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 January in Chicago.
This weekend in Chicago is jam-packed with fun things to do: exhilarating live sports, jaw-dropping art exhibits (including some of the final days of the groundbreaking Yoko Ono exhibit), events honoring Black history in Chicago for MLK Day, family-friendly fun, exciting cultural events, and so much more.
Check out just a few of the top things to do this Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend in Chicago, Jan. 16 – 19, 2026.
Commemorative Day | Martin Luther King Jr. Day
At this family-focused celebration of Dr. King’s ongoing influence on the fight for civil rights, enjoy hands-on activities and learn how to become more civically engaged in your community.
Included with admission, which is FREE for Illinois residents on this day.
Open Heart: An MLK Tribute Concert
Chicago Sinfonietta’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. concert honors Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, a Black Chicago surgeon who made history.
You’ll also hear the joyous world premiere of Kathryn Bostic’s The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, adapted from the Hulu film and novel by longtime Sinfonietta cellist Edward Kelsey Moore
MLK Day of Service: We Are One: Celebrating Beloved Community
Join us in person to celebrate unity and service at the MLK Day of Service: We Are One!
- Ayodele Drum and Dance
- Kuumba Soul (Betty Shabazz International Charter School)
- I Have a Dream: A Kings’ Journey – Performed by Marcus Gentry
MLK Day 2026: Chaos or Community
In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Hyde Park Art Center presents a daylong tribute to Dr. King’s enduring legacy.
Designed for all ages, the program blends live music, thought-provoking film, hands-on artmaking and meditation.
King Day: Building Our Future
Drop into the Ryan Learning Center to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with activities and performances inspired by his famous speech, What Is Your Life’s Blueprint?
Enjoy stories and songs, engage in family friendly art making, take a tour of the galleries, and experiment with with traditional and contemporary paper techniques.
Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams
Don’t miss the Chicago Bears during their exciting playoffs run. Experience the unmatched energy of Soldier Field when the Bears take on the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Divisional Game.
The Phantom of the Opera
THE BRILLIANT ORIGINAL RETURNS “MORE SPECTACULAR THAN EVER” – Sunday Express The Phantom is back to thrill audiences once again! Cameron Mackintosh presents a revitalized…
The Chinatown Adventure Food Tour
Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors and rich history of Chicago’s Chinatown on our top-rated TripAdvisor food and culture tour. Enjoy seated dining at five…
Tomorrow Never Knows
Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago
Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago, the first exhibition to open in Intuit’s newly-renovated museum, is part of Art Design Chicago, a citywide collaboration initiated by the Terra Foundation for American Art that highlights the city’s artistic heritage and creative communities.
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…
Amadeus
Vienna: a cacophony of music and intrigue. The emperor’s composer, Antonio Salieri, holds court until the flamboyant entrance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: prodigy and wild…
The Uncanny Attic- Chapters E-H
The camp macabre world of Edward Gorey returns to Steppenwolf in the second installment of this absurdist dark comedy anthology told through puppetry, clowning, dance,…
The Indoor Farmers Market at Water Tower Place
For the second year in a row, Chicago’s Water Tower Place is teaming up with the South Loop Farmers Market to bring its popular indoor…
Julia Bullock and Seth Parker Woods with Conor Hanick
Two-time GRAMMY-nominated cellist Seth Parker Woods propels classical music into the future through projects that delve deep into our cultural fabric. GRAMMY-winning American classical singer…
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Ice skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park begins Nov. 21 (weather permitting). Admission to the ice rink will be free, but…
Pegasus Theatre Chicago’s 39th Annual Young Playwrights Festival
Pegasus Theatre Chicago presents the 39th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, January 1 - 24, 2026 at Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen. For nearly four decades,…
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…
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind presents one of the most comprehensive exhibitions to date of Yoko Ono, the trailblazing artist, celebrated musician, and formidable campaigner…
Chicago Architecture Biennial
Explore cutting-edge projects and ideas from global contributors at North America’s largest architecture and design festival. All events are free and open to the public.
Explore our events calendar for more Chicago events and happenings.
Please note that all events are subject to change.
