The Ritz-Carlton Chicago invites families and fairytale lovers to step into a modern Cinderella story with “Before Midnight: A Cinderella Tea Experience,” an enchanting afternoon…
Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History examines the full scope of Stebbins’s history‑making career as one of the most significant American sculptors of the nineteenth century. From…
LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style brings together 80 drawings and paintings, spanning the 1950s to 2000, that show how that early fashion work…
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…
Stories We Wear: Fashion as Visual Narrative Join Fashion Film Festival Chicago and the Chicago History Museum for an afternoon exploring fashion as a powerful…
Día de Los Muertos Window Walk The Pilsen Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome you to Pilsen’s 18th Street commercial corridor to marvel at…
Step into the sugary, shadowy world of Sugar Plum Fairy, P.I., a fairytale noir mystery filled with crime and double crosses! During the dark days…
Take a walk with us down Randolph Street in the buzzy West Loop neighborhood for an insider’s peek into Chicago’s most talked-about restaurants, homegrown breweries,…
Experience the ultimate Formula 1® watch party at F1® Arcade Chicago for the FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO 2026. Starting at…
The Book of Mormon is returning to Chicago for a limited limited engagement from Friday, October 23 through Sunday, November 1, 2026. From the creators…
Join us at Navy Pier on Saturday, November 1 for Día de los Muertos, featuring art, cultural experiences and activities celebrating this meaningful tradition. Honor…
If you’re looking for a fast, flexible Greeter experience, check out our InstaGreeter walks. These hour-long guided walks are a fun and informal way to…
The Lyric Opera of Chicago in partnership with Logan Center Community Arts presents Earth to Kenzie Sunday, November 1, 2026 – 2 pm Logan Center…
Moliere’s Tartuffe is a five-act comedy satirizing religious hypocrisy, where the charlatan Tartuffe frauds the gullible Orgon by faking piety, seizing control of his home,…
PlayGround-CH prePLAY New PlaySeries Katherine Swan’s Blue Eyes November 1, 2026, 2pm CT NEW VENUE: The Den & Simulcast Admission-Free (Suggested Donation: $10-30) New for…
October 18 – December 20, 2026 Reception and artist talk: Thursday October 29th 5-7pm Hours: Sundays 2pm – 5pm, $8 Adults, $5 Kids Location: Chicago…
The path to damnation never sounded so sweet The 2026/27 Season kicks off with a thrilling fable of deceit and retribution. Sharp humor, high drama,…
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…
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company is pleased to announce the cast, creative and production teams for the first production in its 2026 – 2027 season, Mud…
Tin Drum Theatre Company announces the Chicago premiere of A Dark Wood, October 15 – November 1, written by Eric Coble and directed by Steve…
I.A. Inteligencia Actoral by Aguijón Theater. Written by: Flavio González Mello. Directed by: Marcela Muñoz A couple of weeks before a theater company opens Hamlet, its…
“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…
Ever since his meteoric rise at the 2021 International Chopin Competition, Bruce Liu has roused audiences with performances that balance breathtaking power and poetic refinement.…
Oil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production, Dial M for Murder, October 2 – November 1,…
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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…
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…
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:
