Don your armor, pull out your spellbooks, and straighten your crown; Castle, presented by Shriners Children’s, is coming back to Chicago Children’s Museum. In this…
Flyway City: Architecture for a Flourishing Ecosystem, designed and co-curated by architecture and urban design practice Studio Gang in collaboration with the Chicago Architecture Center,…
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…
Get ready for a boo-tiful day of Halloween fun at BOO! at the Zoo, Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s family-friendly fall tradition! Enjoy festive décor, not-so-scary surprises,…
This Halloween season, join us for the third year of Incredible Insects at The Butterfly House at Navy Pier: an interactive exhibit featuring wacky and…
Pigmented: Chicago to the World is a national convening that celebrates Chicago’s unparalleled influence on Black visual art, design, sculpture, architecture, fabrication, scholarship, and cultural leadership. Presented…
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…
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…
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…
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…
As Halloween season arrives, the Seadog Haunted River Tour returns to the Chicago River, offering guests a hauntingly fun journey through the city’s storied past.…
“Haunted by Our Dark Side: Chicago Ghosts, Gangsters, and True Crime” is a 2-hour afternoon/evening walking tour that uncovers Chicago’s shadowy past through chilling tales…
The “First Fridays Art Walk,” organized by the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, welcomes art enthusiasts to explore the neighborhoods’ vibrant arts scene. All…
Intuit Art Museum (IAM), recognized worldwide as one of the few institutions dedicated solely to championing the work of self-taught artists, marks the 250th anniversary…
Virgil Marion Gallery presents “Give Them Their Flowers” as its inaugural exhibition. An opening reception will take place Friday, October 23 from 6 – 9…
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…
Come for the brews, stay for the boos! Zoo Brews: Howls and Growls is an adults-only Halloween party at Lincoln Park Zoo that lets you…
Don’t miss the longest running late-night show in Chicago! At The Infinite Wrench you’ll see 30 original plays in 60 minutes written and performed by…
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…
Reality Detox: The Improv Experience is a high-energy night of improvisation from The Second City, with a few sketch surprises mixed in along the way. Built…
Zar the Star is a New York City-based stand-up comedian and content creator whose sharp wit, bold storytelling, and unfiltered takes have made her one…
Australian comedian Randy Feltface is scheduled to perform in Chicago on Friday, October 23, 2026, as part of his “Gimmick” tour.
Comedian and actor Adam Ray will perform live in Chicago on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The performance is a headlining stop on…
The holiday season in Chicago is always an exciting time. With countless events across multiple neighborhoods, there are so many ways to celebrate. One of…
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…
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…
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…
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:
