Meet Roxanne, Petunia, and Babe…three Sister Piggies who set out to build their own houses. Roxanne (the Rock’n Roll Pig) builds hers out of Sticks,…
Built for the Body: the Intersection of Architecture & Jewelry is an exhibition that will be on view in our downtown Chicago gallery from January…
Celebrate Spring Break at Navy Pier March 23–27 with free, interactive workshops and hands-on activities for the whole family. From arts and crafts to health and wellness,…
Say goodbye to the cold as you escape the last remaining frigid days and “Spring Into WNDR.” As a celebration of a new season approaching,…
Step into the boots of a scientist and discover more about local nature! Did you know that the Nature Museum isn’t just an awesome place…
What is Shen Yun, exactly? It’s more than just a performance—it’s a revival of the beauty and goodness of China before communism. With stories and…
“Haunted by Our Dark Side: Chicago Ghosts, Gangsters, and True Crime” is a 2-hour afternoon/evening walking tour that uncovers Chicago’s shadowy past through chilling tales…
Park Hyatt Chicago presents a singular offering centered on The Glenlivet 55 Year Old – Edition No. 1 of The Eternal Collection. Matured for more…
EXP Rosemont invites guests to step back in time with The Last Stronghold, a free-roaming virtual reality experience that transports visitors to the fortified medieval…
Luminarts Cultural Foundation presents our 2026 Visual Arts Exhibition, showcasing the work of 10 emerging Chicago artists, contending for $10,000 Luminarts Fellowships in Visual Arts.…
The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce will host the Spring Wine Wobble Crawl on Thursday, March 26 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eventgoers…
The Glow Wild lantern festival transforms the night into a glowing celebration of art, culture, and conservation. Wander illuminated pathways surrounded by handcrafted lanterns inspired…
Laugh your way into your new favorite Thursday tradition at Morgan’s Laugh Lounge, Chicago’s newest comedy hotspot. Every Thursday night from 6:00–9:30 PM, the lounge…
2-Item Minimum Per Guest First Come, First Served Seating No Outside Food or Beverage Valid ID Required at Entry OhJay Lamont, born and raised on…
Theatre Y Presents CHARGES (The Supplicants) German title: Die Schutzbefohlenen “those entrusted to protection” Written by Elfriede Jelinek Translation by Gitta Honegger…
The Ally Written by Itamar Moses Directed by Jeremy Wechsler When Asaf’s student asks him to sign a manifesto condemning police brutality, he wants to…
Chicago’s brand new Stars & Garters, 3914 N Clark St, presents Stars & Garters After Dark, every Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Rouge Room.…
Chicago Writers’ Bloc Announces Its 2026 Spring Festival of New Plays and Musicals March 15–29 at City Lit Theater 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago…
What if your favorite movie was set in Chicago? Flicks like Jaws, Titanic, and Trolls World Tour are deserving of sequels in The Second City,…
Shattered Globe’s 35th season continues with the Midwest Premiere of Morning, Noon, and Night, a mind-bending exploration of teens, family, surveillance, and connection in a…
Hey wine lovers! Come sip and savor the finest local wines in a chilled, in-person setting right at beautiful Bodega Bay. It’s the perfect chance…
“I have heard from a reliable source that no Dominican male has ever died a virgin. I shall be the first.” Oscar knows that a…
Chicago Writers’ Bloc presents a series of staged readings of new work, many of which feature women’s voices, across genres from historical dramas to musicals,…
Black history tours of Chicago offer an engaging journey through the city’s rich African American culture. Embark on an in-depth exploration of influential neighborhoods like…
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…
Route 66 offers a true taste of America, and the culinary adventure kicks off here in Chicago, a city that offers some of the best…
Chicago is proud to be the official host city of International Jazz Day 2026, a global celebration that honors jazz and its unique power to…
As we hop into spring, let’s make time to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family. Whether you’re celebrating Easter or just the return…
March is dedicated to honoring the remarkable contributions of women throughout history, and Chicago is the perfect place to celebrate. From engaging educational events to…
March is certainly a celebratory time in Chicago, as the temperatures start to warm up and every weekend is packed with events. Watch the river…
This month in Chicago, explore lush indoor gardens, admire iconic works in one of the world’s top art museums, and join in colorful cultural celebrations…
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:
