JANUARY
Jan. 14: “Project Runway” premiere. Keep an eye on Ping Wu, a physical therapist and designer currently living in Chicago.
FEBRUARY
Mid-Feb.: Opening of Beauty Bar (right), Chicago’s first location of the New York nightclub, in West Town.
Feb. 19-28: Chicago Restaurant Week. Get three-course prix-fixe meals at 150 restaurants for $22 (lunch) or $32 (dinner).
MARCH
March 13: St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the Loop.
APRIL
April 5: Sox Home Opener (vs. Indians). Scope a spot to watch on TV at Rocky’s in Bridgeport.
April 12: Cubs Home Opener (vs. Brewers). Try out the newly revamped, three-floor Sports Corner, opening in January.
MAY
May 21-23: Chicago Mayfest in Lakeview officially kicks off summer festival season.
May 28-31: International Mr. Leather. Back in black at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
JUNE
June 25-July 4: Taste of Chicago. Get a load of the meats-on-sticks in Grant Park.
June 27: Pride Parade traverses Halsted Street as part of the city’s annual Gay Pride Month.
June: Four Corners Tavern Group, the force behind Kirkwood (above), aims to open a new bar in Old Town this month.
JULY
July 15: Green City Market Chef’s BBQ. One big picnic featuring grilled goodies from lots of local chefs.
July 16-18: Pitchfork Music Fest at Union Park.
AUGUST
Aug. 6-8: Lollapalooza in Grant Park. Early-bird tickets already sold out, but there’s still time to get dibs.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 11-12: Renegade Craft Fair. Browse DIY curios along Division Street between Damen and Paulina avenues. Psst: Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale is scheduled for Dec. 4-5.
Sept. 25-26: Chicago Gourmet food fest returns to Millennium Park with scores of local chefs in tow.
OCTOBER
Oct. 7-20: Chicago Film Festival.
Oct. 10: Chicago Marathon.
NOVEMBER
Nov. 24: Black Wednesday. As if it isn’t already on your calendar …
DECEMBER
Dec. 2: World of Chocolate. Eat sweets to benefit the Aids Foundation of Chicago at the Hilton.
Dec. 11: Twelve Bars of Christmas (TBOX). Drink your way through 12 Wrigleyville pubs alongside throngs of holiday merrymakers.
