January: Fun Things to Do this Month!

Last Updated on January 13, 2019

This post may contain affiliate links.  If you make a purchase through these links, I may get a small commission at no additional cost to you.

A Chicago January without snow is no January at all!  I know many people dislike snow for the travel delays and the messiness of it, but I adore winter and miss it when it’s gone.  That being said, I don’t minds spending lots of time indoors when outdoors isn’t an idyllic snow globe. With that, let’s take a look at some of the fun things going on this January….

The Chicago Travel and Adventure Show: January 12-13, 2019

I didn’t realize how awesome the Chicago Travel and Adventure show was before I actually attended.  Why? Because standing around a conference center in Rosemont, IL doesn’t sound particularly adventurous.  But, the show is just a vehicle to introduce you to new destinations and get you excited for your future travels. Not only that, there are fun speakers, great food, and animal rides. The show really does work wonders, as I ended up booking a trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as a result of meeting someone at a booth. The show runs from 10AM-5PM Saturday, and 11AM-4PM Sunday.  One day tickets ar $11 for adults and free for anyone 16 years old or younger.

UGC 2016 Vintage Bordeaux Tasting: January 23, 2019

This yearly event sponsored by Binny’s is a can’t miss (and one of my favorites.) At my WSET Level 1 Class, we all had to go around and name our favorite style of wine, and mine is without a doubt, Bordeaux Blends.  With over 90 Grand Cru French wine houses offering up their 2016 vintages, it is a great way to refine what you like most in Bordeaux Blends, like whether you are a Right Bank or Left Bank person.  The event runs from 6pm-8pm at The Drake Hotel, and tickets cost $60.

Traditional Viennese Opera in Glen Ellyn: January 26-27, 2019

I have been to two operas in my life and neither of them were in English. The first, Romeo and Juliet, was at the Lyric Opera in Chicago and I was only 13 years old.  A field trip is a field trip, but even that was hard to sit through. The second was 15 years later when, during an impromptu trip to Berlin, a friend and I bought last minute tickets to see Placido Domingo in Macbeth at the Berlin Opera House.  Now that was a treat, but mostly because I already knew the story so I didn’t have to worry about understanding the dialogue.  Save yourself the trouble and head to an English language opera!  The McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage is putting on this lighthearted operetta in English for one weekend only.   Shows are Saturday, January 26 at 7:30PM and Sunday, January 27 at 2:30PM.  Tickets are $59/person.  Who’s coming with me?

Have anything going on in Chicagoland that you want me to mention? Email me at Jaimesaysblog@gmail.com