Theatre & Performing Arts
The 37th Annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival Returns September 20 – October 26 at Four Chicago Venues October 11, 2026
Curious Theatre Branch, with co-producers Chicago Danztheater Ensemble, Chicago Dramatists and Labyrinth Club, are pleased to announce the 37th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival, September 20 – October 26 at four venues across Chicago. The month-long festival of shows will kick off with a special “afternoon tea” edition of the Full Moon Vaudeville, this concert launches the festival on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. at Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California Ave., headlined by art/folk/cabaret act The Crooked Mouth and other special guests.
Since its inception in 1989, as a single weekend of shows in the Wicker Park neighborhood, this unique and mutable fringe festival has expanded and contracted to fit the time and has become the longest running Fringe Festival in Chicago. Festival events will take place at four venues this year: Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California Ave. in Humboldt Park (Full Moon Vaudeville only); Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen St. in River West, The Labyrinth Club, 3658 N. Pulaski Rd. in the Irving Park neighborhood andChicago Danztheatre Ensemble, 1650 W. Foster Ave.
The 37th Rhinofest will feature mostly original work from Chicago artists and companies, including new work from The Fat Theatre Project, the 10th anniversary of Ira Murfin’s An Interview, a new work by Jessica Wright Buha, new work from Drinking and Writing Theater, and, of course, an evening of short works by The Curious Theatre Branch, Rhinofest’s host. New to the Festival in 2026 are partnerships with Chicago Danztheater, a beautiful space in Andersonville, featuring movement-based work and a creativity workshop called Maps, Guides & Legends: a generative writing and interdisciplinary art-making workshop on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
All tickets are offered at pay-what-you-can pricing, with a $25 suggested price. Tickets and details for all upcoming shows are available at Rhinofest.com.
