The “First Fridays Art Walk,” organized by the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, welcomes art enthusiasts to explore the neighborhoods’ vibrant arts scene. All…
Eight artists invite you to an exhibition of refined and personal work. Hosted in the historic gallery of the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine…
Bring Me The Horizon is scheduled to perform in Rosemont, IL, on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Allstate Arena. The concert is part of…
Dance Gavin Dance is set to perform at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago on Friday, May 15, 2026. This date features special guests The Fall…
The Great Filipino Songbook beckons you into the Golden Age of Filipino song, where tender kundimans and stirring melodies shaped a people’s identity. Reimagined by…
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…
The Conspirators present Tartuffe, or, The Charlatan by playwright Molière (1622-1673), directed by Wm. Bullion, at Stars & Garters, 3914 N. Clark St., May 8…
On the Spot Theatre Company is delighted to present the world premiere of For Gustave, a new drama about French Impressionist Gustave Caillebotte. For Gustave…
Zhou B Art Center opens exhibitions every 3rd Friday of the month with an evening reception from 7pm-10pm hosted by resident artists and galleries. This…
Explore our building. Chat with the artists. Let your curiosity set the pace. Sift through multiple galleries and studios; with 50 artists in residence, each…
The WINNERS of The Original Improv Gladiators, Season 39 are ready for their big mission; they’ll shoot for the moon, they’ll bring out all the…
The Improvised Shakespeare Company® proudly presents its critically-acclaimed, long-running hit show Improvised Shakespeare Chicago, now in its 19th year! Join us for an evening of…
The hottest show in town, Devil’s Daughter, features a cast of seasoned comedians who have performed together in Chicago and around the country for over a decade.…
BY YORK WALKER DIRECTED BY MALKIA STAMPLEY “Everybody got a secret.” Expect one devilish twist after another in Covenant, a mythic and suspenseful new play hailed…
2-Item Minimum Per Guest Valid ID Required for Entry First Come, First Served Seating No Outside Food or Beverage Please note: This is a special…
A catalog of all the possible phone calls that exist. A play that is not about corporations, not about warehouses, and certainly not about billionaires.…
This is a story about money. Don’t let them fool you otherwise. When a father loses his child in a clash with the local police,…
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…
To close Season 48 with vigor and verve, Hubbard Street brings a powerhouse program to the Harris Theater May 14, 15, + 17 featuring two…
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team…
Wild Door Theater presents the Midwest premiere of Maybe Tomorrow, a darkly funny and unsettling new play by Max Mondi and directed by Andrew Gallant,…
Wild Door Theater presents the Midwest premiere of Maybe Tomorrow, a darkly funny and unsettling new play by Max Mondi and directed by Andrew Gallant,…
By Paul Rudnick. Andrew Rally has it all: TV fame, a glamorous girlfriend, a devoted agent, the perfect New York apartment and the chance to…
Rediscover the soundtrack of a lifetime with GOING BACHARACH, a vibrant new revue, direct from a sold-out run in New York, celebrating the legacy of…
The historic, tree-lined streets of Chicago’s storied Hyde Park neighborhood are filled with Gothic architecture, cultural landmarks, and a welcoming energy that gives it a…
May is a jam-packed month in Chicago — summer is on the horizon, tulips are blooming all over the city, and weekends fill up with…
AAPI Heritage Month Events in Chicago This May, Chicago will celebrate the city’s diverse AAPI communities. Here are a few ways to participate: Admire never-before-seen…
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…
In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire swept through the city and destroyed much of downtown. Yet Chicago rose from the ashes, building back bigger and…
Summer in Chicago just wouldn’t feel complete without the city’s beloved street festivals, which include an eclectic array of neighborhood celebrations across the city. These…
If you’ve never been to a cabaret show, Chicago is a great place to start. With a 100-plus year history rooted in the city’s early…
Chicago’s summer event calendar is overflowing with cultural happenings. From groundbreaking art exhibits to exciting theatrical premieres, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy. Check…
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:
