Award-winning Redtwist Theatre’s new 22nd season, “State of Violence,” begins with Prayer Circle, September 17 – November 8, by Erik Gernand and directed by Executive…
Identity Performing Arts 5th Anniversary – Celebrating 5 remarkable years of ingenuity, imagination, and shared spirit, on October 18th at the Edlis Neeson Theater at…
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…
Musical theatre and improv collide as Marquee presents you with an hour of fully improvised musical comedy, spontaneously creating entire scenes, songs, and stories based…
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…
Foos Gone Wild is bringing The FOOS GONE WILD Tour 2026 live to Chicago on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the House of Blues Chicago.
A strange object in the sky. A cursed gas station hot dog. A llama with government clearance. Our performers create a brand new story influenced…
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…
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…
Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida & currently based in Atlanta, Calimar White (AKA Agent Ratliff) is a hilarious standup comic, actor, influencer & business owner.…
Lightly Toasted is a standup showcase at The Home Comedy Theater in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago every third Sunday of the month featuring up…
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…
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…
See the show that started it all, and experience the iO Theater’s groundbreaking, signature improv form: The Harold! This long-running, weekly improv tradition is double-headlined…
Chicago’s longest-running Harold team returns to iO to bring their unique blend of chaos and creativity to iO’s signature form The Harold melding games, songs, and 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…
As the longest-running competitive film festival in North America, The Chicago International Film Festival brings more than 150 films from around the world to Chicago.…
Starting May 22, Dinos! are taking over Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Come face-to-face with life-size dinosaurs throughout the Zoo. Journey through a massive rib-cage tunnel, climb…
NoMI Gallery Presents: 萬物生輝 Everything is Bright. All Things are Beautiful. NoMI is proud to present a curated exhibition by contemporary artist Dwight Hwang, whose…
The new public art exhibit We the People: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Beauty in Greektown Chicago celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration…
Glide along the Chicago River and Lakefront as you’re dazzled by the sparkle of the city at night. Hear lively commentary as you feel the…
From strange sightings to eerie haunts, mobsters and more, our latest nighttime tour takes you into Chicago’s shadowy past. Cruise along the Chicago River as…
Spooky season has arrived at the Field Museum! Join us for Fright at the Field, a Halloween experience featuring the return of Underground MISAdventure, and…
On July 4, 2026, America turned 250 years old. To reckon with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is to reckon with freedom…
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:
