Stories by Meredith Francis

As summer transitions to fall, there are still plenty of opportunities to get outside for food festivals in Chicago and the suburbs. Taste of Chicago returns in September. Plus, there are several Oktoberfest celebrations across the area this month. 

With the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this month, there was a lot of news to keep up with. Test your knowledge of this month’s headlines in and around Chicago with our monthly news quiz.

As Chicago gears up to host the Democratic National Convention, take a look back at a few historical images that document three previous DNCs held in the city.

The news kept coming this month. From major political stories to updates on the piping plovers at Montrose Beach, there was a lot to follow. Test your knowledge of July’s headlines in Chicago and the rest of the state with our monthly news quiz. 

Food events in and around Chicago this August offer a diverse array of food and beverages, with events centered around garlic, sangria, Bloody Marys, and corn.

July is one of the busiest months for street festivals in Chicago, so we’ve rounded up a list of all the food-centric festivals happening in the city and suburbs. 

From the sentencing of an influential Chicago alderman to new piping plover eggs, there was a wide variety of news to follow this month in Chicago. How much do you know? Take our news quiz! 

Partners Art Johnston and Pepe Peña opened Sidetrack in 1982. A documentary called Art and Pep, airing on WTTW on June 28, tells not only the story of the bar as a center for LGBTQ activism, but the love story of the couple that first fell in love some 50 years ago. WTTW spoke with the film's director.

Twenty five years ago, the streets of Chicago became a public art moo-seum when the Cows on Parade public art project launched. 

The cicadas have arrived, a Chicago museum gets a name change, and the Home Alone house is for sale. How much Chicago news did you keep up with this month? Take our May news quiz! 

June is LGBTQ Pride Month, and WTTW has a slate of programming that highlights stories of acceptance, identity, struggle, and features the LGBTQ+ individuals and groups that made waves in their fields. 

Hot dogs, Greek food, strawberries, and wine take center stage at food festivals in Chicago and the suburbs this June. 

This Memorial Day weekend, explore the extraordinary stories of those in the armed forces with a variety of programming on WTTW.

Explore our list of the 2024 farmers markets located in Chicago’s suburbs, many of which begin in May and June. 

The 2024 farmers market season is now under way, with more than two dozen neighborhood markets across Chicago offering fresh produce and a variety of other goods. Explore our list and a map to find one near you.