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,…
PERFECT FOR MARCH BREAK SEE ALL SEVEN HARRY POTTER BOOKS IN 70 HILARIOUS MINUTES! “Absolutely hilarious! I laughed til my cheeks hurt” — Around the…
Binkley, an outsider dwarf from the Kingdom of Magical Land, is quiet, timid and scared of the dark — not exactly the best characteristics for…
HAPPY DANCE! Big Moves. Bigger Laughs. A high-energy laugh-riot for ages 5 to 95. Comedy Dance Chicago’s joyful mashup of sketch comedy, physical humor, music,…
OFF NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIME CAFÉ is a campy parody of a noir mystery that follows a cafe pianist in lieu of a detective. As…
In the high stone tower of an isolated naval fortress, Alice and Edgar are about to celebrate 25 years of wedded bliss—if decades of resentment,…
“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…
SEVENTY MINUTES. SEVEN SEASONS. ONE SPIKE. CREATED BY BRENDAN MURPHY PERFORMED BY JACOB JACKSON DIRECTED BY HAMISH MACDOUGALL In this fast-paced production we bring you…
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…
“Once Upon a Time in Bangalore” is a long-form improv comedy show inspired by over-dramatic commercial Bollywood movies. The show recreates a typical “masala” movie;…
Chicago’s longest running and best interactive improv comedy experience. ComedySportz is comedy played as a sport, not comedy ABOUT sports (whew). Refs, fouls, points, games…
The Dinner Detective is an interactive true crime murder mystery show set in the present day and based on real cold cases. Feast on a…
‘Malleable Memory’ is a lighting and furniture show that explores the way materials shape us. It exhibits the work of multidisciplinary designer and fabricator Orr…
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…
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…
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…
Join Arts Alliance Forest Park for a fun night at St. Bernardine Church, Fearon Hall on March 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM (Central Time). Celebrate…
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…
“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…
Celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday all winter long with Improvised Jane Austen! Just one day cannot encapsulate a proper observation of Jane Austen’s life and work.…
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…
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…
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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…
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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:
