Choose Chicago Media Relations Contacts:
Michelle Gonzalez, mgonzalez@choosechicago.com
Stephanie D’Adamo, stephanie@letssipp.com

What’s New and Happening in Chicago – Fall 2025 / Winter 2026

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (September 8, 2025) – This summer Choose Chicago wrapped up a spectacular IPW 2025, the esteemed trade show from the U.S. Travel Association, drawing more than 5,000 delegates from 64 countries, including thousands of key global travel buyers and media, for a jam-packed week of Chicago style events, meetings, and media engagements that will impact the next three years of travel to the United States.

The momentum continues this fall with the return of the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Chicago Exhibition Weekend, and Open House Chicago, as well as the U.S. premiere of Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. On the culinary front, the city will welcome the return of Chicago Gourmet, one of the Midwest’s most distinguished food festivals. Cinephiles of all types will enjoy the return of the Chicago International Film Festival and the Chicago Underground Film Festival, while competitive runners prepare to lace up their sneakers for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The pioneering Chicago Fashion Week is set to roll out the red carpet for its second annual festival while local artists prepare their costumes for one of the spookiest holiday events, the annual Arts in the Dark parade.

And, with the winter holiday season just around the corner, we can’t wait for the return of such storied Chicago holiday traditions as the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Chicago Christkindlmarket, Lincoln Park’s ZooLights, ice skating in Millennium Park, The Joffrey Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker, and a new season of creative holiday pop-ups!

Choose Chicago invites you to come and discover award-winning restaurants, iconic attractions, stunning outdoor spaces, a rich cultural scene, vibrant neighborhoods, and a welcoming and inclusive Midwestern spirit. See for yourself why Chicago was honored as “Best Big City in the U.S.” by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 for a historic eighth consecutive year!

Visit ChooseChicago.com for more information and travel inspiration and register for access to our Image and Video Library.

To read more about Chicago in the news, click here.

Recent Accolades:

Accommodations:

The St. Regis Chicago has launched its new Family Traditions Package, where families are invited to embrace a curated journey of connection, creativity, and comfort from the moment they arrive. Children are greeted with handcrafted amenities and monogrammed robes, and access to the Astor Treasure Chest—a whimsical trove filled with curated board games, books, and sweet surprises inspired by the St. Regis legacy. Guests looking for an elevated family-friendly retreat can expect a concierge-curated itinerary that includes unforgettable nearby experiences like Millennium Park’s “Bean” and Crown Fountain, Maggie Daley Park’s adventure playgrounds, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier— easily accessible via their complimentary Rivian house car. Retreat into one of the hotel’s sumptuous rooms and suites with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, and enjoy access to their signature St. Regis Butler Service, an intuitive extension of your family that handles everything from unpacking to arranging family experiences, so you can truly be present for every magical moment. Parents can enjoy luxurious pampering at The St. Regis Spa Chicago—the only Forbes five-star rated spa in Chicago—for tailored treatments and poolside serenity on the wellness floor. Kids can enjoy manicures and pedicures (ages 5 and up) and the heated indoor pool with sweeping skyline views. With daily breakfast, nightly milk and cookies, complimentary cribs, and child-friendly dining at on-site restaurant Tre Dita, The St. Regis Chicago doesn’t just accommodate families—it celebrates them. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Airlines and Airports:
Mayor Brandon Johnson and The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) joined airline and local leaders in August 2025, to break ground on The New Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport, a transformative $1.3 billion project marking the first major milestone in ORDNext, the next phase of development through the O’Hare 21 capital plan, which will construct two new concourses and a new global terminal.

  • The New Concourse D will include 19 new gates designed for narrow-body aircraft, with the flexibility to adapt 18 of those gates into nine larger gates that can accommodate wide-body planes. Current planned amenities include more than 20,000 square feet of lounge space, 30,000 square feet of commercial space, and a 450-square-foot children’s play area.

Other major components of ORDNext include:

  • The New Concourse E, the second satellite concourse, which will offer 24 new gates.
  • The O’Hare Global Terminal, which will replace the existing Terminal 2 and accommodate international and domestic operations for the airport’s major hub carriers and their codeshare partners.
  • A new underground tunnel seamlessly connecting passengers, airport employees, and baggage operations between the new facilities.

The CDA and iGA Istanbul Airport signed a new Sister Airport agreement between O’Hare and iGA—Türkiye’s global gateway and the leading transfer hub of its region—uniting America’s best-connected hub with one of Europe’s fastest-growing global gateways. The agreement is expected to elevate the bilateral relations between the two countries to a new level.

Mayor Johnson and CDA Commissioner Michael McMurray joined Southwest Airlines and local construction and union partners June 5 to break ground on the rehabilitation of Midway International Airport’s Runway 13C/31C, Midway’s largest investment this year. The $47 million initiative will renew one of Midway’s primary runways and its intersecting taxiways, bolstering airfield safety at the “busiest square mile in aviation.” The rehabilitation of Runway 13C/31C includes repaving the main runway and its intersecting taxiways, as well as updating the airfield’s geometry to better align with federal aviation standards. The project will also enhance safety through the installation of new runway guard lights and the construction of a new roadway to support aircraft rescue and firefighting operations in the event of an aviation incident.

At O’Hare International Airport (International Flights):

  • Japan Airlines (JAL) launched daily service from O’Hare to Narita International Airport in Tokyo on June 1. The last time JAL flew from O’Hare to Narita was in 2023, at a less than daily frequency. The route has not operated daily since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Narita service complements JAL’s daily service to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
  • Arajet will launch service from O’Hare to Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic (PUJ) on Nov. 15, making it the 47th airline to serve O’Hare.
  • Earlier this year, American Airlines announced a major expansion at O’Hare, with 25% more seats and 22% more departures scheduled for Summer 2025 compared to last summer — reaching an anticipated peak of 480 flights per day. This includes new daily nonstop routes this summer to Madrid, Spain – the first time American Airlines has ever served Madrid – and Naples, Italy.
  • United Airlines extended its summer seasonal service to Dublin, Ireland year-round for the first time. The winter flights will be operated by a B767-300ER and the summer services by a larger B787-8. This development signals a deepening of United’s commitment to the Irish market out of Chicago, including its summer seasonal Shannon, Ireland service which started in 2023.
  • In July 2025, Turkish Airlines started an additional seasonal service from O’Hare to Istanbul, now bringing the total to three daily flights, the highest frequency ever on this route.
  • Service to Canada also expanded from several O’Hare carriers this year. United and WestJet launched services to Edmonton, Canada, while American and United launched services to Halifax, Canada. WestJet is also scheduled to operate its Calgary service year-round for the first time, through the upcoming Winter 2025-26 season.

At Midway International Airport:

  • Southwest Airlines continued to add to its already sizable number of destinations served from Midway (80 nonstop destinations in 2025) by adding new services to Boise, Idaho; Indianapolis, Indiana; Palm Springs, California; and Spokane, Washington.
  • June 2025 saw Allegiant’s largest-ever departing seats from Midway in a single month. At the peak of its summer schedule this July, Allegiant served six nonstop destinations from Midway, up from four when it first began to fly from Midway in May 2020.

Food and Libations:

Ambar, which offers a modern interpretation of Balkan cuisine with a “Dining Without Limits” experience, recently opened a new Chicago location. The restaurant’s every detail expresses the deeply rooted Balkan heritage, built around award-winning food and unparalleled hospitality. Small plates transform the traditional experience of gathering around the table for a feast to enjoy grilled meats, fine cheeses, various blends of kaymak, local wines, and an expansive collection of rakia. (Neighborhood: River North)

Class Act + Nightcap offer a unique perspective on fine dining and mixology through an immersive, communal tasting menu experience and speakeasy. The multi-room concept centers around a single 16-foot communal table, where guests can share a carefully curated tasting menu while witnessing the energy and artistry of an open kitchen. Chef Nicolai Mlodinow’s avant garde cuisine, the free flowing spirits, and the newly forged connections make every night unforgettable. (Neighborhood: Bucktown)

Chefs and Co-Owners David and Anna Posey recently opened their second restaurant, Creepies, located at 1360 West Randolph Street. Located next door to the duo’s revered modern American restaurant Elske – this new restaurant showcases seasonal neo-bistro fare with Midwestern influences. David spearheads the savory dishes along with Chef De Cuisine Taylor Ploshehanski, while Anna handles the desserts. Menu items range from opening bites and smaller plates to larger mains and sides, all designed to be shared. (Neighborhood: West Loop)

Crust Tap Room is an exciting new addition to the Crust Brewing family that aims to captivate the locals with its exquisite offerings. With a draft lineup carefully brewed at Crust Brewing in Rosemont, Crust Tap Room also takes pride in its focus on perfecting the Chicago Tavern Style Pizza. Emphasizing exceptional service, craft cocktails, outstanding cuisine, and refreshing, flavorful beer, this neighborhood spot promises to be an unforgettable experience for all who step through its doors. Whether you are seeking a casual gathering with friends or a memorable night out, Crust Tap Room guarantees a remarkable time that will leave you craving more. (Neighborhood: Irving Park)

Dimmi Dimmi Corner Italian is a new Italian-American restaurant located at 1112 W. Armitage. Helmed by Executive Chef Matt Eckfeld, Dimmi Dimmi offers a fresh, feel-good take on classic Italian-American fare. The menu features homemade pasta, seasonal vegetables, and thoughtfully crafted Italian classics that celebrate warmth, community, and culinary creativity. (Neighborhood: Lincoln Park)

Ox Bar & Hearth is a new dining destination opening in Lincoln Park in September 2025. A heartfelt tribute to seasonal Midwestern food, great drinks, and warm hospitality from Alain Uy and John Asbaty, Ox Bar & Hearth will offer a reimagined take on the neighborhood restaurant, blending comfort with simplicity. (Neighborhood: Lincoln Park)

Pequeño Mercat is a new café located within The Blackstone Hotel on Chicago’s Cultural Mile, complementing the hotel’s existing Spanish restaurant, Mercat a la Planxa. The café will offer a curated selection of La Colombe coffees, including Monaco Medium Roast and Nizza espresso, alongside Rishi teas. Guests can enjoy specialty drinks such as cortados and mochas, as well as draft lattes and cold brew on tap. The menu features freshly baked pastries, breakfast items like bagels and croissants, and savory lunch options, including tarts and sandwiches. Seasonal desserts, along with fresh fruits and snacks ensure a variety of options for all guests. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

The Alston, which opened this May, features a menu that blends the comforting flavors of a traditional Midwestern steakhouse with the refined elegance of 1920s French Nouvelle cuisine. Chef Jenner Tomaska elevates the traditional steakhouse by utilizing open-fire cooking and the highest-quality ingredients from the Midwest. Guests can also enjoy tableside service, including bread and cheese carts and an innovative take on a Duck a la Presse carved at the table. The Alston marks the first partnership between The Fifty/50 Group and Michelin-starred chef, Jenner Tomaska. (Neighborhood: Gold Coast)

Iconic downtown eatery The Dearborn, which has been an institution in Chicago’s Loop for nearly a decade, celebrated the opening of its first-ever airport outpost in O’Hare International Airport’s newly expanded and modernized Terminal 5 on August 14, 2025. The Dearborn brings elevated yet approachable dining to travelers seeking an authentic Chicago experience, featuring sit-down service and a grab-and-go marketplace with fresh coffee.

Trino is a personal interpretation of the classic steakhouse, reimagined by Chef Stephen Sandoval and Partner Oscar Sotelo, the team behind Diego and the Entre Sueños Dinner Series. Rooted in the culinary traditions of Northern Mexico, Galicia, and Argentina, Trino blends bold flavors, thoughtful technique, and high-quality cuts with a spirit of warmth and genuine hospitality. (Neighborhood: West Loop)

Zazas Pizzeria will be opening a new location at 1521 N. Fremont St. in Lincoln Park, inside a space that already holds a special place in Chicago’s pizza history, the former home of the beloved Pizzeria Bebu. After being named Dave Portnoy’s favorite pizza in Chicago, Zazas has expanded into the suburbs with two additional restaurants under the Nemec Brothers Pizzeria name. This Fremont location marks its fourth overall restaurant and will feature its signature classics, along with a few menu additions exclusive to Fremont. (Neighborhood: Lincoln Park)

Exhibitions (Immersive Art & Museums):

The Art Institute of Chicago’s new fall and winter exhibitions include (Neighborhood: The Loop):

  • Elizabeth Catlett: “A Black Revolutionary Artist and All That It Implies” (through January 4, 2026) – A deft sculptor and printmaker, ardent feminist, and lifelong social activist, Elizabeth Catlett (1915–2012) was a defining artist of the 20th century. Across nearly 100 years—from Jim Crow segregation through the Cold War and into Barack Obama’s first term as president—Catlett remained steadfast in her commitment to both her art and her political beliefs. Bringing together over 100 works from across Catlett’s awe-inspiring career, this long-overdue retrospective showcases the significant role this revolutionary artist and radical activist played in her time and the influence she still has today. Her powerful work continues to speak directly to all those united in the fight against poverty, racism, and imperialism.
  • On Loss and Absence: Textiles of Mourning and Survival (September 6, 2025 – March 15, 2026) – Drawn primarily from the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection, On Loss and Absence brings together over 100 objects from diverse cultures dating from antiquity to today to reveal the ways people use textiles to sustain spiritual beliefs, understand death, cope with grief, remember those who have passed, and heal from trauma, both personally and collectively. Curated by four artists whose paths merged at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Fiber and Material Studies department, On Loss and Absence is deeply informed by their practices as makers and their respect for fellow artists as holders of material, ancestral, and cultural knowledge.
  • Strange Realities: The Symbolist Imagination (October 4, 2025 – January 5, 2026) – Reacting against rationalism, materialism, and Impressionism’s focus on the external world, Symbolist artists sought instead to represent the unseeable—ideas and emotions. These artists shared a general cynicism about the late 19th century’s moral decline, technological advancements brought about by rapid industrialization, and the rural flight to urban centers. This exhibition features works on paper by iconic Symbolist artists such as Norwegian Edvard Munch, as well as lesser-known figures like the Austrian Emilie Mediz-Pelikan, the Belgian Léon Spilliaert, and the French Gustav Adolf Mossa. Drawn from the Art Institute of Chicago’s rich and historic collection of drawings and prints, including the largest collection in America of the French Odilon Redon and Paul Gauguin, this display features over 85 works that capture the beauty and strangeness of a mysterious generation of artists.
  • Bruce Goff: Material Worlds (December 21, 2025 – May 29, 2026) – This major retrospective celebrates the unbounded creative practice of American architect Bruce Goff (1904–1982). Best known for his groundbreaking, idiosyncratic single-family homes in suburban and rural areas across the United States, Goff charted an alternative narrative for a modern architecture imbued with individuality, materiality, and fantastical invention. The first major show of the architect’s work in over 30 years, this exhibition is drawn primarily from the Art Institute’s vast Bruce Goff collection and archive. The project features over 200 works including spellbinding architectural drawings, elaborate architectural models, and a selection of Goff’s ambitious, little-known abstract paintings.

The Chicago History Museum will present Aquí en Chicago, opening October 25, 2025. In 2019, students from Instituto Justice and Leadership Academy, Rudy Lozano Campus, in Pilsen, protested CHM for the lack of Latino/a/e representation. In doing so, they stood on the shoulders of past Latino/a/es and allies who fought against cultural erasure and systemic racism. Chicago has been home to Latino/a/e communities since the 1800s and their descendants have actively carried on and protected Latino/a/e cultural heritages and traditions. Through art, photographs, interviews, clothing, personal items, everyday objects, and historical treasures, Aquí en Chicago traces the lives of Latino/a/e communities that have maintained a persistent cultural presence and flourished in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. The exhibition is presented in both English and Spanish. (Neighborhood: Lincoln Park)

Elmhurst Art Museum will exhibit Shakkei Work by Mayumi Lake and Bob Faust (September 6, 2025 – January 5, 2026), the first major museum exhibition for these two Chicago-based artists whose colorful kaleidoscopic artworks create an immersive optical experience. Featured in separate galleries, recent large-scale work by each artist will transform the space. Lake’s imagery is based on the symbolic floral motifs found in antique Japanese kimonos. Faust’s wallpapers and prints incorporate digital photographs he gathers for each project sourced from the natural surroundings of the location where he is showing the work. Lake and Faust will also collaborate on new work for this exhibition, introduced in the center gallery, combining their love of organic patterning and spatial design. (Elmhurst, IL)

Driehaus Museum presents Tiffany Lamps: Beyond The Shade (September 12, 2025 – March 15, 2026), an exhibition illuminating the volume and breadth of Louis C. Tiffany’s vast artistic production. From the 1890s to the 1920s, Tiffany Studios created a captivating range of decorative lighting fixtures that embraced the technological shift from oil lamps to electricity and simultaneously met the styles and tastes of nineteenth and twentieth century consumers. Drawn from the expansive collections of the Museum and the private art collection of Richard H. Driehaus (now in the Art Exhibition Lending Foundation), the exhibition explores how the artisans at Tiffany Studios used a range of materials— including bronze, enamel, ceramic, and glass—to bring Tiffany’s innovative lighting designs to life. (Neighborhood: River North)

Dunn Museum presents Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains (through January 20, 2026). Known for his realistic painting style of classic comic book characters, Alex Ross has transformed the comic world into fine art. Using gouache paints, Ross brings heroes and villains from the Marvel and DC universes to life with striking realism. The 100 portraits featured in the exhibition Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains capture each character’s individual attitude, naturally influencing their poses. Combining the portraits creates a larger-than-life mural, transporting visitors into the perfect environment to strike a pose with their favorite superhero or villain. (Libertyville, IL)

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry presents the exciting world of one of the most beloved superheroes of all time in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition (through February 8, 2026). In this immersive exhibit, you’ll see rare comic books, view props and costumes from your favorite Spider-Man movies, explore cutting-edge interactive installations, and take photos with life-size statues of your favorite characters, like Miles Morales, Ghost-Spider, and, of course, Spider-Man! Superfans can dive deep into the evolution of Spider-Man from his first comic book appearance to the latest TV, movie, and video games, while kids of all ages can get hands-on with drawing activities and more. (Neighborhood: Museum Campus)

Hyde Park Art Center will feature three new exhibitions this fall. (Neighborhood: Hyde Park)

  • Mark Me, Too: Black Contemporary Artists and the Making of Marks (through December 14, 2025) – One of the most common enactments of an artist’s practice is mark making. An artist’s mark can be reflective of art historical genres and suggestive of their gestural idiosyncrasies that respond to lived experiences, emotions, or their surroundings. Inspired by Toni Morrison’s canonical text Beloved, this exhibition engages approaches to art making through the gesture and concept of the mark taken up by Black contemporary artists, who turn the art historical form of mark making on its head. In the works on view, artists contend with the marks of displacement, colonialism, migration, birth, and beauty, as they repurpose, refabricate, and reorient materials to reflect on how they might carry them through their practice. The final works leave seams visible, place dissonant objects into conversation, provide documentation of the production of the work alongside the final iteration, or obscure materials only to make them palpable under the surface.
  • Vesna Jovanovic: Carnival (October 11, 2025 – February 15, 2026) – Recent ink on paper (polypropylene) work by Chicago-based artist Vesna Jovanovic features invented spaces that collapse body and setting in dramatic and humorous measure. Jovanovic considers how we navigate social space and relationships in a post-pandemic culture. Her research led her to read about Rabelais, a French medieval writer, who included bodily topics such as food, sex, defecation, and slapstick violence in comical ways in his novels. Jovanovic’s seductively dark and funny imagery of candy and other items lodged in fleshy cavities reminds us not to take life too seriously.
  • Mutuality: The Center Program Biennial Exhibition (December 13, 2025 – March 22, 2026) – A professional development program for artists who are ready to raise their practice to the next level, The Center Program offers the unique opportunity to develop new work, receive feedback from art professionals in the field, and work towards an exhibition at the Art Center. Over the course of eight months, a supportive peer network, guest artists, gallerists, critics, and professionals pushed 20 Center Program artists to answer tough questions and evolve their practice. Curated by writer, curator, and art administrator Teresa Silva, the exhibition introduces new work that often determines bold new directions for local artists. For the 2025 edition of the Center Program, the cohort focuses on Mutuality (“demonstrating mutual care and interest as artists and people”) as the guiding principle for discussion and discourse toward new works.

The Illinois Holocaust Museum is proud to present Experience360, a brand-new, state of the art
downtown satellite location now open at 360 N. State Street, in the heart of downtown Chicago’s River North
neighborhood. Visitors will be able to step into history with virtual reality, discover artifacts and stories of resilience through immersive storytelling, and participate in “conservations” with interactive holograms of Holocaust and genocide Survivors. Experience360 offers a dynamic, deeply personal way to engage with history through conversation, technology, and truth. (Neighborhood: River North)

The newly renovated Intuit Art Museum will exhibit Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago (through January 11, 2026), which includes lesser-known artists and reexamines better-known self-taught artists through the lens of immigrant experience. Artists include Carlos Barberena (Nicaragua), María Enríquez de Allen (Mexico), Tae Kwon “Thomas” Kong (North Korea/South Korea), Aldobrando “Aldo” Piacenza (Italy), Pauline Simon (Russia), Genya “Jennie” Siporin (Poland), Drossos Skyllas (Greece), Bronislaw “Bruno” Sowa (Poland), Stanisław “Stanley” Szwarc (Poland), Charles Warner (Poland/then Prussia), Derek Webster (Honduras/Belize) and Badaskhan Zakoian (Armenia), among others. Themes include longing for homeland, labor and individual expression, and tendencies toward assimilation—subjects examined through the lens of the aftermath of immigration and the power of art to humanize and bear witness to historical events. (Neighborhood: West Town)

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago will unveil the new exhibition Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind (October 18, 2025 – February 22, 2026) this fall, which presents one of the most comprehensive exhibitions to date of Yoko Ono, the trailblazing artist, celebrated musician, and formidable campaigner for world peace. This remarkable retrospective—on view at the MCA as the only US venue—traces Ono’s career since the 1950s and presents over 200 works across a variety of media including performance footage, music and sound recordings, scores, film, photography, installation, and archival materials. Participatory artworks—a key aspect of Ono’s practice—also feature in the exhibition, and visitors are invited to partake in several interactive, instruction-based artworks. (Neighborhood: Streeterville)

  • Also on view is City in a Garden: Queer Art and Activism in Chicago (through January 25, 2026), an intergenerational group exhibition that highlights Chicago’s essential, yet often underacknowledged, role in the story of queer art and activism. The exhibition examines this history from the mid-1980s, when activists radically mobilized in response to the U.S. government’s disastrous handling of the AIDS crisis. In this moment of change, activists reclaimed the historically pejorative epithet “queer” as a liberatory term, encompassing all who purposefully deviate from heteronormative society. Drawn from the MCA’s collection and other local collections, City in a Garden follows this paradigm shift in LGBTQ+ history by bringing together work from over 30 artists and collectives working in Chicago from the 1980s to the present.

The National Museum of Mexican Art will present Rieles y Raíces: Traqueros in Chicago and the Midwest (November 21, 2025 – March 29, 2026), an exhibition on the role of Mexican and Mexican American rail workers in the United States. (Neighborhood: Pilsen)

The Museum of Contemporary Photography’s new exhibit Channeling: body ←Image→ viewer (through December 20, 2025) features works by eleven international artists who communicate through and with the body. The featured artists draw on diverse approaches and means to deliberately activate direct connections with the viewer. These communications position the viewer to experience a heightened awareness of their self and body, or to explore how bodies channel and confront societal malaise and oppression. Varied gestures—crawling, lying, climbing, kneeling, pointing, running, walking backwards—evoke memory, history, and rhetoric. These actions also call attention to the senses and physicality of skin, touch, voice, hearing, and sight. Channeling: body ←Image→ viewer includes photography, video, and installations that memorialize, witness, and bear tribute to our humanity. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

¡PLEIBOL! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues exhibition will open at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (September 16, 2025 – February 28, 2026). The history of Latinos and their impact on American culture and society are explored through the lens of baseball in this new exhibition organized by Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. Presented in collaboration with The Clemente Museum, the exhibition features reproductions of historic and personal photographs, graphic elements, and a bilingual video by the “La Vida Baseball” team, all of which combine to capture the excitement of America’s pastime, from community baseball teams to the Major Leagues. Entry is free. (Neighborhood: Humboldt Park)

The National Public Housing Museum opened its doors in April 2025 at 919 S. Ada Street on Chicago’s Near West Side. Located in the last remaining building of the historic Jane Addams Homes, the museum is committed to preserving the profound legacy of public housing and fostering a nuanced understanding of its impact on communities. (Neighborhood: Little Italy)

The University of Chicago’s Smart Museum of Art will unveil a new exhibition, Theaster Gates: Unto Thee (September 23, 2025 – February 22, 2026) this fall. A self-designated “keeper of objects,” the artist Theaster Gates investigates the value of things and their potential to hold layered meanings. He has been dedicated to investing in the care of these objects as a way to nurture stories and voices—often Black stories and voices—largely overlooked by history or institutional structures. This is Gates’s first solo museum exhibition in his hometown of Chicago. (Neighborhood: Hyde Park)

Wrightwood 659 will present three exciting new exhibitions from October 3-December 20, 2025 (Neighborhood: Lincoln Park):

  • The Joffrey + Ballet in the U.S. draws from the expansive Joffrey archive acquired by the Jerome Robbins Dance Division in 2017 and is presented at Wrightwood 659 by Alphawood Exhibitions. As The Joffrey Ballet celebrates its 70th Anniversary season in 2025, the exhibition offers an unparalleled opportunity to delve into the history and legacy of the acclaimed company and Robert Joffrey through a rich selection of archival materials. The exhibition features newly digitized rare film, including the original performance of the groundbreaking ballet Astarte (1967) and footage of Anna Sokolow’s Opus 65 (1965); a wide array of Joffrey Ballet costumes, props, pointe shoes, posters, and correspondence spanning the decades; and Robert Joffrey’s high school report card where he declares his intention to be a dancer and join a ballet company—instead, he would start one.
  • Scott Burton: Shape Shift examines the legacy of Scott Burton (1939–1989), an American original whose wide-ranging practice anticipated many of the strategies of today’s art. Hailed as a landmark exhibition when it premiered at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation in St. Louis, MO, Scott Burton: Shape Shift is the most comprehensive exhibition of Burton’s work ever mounted in the United States. Featuring works from the 1960s to 80s, the exhibition underscores the breadth of the artist’s vision. By the time of his death at the age of 50 from an AIDS-related illness, Burton had functioned as sculptor, public artist, performance artist, choreographer, art critic, and exhibition curator. The survey spans Burton’s career, featuring nearly 40 sculptures, more than 70 photographs and ephemera, and the only known extant video of the artist’s performance work.
  • Ellen Altfest: Forever is a selection of 15 oil paintings by the American representational painter Ellen Altfest, known for her painstakingly labor-intensive canvases and her observation of things in the world often overlooked in art. From roughly tactile rocks, tangled branches, and tree bark to the smoothness of houseplants, fabric, and men’s skin—she condenses everyday essences into expressions of absolute clarity and intensity. Her paintings are characterized by surprising pairings of subjects, unorthodox cropping, and, perhaps most notably, scrupulously rendered naturally occurring textures and intricate surface features. Working directly from observation without photographic sources or references, she often spends months—and sometimes more than a year—on a single painting.

Festivals & Events:

Arts in the Dark (October 18, 2025), now in its 11th year, is a magical evening parade celebrating Halloween as the “artist’s holiday” and drawing together world-renowned institutions, celebrated Chicago cultural organizations, important youth programs, and aspiring artists in every field. It is a dazzling production that delights an audience of 100,000 with unique floats, spectacle puppets and creative performances – all set against the backdrop of historic State Street. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

The 47th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on October 12, 2025. The race begins and finishes in Grant Park. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

The Chicago Christkindlmarket is delighted to announce the return of its cherished holiday tradition for its 29th season at Daley Plaza in Chicago, its 4th year at RiverEdge Park in Aurora, and its return to Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville. The Chicago and Aurora locations will open on November 21, 2025, while Wrigleyville will welcome visitors starting November 23, 2025. All three markets are admission-free, featuring authentic vendors, live entertainment, and special events to create a festive holiday atmosphere. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Chicago Farmers Markets (through October 2025) – Chicago Farmers Markets bring fresh produce, local artisans, global street food, and vibrant multicultural programming to neighborhoods citywide. Find fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products, and more at Chicago’s longest running farmers market on Daley Plaza, the historic Maxwell Street Market, and community markets in neighborhoods across Chicago. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Chicago Fashion Week (October 9-19, 2025) makes its return, weaving together the city’s past and present with a celebration of Chicago’s evolving fashion history. Emerging with a mission to define a ‘new look’ that places the Second City first in fashion, CHI✶FW is threading the eye of Chicago’s Loop to create a diverse tapestry of citizens from across the metro region united by a vision of a continuous, communal, and fashionable future. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Chicago Gourmet (September 25-28, 2025) – This year, Chicago Gourmet is celebrating the wide world of food and sports, fielding a squad of culinary all-stars who are ready to bring it with championship-level bites and sips. Join over 100 powerhouse chefs including Rick Bayless, Stephanie Izard, Sarah Grueneberg, Joe Flamm, Art Smith, Jeff Mauro, Erick Williams, Thai Dang, Jonathon Sawyer, Lorena Garcia, Carlos Gaytan, Jenner Tomaska, Marcos Carbajal, Diana Dávila, Lamar Moore, Dominique Leach, Brian Jupiter, Donald Young, Paul Virant, Stephen Gillanders, Casey Doody, Djibril Webb, Tony Priolo, and many more! (Neighborhood: Millennium Park)

Chicago International Film Festival (October 15 – 26, 2025) – North America’s longest-running competitive film festival celebrates its 61st edition at venues across the city including AMC NEWCITY 14, the Music Box Theatre, the Gene Siskel Film Center, the Chicago History Museum, and more. Each year, more than 100 filmmakers from around the world visit Chicago to show their films at the festival. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Chicago Loop Alliance’s Sundays on State will take place on State Street from Jackson to Randolph on September 7 and October 5 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The internationally acclaimed, award-winning event series closes the most iconic parts of State Street in the Loop to vehicle traffic. Neighbors from every Chicago community and beyond unite for a free, public, interactive block party, while safely enjoying art, culture, active recreation, food, drinks, shopping, and local attractions in the heart of everyone’s neighborhood – the Loop. Those who register to attend this year’s Sundays on State are automatically entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Loop staycation package.

Chicago Underground Film Festival (September 17 – 21, 2025) – Exhibiting the most genre-defying, groundbreaking, and unique films emerging from underground scenes, the longest-running underground festival in the world presents work by independent artists in innovative and accessible ways, facilitated through screenings, panel discussions, workshops, filmmaker Q&As, and nightly after-parties. (Neighborhood: Hyde Park)

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center’s Annual Kwanzaa Celebration (December 27, 2025) will welcome local performers and small vendors. Vendors will offer crafts and handmade items with cultural significance. African rituals will be performed by elders and all principles and practices of Kwanzaa will be celebrated and taught. This is a free, family-friendly event open to the community with a variety of activities and cultural learning opportunities. (Neighborhood: Hyde Park)

Glenwood Sunday Market in Rogers Park (through October 26, 2025) – For the past 15 consecutive years, Glenwood Sunday Market has helped sustain the local food system and provided a significant revenue stream for local farmers and food producers. Glenwood Sunday Market combats food insecurity in Rogers Park and strives for social justice through food access. The Market offers a variety of products ranging from meat, produce, dairy, honey, bakeries, sweets to coffee, tofu, popsicles, and flowers through the beautiful Glenwood Alfresco. (Neighborhood: Rogers Park)

Lincoln Park Zoo will host multiple exciting events throughout fall and winter (Neighborhood: Lincoln Park):

  • Zoo Fiesta (October 11, 2025) – Delight in the animals, cultures, and conservation efforts of Latin America! A play on “su fiesta,” Zoo Fiesta is a 21+ event celebrating Latinx and Afro-Latino cultures and communities. Enjoy free cultural performances, live music, and chats highlighting animals native to Central and South America.
  • ZooLights (November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026) – Chicagoland’s favorite holiday tradition is back and brighter than ever! ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd twinkles with more than 3 million lights, hundreds of nostalgic LED displays, and festive experiences that capture the magic of the season. Step into a world of sparkle and shine as you stroll through the dazzling holiday light tunnel. Take a ride on the iconic Ferris wheel and catch some of the best views of the Chicago skyline amid twinkling lights. Indulge in hot chocolate, snack on fresh churros, or roast s’mores on an open fire.
  • New Year’s Eve at ZooLights (December 31, 2025) – Back by popular demand, New Year’s Eve at ZooLights offers a unique and glittery experience for all. Ring in the new year with an hourly countdown surrounded by the ZooLights glow and get home before bedtime.

Navy Pier has announced a full slate of fall/winter events (Neighborhood: Streeterville):

  • Chicago Children’s Museum: Take Care with Peanuts: The Exhibit (September 13, 2025) – Transport into the world of Charles M. Schulz’s iconic Peanuts comic strip at “Take Care with Peanuts: The Exhibit.” Experience beloved characters as they spring to life with interactive displays and activities focused on self-care, empathy, and environmental stewardship. Guests can visit iconic Peanuts scenes like Lucy’s psychiatric booth, play the piano alongside Schroeder, go ice skating with the Peanuts gang, and more.
  • Chicago Live! (September 20-21, 2025) – Now in its fifth year, Navy Pier proudly presents the Midwest’s largest free performing arts festival. With more than 100 artists and ensembles taking stages Pier-wide the vibrant two-day festival will feature the world premiere of five unique commissioned pieces ranging from musical compositions to breathtaking dance numbers, including works by Giordano Dance Chicago, Aerial Dance Chicago, Victor Garcia (trumpet), Momenta Dance Company, and Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra featuring Russell Vinick, Music Director. A special fireworks show will close out Saturday night at 9 p.m.
  • Carl Cox (September 26, 2025) – Carl Cox brings his signature sound to Navy Pier Open Air for a rare opportunity to experience dance music on Chicago’s beautiful lakefront. Performing alongside John Digweed, Archie Hamilton, b2b Sidney Charles, and Muffy, Cox will bring his explosive energy and unmatched control of the decks to Navy Pier. Ages 18+.
  • Country Cruisin’ with City Cruises Live (September 28, 2025) – Showcasing his signature music style of country sounds with rap grit, Colt Ford will be rocking Lake Michigan aboard a City Cruises yacht with the stunning Chicago skyline as his backdrop.
  • Dabin (October 4, 2025) – Toronto-based DJ, producer, and musician Dabin will bring an electrifying show to Navy Pier’s Event Center’s East End Plaza. With support from Juelz, Chyl, and Tisoki, music fans can take in a night filled with experimental melodic dubstep with elements of acoustic and electronic music creating a signature dance-pop sound.
  • Slow & Low Lowrider Festival (October 11, 2025) – Founded in 2011 and returning to Navy Pier, the 2025 Slow & Low Festival will showcase more than 250 meticulously customizable cars, bikes, and motorcycles in the city’s largest celebration of Lowrider culture. Unlike a typical car show, the Slow & Low Festival is a cultural gathering, where families, artists, and strangers can come together to honor the people and stories behind the machines.
  • A Night with Chicago Football Conference Champions: Brian Urlacher, Rex Grossman, and Alex Brown (October 17, 2025) – Hop aboard City Cruises and relive the 2006 NFL season alongside some of the Chicago Bears’ most beloved players in team history. Join Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher, quarterback Rex Grossman, and defensive star Alex Brown for a football-fueled night of stories complete with a multi-course buffet and open bar.
  • Slightly Spooky (October 25, 2025) – Days before Halloween, Navy Pier will welcome guests for a day of free trick-or-treating and family fun. From noon to 6 p.m., families are invited to come in costume as they get sweet treats and delights all throughout the Pier. Free workshops, a costume contest for all ages, and live musical performances are sure to make this a great kick-off to Halloween week.
  • Winter WonderFest (December 5, 2025-January 4, 2026) – Once again taking place completely indoors in Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, Winter WonderFest will offer showstopping holiday décor and seasonal displays, including a glittering forest of trees decorated with hundreds of ornaments. Under shimmering white lights, dozens of activities fill all 170,000 square feet. From the popular Ice-Skating Rink and Polar Extreme obstacle course to the Arctic Express Train and Alpine Slide, there’s something for everyone at Winter WonderFest. For a more adventurous experience, guests can soar across the 40-foot Cliff Hanger or suspend from midair in the Zero Gravity Ride. Santa Claus will be on hand for festive family photos and magical moments. And of course, no Navy Pier celebration is complete without fireworks, with special holiday displays presented on Saturdays, in addition to New Year’s Eve fireworks on December 31st at midnight.

Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns, featuring a display of artist-carved pumpkins at the Chicago Botanic Garden, returns for its tenth year in advance of Halloween and has been expanded from 10 to 15 nights due to popular demand. This year’s event runs for 15 evenings: Wednesday, October 8, through Sunday October 12; Wednesday, October 15, through Sunday October 19; and Wednesday, October 22 through Sunday, October 26. More than 1,000 hand-carved, real pumpkins lit with LED lights will light up the night and line the family-friendly outdoor paved path in a beautiful fall setting. Along the path of 1,000 glowing pumpkins, there will be approximately 80 pumpkins, some as large as 150 pounds, that are intricately carved with themes including tributes to Chicago sports teams, pets in Halloween costumes, fan favorites from ten seasons of ghostly gourds, and much more. Artists for the east coast-based company Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns spend 8 to 10 hours to illustrate and then 10 to 20 hours to paint and carve each large pumpkin. Adding to the festive fall feeling, the route will also include live carving demonstrations, costumed entertainers, and seasonal light fare and drinks for purchase to enjoy along the trail. (Glencoe, IL)

Open House Chicago (October 18-19, 2025) – Open House Chicago is a free public festival that provides access to places of architectural, historical and cultural significance across 20+ Chicago neighborhoods. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Reeling: Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival (September 19 – 28, 2025) – The second longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival in the world returns to Chicago screens for its 43rd year with in-person presentations at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema and Chicago Filmmakers, and virtual screenings of select titles via the Festival’s streaming platform. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Tacos and Tequila Festival (September 20, 2025) – Grab the crew and enjoy a night out kickin’ it at Northwestern Medicine Field with your favorite throwback artists, while chowing down on the area’s best chef-inspired taco vendors throughout the festival. Wash those tacos down with some margs and tequila. Throughout the day, there will be world-renowned hip-hop artists, including Ludacris and Timbaland; craft margaritas; tequila tasting lounge; locally crafted tacos; Lucha Libre wrestling; exotic car showcase; chihuahua beauty pageant; salsa and queso competition; art installations and photo ops; and more. (Geneva, IL)

The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is back for its 34th year on November 22, 2025. As the largest evening holiday parade in the country, this event draws up to a million people to Chicago’s iconic North Michigan Avenue. Headlined once again by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World Resort, the festival features festive floats, giant helium balloons, celebrity appearances, musical acts, and a jaw-dropping fireworks display over the Chicago River. (Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile)

World Music Festival Chicago (September 26 – October 5, 2025) – The annual World Music Festival is your passport to musical acts from around the globe. This free, city-wide festival features over 31 artists from 16 countries at 11 venues around Chicago including the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier. This festival, which has been held in Chicago for more than 20 years, embraces well-known stars and emerging artists in genres that range from traditional to contemporary. You can hear everything at the World Music Festival — from Indian classical music to Bulgarian bagpipes and Congolese funk. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Attractions:

AIRE Ancient Baths Chicago reintroduces its most iconic ritual with a refined take on The Signature Wine
Experience—a 180-minute journey of indulgence, tradition, and sensory awakening. Relaunching October 25, the experience begins in a private massage room with a 15-minute full-body exfoliation using antioxidant-rich grape seed scrub to awaken and smooth the skin. This is followed by a luxurious 60-minute full-body massage using high-quality grapeseed oil, enhanced by a rejuvenating facial massage and the use of cryosticks to reduce tension and stimulate circulation. Guests then move to a 45-minute red wine bath soak, now extended to offer even deeper relaxation. During this time, a 10-minute scalp massage with a nourishing honey hair mask enhances the sensory experience. The ritual concludes with a curated wine tasting featuring three premium wines paired with curated cheeses, complemented by a brief storytelling moment that connects guests to the origins and richness of the wines. This elevated offering redefines luxury, harmonizing Mediterranean beauty rituals with modern wellness. (Neighborhood: West Town)

Access Contemporary Music (ACM), a Chicago non-profit that champions contemporary classical music, proudly announces its highly anticipated new venue and music school, The CheckOut, officially opening at 4116 N. Clark Street, with a Grand Opening Festival (September 13-28, 2025). The approximately 2,400 square foot building was designed by JDJ Architects and built by WW Custom Interiors with optimized acoustics to enhance musical performances. The welcoming space includes a performance area with a pristine Yamaha concert grand piano and flexible seating for up to 60 audience members, four teaching rooms, and a bar. Featuring a mix of ACM-sponsored events, rentals, and private events, audiences at The CheckOut will be able to experience a range of offerings from classical music concerts with an emphasis on new music, plus cabaret, album listening parties, film screenings and more. (Neighborhood: Lake View)

The Chicago Architecture Biennial returns this fall with SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change (September 19, 2025 – February 28, 2026), activating neighborhoods across the city with bold exhibitions, site-specific installations, events, and programs about how architecture shapes our lives. The Biennial brings together artists, architects, designers, and communities to explore how cities can respond to radical cultural, social, and environmental change. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Chicago Market – A Community Co-op is set to officially open its doors in the Uptown neighborhood in late 2025. Chicago Market was incorporated in late 2013 after a year of organizing by community members who wanted to build a community owned grocery focused on high-quality, sustainable, and local goods. Later in the decade, the rights to a historic landmark property, which served as a major train station for a century, were secured. The total square footage of Chicago Market will be about 19,000, with half of that being the sales floor. The store aims to be the most locally oriented grocer in the area, and already has an extensive network of growers, ranchers, and food artisans from their foodshed ready to fill out inventory. Chicago Market’s commitment to sustainable, ethical goods will be matched by a focus on driving quality. The Market’s local produce, whole animal butcher shop, exceptionally prepared foods, and expansive bulk selection will give the store a distinctive value proposition, while elements like the learning center will engage the community and bring people together in a unique way. (Neighborhood: Uptown)

The world’s largest magic venue, The Hand & The Eye (100 E. Ontario Street), will open its doors in Spring 2026. Set within the walls of the McCormick Mansion and masterfully designed and reimagined by Chicago native David Rockwell and his global award-winning architecture and design firm Rockwell Group, this groundbreaking venue, a home away from home for magicians from around the world, promises an experience where guests don’t simply watch the magic, but are a part of it. With reverence to the Chicago style close-up magic traditions of the past, made famous by the likes of Matt Schulien, every night is unique, and exploring the thirty-seven room, multi-floor mansion is an experience all its own. Together, some of the great minds of magic have created a curated tour through the history of close-up magic that includes something truly special, personal, and entirely new. (Neighborhood: River North)

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience will make its Midwest debut in the Chicago area this Fall. Inspired by the iconic Forbidden Forest and featuring creatures from the Harry Potter™ and Fantastic Beasts™ series, mesmerizing lights will transform the landscape into a magical outdoor trail. Visitors will discover some of their favorite moments from the Forbidden Forest, encounter mystical creatures and practice casting their very own spells. The experience opens on October 3, 2025. (Ingleside, Illinois)

Enjoy the cozy comfort of a winter cabin without leaving the city! Beginning in November, the atrium at Harry Caray’s Tavern on Navy Pier is transforming into Lakefront Lodge — a festive winter lodge overlooking the city and mesmerizing icy Lake Michigan. Complete with a fireplace, leather seating, and cozy rustic touches throughout, Lakefront Lodge is the perfect venue for private parties and group gatherings looking for a relaxing but interactive experience. Guests are invited to stay warm inside sipping on specialty beverages & enjoying tasty bites, or grab a blanket to bundle up and have some fun on the patio featuring a private curling rink, heated igloo, and firepit. Want to delight your guests even more, add a Private Whiskey Tasting, S’mores Kits and a Hot Chocolate Bar. (Neighborhood: Streeterville)

Shedd Aquarium has an exciting lineup of events and offerings planned for the fall season (Neighborhood: South Loop):

  • Homecoming House Party (September 12, 2025) – Celebrate community, culture, and connection at an evening event that honors the spirit of the Black collegiate experience and Divine 9 pride in the city that built house music. Sport your college gear from any institution: Homecoming House celebrates YOUR unique college experience! Ages: 21+.
  • Día de los Muertos Ritmo del Mar (October 30, 2025) – ¡Celebra la Vida! Join us for a special Día de los Muertos Ritmo del Mar. Honor tradition and revel in rhythm during a vibrant night of music, culture, cuisine, and connection — all set against the glowing aquatic world of Shedd. Move to the many beats of música mexicana as we celebrate life, memory and community. Ages: 21+.
  • Haunted House Party (October 31, 2025) – Join us for a frightfully fun night at the first-ever Haunted House Party, where house music and Halloween collide. Come dressed in your creepiest, kookiest costumes and dance the night away to spine-tingling sets by Chicago’s own Dee Jay Alicia and DJ Lori Branch. Enjoy eerie eats, good vibes and plenty of surprises! Grab your ghouls and let’s conjure up a night to remember! Ages: 21+.

Teatro ZinZanni launches a new show in October that explores the magic of the American dream.
Madame ZinZanni welcomes this diverse group of artists as they raise the roof in a gorgeous antique
Spiegeltent on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel. Experience an evening of love, community, joy…as
well as a couple of cocktails. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Meetings, Conventions, & Venues:

The Obama Presidential Center – Covering 19 acres, the campus will include a fruit and vegetable garden, an athletic facility for programs and events, a premier museum, an auditorium, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, and additional amenities. The programming will encourage visitors, whether local or international, to carry the impact of their experience with them. The full campus is currently set to open early 2026. (Neighborhood: Hyde Park)

Theatre & Performing Arts:

The Auditorium will present the following performances (Neighborhood: The Loop):

  • Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán with special guest Lupita Infante (September 12, 2025) – The world-renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan is bringing their 2025 El Legado tour to Chicago, representing the best that música mexicana has to offer. Known as ‘el mejor mariachi del mundo’ (the greatest mariachi in the world), Mariachi Vargas was founded in 1897 by Maestro Gaspar Vargas in the town of Tecalitlan, Jalisco, Mexico. During the mid-twentieth century, the group saw their greatest growth under the musical and artistic direction of Maestro Rubén Fuentes who took the traditional sounds of mariachi and revolutionized the genre into the first-rate quality music we hear today.
  • ARRIVAL From Sweden: The Music of ABBA (November 6, 2025) – ARRIVAL From Sweden THE MUSIC OF ABBA was founded by ABBA Original Musician Rutger Gunnarsson and the Swedish artist Vicky Zetterberg in 1995 in Gothenburg, Sweden and very soon became one of the world’s most popular and most selling ABBA show bands. Since the start in 1995, the band has toured in over 80 countries, done almost 140 successful USA tours, and has appeared in several TV and radio shows all over the world. This production has all the features a great ABBA show needs: lovely costumes, extremely talented musicians, and breathtaking singers. Millions of people all around the world celebrate this show as the best ABBA show in the world.
  • Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater (November 15, 2025) – Founded in 1975 by Artistic Director Dame Libby Komaiko, this world renowned Chicago dance company is dedicated to preserving the traditions of Spanish dance with a repertoire of classical, folkloric, and flamenco dance forms showcasing the depth and diversity of Spain’s cultural heritage. Artistic Director Irma Suárez Ruiz – who began dancing with Dame Libby in 1979 – has established her own legacy of excellence and prominence and is recognized throughout the cultural community as a dancer, choreographer, and arts leader. The Auditorium is pleased to help commemorate the company’s 50th anniversary in a celebratory performance capturing the passion, tradition, and intensity of Spanish dance.
  • Martha Graham Dance Company (January 24, 2026) – Legendary dancer and choreographer Martha Graham established her eponymous dance company in 1926 with her technique, known for its focus on contraction and release, becoming a cornerstone of modern dance. Since its founding, the company has consistently produced some of the most groundbreaking works in the dance world. Now, as the company celebrates its 100th anniversary with Executive Director LaRue Allen and Artistic Director Janet Eilber at the helm since 2005, it continues to honor Graham’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance.

Broadway In Chicago is proud to produce the following shows as part of its fall/winter lineup
(Neighborhood: The Loop):

  • The Lion King (October 3-19, 2025; Cadillac Palace Theatre) – Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist, Disney’s The Lion King, making its triumphant return to the Cadillac Palace Theatre, brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway: Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor, Tony Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.
  • The Book Of Mormon (October 14-19, 2025; CIBC Theatre) – This outrageous, nine-time Tony-Award-winning musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, The Book of Mormon has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language.
  • The Sound of Music (October 21-November 2, 2025; James M. Nederlander Theatre) – Directed by three-time Tony Award-winner Jack O’Brien, this vibrant and romantic tale of Maria and the von Trapp family will captivate audiences with its universal themes of love, resilience and the power of music. The year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Oscar-winning film, which continues to be one of the most successful movie musicals of all time.
  • PlayStation the Concert (October 31-November 1, 2025; Cadillac Palace Theatre) – This revolutionary live experience takes you on a journey through the most celebrated scores in gaming history, including God of War, The Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon, and beyond. Each piece is reimagined for the stage in collaboration with acclaimed composers such as Gustavo Santaolalla, Bear McCreary, Ilan Eshkeri, and Joris de Man. At the heart of the show is a troupe of 15 virtuosic soloists whose dynamic performances blend classical skill with contemporary flair. Enhanced by advanced LED projection, surround sound, and multi-layered visuals, their artistry transforms beloved soundtracks into a living, breathing experience that resonates with gamers and music lovers alike.
  • Twilight in Concert (November 7-8, 2025; Cadillac Palace Theatre) – Experience the legendary romance saga with this epic film-to-concert event – featuring the original movie accompanied by a sensational live band on stage and an enchanting candlelit atmosphere. An exceptional 12-piece ensemble of outstanding rock and orchestral musicians will take the stage to perform the beloved film score in perfect synchronization with the original movie, presented in its entirety on a full-size cinema screen.
  • Hell’s Kitchen (November 11-30, 2025; James M. Nederlander Theatre) – This hit musical from 17-time Grammy Award-winning Alicia Keys is inspired by her life, her music, and her community. The journey begins with Ali, a 17-year-old girl full of fire, searching for freedom, passion, and her place in the world. Along the way, you’ll meet the musical mentor who changes her life, her dynamic family, and the neighborhood that helps her grow.
  • Guenther Steiner: Unfiltered LIVE (November 15, 2025; Cadillac Palace Theatre) – Buckle up and fasten your seatbelts for a hugely entertaining all-areas-access conversation spanning a decade inside Formula 1, with former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner, star of Netflix’s smash hit docuseries Drive to Survive.
  • A Beautiful Noise (November 19-30, 2025; Cadillac Palace Theatre) – Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America.
  • A Magical Cirque Christmas (November 25-30, 2025; CIBC Theatre) – A Magical Cirque Christmas is a dazzling holiday variety show that captivates audiences of all ages. Bursting with festive charm, laugh-out-loud comedy, and heartwarming magic, this high-flying spectacle showcases the extraordinary talents of the world’s most elite cirque performers. From gravity-defying acrobatics to jaw-dropping feats of strength and agility, every act is set to a modern soundtrack of beloved Christmas classics.
  • Elf The Musical (December 2-14, 2025; Auditorium Theatre) – Elf The Musical, inspired by the hit film, is the hilarious and heartwarming tale of Buddy, a young orphan child whose life is changed forever when he mistakenly crawls into Santa’s sack of toys one Christmas Eve. When he discovers he is human, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and, in turn, helps the Big Apple rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
  • SIX (December 2-14, 2025; CIBC Theatre) – From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power!
  • The Phantom of the Opera (December 11, 2025 – February 1, 2026; Cadillac Palace Theatre) – The Phantom is back to thrill audiences once again! Cameron Mackintosh presents a revitalized new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical, The Phantom of the Opera, which was rapturously received by London critics when it reopened in 2021. Featuring Maria Björnson’s brilliant original design and based on the celebrated direction of Harold Prince, with musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne, PHANTOM will launch a new multi-year North American tour in November 2025.
  • Rocky Mountain High Experience®: A John Denver Christmas (December 12-14, 2025; Broadway Playhouse At Water Tower Place) – Led by acclaimed performer Rick Schuler, this enchanting holiday concert features beloved Denver classics like “Rocky Mountain High,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Sunshine On My Shoulders.” The evening also includes a heartfelt tribute to Denver’s iconic holiday specials, with seasonal favorites such as “Aspenglow,” “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” and “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.”
  • Christmas with C.S. Lewis (December 16-21, 2025; Broadway Playhouse At Water Tower Place) – In the early years of his young adult life C. S. Lewis believed the story of Christ’s birth was nothing more than feel-good myth. That all changed after a particular encounter with his great friend and fellow author, J. R. R. Tolkien. Although both men loved mythology in general, Tolkien was convinced that the Jesus myth was the one true myth. That was the start of Lewis’ journey from Atheism to Christianity. Here we find him at his home near Oxford on Christmas Eve hosting a group of Americans who are Christmassing in England. They are about to experience an unforgettable assortment of Yuletide recollections and discover how that encounter with Tolkien forever changed his Christmas celebrations.
  • Mannheim Steamroller Christmas By Chip Davis (December 20, 2025; James M. Nederlander Theatre) – Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics in the distinctive Mannheim sound. The program includes 15 musicians playing more than 20 instruments against a backdrop of dazzling multimedia effects – capturing the spirit of the season in an immersive yet intimate setting.
  • Eureka Day (January 13-February 22, 2026; Broadway Playhouse At Water Tower Place) – At Berkeley, California’s ultra-progressive Eureka Day School, every decision is made by consensus. But when a mumps outbreak hits, the school’s carefully cultivated culture of inclusiveness spirals into chaos. As parents and board members clash over vaccines, personal freedoms, and viral misinformation, a community built on open-minded ideals implodes. Winner of the 2025 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, this Chicago premiere presented by TimeLine Theatre Company tackles one of the defining questions of our time: how do you build consensus when no one can agree on the truth?
  • Stereophonic (January 27-February 8, 2026; CIBC Theatre) – The most Tony Award-winning show of 2024. The most Tony Award-nominated play of all time. Stereophonic mines the agony and the ecstasy of creation as it zooms in on a music studio in 1976. Here, an up-and-coming rock band recording a new album finds itself suddenly on the cusp of superstardom. The ensuing pressures could spark their breakup — or their breakthrough. Written by David Adjmi, directed by Daniel Aukin, and featuring original music by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, Stereophonic invites the audience to immerse themselves — with fly-on-the-wall intimacy — in the powder keg process of a band on the brink of blowing up.
  • The Outsiders (February 10-22, 2026; Cadillac Palace Theatre) – In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of ‘outsiders’ battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. The Outsiders navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, The Outsiders is a story of friendship, family, belonging…and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”
  • Hamilton (March 4-April 26, 2026; CIBC Theatre) – Hamilton is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love, and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation. Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. In addition to its 11 Tony Awards, it has won Grammy®, Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

Chicago Opera Theater will welcome a full slate of fall/winter programming (Neighborhood: The Loop):

  • Trusted: Vanguard Piano/Vocal Workshop (September 19, 2025; Mary Patricia Gannon Concert Hall – DePaul University) – Audiences are invited behind the curtain to watch Trusted – COT’s 2025-26 Vanguard Initiative produced opera- come to life for the first time as COT presents a workshop reading in concert with piano accompaniment, conducted by Lidiya Yankovskaya, followed by a Critical Response session led by Edlis Neeson General Director Lawrence Edelson. Following the concert reading of the piano/vocal score of Trusted, Edelson will facilitate a conversation between composer Aaron Israel Levin, librettist Marella Koch, and the audience to gather insights, reflections, and questions that can inform the opera’s continued development.
  • Discovery Concert: Shakespeare Sings (October 19, 2025; The Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building) – Featuring a rich tapestry of arias and scenes from operas inspired by the Bard’s plays, the concert will showcase both beloved masterpieces and hidden gems from the operatic repertoire that have never been performed in Chicago before, including works by Purcell, Rossini, Nicolai, Thomas, Berlioz, Gounod, Verdi, Hahn, Vaughan Williams, Britten, Barber, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Hoiby, Adès and more. Yasuko Oura returns to COT as Music Director and Pianist for this concert.
  • Falstaff, ossia Le tre burle (December 3, 6, and 7, 2025; The Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building) – Though best known today for his supposed rivalry with Mozart, Antonio Salieri was a prolific and successful composer in his own right. COT honors the 200th Anniversary of Salieri’s death in 1825 with the Chicago premiere of his sparkling comedy, Falstaff, ossia Le tre burle (Falstaff, or The Three Tricks). With a libretto by Carlo Prospero Defranceschi Falstaff is based on Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, and follows the misadventures of the arrogant and bumbling knight as he schemes to seduce two married women — only to be hilariously outwitted. COT’s new production of Salieri’s Falstaff will be directed by Robin Guarino and conducted by Christine Brandes. The cast includes baritone Stephen Powell in the title role, soprano Vanessa Becerra as Mistress Ford, tenor Andrew Morstein as Master Ford, Tzytle Steinman as Mistress Slender, baritone Laureano Quant as Master Slender and soprano Denis Vélez as Betty.
  • Discovery Concert: In America’s Embrace: Celebrating Immigrant Composers (January 18, 2026; The Studebaker Theater) – This concert celebrates the extraordinary stories and music of composers who sought refuge in America, escaping persecution in their homelands, and will honor the visionary artists who found safety on new shores and transformed the cultural landscape of their adopted home, with music by Kurt Weill, Irving Berlin, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Paul Hindemith, Bohuslav Martinů, Astor Piazzolla, Bright Sheng, Tania León, Igor Stravinsky, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, and others. These composers found in America not only safety, but also the opportunity to expand their creative horizons. Laurie Rogers makes her debut with COT as Music Director and Pianist for this special concert.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater will host these productions (Neighborhood: Streeterville):

  • Rome Sweet Rome (September 23 – October 19, 2025) – Can we get a hail Caesar? A wild and satirical “add-rap-tation” of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar from Chicago’s own acclaimed Q Brothers Collective.
  • Paranormal Activity (October 8 – November 2, 2025) – North American premiere! An original story set in the world of the Paranormal Activity film franchise, this thrilling new play will haunt you long after the lights go out…
  • Much Ado About Nothing (November 18 – December 21, 2025) – Set in romantic Italy, Beatrice and Benedick have avoided sharing their lives with anyone (until now!) in Shakespeare’s wittiest and wildest rom-com.

Drury Lane Theatre will present the following productions (Neighborhood: Streeterville):

  • Sister Act (November 12, 2025-January 11, 2026) – A heavenly musical comedy! Based on the hit 1992 film, this divine, feel-good comedy will have you rejoicing with the whole family this holiday season.
  • On Your Feet!: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan (January 28 – March 22, 2026) – The rhythm is gonna get you! Filled with the exhilarating music of the Miami Sound Machine, this celebration of Gloria Estefan’s greatest hits will have you dancing in the aisles.

Goodman Theatre’s centennial season begins with two world-premiere productions (Neighborhood: The Loop):

  • Ashland Avenue (September 6 – October 5, 2025) is a new play by Lee Kirk, directed by Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and featuring Jenna Fischer (The Office’s Pam Beesly), Francis Guinan (The Cherry Orchard), Will Allan (The Cherry Orchard), Cordelia Dewdney (Drury Lane’s Steel Magnolias), and Chiké Johnson (Toni Stone) in the 856-seat Albert Theatre.
  • Revolution(s) (October 4 – November 9, 2025), the world-premiere punk/metal/hip-hop musical by Zayd Ayers Dohrn (Horton Foote New American Play Prize winner) with music by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and The Nightwatchman), will rock the 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre, directed by Steve H. Broadnax III (Broadway’s Thoughts of a Colored Man).

The Joffrey Ballet celebrates its 70th anniversary as one of the world’s most sensational dance companies and 30 years of calling Chicago home with these productions (Neighborhood: The Loop):

  • Carmen (September 18-28, 2025) – From the choreographer of the critically acclaimed Frankenstein, the Joffrey presents the U.S. premiere of Liam Scarlett’s Carmen, a tale of love, betrayal, and defiance set within the gritty confines of a cigarette factory in 1930s Spain. Amid the chaos of a nation on the brink of civil war, the uncompromising and seductive Carmen, who insists on loving whom she chooses, meets Don José, whose consuming devotion ignites a blaze of passion and peril. In this adaptation of Bizet’s opera, Scarlett brings new intensity to a performance that pulsates with life—and ends in tragedy. With striking designs by Jon Bausor and Scarlett’s signature focus on evocative storytelling, Carmen commands the stage into a tempest of desire and destruction, revealing the timeless story of a woman who dares to live on her own terms.
  • Joffrey at the Harris: Matters of the Heart (November 6-9, 2025) – Chicago’s The Joffrey Ballet, known for their “technical brilliance and emotional boldness” performs Matters of the Heart — featuring the world premiere of a moving Chicago love story in Wabash & You, and a stunning tribute to Frida Kahlo in Broken Wings. Inspired by a true story, Chanel DaSilva’s Wabash & You takes us on a journey from a spontaneous chance encounter between two strangers in downtown Chicago to an unforgettable romance. Broken Wings is a narrative ballet inspired by Frida Kahlo’s life and art, incorporating surrealist elements and Mexican folk music.
  • The Nutcracker (December 5-28, 2025) – This holiday season, enter the spellbinding world where history and dreams intertwine. Join Marie and her Nutcracker prince on a fantastical adventure in Tony Award®-winning Christopher Wheeldon’s kaleidoscopic reimagining of The Nutcracker, set amidst the spectacle of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
  • American Icons (February 19 – March 1, 2026) – American Icons celebrates a program of dynamic works by four trailblazing artists of the 20th century: The Joffrey Ballet co-founders Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, Joffrey alum Glen Tetley, and prolific dance pioneer Martha Graham.

Lyric Opera of Chicago opens the 2025-2026 season with these productions (Neighborhood: The Loop):

  • Medea (October 11-26, 2025) – Euripides’s millennia-old tragedy comes to life — and gruesome death — in this presentation of acclaimed director Sir David McVicar’s iconic, grand-scale production. Featuring Lyric’s own Music Director Enrique Mazzola on the podium, this intense spectacle stars international powerhouse soprano Sondra Radvanovsky in one of the fiercest, most demanding roles ever written. She shares the stage with equally formidable tenor — and Lyric favorite — Matthew Polenzani.
  • Coco in Concert Live to Film (October 16-18, 2025) – Join Lyric for Disney and Pixar’s Coco in Concert Live to Film, the story of Miguel, a young boy who dreams of being an accomplished musician, despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music. When Miguel finds himself on an extraordinary journey in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead, he learns about the strength of family bonds, finding yourself, and the power of music. Experience this Oscar®-winning film for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Remember Me,” with its vibrant musical score by Oscar® and Grammy®-winning composer Michael Giacchino performed live!
  • Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci (November 1-23, 2025) – This duo of passionate one-act operas explores the depths of spurned lovers’ grief and the lengths they’ll go to in avenging betrayal. Deadly love triangles unfold against starkly contrasted backdrops of an idyllic Sicilian countryside and a chaotic urban center. Music Director Enrique Mazzola leads a world-class cast that includes Lyric favorites Russell Thomas, Quinn Kelsey, and Gabriella Reyes in Elijah Moshinsky’s original production. With two shorter operas in a single performance, this is a perfect sampler for new opera goers.
  • Carmina Burana (November 14-18, 2025) – For three performances only, Enrique Mazzola leads the celebrated Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus in Carmina Burana, the sweeping cantata based on 24 medieval poems. Lyric’s talented musicians bring this masterpiece to life in all its visceral dimensions, from sotto voce choral staccatos to bombastic crashes of brass.
  • A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness (November 21-30, 2025) – Billy Corgan achieved stratospheric fame as the founder, frontman, and creative force behind the legendary Smashing Pumpkins. A Grammy winner whose powerful songwriting, commanding vocals, and inventive melodies were the foundation for the massive, decade-defining double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Corgan now teams up with Lyric Opera of Chicago, his hometown company, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this groundbreaking album with his signature boundary-pushing, innovation, and imagination.

Nova Linea Musica will host the following performances (Neighborhood: The Loop):

  • Owls – Rare Birds (October 29, 2025) – In Rare Birds, the dynamic Owls Quartet presents a vibrant array of musical treasures spanning centuries and continents. The program begins with Paul Wiancko’s earthy Vox Petra and Franghiz Ali-Zadeh’s rhythmic Rəqs. François Couperin’s timeless Les Barricades Mystérieuses meets the inventive Ricercar by Trollstilt, while Wiancko’s When The Night and Terry Riley’s Good Medicine offer soulful reflections. The evening culminates in a Nova Linea Musica commission and World Premiere by Gabriella Smith, capturing the wild spirit and discovery at the heart of the night. Featuring Alexi Kenney (violin), Ayane Kozasa (viola), Gabriel Cabezas (cello), and Paul Wiancko (cello).
  • Catalyst Quartet – Against All Odds (December 3, 2025) – GRAMMY Award-winning Catalyst Quartet, praised for their “invariably energetic and finely burnished” performances and “earthly vigor,” presents “Against All Odds” — a stirring exploration of resilience, identity, and hope through a powerful and wide-ranging program. The evening moves from the poignancy of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz’s Madre la de los primores to the lively spirit of John Adams’ Fellow Traveler and the luminous beauty of Aftab Darvishi’s Daughters of Sol. Shostakovich’s searing Quartet No. 8 and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s vibrant String Quartet No. 1 further deepen the emotional landscape. The program also features two World Premieres by GRAMMY Award-winning Derrick Skye and Andrea Casarrubios, commissioned by Nova Linea Musica. Featuring Karla Donehew Perez (violin), Abi Fayette (violin), Paul Laraia (viola), and Karlos Rodriguez (cello).

TimeLine Theatre Company’s new home in Uptown is anticipated to open in May 2026, with sneak peeks, open houses, a formal ribbon-cutting, and other festivities before that in late March and April. An Enemy of the People, the new, award-winning version of Henrik Ibsen’s historic masterwork about citizens standing up to power by Amy Herzog, directed by TimeLine Company Member Ron OJ Parson, doubles as the inaugural production in TimeLine’s new home, and the grand finale of the company’s milestone 29th season in May – June 2026. (Neighborhood: Uptown)

Sports:

The Chicago Bulls and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago have announced a new retail collection that reaches fans at the intersection of sport and art. This collaboration provides basketball fans and art enthusiasts the opportunity to own a piece of Chicago’s culture from two of the city’s most notable brands. Chicago artist Cody Hudson designed the collection, which is intended to reflect the city’s unique art and sport landscape. Cody Hudson also exhibited at the MCA Chicago in 2007, and the Bulls previously featured Hudson’s work during the 2023-24 season as part of the BMO Artist Hat Series. The items include an all-over print hoodie ($120), an art logo crewneck sweatshirt ($100), a snapback hat ($45), an art poster ($60), and a sticker packet ($15). All Star Press Chicago also assisted in the selection and creative process. Fans can purchase the collection exclusively in person at the Madhouse Team Store and the MCA Chicago Store, as well as online at shop.bulls.com and mcachicagostore.org. (Neighborhood: Near North Side)

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About Choose Chicago
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