Imagine Chicago transformed into a festive forest fairyland, and you have the Chicago Botanic Garden's holiday Wonderland Express. Over 80 landmarks are constructed completely out of natural materials, from bark to gourds. Take a magical video tour here.
Playlist Culture
Culture
What to Watch in December
Celebrate two major anniversaries: Apollo 8, the first spacecraft to orbit the moon, and the centennial of a major American musical figure. Plus, enjoy a holiday special from a favorite show and a documentary about the Jewish songwriters responsible for much of our Christmas music.
Lincoln Park ZooLights and Its More Than Two Million Lights Are Back
More than two million lights, a crew of twenty-two people, 7,200 working hours, 600,000 visitors: it's ZooLights, one of Chicago's beloved holiday traditions. What does it take to plan, set up, and run the extravagant light shows?
The CTA Holiday Train and Bus Are Returning!
Starting the day after Thanksgiving, the CTA Holiday Train will begin bringing joy to "L" riders, and the Holiday Bus starts service the next week. Find their schedules here so that you can get a chance to enjoy the lights and take a photo with Santa!
13 (And More!) Things to Do In Chicago For the Holidays
The holiday season is upon us, as going into any store and hearing the music will inform you. If you want to make sure that the most wonderful time of the year is truly full of wonder, Chicagoland offers plenty of magical opportunities, from tree lightings to markets to parades.
What to Stream This Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, plus it includes the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice and, of course, Thanksgiving. Explore the rich legacy of America's first peoples, learn the stories of forgotten participants of WWI, and get some Thanksgiving cooking advice.
What to Watch in November
This month, there's a Nature documentary chronicling the journey of a polar bear family, a hilarious special honoring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, a look at the artistic and intellectual scenes in three remarkable cities, and a look at the making of a Broadway show.
What's America's Favorite Novel?
Did your favorite novel come out first in The Great American Read's search for America's best-loved book? Find the top ten books by voting here, and learn insights from the results.
What to Stream This Month
As Halloween approaches, indulge your taste for the spooky and mysterious by exploring ancient ruins, discovering the secrets of the dead, watching a biopic about the master of the macabre, and sitting on the edge of your seat as Jane Austen characters try to solve a murder.
From the Archive: Alex Haley, Author of 'Roots'
The author of Roots and The Autobiography of Malcolm X explains the origins of Roots and his difficulty in capturing the experience of being on a slave-ship in a 1976 interview. "The absence of pride changes to a presence of pride" when you know your history, he says.
'Frontline' on Donald Trump's Political Strategy
Trump's Showdown provides an in-depth examination of the events of the last two years that have led to a standoff between Donald Trump and the Justice Department over the Russia investigation. Producer Michael Kirk explains his take on Trump's strategy.
Happy 90th Birthday to the Queen of the Blues
Koko Taylor would have turned 90 today. The daughter of poor Tennessee sharecroppers, she eventually came to Chicago and cleaned North Shore homes before signing with Chess Records and becoming the Queen of the Blues in a male-dominated genre.
What to Watch in October
As the election approaches, watch documentaries highlighting pressing issues vital to democracy in America. Dive into the unique legacies of art and design in Chicago. Experience the splendor of autumn. Discover the incredible achievements and history of Native Americans, and more.
Chicago's Newest (and Biggest) Piece of Public Art
What was once the world’s largest building will soon be the site of the world’s largest permanent digital art projection, when the Merchandise Mart's 2.5-acre facade becomes the screen for an enormous piece of public art called Art on theMART.
What Makes People Ban Books?
The American Library Assocation's Office for Intellectual Freedom is currently hosting Banned Books Week. What kinds of books were most frequently challenged in 2017, and what books from The Great America Read's list of America's favorite novels have been banned?
