Festivals & special events

Discover the best of the city’s fests.

Festivals & special events, Food & drink

Chicago’s James Beard Award winners

Chicago is proud to be home to over 50 James Beard Award winners. Since the first ceremony in 1991, this national award has become the…

Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music

Chicago SummerDance

June 29 – Sept. 7 2025 Free admission • Grant Park and parks citywide Enjoy live music and dancing on an open-air dance floor during…

Festivals & special events, Music, Parks & outdoors

Millennium Park Summer Music Series

June 26 – Aug. 7, 2025 Free admission • Millennium Park The Millennium Park Summer Music Series offers free outdoor concerts in downtown Chicago, showcasing…

Entertainment, Festivals & special events, Parks & outdoors

Millennium Park Summer Film Series

July 1 – Aug. 26, 2025 Free admission • Millennium Park Every summer in Chicago, visitors and locals flock to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in…

Articles, Festivals & special events, Shopping and fashion

Maxwell Street Market

May 18 – Oct. 5, 2025 Free admission • Maxwell Street between Halsted Street and Union Avenue Maxwell Street Market is Chicago’s oldest market, with…

Festivals & special events, Food & drink

Chicago Gourmet

Sept. 25 – 28, 2025 Harris Theater Rooftop • Millennium Park Welcome to Chicago Gourmet, one of the country’s most distinguished food festivals. Each year,…

Architecture & history, Festivals & special events

Open House Chicago

Oct. 18 – 19, 2025 Free admission • Citywide One weekend. 20+ Chicago neighborhoods. 170+ places to explore. Open the door to architectural gems all…

Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music

Grant Park Music Festival

June 11 — Aug. 16, 2025 Free admission • Millennium Park Experience a Chicago summer tradition like no other. The Grant Park Music Festival, now…

Architecture & history, Festivals & special events

Chicago Architecture Biennial

Sept. 12, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 Free admission • Chicago Cultural Center & citywide Experience the future of architecture at the 10th annual Chicago…

Festivals & special events, LGBTQ+

Chicago Pride: Your guide to Chicago Pride Parade, Pride Fest, and more

Chicago really knows how to party for Pride. Each June, the city is brimming with LGBTQ+ celebrations and events, including over-the-top street fests, exhilarating concerts,…