’s brightest culinary talents, Chef/Owner Donald Young (Crain’s 20 In Their 20s, Jean Banchet Best Service 2019, MICHELIN Guide 2019), is stepping outside the fine dining box this fall and winter to deliver MICHELIN-caliber experiences in unique and unexpected ways. On select dates, up to 16 attendees will enjoy 15 courses of contemporary American cuisine at a secret location in Uptown, featuring seasonal ingredients and intriguing preservation and dry-aging techniques presented in an unpretentious yet finely tailored approach. Tickets are available now on Tock.

Image Credit: Papergirl PR

World Cup Specials

Soccer fans, this one’s for you. Whether you’re going for the game or the boys (I mean, come on), it never hurts to have some good food and drinks accompany the viewing. There are plenty of sports bars in Chicago offering World Cup specials this year, including all Bottleneck Management Restaurants, The Rambler, and Grey Stone Tavern.

Image Credit: Robert’s Pizza

Try the New Flavors at Robert’s Pizza

Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co. recently welcomed Nelli Maltezos to the team as Chef de Cuisine. Chef Nelli comes to Robert’s from Mon Ami Gabi and has been busy in the kitchen creating new fall menu items that embrace the flavors of the season. Guests can expect to see Chef Nelli’s work through the new fall menu items, including Mortadella Pizza, a cream-based pizza with mortadella, fresh mozzarella, roasted radicchio, candied and salted pistachios, and Italian ricotta; and Speck Pizza, a cream-based pizza with speck, fresh mozzarella, roasted radicchio, candied and salted walnuts, and Italian ricotta.

And don’t forget to try one of the specialty fall cocktails on the menu to go with your meal!

Visit Lottie’s to Observe Veteran’s Day

Music & Arts

Catch a Jazz Concert at Grill On 21

Winter and jazz? Yes! You are more than welcome to visit one of the best jazz bars in Chicago, or, you can try something new at Grill On 21.

Every Friday & Saturday from 8:30pm thru 12:30am, Erin McDougald, a critically acclaimed jazz vocalist, and her band will perform live, improvisational jazz in The Listening Lounge, an intimate music venue located in this lovely restaurant. There is no cover charge, other than a $25 per person food or drink minimum during live performance hours.

Chicago Escape

Chicago Escape is an interactive weekend of art, fashion, and retail experiences is hosted throughout one of our favorite hotels, Kimpton Gray from Nov. 17th thru the 20th. The event kicks off on the night of Nov. 18th with a panel discussion and social event featuring representatives from the fashion, art and retail industries to explore issues pertaining to the survival and transformation of Chicago’s fashion industry. Throughout the weekend, Kimpton Gray will be transformed into a pop-up haven with fashion, art, and retail goods.

Explore Freud’s Dreams with Chicago Danztheater

Dive into the Freudian world as Chicago Danztheater announces their 2022-23 with the return of a classic. This stageplay is transformed into an immersive experience by playing with light and space of the auditorium, accompanied by a unique art exhibition featuring local artists as they share their take on dream and reality. What are you waiting for? Grab your tix!

Get Into The Holidays at the Marriott Theatre

Speaking of things to do in Chicago this November, how can we not add a musical to the itinerary? Whether you’re already in the holiday mood, or want some family fun, you and your family would get a blast at A Christmas Story, The Musical at the Marriott Theatre. Staring established and newcomers both, A Christmas Story, The Musical is whimsical, fun, and a must-see for regular theatre go-ers, musical lovers, or anyone who wants a festive experience.

Winter Colors at the Color Factory

Color Factory is switching to winter colors! This immersive, interactive multi-media art experience has been one of our favorites among everywhere we’ve been to this year. Beginning November 17th, grab your goggles and parkas and slide on into some winter whimsy. The factory’s snow squall brings festive new photo opportunities, seasonal sweet treats and giveaways, and even a ski lift through the brand new confetti snow storm! Need more convincing? Feel free to check out our previous review on our Color Factory Chicago experience if you haven’t been there!

Shopping

Celebrate Small Business Saturday in Wicker Park

Holiday shopping season is just around the corner, and as the pandemic’s long term economic impacts still rage on, choosing to shop with local businesses is more important than ever and a key to their long term survival. To support the small shops that line their streets and combat the mass produced frenzy that is Black Friday, Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce is proud to bring back it’s annual Small Business Saturday 5K, this time for guided in-person runs throughout the neighborhoods.

The event encourages residents to hit the streets as either #TeamWickerPark or #TeamBucktown in support of over 50 local entrepreneurs that line their 14 miles of sidewalk, including a vibrant shopping scene filled with bookstores, art galleries, boutique clothing stores, vintage shops, record stores, restaurants, dive bars, cafés and so much more.

Swing by Christkindlmarket

Our all-time favorite winter market is back! This year’s Christkindlmarket is set to kick off on Nov. 18th at the Daley Plaza. Get your special collectible mug, a ton of cool gifts you can’t find elsewhere, and, most importantly, the mulled wine! Whether you’re planning a date or just need to step away your busy life for a second, Christkindlmarket is the perfect place for to spend an hour or two.

Featured Image: Robert’s Pizza

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