May in the Chicago Southland!
Stop and smell the roses in the Chicago Southland this May! Come to our National Tourism Day SHOWCASE; celebrate Cinco De Mayo; show some appreciation to the moms in your life on Mother’s Day; enjoy a Memorial Day celebration; spot some winged wonders with our Birding blog; experience a Windy City ThunderBolts baseball game; get ready for new things to come at Brookfield Zoo Chicago; find a great outdoor dining venue with our Dining Al Fresco travel inspiration; get your free copy of the Spring/Summer Festivals & Events Guide and check out some upcoming events.
National Tourism Day SHOWCASE
On May 23rd, Visit Chicago Southland will be hosting our very own 2024 National Tourism Day Celebration & Hospitality SHOWCASE, 4-7PM at Orland Park Civic Center! Come celebrate hospitality, tourism and travel in the Chicago Southland. Visit with over 50 partners that make the Chicago Southland a popular Chicagoland destination: hotels, restaurants, attractions, entertainment venues, sports teams, caterers, casinos, breweries and more! Enjoy complimentary food & drinks, giveaway prizes, shopportunities and networking. Event is 21+. Registration is required!
Cinco de Mayo
Each year, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on May 5th in honor of an 1862 Mexican military victory over the French. Not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day (celebrated on September 16th), Cinco de Mayo is the annual holiday that commemorates the Battle of Puebla, and is celebrated with parades, speeches and military reenactments in Mexico. Check out our Cinco de Mayo blog to see where you can celebrate in the Chicago Southland!
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is an annual celebration honoring motherhood and the special moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and other special mother figures in our lives. Since 1914, Mother’s Day has been an official holiday in the United States. This year, the holiday falls on Sunday, May 12th. Celebrate all moms this year with the magnificent Chicago Southland offerings in our Mother’s Day blog!
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is one of two official United States holidays that recognizes the commitment of the members of our military services. Memorial Day honors and mourns the military personnel who have lost their lives while defending their country. Several towns throughout the Chicago Southland will be commemorating the holiday this year with days of remembrance, parades and special ceremonies. Check them out in our Memorial Day blog!
Bird watching
With acres of wetland and prairie and several nature preserves, the Chicago Southland is a haven for our feathered friends. This time of year, birds are particularly active, some arriving back in the region after a seasonal respite and you may have an opportunity to spot species that you may not find at other times of the year. Check out our Bird watching blog for information on events where you can see some elusive birds!
Windy City ThunderBolts
The Windy City ThunderBolts are ready to kick off their 2024 season with an electrifying opening night against the Evansville Otters on Thursday, May 9th at 6:35PM at Ozinga Field in Crestwood! With $1.75 Retro Beer nights, fireworks nights and themed games, the ThunderBolts make sure that every game of the season is special. Check out their schedule throughout May and the rest of the summer! Take a virtual tour of Ozinga Field and check out the field, party patio, party deck and suites before coming out for a great night of baseball!
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
In celebration of it’s 90th anniversary, Brookfield Zoo has undergone a name change last month: hereby called Brookfield Zoo Chicago! As the Zoo approaches its centennial in 2034, it prepares to unveil its ambitious Next Century Plan to the public this summer, which will transform the Brookfield Zoo Chicago campus with new dynamic animal habitats and renovated facilities that ensure the highest standards of animal well-being and care.Visit before the end of the year to catch a ride on the 90th anniversary ferris wheel! Get your tickets today and check out their upcoming events!
Outdoor dining in the Chicago Southland
Once the weather warms, everyone is itching to spend more time outdoors. But being outside doesn’t have to mean hiking through forests or fields. Incorporate some time outside with a leisurely al fresco meal at one of Chicago Southland’s dining establishments in our Dining Al Fresco travel inspiration!
Spring/Summer Festivals & Events Guide
Every month of the year, the Chicago Southland brings you fun and excitement! The Spring/Summer Festivals & Events Guide features 468 event listings, so there is no shortage of things to see and do in the Chicago Southland. This guide covers events May – October and includes parades, farmers markets, live music, sports events, ethnic celebrations and more. Find out about the Orland Park Summerfest, Will County Fair, Frankfort Fall Fest, North Coast Music Festival, Orland Hills Party in the Park and more! Order your copy today!
