2026 ChicagoCrash Events
| Event Name/Type | Time | Organizer | CS Event Status | Notes/Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChicagoCrash 2026 | Chicago CS Community | Posted Event | NEW LINK: https://www.couchsurfing.com/c/events/3B3MLLmNMG0VbleAPUBAkS0vl35_ho | |
| Thu Jul 16 | ||||
| Pre-Crash Meet and Greet | 8pm | Roger & Shakib | In Progress | Emporium – 2363 N Milwaukee Ave https://www.couchsurfing.com/c/events/3DQEghRiSBixrlw8xBXw8dMQg63_ho |
| Conversation and Dancing | 10PM | Paul E | Posted Event | The Charleston – 2076 N Hoyne Ave https://www.couchsurfing.com/c/events/3Be118zosd6itt264pJJwmDLjQ5_ho |
| Fri Jul 17 | ||||
| Welcome/Breakfast Event | 10AM | Roger T | Posted Event | Wildberry – 130 E Randolph St. https://www.couchsurfing.com/c/events/3FCOvLNlQDGjXi7FNFB6SIhlPjC_ho |
| Walking Tour | 3PM | Shakib | Posted Event | Chicago Cultural Center – 78 E Washington St https://www.couchsurfing.com/c/events/3FCHIkDt6niAt0FBjDZgB8DLFDF_ho |
| Tacos & Tamale Festival | 5PM | Yaiza | In Progress | Do your own souvenir, eat tacos tamales, Pilsen |
| Bridgeport Art Walk | 7PM | James & Josh | Posted Event | Bridgeport Art Center – 1200 W. 35th Street https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bridgeport-third-friday-art-walk-tickets-1978851196197#organizer-card https://www.couchsurfing.com/c/events/chicagocrash-2026-artwalk-3GTXDsFbUbUYKv491yfTafjJwoN_ho |
| Afterparty Party | 10PM | James & Josh | Posted Event | Marias – https://www.couchsurfing.com/c/events/chicagocrash-2026-after-party-at-marias-3GTW4kywQNxyEKCrgya8Bn0NxQ3_ho |
| Sat Jul 18 | ||||
| Bike Ride Along Lake | 10AM | James H | Not started | |
| Water Taxi | 1PM | Shakib | Posted Event | https://www.couchsurfing.com/c/events/3FCNaRnEmcamCkGmvh070MNA832_ho |
| China Town Walk | 2PM | Shakib | Posted Event | https://www.couchsurfing.com/c/events/3FCO9pTqTzRUQxIMOvqS154nd4i_ho |
| Beach Event | 3PM | Rachel K | Posted Event | https://www.couchsurfing.com/c/events/chicagocrash-2026-beach-3FsfgpUoCl59wkLzkqoqkZJYbaz_ho |
| Animals in the Zoo | 4PM | James H | Not started | Lincoln Park Zoo |
| ChicagoCrash BBQ | 6PM | NEED 1 ASAP | Not started | Humboldt Park? Montrose? Foster? |
| ChicagoCrash – Saturday Fireworks Navy Pier | 10PM | Jackie | Posted Event | https://www.couchsurfing.com/c/events/chicagocrash-saturday-fireworks-navy-pier-3FseYNk76M5ZApUkZqjZmyub5Xt_ho |
| Not started | ||||
| Sun Jul 19 | ||||
| Farewell Breakfast Event | 10AM | Marwin | Posted Event | https://www.couchsurfing.com/c/events/3GQB8ezj6ZlRPJq3H3e5bIOAoLK_ho |
| Not started | ||||
| Not started | ||||
| Alices Lounge – karaoke | Jackie | In Progress | Potentially move to Sat? | |
| Not started |
2026 ChicagoCrash Calendar [Link Here]
Screenshot Updated 2026-07-13
Opener/Closer Potluck Events
Potluck description: Join us for a themed potluck, Couchcrash edition! Rather than everyone just bringing store-bought snacks and drinks, we want those of you with kitchen access to get creative! For our international visitors, please prepare either your fav dish from your country of origin, or one most representative of it. And rather than ending up with 20 people bringing hotdogs, cheeseburgers, and potato salad, we want you to prepare a dish from the LAST country you’ve been to or the NEXT one you plan to visit. You can make an entree, appetiser, dessert, or local drink! Just make sure to bring enough to share with many others and some tupperware for leftovers! And don’t forget relevant condiments, large knives, ladles, etc for your dish. Those without kitchens please put in the comments which of the following you can bring: disposable cups/plates/silverware; large non-alcoholic drinks; ice; cooler; fruit, napkins/trash bags; speaker; large blanket, flow toys, etc. Such people (non-cooking) should be willing to stay behind for clean-up.
Thoughts? Edit as needed. Dep on where it is/time idk if I can make it/host but I do think those instructions should be clear.
| Opening Event | |
| Closing Event | |
| Latin Dancing | |
| Water Taxi to Chinatown | |
| Dim Sum in Chinatown | |
| Deep Dish & 606 Walk | |
| Welcome night at Recess | |
| Pub Crawl | |
| Riverwalk Tour | |
| Family Breakfast | |
| Lincoln Park Conservatory Botanical Gardens | |
| Animals in the Zoo | |
| Artfest | |
| Funky Beats and Dancing | |
| Mexican Fiesta | |
| Bike Ride | |
| Thai Festival |
Event Ideas so far
July 16: The Kickoff
Riverwalk Opening Mingle: A casual hangout at the 233 E. Riverwalk area to catch the sunset.
Latin Dancing Night: Roger mentioned being open to hosting dancing events again, which would be a high-energy way to start.
-Alt option https://recesschicago.com/
- Water Taxi to Chinatown: A budget-friendly way to see the skyline ($6).
- Chinatown Exploration: A classic budget food crawl. Roger specifically suggested a Food Crawl for local favorites.
- The “L” Experience: John’s idea to ride the Loop and Brown Line for the best architecture views. (China town to event)
- Taste of River North: This festival officially starts today at 5:00 PM (River North neighborhood). It’s free to enter and has great live music.
- Kingston Mines Blues Night: A late-night option to experience authentic Chicago blues.
- Riverwalk History Tour: A free walking tour of the main branch of the Chicago River.
- Lincoln Park Zoo & Conservatory: Lynette suggested a tour of the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is completely free.
- Taste of River North (Day 2): Open from 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM with more live performances.
- Picnic & Volleyball Tournament: Roger suggested a park picnic with volleyball or frisbee—ideal for a budget afternoon.
- Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk: A North Side alternative (Lincoln Park) with indie music and garden tours.
- Navy Pier Fireworks: A free show at 9:00 PM to wrap up the night.
- James & Mido’s Lakefront Bike Ride: A scenic ride from the South Loop/Pilsen area up to the North Side. Roger also noted interest in bike rides ending with lake activities.
- Pilsen Mexican Fiesta: Exploring the street art and authentic tacos in the South Loop/Pilsen area.
- Thai Festival: Lynette highlighted this as a favorite from last year; it’s a great North Side cultural and music stop.
- The Grand Finale: BBQ & Potluck (3 PM – Close):
- Location: Montrose Beach (Rachel’s recommendation for better parking and space).
- Activities: Swimming, sunset “vibe check,” and group grilling.
Volunteer Match-up (Based on Form Responses)
- Roger: Has a car and can help move supplies or provide rides. He can also provide speakers and outdoor gear for the beach BBQ or picnic.
- Lynette: Can provide folding chairs for the beach or park events.
- Mido: Interested in hosting—could be a great co-host for the “L” train tour or the bike ride.
Getting Here and Getting Around
Plane
Chicago is served by two primary airports. Your choice will likely depend on your airline or your final destination within the city:
- O’Hare International Airport (ORD):
- Best for: International travelers and those flying United Airlines or American Airlines, as ORD is a major hub for both.
- Location: 17 miles northwest of downtown.
- Transit: The CTA Blue Line train runs 24/7 directly from the terminal to the Loop (approx. 45–60 mins).
- Midway International Airport (MDW):
- Best for: Domestic travelers looking for a smaller, easier-to-navigate airport. It is the primary hub for Southwest Airlines.
- Location: 8 miles southwest of downtown.
- Transit: The CTA Orange Line train provides quick access to downtown (approx. 25–35 mins).
Remember
- Best Time to Book: Aim for 1–3 months in advance for domestic flights.
- Cheapest Days: Flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays typically offers lower fares than busy Monday or Friday “business travel” days.
Bus
Chicago is lucky to have one of the best public transportation systems in the country, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA for short). You can buy a Ventra Card at any CTA train station (like at the airport) or download the Ventra Application on your phone to tap and ride.
Here’s a quick site that describes how to get around town.
https://chicagoonthecheap.com/how-to-ride-the-cta/
Divvy Bikes / Lime Scooters
In Chicago, your main options for shared micromobility are Divvy (the city’s massive bike-share system) and Lime (e-scooters). Both systems are designed for short trips and integrated into the city’s transit network.
1. Divvy (Bikes & Scooters)
Divvy is the primary system in Chicago, operated by Lyft. It offers classic pedal bikes, e-bikes (black), and e-scooters (gray).
- How to Rent: Use the Divvy app or the Lyft app. You can scan the QR code on the handlebars to unlock the vehicle.
- Pricing (2026 Rates):
- Single Ride: $1.00 unlock fee + $0.20/min for classic bikes or $0.44/min for e-bikes/scooters.
- Day Pass: $19.90 for unlimited 3-hour rides on classic bikes (e-bikes/scooters still have per-minute fees).
2. Lime (Scooters Only)
Lime operates independently but follows similar city-wide regulations. Their scooters are typically green and white.
- How to Rent: Use the Lime app or the Uber app.
- Pricing: Generally mirrors Divvy’s non-member pricing (~$1 unlock + ~$0.44/min), but check the app for “LimePrime” passes which can waive unlock fees.