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…
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,…
Few contemporary violin concertos have made a splash with audiences like Arturo Márquez’s Fandango, which won a 2024 Latin Grammy. Composed for Anne Akiko Meyers, this…
THE SWALLOW is set during a private singing lesson between a choral director and a new student. As they work together on a song, what initially…
The Second City’s 114th Mainstage Revue Pandemonium, Please Hold is a loud, fast, and gloriously unhinged night of comedic mayhem. The Second City’s six-person cast…
Two lifelong friends sail into open water: one edging closer to the pull of oblivion, the other with a question neither can escape. Nobel laureate…
This production is produced by Repertorio Latino TC and Colectivo El Pozo, written by Raúl Dorantes and directed by Joaquín Catana and Roma Díaz. El…
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…
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…
Chicago-based dance company The Seldoms will kick off its 25th anniversary year at Studio5 Performing Arts Center with the world premiere of the new full-length…
Stir Friday Night, Chicago’s premier and longest-running Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) comedy organization, will return to the stage this fall for a two-night…
Vampire playlist by Concrete Content. Written by Xitlali Celeste, Angelica Davila, Pedro Arturo Jimenez, Luis Antonio Mora, Cielo Santiago Muñoz, Amelia Roque, Dani Suarez, Erik Ventura,…
Vape! lovingly pokes fun at all of the wonderful moments, sexual innuendos, outrageous characters, rivalries and secret romances from the original musical. The hair products may…
Based on immersive reporting from the trenches of democracy, Hoyle’s shape-shifting performance introduces us to more than a dozen remarkable characters, all based on real…
We saw you coming. Fourteen floors above Randolph Street, aerialists fly through a century-old Belgian Spiegeltent while acrobatics, burlesque, cabaret, and comedy unfold around your…
Our longest-running sketch show is back again to scare you into drinking! DEATH TOLL is a sketch comedy show with one simple rule: drink when…
World Premiere dystopian fable written by Broadway’s Eric Coble. ‘The Fix’ was supposed to correct everything that had gone wrong with the country. Now, three…
“SANCTUARY STORIES: A JOURNALISM THEATER PROJECT” captures in words and images the lives and communities deeply connected with — and affected by — immigration in…
Off Book: The Improvised Musical Podcast is performing live in Chicago on Friday, October 16, 2026. Hosted by Zach Reino and Jessica McKenna, this live…
“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…
About this show In a world where facts are manipulated and fear is currency, the truth becomes dangerous. As a new authoritarian government tightens its…
After more than a decade of touring nationally, Black Latina (The Play) comes to Chicago for a limited three-day run, October 16–18, 2026. Written by…
Curated by Fareed Haque, acclaimed guitarist and Mandala Artist-in-Residence, the Red Line Jazz Festival is the culminating performance of the Red Line Jazz Project, a five-month public…
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company is pleased to announce the cast, creative and production teams for the first production in its 2026 – 2027 season, Mud…
Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 State Street The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, a local tradition for more than 90 years, kicks off the holiday season with a…
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…
Chicago goes all out for the holidays, with something magical happening in every corner of the city. The season kicks off with the Christmas Tree…
If you’re looking for a getaway in January or February, Chicago continues to deliver a flurry of seasonal fun long after the holidays end. Between…
The best way to get to know Chicago is one meal at a time. This three-day Chicago food itinerary explores the city’s most iconic dishes and…
Chicago is the city that’s Never Done, Never Outdone. And we keep proving it year after year. In 2026, Chicago welcomed new immersive experiences, celebrated…
Celebrate cozy weather and changing leaves in the city made for autumn adventures. We’ve got everything you need to plan the perfect fall day in…
It’s an incredible time to be a Chicago sports fan. Almost all of the city’s iconic sports teams are still playing, whether the season is…
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:
