Want to know what’s happening this weekend in Chicago? Look no further. There’s a whole calendar of exciting events, exhibits, and activities taking place all over the city this month in Chicago.
This weekend brings a ton of exciting happenings, including the kick off to Chicago’s International Jazz Day celebrations. Find concerts, exhibits, tours, and more that explore the city’s rich jazz legacy.
Film buffs will find screenings throughout the city during three unique film festivals: the Chicago Latino Film Festival, Doc10 Film Festival, and the CineYouth Festival.
For sports fans, grab tickets to see the Chicago White Sox play the Washington Nationals at Rate Field or the Chicago Fire FC on their home turf of Soldier Field.
Check out just a few of the events and happening in Chicago this weekend, April 24 – 26, 2026.
CIVL Fest 2026
CIVL Fest 2026 is a citywide celebration of Chicago’s independent music and performing arts venues. Taking place April 16–25, 2026, the festival showcases 40+ shows…
One of a Kind Spring Show® Chicago
Chicago’s favorite 3‑day spring shopping event returns in full bloom! The One of a Kind Spring Show is pleased to announce the 2026 edition of…
42nd Chicago Latino Film Festival
The Chicago Latino Film Festival continues its vital mission of showcasing exceptional Latino filmmaking while building bridges of cultural understanding through the universal language of film. Choose from 51 feature films and 31 short films.
Jazz in the Chi Public Concert
This evening concert will bring the Jazz in the Chi educational festival to a conclusion with performances by special guest artists, presented by the Jazz Institute of Chicago. This event is free and open to the public.
At the Forum - The Bronzeville Roots of Chicago Jazz
International Jazz Day 2026 in Bronzeville will activate the neighborhood as a living museum of jazz history through walking tours, a jazz heritage bus tour, performances, and conversations.
Participants will move through Bronzeville learning how place, music, and community intersect, culminating in a gathering inside The Forum, where conversations about jazz, culture, and restoration will take place.
Spring Flower Show: Showers of Flowers
Join us this spring for Showers of Flowers, the 2026 spring flower show at the Garfield Park Conservatory. “Showers of Flowers” highlights more than 80 hanging baskets that demonstrate vertical possibilities for your green thumb! The baskets will feature trailing vines, like ivy and sweet potato, bushy asparagus ferns, and colorful flowers like pansies, petunia, and calibrachoa.
CineYouth Festival
Now in its 21st edition, CineYouth is Cinema/Chicago’s annual film festival celebrating filmmakers 22 and younger from around the world. Since 2005, CineYouth has provided a…
Theater of the Mind
Now through July 12, 2026 Multiple experiences per day at the Reid Murdoch Building, 333 N LaSalle Visit TheateroftheMindChicago.com for dates, times, and tickets Created…
Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color
This exhibition marks the first time Matisse’s Jazz will be shown in its entirety at the Art Institute of Chicago. Jazz joins over 50 works from the museum’s renowned collection of paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, illustrated books, and textiles.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
An icon of American dance, Alvin Ailey pioneered a company that has become an enduring symbol of artistic excellence and a powerful voice for African…
The Great Gatsby
THE PARTY’S ROARING IN CHICAGO! THE GREAT GATSBY is a “Broadway extravaganza that explodes with life and energy” (Entertainment Weekly). Based on the classic American novel…
Doc10 Film Festival
Doc10 is Chicago’s only all-documentary film festival and provides an engaging experience for its audiences, reaching thousands of local cinephiles over the last nine years.…
Yes, Chef! Chicago: A Bear-Inspired Food Tour
This is the ORIGINAL Chicago food tour that takes you to the restaurants featured on the TV phenomenon, The Bear. We'll take you to the actual…
Dovetail Brewery Tour
Take a tour of one of the most unusual breweries in the U.S.
Our tours explore the traditional European brewing methods that define Dovetail—from open fermentation and horizontal lagering to our coolship and a 100-year-old copper kettle. Along the way, you’ll taste beer, handle raw ingredients, and finally learn exactly what the heck a coolship is.
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Delight in Shakespeare’s most raucous comedy! The secret lives of Windsor wives reveal there is much more to this charming, middle-class English hamlet than meets…
The Dover Road
Welcome to the home of the eccentric Latimer, who waylays couples who are running away together and gives them a taste of what their lives…
Glow Wild
Starting March 19, experience Glow Wild: A Lantern Festival of Hope — a breathtaking journey of light, art, and conservation. Wander paths under the moonlight, illuminated by…
American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture
American Prophets journeys through the pages of American history to explore the influence of religion and spirituality on writers and culture, with interactive displays incorporating…
Balloon Museum: EmotionAir
The Pop Air and Let’s Fly exhibitions continue to thrill and engage a participative audience, but EmotionAir sets an even more ambitious goal. This latest…
Explore our events calendar for more Chicago events and happenings.
Please note that all events are subject to change.
