Festivals & special events
Chicago festival and event guide 2026/2027
Every season is festival season in Chicago. Each month brings a packed line-up of special events celebrating food, music, culture, art, history, and beyond. Choose…
North Coast Music Festival
Festivals & special events
Discover the best of the city’s fests.
Blog, Family, Festivals & special events, Holidays, Special events
Your guide to The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
The holiday season in Chicago is always an exciting time. With countless events across multiple neighborhoods, there are so many ways to celebrate. One of…
Festivals, Festivals & special events, Special events
Your guide to the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade 2026
Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 State Street The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, a local tradition for more than 90 years, kicks off the holiday season with a…
Architecture & history, Festivals & special events
Open House Chicago
Oct. 17 – 18, 2026 Free admission • Citywide One weekend. 30+ Chicago neighborhoods. 200+ places to explore. Open the door to architectural gems all…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
World Music Festival Chicago
Sept. 25 – Oct. 4, 2026 Free admission • Multiple locations The 26th annual World Music Festival is your passport to musical acts from across…
Festivals & special events
Chicago House Music Festival and Conference
Aug. 27 – 30, 2026 Free admission • Millennium Park and beyond The Chicago House Music Festival is an annual celebration of Chicago house music…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap
Chicago Air and Water Show
Aug. 15 – 16, 2026 Free admission • Chicago lakefront The Chicago Air and Water Show has been an iconic Chicago event since 1959. The…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago SummerDance
July 15 – Aug. 29, 2026 Free admission • Grant Park and parks citywide Enjoy live music and dancing on an open-air dance floor during…
Festivals & special events, Music
Top summer music festivals in Chicago
Music lives large in Chicago, from our neighborhood streets and historic venues to downtown parks and our iconic lakefront. And Chicago’s iconic festival season brings…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink
Chicago’s James Beard Award winners
Chicago is proud to be home to over 50 James Beard Awards winners, honoring the very best of Chicago’s acclaimed dining scene. Throughout the years,…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Jazz Festival
Sept. 3 – 6, 2026 Free admission • Millennium Park The oldest of Chicago’s free lakefront music festivals, the Chicago Jazz Festival boasts an incredibly…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink
Taste of Chicago
July 8 – 12, 2026 Free admission • Grant Park The 46th annual Taste of Chicago is bringing some of the city’s most iconic bites…
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