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,…
Binkley, an outsider dwarf from the Kingdom of Magical Land, is quiet, timid and scared of the dark — not exactly the best characteristics for…
August Strindberg’s Miss Julie is a confrontation of class, gender, and desire at the turn of the twentieth century that’s as relevant today as when…
On the eve of a wedding meant to unite two rival Chicago pizza dynasties, a celebrity chef’s unexpected return from the dead throws everything into…
“Elegant and beguiling” – Evening Standard (UK) Warwickshire, 1582. Agnes Hathaway, a natural healer, meets the Latin tutor, William Shakespeare. Drawn together by powerful but…
Award-winning Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to present The Irish … and How They Got That Way, by Frank McCourt, original musical arrangements by Rusty…
Midwest town. Forced into marriage due to an unexpected pregnancy, former beauty queen Lola and recovering alcoholic Doc live a quiet life of heartbreak and…
This darkly funny Pulitzer Prize Finalist presents a complicated love triangle that explores desire, obsession, and the emptiness behind its character’s lives. In a grimy…
Shattered Globe’s 35th season continues with the Midwest Premiere of Morning, Noon, and Night, a mind-bending exploration of teens, family, surveillance, and connection in a…
Award-winning New York City Ballet Principal dancer Tiler Peck embraces the role of director with the 2024 Olivier Award-nominated, Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends. With…
In the high stone tower of an isolated naval fortress, Alice and Edgar are about to celebrate 25 years of wedded bliss—if decades of resentment,…
The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., is proud to present Kubrickian, February 20 – March 15, written by Zack Peercy and directed by AJ…
Based on actual events, CHANGING CHANNELS is set backstage at the DuMont Television Network in New York City in 1952. It is the peak of the “Red…
Premiered in Germany on February 18, 1933, and promptly banned by the recently elected Nazi party, Der Silbersee (The Silver Lake) was composer Kurt Weill’s…
After a highly successful run in Europe, the U.S. anticipated premiere of Bernadette, The Musical has been set!The inspiring musical about the courageous story of…
Park Hyatt Chicago presents a singular offering centered on The Glenlivet 55 Year Old – Edition No. 1 of The Eternal Collection. Matured for more…
Theatre Y Presents CHARGES (The Supplicants) German title: Die Schutzbefohlenen “those entrusted to protection” Written by Elfriede Jelinek Translation by Gitta Honegger…
EXP Rosemont invites guests to step back in time with The Last Stronghold, a free-roaming virtual reality experience that transports visitors to the fortified medieval…
Death is a fact of life: horses get turned into glue, cows get sucked into tornadoes reverse-alien-style, and even pop legend Michael Jackson can’t live…
Set your clocks & SPRING forward with Aunt Nance, Chicago’s resident musical comedy COUGAR, and her silly + sensual burlesque cabaret at Newport Theater! This…
Iranian-American comedian, actor, producer and director Max Amini will perform live at The Chicago Theatre on Mar. 8, 2026.
Join Chicago’s best comedians for a hilarious night of stand-up comedy, pizza, and nonstop laughs!
Chicago’s top comedians battle it out for laughs, glory, and sweet sweet points in an interactive game show, featuring a live studio audience (that’s you!)…
August Strindberg’s Miss Julie is a confrontation of class, gender, and desire at the turn of the twentieth century that’s as relevant today as when…
March is dedicated to honoring the remarkable contributions of women throughout history, and Chicago is the perfect place to celebrate. From engaging educational events to…
March is certainly a celebratory time in Chicago, as the temperatures start to warm up and every weekend is packed with events. Watch the river…
This month in Chicago, explore lush indoor gardens, admire iconic works in one of the world’s top art museums, and join in colorful cultural celebrations…
Chicago’s legendary sports scene is never done and never outdone. This year, the city will be hosting an array of major athletic events, including the…
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…
St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago is a celebration like no other. With a substantial Irish population — and one of the biggest city-wide St. Patrick’s…
In the springtime, Chicago lives up to its official city motto Urbs in Horto — “City in a Garden.” Our countless parks, green spaces, and…
Chicago is proud to be the official host city of International Jazz Day 2026, a global celebration that honors jazz and its unique power to…
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:
