Festival and special-events calendars can give you a jump on planning your summer fun, and there are a number of them, published by area tourism offices, that listing everything from art fairs to zoos from Addison to Zion. Among them:
The Chicago Office of Tourism`s summer guide lists special events and attractions, museums and music in the Chicago area and includes information on shopping and sightseeing along with a list of area hotels that offer special discounts.
The Northern Illinois Tourism Council`s 1992 calendar is a convenient guide to local events. This year-round calendar also includes regional maps and campgrounds in the area.
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For those who want to venture farther afield, the Illinois Bureau of Tourism`s Summer Calendar of Events includes events from Rockford in the north to Cartersville in the south and includes a list of museum exhibits and special tours.
The Illinois Arts Council offers a directory of art fairs in the Chicagoland area.
Here`s where to write or call:
Chicago Office of Tourism, 806 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60611. Copies also available at the Chicago Visitor Information Center, 163 E. Pearson St. Office hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 312-280-5740 or 1-800-487-2446.
Illinois Arts Council, State of Illinois Building, 100 W. Randolph St., Suite 10-500, Chicago 60601. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. 312-814-6750 or 1-800-237-6994.
Illinois Bureau of Tourism, Illinois Information Center, 310 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60604. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. 312-793-2094 or 1-800-223-0121.
Mayor`s Office of Special Events, 312-744-3315. For brochures, visit the City Hall Information Booth, 121 N. LaSalle St.
Chicago Convention & Visitors Bureau, 312-567-8500.
Chicago Fine Arts Hotline, 312-346-3278.
Concert Hotline (for popular music concerts), 312-666-6667.
Chicago Music Alliance (for classical concerts and operas), 312-987-9296. Chicago Park District, 312-294-2200.
Dance Hotline, 312-419-8383.
Hotel/Motel Association of Illinois, 312-236-3473.
Jazz Hotline, 312-427-3300.
Indiana Travel and Tourism, 1-800-289-6646.
Michigan Travel Bureau, 1-800-543-2937.
Wisconsin State Division of Tourism (Chicago office), 312-332-7274.
The Hot Tix Booths-on the State Street Mall between Madison and Monroe Streets; in the Oak Park Visitors Center, 158 Forest Ave., Oak Park; and at 1616 N. Sherman Ave., Evanston-offer full-price tickets and discount tickets good that day for theater, music and dance performances throughout the area. For advance full-priced tickets, call the Ticketmaster Arts Line,
312-902-1500.