What’s new in Chicago in 2026

Chicago continues to shine as a premier destination for meetings and events — the city was recently voted the Best Big City in the U.S. for an unprecedented ninth year in a row by Condé Nast Traveler readers. 

The city is stepping into 2026 with powerful momentum, thanks to a slew of recent accolades, including:

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport was crowned the busiest airfield in the United States.
• Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center was named one of the world’s top 25 convention centers and one of the best convention centers with more than 1 million sq. ft. of exhibit space.
• Chicago was named one of the Best Places to Go in 2026 by Frommer’s and a TravelZoo Best Bets destination, highlighting the city as a standout leisure destination.

Here are just a few of the many exciting updates, openings, and happenings coming to Chicago’s meetings and events industry in 2026. 

Chicago restaurant openings and renovations

• DineAmic Hospitality is developing a trio of new dining and hospitality concepts along the Chicago River, including a Mediterranean restaurant, private lounge, and café slated to open in 2026.
• The globally celebrated Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant Osaka Nikkei will open its Chicago outpost in early 2026, located in the bustling Fulton Market District.
• The team behind Michelin-starred Daisies recently opened aperitivo-forward late-night bar and restaurant The Radicle, blending coastal Italian drinking culture with Midwestern traditions. 
• In the West Town neighborhood, Bar Bambi is award-winning bartender Katie Renshaw’s first solo concept debut — an imaginative cocktail lounge blending classic structure with modern technique.
• A comfort-first, slightly elevated dive bar, The Alley Cat, will open this year in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.
• Comfort food destination Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley has a new location near the House of Blues. Reserve the swanky Asset Lounge for a private soul food experience with shrimp and grits or Southern fried catfish.
• One of the most talked-about openings of the year, Cafe Yaya is an all-day bakery and bistro from the team behind Michelin-starred Galit, showcasing an array of Middle Eastern flavors.

Chicago venue opening and renovations

• The Obama Presidential Centerwill become one of Chicago’s most significant new civic and cultural destinations when it opens this summer 2026. Located on a 19-acre campus in Jackson Park, the Center will feature a museum, auditorium, branch of the Chicago Public Library, community and athletic programming spaces, landscaped gardens, and year-round initiatives.
• The Hand & The Eye will be the world’s largest magic venue when it opens its doors in Chicago this spring 2026. This new immersive experience will transform the historic McCormick Mansion with multiple floors and dozens of rooms.
• TimeLine Theatre Company will open its new permanent home in Uptown in May 2026. Sneak previews, open houses, and community events are planned for late March and April. 
• The newly renovated Intuit Art Museum has tripled its gallery and exhibition space, added community areas, upgraded accessibility amenities, and more. 
• The National Public Housing Museum opened its doors to the public last year. Located in the last remaining building of the historic Jane Addams Homes, the museum is committed to preserving the profound legacy of public housing.
• Catch all the Chicago Cubs baseball action at Wrigley Field’s The YETI Yard, a reserved section in center field with high-top seating, ballpark food, and fully stocked coolers with beer and seltzer.
• Give your party a jolt at Electric Shuffle, a high-tech shuffleboard lounge. Groups of 15 to 250 can reserve dedicated game tables for some friendly competition, plus house pizzas and signature cocktails. Team photos and action replays make fun digital souvenirs. 

Chicago hotel openings and renovations

• Historic Gold Coast hotel The Talbott has been completely reimagined with three sophisticated meeting spaces that welcome C-suite sessions or elegant receptions.
• The newly renovated Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile boasts a fresh, contemporary look. Expansive ballrooms and smaller meeting rooms are available, with full on-site catering for easy planning. 
• Lakefront hotel The Wade (formerly the W Lakeshore) combines Chicago sensibility with an industrial-modern aesthetic. With 19 state-of-the-art meeting rooms and 520 guest rooms, there’s space here for the whole team. 
• Classic meets contemporary at The Midland Hotel, Chicago, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (formerly the W Chicago). This stunning 1929 Beaux Arts building offers 403 tranquil guest rooms with skyline views. Twelve event rooms blend art deco details with modern-day tech capabilities. 
• South Korean import L7 Chicago by Lotte brings a sophisticated touch to a 1912 high-rise. This 14-story hotel overlooking the Chicago Riverwalk boasts three handsome meeting spaces for 20 to 300 guests. Plan a custom catering menu or dine at PERILLA, a chic Korean American steakhouse with tableside grills.
• Boutique-style hotel Riu Plaza Chicago is an ideal home base for a Chicago conference. An American buffet breakfast and grab-and-go lunch get attendees moving quickly. After meetings are done, head up to The Rooftop, a seasonal bar on the 27th floor with a dizzying glass-bottom balcony. 
• The updated Residence Inn Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile is a home away from home, with kitchens, workspaces, and sitting areas in all 289 guest suites. Ten event rooms can accommodate small and large groups, and terrace bar The 101 Rooftop can be rented for private receptions.
• Wow your guests at Bally’s Chicago, a glittering casino and hotel opening along the Chicago River in 2027. The expansive complex features 500 rooms and 20,000 square feet of exhibition space. Six restaurants, an entertainment venue, and a gaming floor make Bally’s Chicago an experience your attendees will remember.
• Opening in 2027, The Neighborhood Hotel West Loop breathes new life into a 1912 icon. Original details endure, like former bank vaults repurposed into gathering places for coffee and cocktails. The renovation includes 76 guest rooms for a boutique feel.
• Sports Illustrated Hotel Chicago is moving forward in the Loop, transforming a downtown property into an immersive, sports-inspired lifestyle hotel. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2027.