Venetian Night Chicago '21

Chicago’s Venetian Night is Back! The Italian American Human Relations Foundation of Chicago (IAHRF), a 501c corporation, will be bringing back Chicago’s popular Venetian Night on Saturday, July 10, 2021.

Since 1958, Chicago has celebrated this amazing nautical parade that is named and modeled after the ever-popular boat parades of Venice, Italy. “This is an opportunity to bring back a fantastic part of our Italian culture to the City of Chicago at a time when we feel it is needed the most,” said Lou Rago, President of IAHRF.

In the past, Venetian Night was celebrated on the lakefront. This year’s Venetian Night, in cooperation with the City of Chicago, will be presented on the Chicago Riverwalk. “We felt that the new Riverwalk was a natural fit for enjoying the dazzling parade of boats while people are strolling the Riverwalk or enjoying any of the restaurants along the parade route,” said Kathryne Smith, Board Director of IAHRF.

Honorary Chairman, Secretary of State Jesse White will kick off the festivities at City Winery along the Riverwalk with our Master of Ceremony and WIND radio personality, Shaun Thompson. Italian-themed entertainment will be provided by IAHRF.

IAHRF is asking restaurants along the Riverwalk to participate in the festivities by adding a Venetian Night-themed food or drink to their menus and lighting their venues in red, white and green.

Decorated boats will assemble on the Chicago River, just west of the Merchandise Mart beginning at 7 p.m. The regatta will begin at 8:30 p.m. and proceed east to Navy Pier in time for Navy Pier’s fireworks display.

Grand prize for best decorated boat will win a weekend getaway at a fabulous downtown hotel suite. Registration fee per boat is $250. To enter your boat, please call 773-276-7800 or email us at info@iahrf.com. Deadline for boat registration is July 5th.

Enjoy the amazing views along Chicago’s beautiful Riverwalk. The IAHRF welcomes all residents of the City of Chicago and beyond to celebrate this wonderful piece of Italy in Chicago.