We play with the dead. The Séance returns to Chicago’s Stars & Garters for Saturday nights this fall. Recreating the atmosphere and techniques of 19th-century…
2-Item Minimum Per Guest First Come, First Served Seating No Outside Food or Beverage Valid ID Required at Entry Zar the Star is a New…
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…
Pictures of the Imagination Colorful, exuberant, and sometimes scary musical pictures by Franz Liszt, Anatol Liadov, and George Whitefield Chadwick spur the imagination – and…
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…
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…
Vampire playlist by Concrete Content. Written by Xitlali Celeste, Angelica Davila, Pedro Arturo Jimenez, Luis Antonio Mora, Cielo Santiago Muñoz, Amelia Roque, Dani Suarez, Erik Ventura,…
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…
Our longest-running sketch show is back again to scare you into drinking! DEATH TOLL is a sketch comedy show with one simple rule: drink when…
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…
“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…
YouTuber, filmmaker, and internet personality Shane Dawson will appear live in Chicago on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 7:30 PM. The exclusive event will take…
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…
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…
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,…
Memphis the Musical is a high-energy Broadway musical featuring music by David Bryan and a book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro. Set in the underground…
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 ,…
Award-winning blues-rock powerhouse The Tedeschi Trucks Band will conclude their “Future Soul 2026 Tour” with a four-night stand in Chicago in October 2026.
Blondshell is scheduled to perform live in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday, October 24, 2026, as part of her newly announced “Scaring Strangers Tour”. Supporting Act:…
Memphis is a musical with music by David Bryan, lyrics by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro, and a book by Joe DiPietro. Winner of four…
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:
