Book by Tina Fey Music by Jeff Richmond Lyrics by Nell Benjamin Based on the Paramount Pictures film Mean Girls Directed by Devon Hayakawa Nominated…
LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012) was best known for his brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings and screenprints of athletes, musicians, and sporting events. LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of…
The Humanities is a provocative play by Zayd Ayers Dohrn in which faculty and students at an elite American university grapple with issues of gender, race,…
TICKETS ON SALE AUG 7 September 26-November 1 By Phanésia Pharel Directed by Melia Bensussen Detective skills: unverified. Determination: unmatched. FACT: Maria was last seen at her…
How did a dead body, a fake love letter, and — of all people — Ian Fleming turn the tide of World War II? Olivier…
The Declaration of Independence grounded the revolutionary right of a people to overthrow a government in the philosophical premise that “all men are created equal.”…
A mini version of the beloved Zoom Room exhibit will be set up in the museum’s Great Hall for a limited time. On display and ready…
Serial Killer: The Exhibition makes its Chicago debut on September 5, 2026, at Cinespace Film Studios Chicago, bringing the world’s largest private collection of authentic serial killer artifacts to…
Marriott Theatre, Chicagoland’s longest-running musical theatre presents Come From Away, the internationally celebrated musical that was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, captured four Laurence Olivier Awards,…
A weekly improv show hosted by Blue.0 and featuring a rotating cast of indie teams formed right here at The iO Theater! Each Wednesday at…
Knocked Loose and Denzel Curry are performing a co-headlining concert in Chicago on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, as part of their massive “Hive Mind Tour”…
2-Item Minimum Per Guest First Come, First Served Seating No Outside Food or Beverage Valid ID Required at Entry Crowd Work Wednesday is a weekly…
Kokandy Productions’ critically acclaimed revival of the 10-time 2025 Jeff Award–nominated musical JEKYLL & HYDE will make its Broadway In Chicago debut at the Broadway Playhouse at…
Steve Lacy will perform live at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The Grammy-winning R&B and neo-soul artist…
A showcase of 3 short plays by select writing teams and featuring a cast of iO Theater performers. It’s experimental, it’s follow-the-fun, it’s Play Time. Plays…
Always, Sometimes, Maybe is an award winning, internationally acclaimed solo show about a janitor so lonely she makes her friends out of trash. When Lou…
The 7 Fingers is “pulse-raising magic” (The New York Times). From the primal vista of her childhood bedroom springs Shana Carroll’s wildly imaginative, ground-breaking memoir that…
“Take thuh cards and show me whatcha got!” Brothers Lincoln and Booth, named in jest, are two Black men living in America just trying to…
Then God created Sir Thomas Madden Jr. Averaging six feet, six-and-a-half inches, Sir Thomas Madden Jr. is Jeff Madden and Paul Thomas, an Atlanta-Chicago sketch…
Jasmine Ellis Brings Smart, Relatable Comedy to Lincoln Lodge in Chicago CHICAGO, IL — Comedian Jasmine Ellis is bringing her sharp, personal, and highly relatable…
Don’t Miss The Hottest New Show in Chitown! This show puts 2 teams of Comedians against each other with the Audience Deciding who’s funniest! This…
Join iO house team Fizz for Chicago’s most carbonated improv show. Wednesdays at 10 p.m., Fizz cracks open a high-octane, full-sugar set of one-night-only scenes,…
Continuing the rich tradition of late night improv, join the veteran cast of THE 11PM SHOW every Friday at 11PM as they perform late night, artistic improv…
How did a dead body, a fake love letter, and — of all people — Ian Fleming turn the tide of World War II? Olivier…
Save the date, cinephiles: The Chicago International Film Festival is back with exciting screenings, world premieres, and more events for cinephiles from Oct. 14 to…
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…
This fall, Chicago’s fashion and design scene takes center stage during the third annual Chicago Fashion Week, showcasing the city’s creativity, culture, and couture. This…
Fall in Chicago is the best time of year for architecture lovers. The season brings top events like the annual Pullman House Tour, the Chicago…
Chicago is a city renowned for its rich cultural diversity, and there’s no better time to experience it than during National Hispanic Heritage Month. From…
Chicago is a city with history — a whole lot of history, dating back to before the city’s founding in 1837. So it’s hardly surprising…
Chicago’s summer festival season may be winding down, but there’s still another standout event on the city’s cultural calendar — Chicago Live Festival at Navy…
There’s no better way to celebrate the spookiest time of year than by packing your calendar with haunted events, themed cocktails, and spine-chilling pop-ups —…
Chicago’s event calendar reflects the city itself — bold, diverse, and always buzzing. From lakefront music festivals and neighborhood street fairs to major sporting events and food celebrations, there’s something happening in every season.
Here’s a look at the types of events you’ll find across the city:
Other Chicago events include cultural celebrations, sporting events, conventions, comedy shows, live theatre, and so much more.
Chicago’s biggest annual events draw visitors from around the world and highlight the very best of the city’s food, music, and culture.
These signature events help define Chicago as one of the top festival cities in the country.
If you’re planning a trip around Chicago’s event calendar, there’s something new to discover every month of the year.
Summer is peak festival season. The city comes alive with outdoor concerts, neighborhood street fests, and major events like Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, and the Chicago Air and Water Show. Nearly every weekend offers something new, especially along the lakefront and in Millennium Park.
Early fall brings cooler temperatures and marquee events like the Chicago Marathon and culinary celebrations such as Chicago Gourmet. It’s an ideal time for visitors seeking cultural events like the Chicago International Film Festival.
Winter brings a dose of holiday magic to Chicago, with beloved traditions like ZooLights and Christkindlmarket. Visitors can also check out cultural celebrations for the Lunar New Year and enjoy local-favorite annual events like Chicago Restaurant Week and Chicago Theatre Week.
Spring is the perfect time to visit Chicago for culture lovers. Check out spring flower shows, top art fairs like EXPO Chicago, and bucket-list traditions like Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It’s also the start of outdoor events, with baseball season kicking off in late March.
Chicago is known for offering an impressive lineup of free events, particularly in the summer months.
Some of the city’s most popular free events include:
Come experience the unmatched energy of Chicago’s legendary sports scene, from our fan-favorite teams to our historic stadiums and iconic events.
Catch a game by one of Chicago’s major league teams:
Other major annual sporting events in Chicago include:
