The best way to stay on top of the city's current crop of special events is to ask the Chicago Office of Tourism (tel. 877/CHICAGO; www.877chicago.com) or the Illinois Bureau of Tourism (tel. 800/2CONNECT; www.enjoyillinois.com) to mail you a copy of the Chicago Visitor's Guide, a quarterly publication that surveys special events, including parades and street festivals, concerts and theatrical productions, and museum exhibitions. Also request the latest materials produced by the Mayor's Office of Special Events (tel. 312/744-3315, or call the Special Events Hot Line at 312/744-3315, TTY 312/744-2964; www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents), which keeps current with citywide and neighborhood festivals. The one thing you can count on, whether or not you research the topic in advance, is that you'll be able to choose from a slew of happenings, regardless of when you visit Chicago.

Of the annual events, the most lively and unpredictable tend to revolve around the national parades and street celebrations staged by many of Chicago's numerous ethnic groups. In addition, food, music, art, and flower fairs have their special niches.

Remember that new events might be added every year, and occasionally special events are discontinued or rescheduled. So, to avoid disappointment, be sure to telephone the sponsoring organization or check out the Mayor's Office of Special Events website in advance to verify dates, times, and locations.

January

Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoor Show, McCormick Place, 23rd Street and Lake Shore Drive (tel. 312/946-6200; www.chicagoboatshow.com). All the latest boats and recreational vehicles are on display, plus trout fishing, a climbing wall, boating safety seminars, and big-time entertainment. January 11 to January 15.

Winter Delights. Throughout January and February, the city's Office of Tourism (tel. 877/CHICAGO; www.877chicago.com) offers special travel deals to lure visitors during tourism's low season. Incentives include bargain-priced hotel packages, affordable prix-fixe dinners at downtown restaurants, and special music and theater performances. Early January through February.

Chinese New Year Parade, Wentworth and Cermak streets (tel. 312/326-5320; www.chicagochinatown.org). Join in as the sacred dragon whirls down the boulevard and restaurateurs pass out small envelopes of money to their regular customers. Call to verify the date, which varies from year to year. Depending on the lunar calendar, the actual holiday falls between January 21 and February 19. In 2006 it's on January 29.

February

Chicago Auto Show, McCormick Place, 23rd Street and Lake Shore Drive (tel. 630/495-2282; www.chicagoautoshow.com). More than 1,000 cars and trucks, domestic and foreign, current and futuristic, are on display. The event draws nearly a million visitors. Look for special weekend packages at area hotels that include show tickets. February 10 to February 19.

March

St. Patrick's Day Parade. In a city with a strong Irish heritage (and a mayor of Irish descent), this holiday is a big deal. The Chicago River is even dyed green for the occasion. The parade route is along Dearborn Street from Wacker Drive to Van Buren; the best place to view it is around Wacker and Dearborn. A second, more neighborhood-like parade is held on the South Side the day after the Dearborn Street parade, on Western Avenue from 103rd to 115th streets. Visit www.chicagostpatsparade.com for information. Saturday closest to March 17.

April

Opening Day. For the Cubs, call tel. 773/404-CUBS or visit www.cubs.mlb.com; for the White Sox, call tel. 312/674-1000 or go to www.whitesox.mlb.com. Make your plans early to get tickets for this eagerly awaited day. The calendar may say spring, but be warned: Opening Day is usually freezing in Chi-town (a few years ago, the first Cubs home game was postponed because of snow). Early April.

Chicago Improv Festival. Chicago's improv-comedy scene is known as a training ground for performers who go on to the big time at Saturday Night Live or Mad TV. Big names and less-well-known (but talented) comedians converge for a celebration of silliness, with large main-stage shows and smaller, more experimental pieces. Most performances are at the Athenaeum Theater on the North Side (2936 N. Southport Ave.; tel. 773/935-9810; www.cif.com). Last 2 weeks of April.

May

Buckingham Fountain Color Light Show, Grant Park, Congress Parkway and Lake Shore Drive. The water and the ever-changing colored lights put on a show in the landmark fountain daily from May 1 to October 1, until 11pm nightly.

The Ferris Wheel and Carousel begin spinning again at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. (tel. 312/595-PIER; www.navypier.com). The rides operate through October. Another seasonal event along the water is the Pier Walk, a temporary installation of more than 150 large-scale sculptures displayed along the pier's South Dock. The sculptures remain on display through early November.

Art Chicago, Butler Field, Grant Park, Monroe Street and Lake Shore Drive (tel. 312/266-4700; www.artchicago.com). More than 200 art galleries and 2,000 artists participate in one of the country's largest international contemporary-art fairs. First weekend in May.

Wright Plus Tour, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Oak Park (tel. 708/848-1976; www.wrightplus.org). An annual tour of 10 buildings, including Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio, the Unity Temple, and several other notable buildings in both Prairie and Victorian styles. Tickets go on sale March 1 and can sell out within 6 weeks. Third Saturday in May.

June

Printers Row Book Fair, Dearborn Street from Congress Parkway to Polk Street (tel. 312/222-3986; www.chicagotribune.com/extras/printersrow/index.html). One of the largest free outdoor book fairs in the country, this weekend event celebrates the written word with everything from readings and signings by big-name authors to panel discussions on penning your first novel. Located within easy walking distance of the Loop, the fair also features more than 150 booksellers displaying new, used, and antiquarian books for sale; a poetry tent; and special activities for children. First weekend in June.

Chicago Gospel Festival, Petrillo Music Shell, Jackson Drive and Columbus Drive, Grant Park (tel. 312/744-3315). Blues may be the city's more famous musical export, but Chicago is also the birthplace of gospel music: Thomas Dorsey, the "father of gospel," and the greatest gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, were Southsiders. This 3-day festival -- the largest outdoor, free-admission event of its kind -- offers music on three stages with more than 40 performances. First weekend in June.

Chicago Blues Festival, Petrillo Music Shell, Randolph Street and Columbus Drive, Millennium Park (tel. 312/744-3315). Muddy Waters would scratch his noggin over the sea of suburbanites who flood into Grant Park every summer to quaff Budweisers and accompany local legends Buddy Guy and Lonnie Brooks on air guitar. Truth be told, you can hear the same great jams and wails virtually any night of the week in one of the city's many blues clubs. Still, a thousand-voice chorus of "Sweet Home Chicago" under the stars has a rousing appeal. Blues Fest is free, with dozens of acts performing over 4 days, but get there in the afternoon to get a good spot on the lawn for the evening show. Second weekend in June.

Ravinia Festival, Ravinia Park, Highland Park (tel. 847/266-5100; www.ravinia.com). The suburban location is the open-air summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the venue of many first-rate visiting orchestras, chamber ensembles, pop artists, dance companies, and so forth. June through September.

Puerto Rican Fest, Humboldt Park, Division Street and Sacramento Boulevard (tel. 773/292-1414; www.prparadechicago.com). One of Chicago's animated Latino street celebrations, this festival includes 5 days of live music, theater, games, food, and beverages. It peaks with a parade that winds its way from Wacker Drive and Dearborn Street to the West Side Puerto Rican enclave of Humboldt Park. Mid-June.

Old Town Art Fair, Lincoln Park West and Wisconsin Street, Old Town (tel. 312/337-1938; www.oldtowntriangle.com). This juried fine-arts fair has drawn crowds to this historic neighborhood for more than 50 years. It shows the work of more than 250 painters, sculptors, and jewelry designers from the Midwest and around the country. It also features an art auction, a garden walk, concessions, and children's art activities. Second weekend in June.

Wells Street Art Festival, Wells Street from North Avenue to Division Street (tel. 312/951-6106; www.oldtownchicago.org). Held on the same weekend as the more prestigious Old Town Art Fair, this event is lots of fun, with 200 arts and crafts vendors, food, music, and carnival rides. Second weekend in June.

Jammin' at the Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Dr., at Fullerton Parkway (tel. 773/742-2000; www.lpzoo.com). The lovely lawn south of the zoo's Park Place Café is certainly one of the more unusual outdoor venues for rock, zydeco, and reggae music fans, who can be animals themselves at times -- though, in this case, the emphasis is on family fun. The first of three summer concerts is held in late June. Ticket prices vary.

Grant Park Music Festival, Pritzker Music Pavilion, Randolph Street and Columbus Drive, Grant Park (tel. 312/742-7638; www.grantparkmusicfestival.com). The free outdoor musical concerts in the park begin the last week in June and continue through August.

Chicago Country Music Festival, Petrillo Music Shell, Jackson Drive and Columbus Drive, in Grant Park (tel. 312/744-3315). Y'all might not think fans of Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood would thrive in these northern urban climes. Think again, partner. This free event features big-name entertainers of the country-and-western genre. Last weekend in June.

Taste of Chicago, Grant Park (tel. 312/744-3315). The city claims that this is the largest free outdoor food fest in the nation. Three and a half million rib and pizza lovers feeding at this colossal alfresco trough say they're right. Over 10 days of feasting in the streets, scores of Chicago restaurants cart their fare to food stands set up throughout the park. To avoid the heaviest crowds at this event, try going on weekdays earlier in the day. Claustrophobics, take note: If you're here the evening of July 3 for the Independence Day fireworks, pick out a vantage point farther north on the lakefront -- unless dodging sweaty limbs, spilled beer, and the occasional bottle rocket sounds adventurous to you. Admission is free; you pay for the sampling. June 23 through July 4.

Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade, Halsted Street, from Belmont Avenue to Broadway, south to Diversey Parkway, and east to Lincoln Park, where a rally and music festival are held (tel. 773/348-8243; www.chicagopridecalendar.org). The floats and marching units have to be seen to be believed. The parade is the colorful culmination of a month of activities by Chicago's gay and lesbian community. Halsted Street is usually mobbed; take up a spot on Broadway for a better view. Last Sunday in June.

July

Independence Day Celebration (tel. 312/744-3315). Chicago celebrates the holiday on the third of July. Concerts and fireworks are the highlights of the festivities in Grant Park. Expect huge crowds. July 3.

Sheffield Garden Walk, starting at Sheffield and Webster avenues (tel. 773/929-WALK; www.sheffieldfestivals.org). Here's your chance to snoop in the lush backyards of Lincoln Park homeowners. The walk isn't just for garden nuts; the bands, children's activities, and food and drink tents attract lots of swinging singles and young families. Mid-July.

Dearborn Garden Walk & Heritage Festival, North Dearborn and Astor streets (tel. 312/632-1241; http://dearborngardenwalk.com). A more upscale event than the Sheffield Garden Walk, this event allows regular folks to peer into private gardens on the Gold Coast, one of the most expensive and exclusive neighborhoods in the city. As you'd expect, many yards are the work of the best landscape architects, designers, and art-world luminaries that old money can buy. There's also live music, a marketplace, and a few architectural tours. Mid-July.

Old St. Patrick's World's Largest Block Party, 700 W. Adams St., at Des Plaines Avenue (tel. 312/648-1021; www.oldstpats.org). This hugely popular blowout is hosted by the city's oldest church, an Irish Catholic landmark in the West Loop area. It can get pretty crowded, but Old St. Pat's always lands some major acts, who are presumably doing penance for skipping their Hail Marys. Six bands perform over 2 nights on two stages and attract a young, lively crowd. Mid-July.

Chicago SummerDance, east side of South Michigan Avenue between Balbo and Harrison streets (tel. 312/742-4007). From July to early September, the city's Department of Cultural Affairs transforms a patch of Grant Park into a lighted outdoor dance venue on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 6 to 9:30pm, and Sunday from 4 to 7pm; ethnic dance lessons for kids are offered Saturday from 4 to 5pm. The 3,500-square-foot dance floor provides ample room for throwing down moves while live bands play music -- from ballroom, jazz, klezmer, and country and western to samba, zydeco, blues, and soul. One-hour lessons are offered from 6 to 7pm. Free admission.

Chicago Yacht Club's Race to Mackinac Island; starting line at the Monroe Street Harbor (tel. 312/861-7777; www.chicagoyachtclub.org). The grandest of the inland water races is this 3-day competition. The public is welcome at a Friday-night party. On Saturday, jockey for a good place to watch the boats set sail. Mid-July.

Venetian Night, Monroe Harbor to the Adler Planetarium (tel. 312/744-3315). This carnival of illuminated boats on the lake is complete with fireworks and synchronized music by the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. Shoreline viewing is fine, but the best way to take it in is from another boat nearby, if you can swing it. This is a fine time to woo your sweetie with a dinner cruise. Last Saturday in July.

Taste of Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln Park, between Fullerton Avenue and Wellington Street (tel. 773/868-3010; www.wrightwoodneighbors.org). This is one of the largest and most popular of Chicago's many neighborhood street fairs; it features 50 bands performing music on five stages. Neighborhood restaurants staff the food stands, and there's also a kids' carnival. Third weekend in July.

Newberry Library Book Fair and Bughouse Square Debates, 69 W. Walton St. and Washington Square Park (tel. 312/255-3501; www.newberry.org). Over 4 days the esteemed Newberry Library invites the masses to rifle through bins stuffed with tens of thousands of used books, most of which go for less than $2 a pop. Better than the book fair is what happens across the street in Washington Square Park: Soapbox orators re-create the days when left-wing agitators came here, with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Studs Terkel, oral historian nonpareil, emceeing the spirited chaos. Late July.

August

Northalsted Market Days, Halsted Street between Belmont Avenue and Addison Street (tel. 773/868-3010; www.northalsted.com). The largest of the city's street festivals, held in the heart of this gay neighborhood, Northalsted Market Days offers music on three stages, lots of food and offbeat merchandise, and the best people-watching of the summer. Early August.

Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic, starting at 39th Street and King Drive and ending at 55th Street and Washington Park (tel. 312/225-2400; www.budbillikenparade.com). This annual African-American celebration, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2004, is one of the oldest parades of its kind in the nation. It's named for the mythical figure Bud Billiken, reputedly the patron saint of "the little guy," and features the standard floats, bands, marching and military units, drill teams, and glad-handing politicians. Second Saturday in August.

Chicago Air & Water Show, North Avenue Beach (tel. 312/744-3315). The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Navy Seals usually make an appearance at this hugely popular aquatic and aerial spectacular. (Even if you don't plan to watch it, you can't help but experience it with jets screaming overhead all weekend.) Free admission. Expect huge crowds, so arrive early if you want a spot along the water. But you'll also get good views (and some elbow room) on the grass along the east edge of Lincoln Park Zoo. Third weekend in August.

Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival, Petrillo Music Shell, Jackson Drive and Columbus Drive, Grant Park (tel. 312/744-3315). This musical celebration runs the gamut from salsa to mambo to the hottest Latin rock outfits. Free admission. Last weekend in August.

September

Chicago Jazz Festival, Petrillo Music Shell, Jackson Drive and Columbus Drive, Grant Park (tel. 312/744-3315). Several national headliners are always on hand at this steamy gathering, which provides a swell end-of-summer bookend opposite the gospel and blues fests in June. The event is free; come early and stay late. First weekend in September.

The art season, in conjunction with the annual Absolut Visions series of art gallery programs for the general public, begins with galleries holding their season openers in the Loop, River North, River West, and Wicker Park/Bucktown gallery districts. Contact the Chicago Art Dealers Association (tel. 312/649-0065; http://chicagoartdealers.org) for details. First Friday after Labor Day.

Boulevard Lakefront Bike Tour (Chicagoland Bicycle Federation; tel. 312/42-PEDAL; www.chibikefed.org). This 35-mile leisurely bicycle excursion is a great way to explore the city, from the neighborhoods and the lakefront to the historic link of parks and boulevards. There's also a 10-mile tour for children and families. The Sunday morning event starts and ends at the University of Chicago in Hyde Park, which plays host to the annual Bike Expo, with vendors and entertainment. Mid-September.

Mexican Independence Day Parade, Dearborn Street between Wacker Drive and Van Buren Street (tel. 312/744-3315; www.lavillitachamber.com/paradeinfo.aspx). This parade is on Saturday; another takes place the next day on 26th Street in the Little Village neighborhood (tel. 773/521-5387). Mid-September.

Celtic Fest Chicago, Petrillo Music Shell, Jackson Drive and Columbus Drive, Grant Park (tel. 312/744-3315). The city's newest music festival celebrates the music and dance of global Celtic traditions. Third weekend in September.

World Music Festival Chicago, various locations around the city (tel. 312/742-1938; www.cityofchicago.org/worldmusic). The World Music Festival is a major undertaking by the city's Department of Cultural Affairs. Held at venues around town -- notably the Chicago Cultural Center, Museum of Contemporary Art, Old Town School of Folk Music, and Hot House -- the festival brings in top performers from Hungary to Sri Lanka to Zimbabwe, performing traditional, contemporary, and fusion music. Shows are a mix of free and ticketed ($10 or less) events. Call for information and updates. Late September.

October

Chicago International Film Festival (tel. 312/425-9400; www.chicagofilmfestival.org). The oldest U.S. festival of its kind screens films from around the world at various theaters over 2 weeks beginning the first Thursday in October.

Chicago Marathon (tel. 312/904-9800; www.chicagomarathon.com). Sponsored by LaSalle Bank, Chicago's marathon is a major event on the international long-distance running circuit. It begins and ends in Grant Park but can be viewed from any number of vantage points along the route. Second Sunday in October.

November

Chicago Humanities Festival takes over locations throughout downtown, from libraries to concert halls (tel. 312/661-1028; www.chfestival.org). Over a 2-week period, the festival presents cultural performances, readings, and symposiums tied to an annual theme (recent themes included "Brains & Beauty" and "Crime & Punishment"). Expect appearances by major authors, scholars, and policymakers, all at a very reasonable cost ($5 per event). Early November.

Dance Chicago (tel. 773/989-0698; www.dancechicago.com). All of the city's best-known dance troupes (Hubbard Street, Joffrey Ballet, and so on) and many smaller companies participate in this month-long celebration of dance, with performances and workshops at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., on the city's North Side. It's a great chance to check out the range of local dance talent.

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (tel. 312/642-3570; www.gnmaa.com). Beginning at dusk, a colorful parade of Disney characters makes its way south along Michigan Avenue, from Oak Street to the Chicago River, with lights illuminated block by block as the procession passes. Carolers, elves, and minstrels appear with Santa along the avenue throughout the day and into the evening, and many retailers offer hot chocolate and other treats. Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Christmas Tree Lighting, Daley Center Plaza, in the Loop (tel. 312/744-3315). The switch is flipped the day after Thanksgiving, around dusk.

December

A Christmas Carol, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. (tel. 312/443-3800; www.goodman-theatre.org). This seasonal favorite, performed for more than 2 decades, runs from about Thanksgiving to the end of December.

The Nutcracker ballet, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy. For tickets, call tel. 312/559-1212 (Ticketmaster) or contact the Joffrey office (tel. 312/739-0120; www.joffrey.com). The esteemed company performs its Victorian-American twist on the holiday classic. Late November to mid-December.