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.
Imagine walking inside the thunderous sound of a taiko drum or feeling enveloped by the sinuous sounds of a saxophone, cello, or bass. What if…
The Book of Mormon is returning to Chicago for a limited limited engagement from Friday, October 23 through Sunday, November 1, 2026. From the creators…
Where memory is preserved, legacy endures. MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient Rhiannon Giddens and celebrated co-composer Michael Abels deliver a profoundly moving story about the strength…
Father Mike Schmitz will bring his popular live presentation, Parables: A Time of Reflection, to The Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, October 28,…
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…
Imagine walking inside the thunderous sound of a taiko drum or feeling enveloped by the sinuous sounds of a saxophone, cello, or bass. What if…
The Book of Mormon is returning to Chicago for a limited limited engagement from Friday, October 23 through Sunday, November 1, 2026. From the creators…
Brahms once called A German Requiem his “human requiem” — and it fits. The gently powerful score emphasizes consolation for the living rather than fiery judgment, and…
Mexican Regional and Latin Pop icon Alicia Villarreal will perform live in Chicago on Thursday, October 29, 2026, as part of her newly announced Bendita…
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…
Imagine walking inside the thunderous sound of a taiko drum or feeling enveloped by the sinuous sounds of a saxophone, cello, or bass. What if…
If you’re looking for a fast, flexible Greeter experience, check out our InstaGreeter walks. These hour-long guided walks are a fun and informal way to…
Brahms once called A German Requiem his “human requiem” — and it fits. The gently powerful score emphasizes consolation for the living rather than fiery judgment, and…
The Book of Mormon is returning to Chicago for a limited limited engagement from Friday, October 23 through Sunday, November 1, 2026. From the creators…
The path to damnation never sounded so sweet The 2026/27 Season kicks off with a thrilling fable of deceit and retribution. Sharp humor, high drama,…
D.L. Hughley and Don Lemon are bringing their extended national tour, “DL + DL: Anything Goes,” to The Chicago Theatre on Friday, October 30, 2026.
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…
Imagine walking inside the thunderous sound of a taiko drum or feeling enveloped by the sinuous sounds of a saxophone, cello, or bass. What if…
If you’re looking for a fast, flexible Greeter experience, check out our InstaGreeter walks. These hour-long guided walks are a fun and informal way to…
The Book of Mormon is returning to Chicago for a limited limited engagement from Friday, October 23 through Sunday, November 1, 2026. From the creators…
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW returns to The Chicago Theatre on Halloween night! Experience the cult-classic phenomenon in a new 4K restoration with a live…
Brahms once called A German Requiem his “human requiem” — and it fits. The gently powerful score emphasizes consolation for the living rather than fiery judgment, and…
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…
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…
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…
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 is a city renowned for its rich cultural diversity, and there’s no better time to experience it than during National Hispanic Heritage Month. From…
Chicago is a city with history — a whole lot of history, dating back to before the city’s founding in 1837. So it’s hardly surprising…
Chicago’s summer festival season may be winding down, but there’s still another standout event on the city’s cultural calendar — Chicago Live Festival at Navy…
There’s no better way to celebrate the spookiest time of year than by packing your calendar with haunted events, themed cocktails, and spine-chilling pop-ups —…
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:
