Before the final battle for Hawkins begins, Chicago fans can pedal into nostalgia. On November 23, Netflix is inviting viewers to hop on their bikes for The Last Bike Ride, a self-guided route along the Lakefront Trail celebrating the premiere of Stranger Things 5. The 18.5-mile lakeside path, stretching from Edgewater to South Shore, will double as a scenic stand-in for the gang’s Hawkins adventures, minus the Demogorgons.
The Chicago ride is part of a global fan farewell that spans six continents, from Los Angeles to Lucca, with events ranging from immersive pop-ups to live screenings. Each city’s version of The Last Bike Ride is designed to be casual and flexible: you can join any time that day, ride at your own pace and, if luck’s on your side, win a limited-edition Stranger Things bike just by registering. The series’ obsession with two wheels makes the event a fitting send-off: as any fan knows, if your bike’s not in motion, something’s probably lurking in the woods.
While Chicago’s ride won’t feature official checkpoints or Hawkins-style signage, there’s plenty of atmospheric terrain to lean into the show’s vibe. Cruise past the dusky horizon near Buckingham Fountain, take a breather by the Adler Planetarium and imagine the eerie glow of the Upside Down reflecting off Lake Michigan. For full immersion, cue up the show’s synth soundtrack and plan your loop around sunset, the perfect time for a little supernatural energy.
It’s been nine years since Stranger Things first turned a small-town mystery into a pop-culture phenomenon. The fifth and final season of the show premieres on November 26 with four episodes, followed by three more on Christmas Day and a finale on New Year’s Eve. Expect high stakes, psychic battles and, according to Netflix, “the biggest fight yet” as Eleven and her friends face Vecna one last time.
Until then, The Last Bike Ride offers one more chance to relive the thrill of racing through the unknown with your best friends. Registration details are coming soon via Netflix’s fan hub at Tudum.com. Bonus points if you and your riding crew show up looking like you raided Eddie Munson’s wardrobe.