“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…
The path to damnation never sounded so sweet The 2026/27 Season kicks off with a thrilling fable of deceit and retribution. Sharp humor, high drama,…
Oil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production, Dial M for Murder, October 2 – November 1,…
Join SuperDebate for a public evening of live debate at The Ferris in the Loop. Audience members question the speakers and vote after each debate.…
A weekly improv show hosted by Blue.0 and featuring a rotating cast of indie teams formed right here at The iO Theater! Each Wednesday at…
Immerge yourself in a cultural experience as Latin dances come alive on Taylor street – Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, and Cha Cha Cha with margarita!
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…
A RAD alt comedy show, featuring standup, music, sketch, clown, drag, and WEIRD SH*T. Operating out of the basements of local comic book stores since…
Crowd Work Wednesday is a weekly interactive comedy show where anything can happen—and the audience is part of the act. Hosted by Chicago comedians Pat…
Join Adam Selzer—author, podcaster, and host of Mysterious Chicago Tours—for spine-tingling walkabouts that dig into the zoo’s cemetery roots and locations from throughout its allegedly…
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…
The all-new “Worlds Collide Concert Tour” brings together the worlds of “Descendants,” “ZOMBIES,” and for the very first time, “Camp Rock,”in an unforgettable new arena spectacular. A pop concert…
A showcase of 3 short plays by select writing teams and featuring a cast of iO Theater performers. It’s experimental, it’s follow-the-fun, it’s Play Time. Plays…
Always, Sometimes, Maybe is an award winning, internationally acclaimed solo show about a janitor so lonely she makes her friends out of trash. When Lou…
Taylor McWilliams-Woods and Maddy Hudson bring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck to life in Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers’ acclaimed 2003 play, Matt & Ben.…
DJ Shadow will perform live at The Vic Theatre in Chicago on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. This concert is a newly added second Chicago date…
October 21st, 2026 Following more than 100 acclaimed performances across North and South America, Europe, and Japan, BEAT returns this fall for the last North American…
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…
The Orbit is Chicago’s only improv show performed in the round. This 45-minute avant-garde experience takes the audience on a full-circle journey, showcasing a bold…
Every Wednesday The Best Speakeasy In Chicago Hosts The Hottest Comedians The City Has To Offer! Indulge In Our Amazing Craft Cocktails And Enjoy An…
Join iO house team Fizz for Chicago’s most carbonated improv show. Wednesdays at 10 p.m., Fizz cracks open a high-octane, full-sugar set of one-night-only scenes,…
Join iO house team Fizz for Chicago’s most carbonated improv show. Wednesdays at 10 p.m., Fizz cracks open a high-octane, full-sugar set of one-night-only 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…
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:
