Navy Pier, in partnership with ComEd, is bringing back its popular Global Connections Series. Cultural celebrations will include Lunar New Year, International Carnival, and Holi. This free event series is set to take place in the Aon Grand Ballroom.
Kicking off Navy Pier’s Global Connections series, the Aon Grand Ballroom will be transformed into a festive, interactive, and family-friendly Lunar New Year Celebration, ushering in the Year of the Dragon. On Saturday, Feb. 10, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., guests will experience performances of local artists, dance, traditional and contemporary music, food vendors and much more. Participating groups will include:
- Chicago Korean Dance Company
- Chicago Lives Chinatown
- Chinese Fine Arts Society
- Japanese Cultural Center
- Soul Power Band
- Miss Asian Chicago
- Philippine American Cultural Foundation Performing Arts
- PK Neo
- Prism Kru
- Rev X
- Thai Cultural & Fine Arts Institute of Chicago
At the end of February, Navy Pier will celebrate International Carnivale on Saturday, February 24, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras event will feature art-making activities, live music, and dance performances incorporating traditions from across the globe, including Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and North America. A partial list of participating groups includes:
- Chicago Samba
- Four Star Brass Band
- Team Jamaica
- Logan Lu
- La Zafra
- Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
- Somos Colombia
The final event in the series, Holi, the Hindu “Festival of Colors,” will be celebrated on Saturday, March 23, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There’ll be live music, dance, and educational programming inside the Aon Grand Ballroom. Guests will also be invited to take part in the spirited tradition of colored powder throwing and enjoy DJs in Navy Pier’s outdoor Beer Garden. Powder will be available for purchase on-site.
Note: All artists, events and dates are subject to change