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…
An immersive work set to an electronic recorded score mixed with live music, takes the audience “on a journey from darkness to light” TAKE is…
Holy Ghost Bingo: God, Goblins, & Games is a Halloween-themed interactive comedy play written by Vicki Quade, one of the authors of the hit comedy,…
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,…
Where memory is preserved, legacy endures. MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient Rhiannon Giddens and celebrated co-composer Michael Abels deliver a profoundly moving story about the strength…
64th season opener, Cinderella. This classic rags-to-riches fairy tale with the world’s favorite princess is scheduled to be performed on October 23rd , 24th ,…
October 18 – December 20, 2026 Reception and artist talk: Thursday October 29th 5-7pm Hours: Sundays 2pm – 5pm, $8 Adults, $5 Kids Location: Chicago…
Experience the ultimate Formula 1® watch party at F1® Arcade Chicago for FORMULA 1® MSC CRUISES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX™ 2026. Guests will receive an all-inclusive…
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…
A gaggle of suburban moms, armed with pickleball paddles and hard kombucha, are ready to take on the school board in the fight of their…
The crown jewel of cello repertoire, Dvořák’s heroic and soulful Cello Concerto marks the return of Jian Wang, a soloist with a lustrous sound and…
Award-winning Refracted Theatre Company is proud to announce the cast and creative team of I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire, written by Samantha Hurley and…
Oil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production, Dial M for Murder, October 2 – November 1,…
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…
The Factory Theater and Artistic Director Michael Jones are proud to announce the first production of its 32nd season, the world premiere of B.Z Florida’s…
Babes With Blades Theatre Company’s (BWBTC) presents the final production in its 2026 season, William Shakespeare’s King Lear, directed by Alison Dornheggen and fight choreography…
A double bill of ONE and BLOOD SPILL. ONE is Jeff Hagedorn’s groundbreaking solo play about a young man attempting to understand and confront his…
Revisiting characters established in August Wilson’s SEVEN GUITARS, this play returns to Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1985. King Hedley, a man recently released from prison,…
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…
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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…
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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:
