Professional Bull Riders (PBR) will bring its premier tour, the 2027 Unleash The Beast Series, to Chicago for two days of world-class bull riding action…
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…
21+ ONLY Brianna Wellen, Chicago Reader: Sideshow entertainer Thom Britton’s solo show is part performance, part demonstration. Britton is a charismatic performer who appears genuinely…
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…
Experience Home Alone 2: Lost in New York – Live in Concert as Award-winning composer John Williams’ score is performed live to film by the Chicago Philharmonic! The score for Home Alone 2 Lost in New York is an…
Through its inspiring story, beautiful music, and charming choreography, “The Nutcracker” celebrates the joyous holiday season. Ballet Chicago’s production takes us on an unforgettable journey…
with the Chicago Philharmonic Experience Home Alone 2: Lost in New York – Live in Concert as Award-winning composer John Williams’ score is performed live to film by the Chicago Philharmonic! The score for Home Alone 2 Lost…
“CRITICS’ PICK. TRULY AMAZING!” – New York Times “BEST VISITING IMPROV COMEDY!”– TimeOut NY “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!” – The Onion “★★★★★” THEY ARE AN ENTERTAINMENT PHENOMENON AND I…
After getting a single suggestion, the cast of six professional comedians asks the audience to choose a detective. Enjoy as they invent a tale of…
Saturday Night Sketch brings Chicago’s best sketch comedy ensembles to the stage for a high-octane evening. From sharp political satire to mind melting absurdity, come…
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…
We saw you coming. Fourteen floors above Randolph Street, aerialists fly through a century-old Belgian Spiegeltent while acrobatics, burlesque, cabaret, and comedy unfold around your…
Celebrate 45 years of improvisational excellence with the Best of iO Improv. This show brings together two teams of our very best improvisers, each delivering…
25th anniversary of Chicago’s holiday smash hit! Filled with heartwarming storytelling, music, and some very special surprises. George Bailey – the Everyman from small town…
Award-winning Redtwist Theatre announces the cast and creative team for ‘night Mother, April 16 – May 24, by Marsha Norman and directed by Executive Artistic…
Performed in the hallowed halls of the University of Chicago’s historic Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, Court Theatre’s 2026/27 season opens with the American premiere of Tituba—a…
Eddie Carbone, a longshoreman living in Red Hook, Brooklyn, harbors an obsessive love for his niece Catherine. When two illegal immigrants arrive from Sicily —…
Be part of a quintessential holiday tradition! Heaped with uplifting messages and intimate storytelling, Handel’s Messiah never fails to inspire. While the iconic melodies — including “For…
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…
Jackalope Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Engines and Instruments of Flight: A Fantasia in Three Acts by Calamity West, written by Calamity West…
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…
Cozy up this winter at Navy pier with free fireworks over Lake Michigan and iconic Chicago skyline views. Catch the dazzling 10-minute display every Saturday…
The Lincoln Lodge stand-up comedy and variety showcase plays every Friday and Saturday night in Chicago’s glamorous Logan Square! In addition to The Lodge’s rotating…
Find out for yourself why The Second City has been the first name in laughter for over sixty years! From the stages that launched the…
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…
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:
