Name: Tree Lighting & Cultural Festival at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Start: 2026-11-07T10:00:00-06:00
Location: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Join Griffin MSI’s Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival to kick off the beloved Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibit. Take in the spectacle of more than 50 twinkling holiday trees, each decorated to represent a different country, and displays representing international seasonal celebrations of light, like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali and more.
We'll flip the switch on our four-story Grand Tree, guaranteed to kick off your season with holiday cheer.
The day-long festival includes performances and activities throughout the Museum on Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  
This event is included in General Admission. Learn more and book tickets through the link to our <a href="https://www.griffinmsi.org/events/all-access/tree-lighting" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">website</a>.
<a href="https://eventvesta.com/events/165261/t/tickets" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">View Tickets</a> &amp; More Info

Local Event: Tree Lighting & Cultural Festival at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Chicago

Cook County

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Illinois

Tree Lighting & Cultural Festival at Griffin...

 Join Griffin MSI’s Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival to kick off the beloved Christmas Around the World and Holidays of...

Tree Lighting & Cultural Festival at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Warwick Allerton - Chicago

Step inside the Warwick Allerton as Chicago Vampire Ball 2026 returns for its seventh year, filling the hotel with vampiric delights and rare Halloween mischief that lingers<a href="https://eventvesta.com/events/162727/t/tickets" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">View Tickets &amp;&nbsp;More Info</a>

Local Event: Chicago Vampire Ball 2026

Chicago Vampire Ball 2026

Step inside the Warwick Allerton as Chicago Vampire Ball 2026 returns for its seventh year, filling the hotel with vampiric...

Arts Center of Oak Park, 200 N Oak Park Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60302

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Chicago<a href="https://eventvesta.com/events/158783/t/tickets" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">View Tickets</a> &amp; More Info

Local Event: Candlelight Oak Park: Tribute to Bad Bunny

Candlelight Oak Park: Tribute to Bad Bunny

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen...

McCormick Place, North Building, Level 3 – Hall B1

The St. Jude Heroes program is looking for volunteers to help support the St. Jude Heroes who will be running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on behalf of the children and families at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. There are three areas where we will need assistance on race weekend: Chicago Marathon Expo, Hospitality Area, and Charity Block Cheer Team.
Date: Thursday, October 8- Sunday, October 11, 2026 To see the volunteer opportunities available for this event and to register to volunteer, go to <a href="https://volunteer.stjude.org/?nd=volunteer_event_details&amp;event_id=98." rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">volunteer.stjude.org/?nd=volunteer_event_details&amp;event_id=98.</a>

Questions or need more information? Contact Betsabe Mendoza Cruz at Betsabe.MendozaCruz@alsac.stjude.org or at 312-639-3055.

Local Event: St. Jude Heroes-Bank of America Chicago Marathon Expo

St. Jude Heroes-Bank of America Chicago...

The St. Jude Heroes program is looking for volunteers to help support the St. Jude Heroes who will be running the Bank of...

St. Jude Heroes-Bank of America Chicago Marathon Expo

Learn about cool jobs and hot careers straight from STE(A)M professionals at Science Works, Griffin MSI's Museum-wide career celebration, on Saturday, Oct. 10!
Science Works will feature dynamic speakers, hands-on activities and one-on-one discussions. Youth and their families can discover what interesting jobs the STE(A)M fields have to offer, see how to turn their passion into a career and get advice on pursuing a future in STE(A)M.
This annual one-day event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is included in General Admission.
Learn more on the Griffin MSI website.
Sponsored by Berglund Construction and BP.<a href="https://eventvesta.com/events/157729/t/tickets" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">View&nbsp;Tickets &amp; More Info</a>

Local Event: Science Works at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Science Works at Griffin Museum of Science and...

Learn about cool jobs and hot careers straight from STE(A)M professionals at Science Works, Griffin MSI's Museum-wide career...

Science Works at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Powderhorn Lake

Enjoy paddling on Powderhorn Lake!
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Friends of the Chicago River through bi-lingual bird paddling, storytelling, and connecting with nature and culture on the water.
Friends will provide a paddling lesson and safety monitoring for all guests.
There will be five 60-minute sessions. Each session accommodates 24 paddlers.
10am-11am
1030am-1130am
11am-12pm
1130am-1230pm
12pm-1pm.
Walk-ups will be accommodated as space is available.
Register at: https://2026HispanicHeritageCelebration.eventbrite.com

Local Event: Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Paddle

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Paddle

Enjoy paddling on Powderhorn Lake!
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Friends of the Chicago River through bi-lingual bird...

Public Works Gallery

Saturday, October 10, 2026 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Public Works Gallery 2141 W. North Avenue, Chicago, IL
Celebrate the future of Chicagoland’s fashion and beauty industry at the 11th FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards.
The FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards recognize outstanding emerging professionals making an impact across Chicagoland’s fashion and beauty industry. This year, 15 finalists across five categories will be celebrated for their creativity, talent and contributions to Chicago’s fashion community.
Join FGI Chicago for a grazing brunch, professional networking, finalist displays and the Rising Star Awards ceremony, where the 2026 Rising Star Award recipients will be revealed.
The celebration will be led by Master of Ceremonies <a href="https://www.sharaun.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Sharaun Brown</a>, who will also receive the 2026 FGI Chicago Trailblazer Award. Photographer <a href="https://www.denisebelyea.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Denise Belyea</a> will receive the 2026 FGI Chicago Visual Impact Award.
FGI members, industry professionals, friends, supporters and the public are welcome.
<h2>2026 FGI Chicago Rising Star Award Finalists</h2>
Footwear
<a href="https://yjlacour.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Yohance LaCour</a> — YJL <a href="https://seresfootwear.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Vanessa Arroyo</a> — SERES® <a href="https://fundae.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Holly Garrard</a> — Fundae Shoes
Fashion Design
<a href="https://aeschliman.co/resort-collection/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Angela Aeschliman</a> — Aesch Liman, Co. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/koush_us/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Brian S. Leon</a> — KOUSH <a href="https://www.instagram.com/karmic_couture/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Raj Patel</a> — Karmic Couture
Fashion Stylist
<a href="https://intuitivefashion.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Rahela Tanase</a> — Intuitive Fashion &amp; Rahela Designs <a href="https://thefashionfoundryconsulting.com/client-projects/styling-projects/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Christina Schutz</a> — Lookbook Stylist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the.thrifted.gay/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Matteo Frausto</a> — The Thrifted Gay
Fashion Content Creator
<a href="https://juliann-marie.my.canva.site/juliann-marie-fashion-content-creator/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Juliann Brown</a> — Juliann Marie <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dressingforthedopamine_/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Brit Cooper Robinson</a> — Dressing for the Dopamine <a href="https://www.ticaradevone.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ticara Devone</a> — Ticara Devone
Beauty
<a href="https://fleekyfriday.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Shureice Kornegay</a> — Fleeky Friday <a href="https://www.bythepolish.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Alexandra Carrillo</a> — By The Polish <a href="https://crownedskin.com/pages/about-the-founder" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Darrell Spencer</a> — Crowned Skin
<h2>Master of Ceremonies &amp; Trailblazer Award Honoree: Sharaun Brown</h2>
FGI Chicago will present the 2026 FGI Chicago Trailblazer Award to <a href="https://www.sharaun.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Sharaun Brown</a>, recognizing her innovation, leadership and influence in forging new paths within the fashion industry.
Brown is an international supermodel, television host, speaker, media personality and Founder &amp; CEO of <a href="https://www.themodeltribe.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Model Tribe</a>. A finalist on America’s Next Top Model, her career spans fashion, television and live entertainment. She most recently served as Official Trophy Model Presenter at the 2025 and 2026 Grammy Awards and the 2026 Disney Legends Awards at D23. Through The Model Tribe, she also mentors and empowers the next generation of models and creatives.
Brown will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the 11th FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards.
<h2>Visual Impact Award Honoree: Denise Belyea</h2>
Photographer <a href="https://www.denisebelyea.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Denise Belyea</a> will receive the 2026 FGI Chicago Visual Impact Award in recognition of her distinctive visual storytelling and contributions to Chicago’s fashion image-making community.
<h2>Tickets</h2>
VIP Admission — $100 | 10:30 AM Includes early entry, VIP gift bag, reserved presentation seating, grazing brunch, finalist displays, awards ceremony and networking.
General Admission — $75 | 11:00 AM Includes grazing brunch, finalist displays, awards ceremony and networking. Presentation seating is first-come, first-served.
FGI Members receive $15 off General Admission and VIP tickets.
<a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/fgi-chicago-11th-rising-star-awards" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Purchase Tickets</a>
Dress Code: Chic Brunch Attire
<h2>Sponsors &amp; Partners</h2>
The 2026 FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards are presented with support from <a href="https://publicworksgallery.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Public Works Gallery</a>, <a href="https://www.themodeltribe.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Model Tribe</a>, <a href="https://drinknakedlife.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Naked Life</a> and <a href="https://www.gothambagels.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Gotham Bagels</a>.
Sponsorship opportunities remain available from $250–$5,000, with event admission, reserved seating, marketing recognition and additional benefits based on sponsorship level.
<a href="https://www.fgi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026_FGICHI_RS_SponsorPacket-1.pdf" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">View the 2026 Rising Star Awards Sponsorship Packet</a>

Local Event: FGI Chicago 11th Rising Star Awards

FGI Chicago 11th Rising Star Awards

Saturday, October 10, 2026 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Public Works Gallery 2141 W. North Avenue, Chicago, IL
Celebrate the future of...

Gallagher Way

Kick off the fall season at Gallagher Way with a day of football, family-friendly activities and festive fun. Catch college football games on the big screen while enjoying a petting zoo, caramel apples, cinnamon donuts, s’mores around the firepits, face painters, balloon artists and live music.

Local Event: Harvest Hangout at Gallagher Way

Harvest Hangout at Gallagher Way

 Kick off the fall season at Gallagher Way with a day of football, family-friendly activities and festive fun. Catch college...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Chicago|Local Event

Tree Lighting & Cultural Festival at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Event Details

More Upcoming Events

Chicago Vampire Ball 2026

OCT

9

8:00 PM

Warwick Allerton - Chicago, 701 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

Candlelight Oak Park: Tribute to Bad Bunny

OCT

9

8:45 PM

Chicago, IL

St. Jude Heroes-Bank of America Chicago Marathon Expo

OCT

10

8:30 AM

Chicago, IL

Science Works at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

OCT

10

9:30 AM

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Paddle

OCT

10

10:00 AM

Powderhorn Lake, 13938 S Brainard Ave, Burnham, IL

FGI Chicago 11th Rising Star Awards

OCT

10

11:00 AM

Public Works Gallery, 2141 W North Ave, Chicago, IL

Harvest Hangout at Gallagher Way

OCT

10

11:00 AM

Gallagher Way, 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL