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…
North Coast Music Festival
Festivals & special events
Discover the best of the city’s fests.
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, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Gospel Music Festival
July 24 – 25, 2026 Free admission • Millennium Park Gospel music has deep roots in Chicago. The Chicago Gospel Music Festival, one of the…
Entertainment, Festivals & special events, Parks & outdoors
Millennium Park Summer Film Series
Tuesdays, June 30 to Aug. 18, 2026 Movies start at 6:30 p.m. Free admission • Millennium Park Every summer in Chicago, visitors and locals flock…
Festivals & special events, LGBTQ+
Chicago Pride: Your guide to Chicago Pride Parade, Pride Fest, and more
Chicago 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, raucous…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Grant Park Music Festival
June 10 – Aug. 15, 2026 Free admission • Millennium Park Experience a Chicago summer tradition like no other. A local staple for more than…
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
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 • State Street It’s turkey time! The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, a local tradition for almost 90 years, kicks off the holiday…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago SummerDance
Free admission • Grant Park and parks citywide Enjoy live music and dancing on an open-air dance floor during the annual Chicago SummerDance festival. This…
Articles, Festivals & special events, Shopping and fashion
Maxwell Street Market
May 17, June 7, July 19, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, and Oct. 4, 2026 Free admission • Maxwell Street between Halsted Street and Union Avenue …
Architecture & history, Festivals & special events
Open House Chicago
Free admission • Citywide One weekend. 25+ Chicago neighborhoods. 200+ places to explore. Open the door to architectural gems all over Chicago. Every October, the…
Architecture & history, Festivals & special events
Chicago Architecture Biennial
Sept. 19, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 Free admission • Chicago Cultural Center & citywide Experience the future of architecture at the 10th annual Chicago…
Explore Chicago hotels, flights, deals, and more
Plan your trip
