As another bleak Chicago winter heads our way, we embrace the holiday season. Yet, November and December are not all turkey and Zoo Lights. Chicago emphasizes its cultural diversity through the events it hosts. This is an events guide for students, teachers and family members alike to peruse, whatever their individual interests may be.

Planning these events takes effort and time, according to Stacey Efstathiou, Director of Events at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Deciding the details of a given event such as where it will take place in the city, the demographics and who will be invited to a certain event are all taken into consideration when planning as Efstathiou said. Additionally, choosing the sponsors, speakers and panelists are thought about in conjunction with the logistical information, said Efstathiou.

Chicago Humanities Festival: Oct. 29 – Nov. 12

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) will host events all around the city of Chicago for their 26th annual Fall Fest. What started as a one-day event in the 1990s has expanded into a weeks-long extravaganza, according to Press and Marketing Coordinator Joe Engleman.   

The festival itself spans across the city, hosting events in neighborhoods such as Pilsen, Bronzeville and Lakeview, Engleman said in a phone interview.  

Though CHF hosts events for all age groups, a strong focus surrounds the student age. For the younger crowd, event staffers try to keep in mind up-and-comers, Engleman said.

“It’s such a wide, diverse, array of people who bring their perspectives to us and for the rest of the city,” Engleman said.

This year they have speakers such as Chicagoan Lena Waithe, a producer for “Dear White People” and “Master of None,” “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah and even feminist leader Gloria Steinem, Engleman said.
Engleman said that the best way for young students to involve themselves is to “one, come to our events and two, volunteer.”

CHF holds many additional opportunities for student participation in their programs. One way the festival does this is by holding an EDLabTM [CHF’s education initiative], “which basically does matinee events for high school students,” Engleman said.

Student-priced tickets range from $5-10, an immense bargain for the high-quality speakers.

Randolph Street Market Festival: Weekends Oct. 29 – Dec. 11

For those in search of one-of-a-kind gifts for the upcoming holiday season, this is the event for you.  

Located in the West Loop on 1340 W. Washington Blvd., this indoor-outdoor market festival houses vintage goods from vinyl records to handmade jewelry from more than 125 vendors, according to the festival’s website.

The student ticket price is only $5, but family members will have to pay $11 day of, or $8 in advance, according to the festival’s website.

Midwest Independent Film Festival: Nov. 1

One way to appreciate local Chicago and Midwestern talent is at the Midwest Independent Film Festival.

Independently films are shown the first Tuesday of every month, the upcoming showcase at Landmark Century Centre Cinema on 2828 N. Clark St.  

The festival changes the films each month, with the upcoming Tuesday on Nov. 1st showcasing films such as “Written Off” and “Click Bait,” each made in Midwestern states. The festival’s Director, Mike McNamara, told The Chicagoist that what makes this film festival so unique is that it showcases purely Midwestern filmmakers.

General admission tickets are typically $10, or $15 for premium seating, though there are no student prices.