Thanksgiving in Chicago: College Basketball Showdown, Turkey Trot and Holiday Festivities

Welcome to Things to Do in Chicago, your daily guide to the Windy City's most incredible happenings! I'm your host, Ollie Bennett, and let me tell you, today is Thursday, November 27th, 2025—Thanksgiving Day—and Chicago is absolutely buzzing with energy despite the holiday vibe!The city's got that perfect autumn chill in the air, you know that crisp Thanksgiving morning feeling where everyone's either cooking up a storm or getting ready for something spectacular. Speaking of spectacular, we've got some absolute bangers happening today that'll make your Thanksgiving unforgettable!First up, the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic is taking over the United Center tonight at 7 PM Central Time. Duke is battling Arkansas in what's being called one of the most-watched college basketball games in the last decade. This isn't just any game, listeners—last year's Thanksgiving Classic pulled in over 5 million viewers on CBS, and tonight promises to be equally electric. Duke's head coach Jon Scheyer and Arkansas's legendary coach John Calipari are bringing serious star power to the hardwood. The matchup is being broadcast nationally on CBS and Paramount Plus, so whether you're at home or heading to the United Center in Chicago, this is must-watch television. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, and if you're driving, parking opens two and a half hours before game time.Now, if basketball isn't your thing, Chicago's still got you covered! The city's holiday spirit is ramping up beautifully. Over in Orland Park just outside Chicago, there's the Turkey Trot happening today—perfect for those listeners who like to work up an appetite before the big feast. And if you want to plan ahead, tomorrow night on November 30th, Orland Park's hosting an absolutely magnificent Christmas Parade at 4 PM with tree lighting at 5 PM and a full holiday festival afterward. It's totally free, and the atmosphere is pure magic.Here's my local tip for navigating Chicago like a true insider: if you're heading to the United Center for tonight's game, forget about the traditional parking headache. Use the Uber Zone at Lot E—it's the new genius move. Located at Madison Street and Wood Street, it opens two hours before events and stays open an hour after. It's streamlined, it's smooth, and it's way less stressful than hunting for parking. Trust me on this one.For your must-do activity today, grab some classic Chicago deep-dish pizza before the game—maybe from one of the spots near the United Center—and soak in the pre-game atmosphere. The city's got this infectious Thanksgiving energy mixed with serious sports electricity.Tomorrow, listeners, we're heating things up even more with holiday festivals and Chicago's famous holiday market scene getting into full swing. The Christkindlmarket already had its opening preview, and the city's German Christmas traditions are about to take over.Thanks for listening, please subscribe, and remember—this episode was brought to you by Quiet Please podcast networks. For more content like this, please go to Quiet Please dot Ai.For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/and make sure to jump on these great deals https://amzn.to/3V0gjPtFor more on Oly check out https://www.instagram.com/olybennet/This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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