What we’re about
CLICK HERE to see our main meetup events calendar http://www.socialfundation.com
"Culture, Cuisine, Cocktails, Coffee & Convos = Community"
This is a Chicago-Suburban meet-up group designed for people who enjoy the cinema, fine cuisine and more. Most evening events will consist of a movie, dinner, or a combination of both. Others may include a matinee followed by a film discussion afterwards at a local cafe. From time to time there will also be a foreign film, Indie or Classic movie scheduled, or even live theater.
We will have dining venues which will include diverse cuisines from around the world or around the block. In addition, other fun activities such as music venues, bowling, wine tastings, outdoor music fests/concerts, and more! Join us for ongoing dinner events like Porkapalooza, an exploration of area BBQ places; and BurgerTime, the same concept, but with Burgers. Check out the Pages section for where we've been and where we're going. Please let us know if there's some thing/some place you'd like to try, or if you'd like to host an event.
Please note: While all are welcome, consistent no-shows and those who use e-mail/Meetup to disparage other members will be removed from the group.
Upcoming events
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•OnlineONLINE FREE Casual Game Night! Card games, drawing games, party games, and more!
OnlineJoin us for some chill online games on Ludio! We run the best game nights ever :D Ludio (https://ludio.gg) is a videoconferencing platform with games built directly into it.
We play all sorts of card games, word games, drawing games, bluffing games, trivia games, party games, and more - all of them are easy to learn, quick to play, and very social. We have a team of experienced hosts who will teach you all the games - and keep the event fun and safe!
There is no need to learn any of the games we play beforehand, but if you're curious, you can find the full list of games and tutorials on https://try.ludio.gg. In the past we've played a lot of Pitfall, Piranha, Fishbowl, and Caption Contraption.
We advertise this event in multiple groups and many of our regulars don’t RSVP anymore. RSVPs are not indicative of how many people will show up - we get a consistent turnout of 10+ people.
Requirements:
- If it's your first time using Ludio, we encourage you to hop on the call 10 minutes early so we can get you set up!
- You will need a computer (unfortunately we don't support tablets/phones)
- You need to use a Chromium-based browser (e.g. Google Chrome)
- You will need a webcam and microphone to participate in the games
1 attendee
🎄✨ Jingle & Mingle: Chicago Holiday Hotel Lobby Tour — Take 3! ❄️🏨
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago, 163 E Walton St Chicago, IL 60611, Chicago, IL, US🎄✨ Jingle & Mingle: Chicago Holiday Hotel Lobby Tour — Take 3! ❄️🏨
🌆 A Festive Guided Stroll Through Chicago’s Most Beautiful Holiday Lobbies ✨
Christmas isn’t over just yet! 🎁✨ Back by popular demand! If you missed the first two—or simply want more holiday magic—join us for another sparkling edition of my beloved Holiday Hotel Lobby Tour. 🌟
We’ll wander through Chicago’s most beautifully decorated hotel lobbies, soaking in twinkling trees, towering wreaths, glittering ornaments, elegant floral displays, and all the cozy glamour that makes the season unforgettable. 🎄📸
Dress warm, festive, and comfy for a leisurely downtown stroll with plenty of time to warm up, sip festive cocktails, take photos, and enjoy the décor.
This is one of my most popular annual traditions—blending Chicago history, architecture, holiday décor, and seasonal storytelling into one magical afternoon.
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### 🕰️ Schedule, Meeting Info & Cost
📅 Friday, December 26, 2025
🕚 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 Start: Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker 163 E Walton St
🏁 End: Palmer House Hotel 17 E Monroe St
🚶♀️ Distance: ~2.5 miles | Easy pace | Indoor + outdoor | Rain or shine
💰 Cost: $20 (cash preferred; Zelle/Venmo/PayPal accepted)
⚠️ Important: We begin at the Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker and officially end at the Palmer House. This walk does NOT end where we start — please plan your transportation accordingly.
This walk is longer than my usual tours because we stop inside many hotels, enjoy festive cocktails, warm up between lobbies, take group photos, and soak up as much décor as possible! 🎄✨
📸 Not a dedicated photo walk — but trust us, you’ll absolutely want your camera!
🎤 Led by your passionate, ever-curious guide — this festive experience is perfect for longtime locals, out-of-town guests, architecture lovers, history buffs, holiday décor fanatics, photography lovers, and anyone who enjoys exploring the city’s holiday sparkle.
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🌟 Route & Highlights
(Stops Subject to change based on group size or timing)
- 🏨 Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker – Classic 1920s elegance with vintage holiday charm 🎄
- 🏰 The Drake – Grand Palm Court tree, garlands, and old-school Chicago holiday magic 🍬
- 🏨 Waldorf Astoria – Refined luxury and elegant seasonal décor
- 🛍️ 900 N Michigan Ave Shops – One of Chicago’s largest multi-story indoor Christmas trees ✨
- 🌟 Four Seasons Hotel Chicago – Lavish lobby tree and festive flair
- 🏨 Ritz-Carlton Chicago – Sophisticated seasonal style
- 🏨 InterContinental Chicago – Grand lobby décor, Nutcracker touches, and twinkling lights
- 🎅 The Langham Chicago – Gold-and-silver shimmer, elegant tree, festive details 🎁
- 🌊 Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel – Modern holiday installations and bold seasonal design
- ⛷️ Fairmont Chicago – Chic winter-lodge vibes near Millennium Park ❄️
- 🏛️ Chicago Cultural Center – Tiffany domes and a stunning holiday tree 💎
- 🏙️ Millennium Park / Cloud Gate – Chicago’s official Christmas tree and skyline views
- 🏨 Palmer House Hotel – Towering lobby tree, opulent ceilings, and holiday cocktails 🍸
End time: approx. 3:30 PM at the Palmer House
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🎄 Holiday Magic on the Magnificent Mile ✨ North Michigan Avenue: Chicago’s Grand Hotels & Shopping Destination
North Michigan Avenue — the world-famous Magnificent Mile — has been Chicago’s luxury corridor for more than a century. Lined with grand hotels like The Drake, The Peninsula, The Langham, InterContinental, and Palmer House, this iconic stretch has long attracted socialites, celebrities, and travelers seeking elegance.
Between these historic hotels, you’ll find world-class shopping, glamorous restaurants, and some of the most beautiful architecture in the city. During the holiday season, the avenue transforms into a glittering winter escape — lobby trees, twinkling lights, shimmering installations, and classic Chicago holiday cheer at every stop.
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🎁 Christmas on North Michigan Avenue — A Beloved Chicago Tradition
Since the 1920s, North Michigan Avenue has been the heart of Chicago’s holiday celebrations. Grand hotels competed to outdo one another with lavish trees, sparkling garlands, festive window displays, and elaborate seasonal scenes. Department stores soon joined in, turning the area into Chicago’s premier holiday shopping corridor.
Families from across the city flocked to the Magnificent Mile to see the animated windows, gather around towering lobby trees, and stroll through festive displays — a tradition that continues today.
The Magnificent Mile remains synonymous with holiday glamour, seasonal magic, and unforgettable décor, making it a must-visit destination this time of year.
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🚇 Getting There
Public transit highly recommended.
CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Parking
Limited and can be expensive.
SpotHero / ParkWhiz recommended.
Side streets vary — check signage carefully.
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📝 RSVP & No-Show Policy
✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated
✔️ Cancel if you can’t attend
❌ Repeat no-shows may be removed from future events
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🎄✨ Join us for a heartwarming, glittering, joy-filled holiday stroll through Chicago’s most magical lobbies — complete with stories, architecture, seasonal cheer, and tons of festive fun!
***
🚇 Getting There
Public transit highly recommended.
CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Parking
Limited and can be expensive.
SpotHero / ParkWhiz recommended.
Side streets vary — check signage carefully.
***
📝 RSVP & No-Show Policy
✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated
✔️ Cancel if you can’t attend
❌ Repeat no-shows may be removed from future events
***
🎄✨ Join us for a heartwarming, glittering, joy-filled holiday stroll through Chicago’s most magical lobbies — complete with stories, architecture, seasonal cheer, and tons of festive fun!13 attendees
Past events
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