Chicago’s Drive Through Light Show located at White Sox, Rate Field opens November 19, 2026. Make holiday memories from your warm car!
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…
Showcasing some of the best performers in the city, Tuesday Good Show is a free weekly variety show hosted by Nick Bonsignore and Keller Paulson.…
Celebrated worldwide for its brilliance, finesse and gleaming power, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra brass section presents its annual December spectacular. CSO trombone Michael Mulcahy conducts…
After four years of sold-out performances, Port of Entry returns for its final season beginning Oct. 29. Created by Albany Park Theater Project and Third…
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…
Tuesdays@9 Chicago is a popular cold-reading series that meets every Tuesday at 8:00 at Chicago Dramatists. Writers have 10 minutes of their newest writing read…
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…
Step into the magic of Wintrust Winter WonderFest, where Navy Pier comes alive with festive décor, seasonal attractions and family fun for all ages. Stroll the…
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…
Join us for Homeschool Days at Peppa Pig World of Play Chicago, where preschool families can enjoy an OINKTASTIC discount! Experience the magic of Peppa…
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,…
Oil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production and the final production in its 2026 season, It’s…
Chicago Wolves hockey games are so much fun in person! Check out a Chicago Wolves game this fall at Allstate Arena. The 5-time league champions,…
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…
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is returning to Chicago for a festive, multi-week holiday run from Thursday, December 10 through Sunday,…
Oil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production and the final production in its 2026 season, It’s…
ZooLights Presented by Invesco and ComEd returns to Lincoln Park Zoo, lighting up the city’s favorite holiday tradition once again! Over 3 million lights and…
Chicago-based conceptual artist Stephanie Brooks and Washington-based still life and landscape painter David Kroll are exhibiting their works at the Zolla / Lieberman Gallery in…
Drunk Christmas Carol, presented by the Drunk Shakespeare Society, brings a boozy twist on Charles Dickens’ holiday classic to Chicago for a limited run at…
Chicago’s Drive Through Light Show located at White Sox, Rate Field opens November 19, 2026. Make holiday memories from your warm car!
Immerge yourself in a cultural experience as Latin dances come alive on Taylor street – Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, and Cha Cha Cha with margarita!
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:
