Musical theatre and improv collide as Marquee presents you with an hour of fully improvised musical comedy, spontaneously creating entire scenes, songs, and stories based…
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…
Brett Goldstein is bringing his brand-new stand-up comedy tour, “Sex, Death & Small Talk,” to Chicago on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
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 Longest Johns are performing live in Chicago on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at The Vic Theatre. The English folk band, famous for spearheading the…
Alternative rock band Sleeping With Sirens will bring their headline An Ending In Itself Tour to Chicago on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The newly announced…
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…
See the show that started it all, and experience the iO Theater’s groundbreaking, signature improv form: The Harold! This long-running, weekly improv tradition is double-headlined…
Chicago’s longest-running Harold team returns to iO to bring their unique blend of chaos and creativity to iO’s signature form The Harold melding games, songs, and scenes…
Comedian Matt Rife will perform live at Chicago’s United Center on Oct. 25, 2026.
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 Pulitzer Prizes and American Library Association are bringing Pulitzer on the Road to the Harold Washington Library Center this fall. Opening October 14, the…
The Declaration of Independence grounded the revolutionary right of a people to overthrow a government in the philosophical premise that “all men are created equal.”…
American Prophets journeys through the pages of American history to explore the influence of religion and spirituality on writers and culture, with interactive displays incorporating…
A mini version of the beloved Zoom Room exhibit will be set up in the museum’s Great Hall for a limited time. On display and ready…
Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History examines the full scope of Stebbins’s history‑making career as one of the most significant American sculptors of the nineteenth century. From…
It’s the best comedy show in the city. Created in 1995 by iO alum Armando Diaz, Armando is a historic improvisational form where actors improvise a series…
Find out for yourself why The Second City has been the first name in laughter for over sixty years! From the stages that launched the…
2-Item Minimum Per Guest First Come, First Served Seating No Outside Food or Beverage Valid ID Required at Entry Vik Pandya is a nationally touring…
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.
She Wants Revenge is performing at the House of Blues Chicago on Monday, October 26, 2026. Special Guest: Rosegarden Funeral Party.
All the cool kids stay out late on a school night! Join new teams as they deliver a short and sweet show filled with laughter…
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 Pulitzer Prizes and American Library Association are bringing Pulitzer on the Road to the Harold Washington Library Center this fall. Opening October 14, the…
One of just eight World Marathon Majors, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of the planet’s most epic athletic events. Each year, more…
October is a jam-packed time in Chicago, with tons of Halloween events and fall-themed celebrations happening all month long. Start filling up your calendar with…
A visit to Chicago should feel as distinctive as the city itself. The Chicago Hotel Collection offers boutique hotel stays in some of the city’s…
This month, enjoy unique Halloween celebrations, tour local artist studios, check out global musicians, and browse the city’s longest-running outdoor market — all without spending…
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…
Save the date, cinephiles: The Chicago International Film Festival is back with exciting screenings, world premieres, and more events for cinephiles from Oct. 14 to…
This fall, Chicago’s fashion and design scene takes center stage during the third annual Chicago Fashion Week, showcasing the city’s creativity, culture, and couture. This…
Fall in Chicago is the best time of year for architecture lovers. The season brings top events like the annual Pullman House Tour, the Chicago…
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:
