Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Blues Festival
June 4 – 7, 2026 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, 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,…
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, 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 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 …
Festivals & special events, Food & drink
Chicago Gourmet
Harris Theater Rooftop • Millennium Park Welcome to Chicago Gourmet, one of the country’s most distinguished food festivals. Each year, Chicago Gourmet celebrates the city’s…
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…
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…
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