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.
Highlights this weekend include:
- Pride Month celebrations at WNDR Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and more
- The new in-water Windy City Boat & Yacht Show on the lakefront
- Exclusive culinary events and collabs celebrating the prestigious James Beard Awards
- Top neighborhood street festivals, like the Puerto Rican Festival, Andersonville Midsommarfest, the Old Town Art Fair, and more.
Plus, it’s officially summer in Chicago, which means the city’s sandy beaches are open to the public and festival season is in full swing.
Check out just a few of the events and happening in Chicago this weekend, June 12 – 14, 2026.
James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards
This star-studded celebration, held in Chicago each spring, features red carpet arrivals and the exciting awards ceremony honoring exceptional talent and achievement across the restaurant…
World Cup – Chicago Fire FC Soccer Celebration
Join the Chicago Fire at Recess in West Loop to watch every match of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and celebrate our love for the…
Andersonville Midsommarfest
For more than 50 years, this summer festival has celebrated Andersonville’s Swedish heritage and LGBTQ+ Pride with live music, kids’ activities, food, drinks, and more.
Windy City Boat & Yacht Show
CHICAGO'S PREMIER IN-WATER BOAT & YACHT SHOW Join us at Burnham Harbor to discover the latest in luxury yachts, powerboats, sailing vessels, and cutting-edge marine…
Puerto Rican Festival
Head to Humboldt Park for this massive festival of Puerto Rican culture. The 45th annual Puerto Rican Festival will feature games, live music, carnival rides, a parade, and plenty of local food and drinks.
Pride Night at Shedd Aquarium
Join Shedd Aquarium and A Queer Pride in celebrating our vibrant and creative LGBTQ+ community! Immerse yourself in a vibrant Pride Night at Shedd, featuring…
Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash
Skrillex and Playboi Carti are headlining this summertime music festival at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
Old Town Art Fair
Chicago’s legendary Old Town Art Fair returns featuring the popular Garden Walk, a selection of live music, and interactive entertainment for the entire family to…
51st Annual Wells Street Art Festival in Old Town
Art enthusiasts will be surrounded by creativity and find plenty of inspiration at the prestigious 51st Annual Wells Street Art Festival. This annual summer tradition…
Chicago Greeter tours: Pilsen
Enjoy neighborhoods pop-up walks from Chicago Greeter all summer long. All walks are free and open to the public. This weekend, enjoy a walk around the vibrant Pilsen neighborhood, led by a knowledgable local.
Lilac Tiger’s Night Market
Lilac Tiger's annual James Beard Night Market is back! This year, we're featuring delicious plates by Lilac Tiger, as well as our friends at Chicago Secret Burger,…
Bar Sótano + Friends Patio Party
Chef Rick Bayless and team are honored to welcome and celebrate these amazing James Beard nominated chefs and friends of Bar Sótano! Chef Gilberto Cetina…
High Street Hospitality Group’s The Bread Room at Bad Butter
Dan Koester of acclaimed Chicago bakery, Bad Butter, will welcome Philadelphia's The Bread Room, from James Beard Foundation Award-winning restaurateur Ellen Yin and the team…
Millennium Park Summer Workouts
Participants are asked to bring their own workout mat The workout program takes place on the Great Lawn and Wrigley Square in Millennium Park on…
WNDR Pride Nights
WNDR is excited to be celebrating love and community this June with specialty programming happening this Pride Month! Every Friday & Saturday evening of June,…
Summer Screenings: On the Road Again
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Route 66—America’s most iconic highway—this year’s Summer Screenings program will pay homage to the classic…
Brokeback Mountain
“Top Shows to See in the U.S. This Spring” in The New York Times Gather around the campfire for the highly anticipated North American premiere! This…
Thai festival Chicago 2026
Thai Festival Chicago 2026 – Flavors of Siam invites visitors to experience the vibrant culture of Thailand through authentic cuisine, live entertainment, cultural performances, traditional…
Faire in the Field
Faire in the Field is a free, mini, pop-up ren faire! The Faire will be in Clarendon Park in Uptown, and will feature performer, vendors,…
Red Bull Spin Off
Based on a Dutch tradition, this Red Bull series made its debut in the Netherlands as Red Bull Stalen Ros in 2023. The series will now begin…
Guest Chef Series Vol 14: Honoring James Beard
Join us for an 8-course tasting menu at Charlie Trotter’s for a Friends James Beard Dinner! This one-night-only celebration brings together an exceptional group of…
Kinky Boots
The boots are back! Kinky Boots will lift your spirits to high-heeled heights! Celebrated with six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, a Grammy Award® for Best Musical…
Catch As Catch Can
When a prodigal son returns to blue collar New England, his homecoming sets off a spiraling crisis for two families, threatening not only their relationships…
Wicker Park Farmers Market
The Wicker Park Farmers Market will return on May 3 for its 26th outdoor season. The market will be open from 8 a.m. to 2…
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…
Nathaniel Mary Quinn: A Love Letter to My Mother
Nathaniel Mary Quinn’s first solo museum show in Chicago explores the artist’s formative years growing up in public housing, which he describes as “my first…
Explore our events calendar for more Chicago events and happenings.
Please note that all events are subject to change.
