Navy Pier showcases spring events

Navy Pier announced its full spring events schedule, offering a broad range of spring events including cultural celebrations, the return of Chicago’s premiere international art expo, and a first-of-its-kind tribute to one of America’s most enduring pop-culture treasures, ‘The Golden Girls.’

“We’ve endured a rather snowy and chilly winter, but here comes the sun, with an array of events and activities that will keep spring hopping at Navy Pier,” said Navy Pier President and CEO Marilynn Gardner.

Spring Highlights

Global Connections: Carnivale, March 5 and Holi, March 15

Following its successful launch with Chinese New Year last month, Navy Pier’s Global Connections series, presented by ComEd, continues with two more cultural celebrations. International Carnivale presented by ComEd, brings music, dance, art-making projects and festive food representing traditions from Brazil, Italy, Puerto Rico, and North America from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 5 in the Aon Grand Ballroom. The free event features performances by Chicago Samba, Four Star Brass Band, Plena Project presented by Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, and Baranquilla Carnaval presented by Somos Colombia.

India’s grand celebration of good triumphing over evil, Holi presented by ComEd and sponsored by the Delhi Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, will be celebrated fon March 19, in the Aon Grand Ballroom, which comes alive with dance, music, and educational activities. Funkadesi, Surabhi Ensemble, DJ Krush and DJ Jeet, Bollywood Grove, Natya Dance Theater, Meher Dance, and Mandala Arts will perform. The festival is famous for the throwing of colorful powders, which will be available for sale onsite. Bombay Wraps will sell food at the event.

Stroller Grooves, Tuesdays in March & April

Stroller Grooves, a live music series for families and their youngest music fans, returns every Tuesday at noon in March and April at the Mural Corner in the Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion. Performers include the Q Brothers and Little Miss Ann.

‘The Pollinators’ screening and honey sampling, March 6

In partnership with the One Earth Film Festival, Navy Pier will stream the documentary “The Pollinators,” which sheds light on the imperilled bee, on March 6. After the free screening, Navy Pier’s own ‘apiarist’ or beekeeper, who maintains two hives on the green roof of the People’s Energy Welcome Pavilion, will lead a discussion about the amazing insects responsible for 35% of the global food supply. Guests will then sample the honey harvested at Navy Pier.

St. Patrick’s River-dyeing cruise, March 12

The hallmark of St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago is dyeing the river green. Revelers can get up close and personal to the iconic tradition aboard a Seadog boat cruise on the Chicago River. The City Cruises St. Patrick’s Day River Dyeing Cruise, boards at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, March 12. The two-hour cruise features Irish tunes, the best views of the skyline, and green beer! Tickets are $65, available here.

Chicago Ale Fest, March 26

The Chicago Ale Fest will feature more than 150 different craft beers, Chicago’s favorite food trucks, live music from a local DJ, and games on March 26, in the historic Aon Grand Ballroom.

Chicago Children’s Museum Family Days, starting March 31

The first of three Chicago Children’s Museum Family Days will be burrsting with activities for children ages 1-10. Chicago Children’s Museum Family Days are also scheduled for April 21 and May 19. Museum admission will be free for all three days.

EXPO CHICAGO, April 7-10

EXPO CHICAGO, International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art, will return to Navy Pier, from April 7-10, in Festival Hall. More than 140 preeminent international artists and galleries will exhibit contemporary art, from large installations to rare books and prints.

“Stories of Survival: Object. Image. Memory,” April 27-June 8

“Stories of Survival: Object. Image Memory,” is an award-winning exhibition of 56 works of art debuting at Navy Pier as an outdoor experience. Stories of Survival showcases more than 50 personal artifacts brought to America as families fled persecution and war. Presented in partnership with the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Stories of Survival will be on display outdoors in Polk Bros Park, from April 7 through June 30.

Golden-Con: Thank You for Being a Fan, April 22-24
Friends, pals and confidants are invited to share the love and celebrate their favorite show, “The Golden Girls,” at Golden-Con: Thank You for Being a Fan, April 22-24 in the Aon Grand Ballroom. The three-day convention will feature trivia contests, a ‘Greatest Gift’ market, live parody shows from Hell in a Handbag Theater, a disco party, panel discussions, and autograph and photo opportunities with stars, producers, and others who worked on the classic show.