Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Blues Festival
June 5 – 8, 2025 Free admission • Millennium Park and beyond A legendary Chicago event since 1984, the Chicago Blues Festival is the world’s…
Festivals & special events
Discover the best of the city’s fests.
Festivals & special events, Music
Lollapalooza Chicago guide: lineup, schedule, tickets, and more
July 31 – Aug. 3, 2025 Grant Park Each year, thousands of fans travel from around the world to experience Lollapalooza in Chicago. Those lucky…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Jazz Festival
Aug. 28 – 31, 2025 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
Sept. 5 – 7, 2025 Free admission • Grant Park and citywide The 45th annual Taste of Chicago is bringing some of the city’s most…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink, Music
Windy City Smokeout
July 10 – 13, 2025 United Center parking lot Country music, barbecue, and craft beer — it’s hard to think of a better way to…
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, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Gospel Music Festival
July 12, 2025 Free admission • Millennium Park Gospel music has deep roots in Chicago. The Chicago Gospel Music Festival, one of the city’s free…
Festivals & special events
Chicago festival and event guide
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…
Festivals, Festivals & special events, Special events
Your guide to the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade 2024
Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 • State Street It’s turkey time! The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, a local tradition for almost 90 years, kicks off the holiday…
Blog, Family, Festivals & special events, Holidays, Special events
Your guide to The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival 2024
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 & special events, Food & drink
Chicago beer festivals and events
Attention all beer enthusiasts! Cheers to Chicago’s booming craft beer scene at the city’s packed calendar of beer fests. Sample craft beers — from IPAs…
Festivals & special events, LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ Chicago events through the year
In Chicago, Pride doesn’t end in June. You’ll find a full calendar of gay, lesbian, trans, and queer events in every corner of the city…
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