Welcome, listeners, to Things to Do in Chicago—Ollie Bennet here, the only guide who can name the capital of Lithuania while balancing on a unicycle (it’s Vilnius, by the way). It’s Thursday, September 25, 2025, and the city is buzzing with spicy energy, a dash of adventure, and just a little hint of crisp fall in the air—perfect for that classic debate: deep-dish or thin crust? If you’re stepping outside, expect September sun with a cool breeze, so leave the snow pants at home, but consider that windbreaker unless you want to be mistaken for a windsock along the Lakefront.

Here’s the lowdown on today’s Chicago vibe: The city is prepping for a recipe show-down as the Chicago Gourmet kicks off its first night at Grant Park—so foodies, get stretchy pants ready. Later, the pre-party action is already brewing, with every hotel lobby and bar within smelling distance of Michigan Avenue gearing up for a weekend of culinary chaos. Meanwhile, the artsy folks are still raving about last week’s Chicago Performs festival at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and everyone you meet wants to swap patch sneak peeks from Riot Fest.

Ready for action? Let’s fire off today’s must-do events hotter than jalapeños on a slice at Pequod’s.

Food lovers, this evening is your oyster—Chicago Gourmet is popping corks all weekend at Grant Park, but tonight is the official curtain-raiser. Expect chef demos, local brews, and enough small plates to have you inventing new food groups just to keep up. My advice? Pace yourself, champions. According to GrantParkEvents.com, you can still score entry for tonight.

Prefer night moves? Swing by the Hideout for live indie jams, or catch a concert at one of Chicago’s iconic venues—Chicago-Theater.com has September stacked with everything from chart-toppers to those bands your cousin’s roommate swears will be famous next year.

Bringing the kids? Check the city’s free fall programming: Lincoln Park Zoo is open late, with after-hours animal feedings, and Millennium Park’s splashy playground is still running at full tilt. Mommypoppins.com highlights September as a golden window for zoo visits before everyone starts drinking pumpkin spice out of sippy cups.

If visual feasts are more your thing, cruise through the Driehaus Museum for the Tiffany Lamps: Beyond the Shade exhibit; the glasswork’s so vibrant you’ll need shades just to look at it. Still craving a quirky gem? Don’t forget Wicker Park’s after-dark Storytelling Night—ChicagoStorytelling.com lists a 7 PM show featuring local legends, perfect for a date or solo mission.

Tuning in from a Blue Line stop or running late on the bus? Heads up: The CTA rolled out new improved schedules for rush hour, so even the most seasoned commuters are double-checking platforms today.

Here’s a humid tip direct from the local grapevine: If you want a selfie at Cloud Gate (that’s “The Bean” to us), go on sunrise—less crowd, and you’ll catch the city glinting in gold. Bonus: You’ll look 15% more athletic in every shadow.

Tomorrow, keep your eyes peeled for night markets weaving through Pilsen, more gourmet bites downtown, and the Life Time Chicago Spring Half Marathon—expect road closures, but also a city vibe pumped up on finish-line adrenaline. If you want more wild stories, oddball events, or tales of juggling flaming torches at a Goose Island Block Party, you know where to find me.

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