Take a walk with us down Randolph Street in the buzzy West Loop neighborhood for an insider’s peek into Chicago’s most talked-about restaurants, homegrown breweries,…
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…
Having become one of the hottest tickets in town, Fall Series at Steppenwolf Theatre features two World Premieres: Paulina Street Passage, a new work by…
The Mikos Lazlos play Parfumerie, on which She Loves Me is based, has inspired many adaptations, including the beloved film You’ve Got Mail starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Set in a 1930s European…
It starts with the sound of a spoon scraping against glass and the wet noise of lips smacking together. June and Lurie have a haunting new…
Lazy Susan Theatre Co. presents Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece “Our Town” beginning November 12, 2026. A breakfast before school, first loves, and those quiet…
Jackalope Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Engines and Instruments of Flight: A Fantasia in Three Acts by Calamity West, written by Calamity West…
October 18 – December 20, 2026 Reception and artist talk: Thursday October 29th 5-7pm Hours: Sundays 2pm – 5pm, $8 Adults, $5 Kids Location: Chicago…
25th anniversary of Chicago’s holiday smash hit! Filled with heartwarming storytelling, music, and some very special surprises. George Bailey – the Everyman from small town…
Anna has her hands full, not only in her medical practice, but also living in a house with her brother, mother-in-law, and adult son. As…
One relationship. Infinite possibilities. In how many universes would you love someone? Nick Payne’s Olivier award-winning CONSTELLATIONS is a play about free will and friendship;…
Clark Week Productions presents the Chicago premiere of The Apiary, Kate Douglas’ poignantly dark and comedic sci-fi fable. Set 22 years into a bleak future,…
A gaggle of suburban moms, armed with pickleball paddles and hard kombucha, are ready to take on the school board in the fight of their…
Sparks fly when Serbian-French violinist Nemanja Radulović leads his chamber orchestra, Double Sens, in this beguiling program of Bach and Beethoven. Experience Radulović’s orchestral arrangement…
Oil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production and the final production in its 2026 season, It’s…
Revisiting characters established in August Wilson’s SEVEN GUITARS, this play returns to Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1985. King Hedley, a man recently released from prison,…
ZooLights Presented by Invesco and ComEd returns to Lincoln Park Zoo, lighting up the city’s favorite holiday tradition once again! Over 3 million lights and…
Chicago-based conceptual artist Stephanie Brooks and Washington-based still life and landscape painter David Kroll are exhibiting their works at the Zolla / Lieberman Gallery in…
Chicago’s Drive Through Light Show located at White Sox, Rate Field opens November 19, 2026. Make holiday memories from your warm car!
We saw you coming. Fourteen floors above Randolph Street, aerialists fly through a century-old Belgian Spiegeltent while acrobatics, burlesque, cabaret, and comedy unfold around your…
Welcome to Expo League, where competition and exhibition meet to make an entertaining and interactive experience you’ll never forget! Like the Savannah Bananas and Harlem…
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 holiday season in Chicago is always an exciting time. With countless events across multiple neighborhoods, there are so many ways to celebrate. One of…
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…
Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 State Street The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, a local tradition for more than 90 years, kicks off the holiday season with a…
Chicago goes all out for the holidays, with something magical happening in every corner of the city. The season kicks off with the Christmas Tree…
If you’re looking for a getaway in January or February, Chicago continues to deliver a flurry of seasonal fun long after the holidays end. Between…
The best way to get to know Chicago is one meal at a time. This three-day Chicago food itinerary explores the city’s most iconic dishes and…
Chicago is the city that’s Never Done, Never Outdone. And we keep proving it year after year. In 2026, Chicago welcomed new immersive experiences, celebrated…
Celebrate cozy weather and changing leaves in the city made for autumn adventures. We’ve got everything you need to plan the perfect fall day in…
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:
