Choose Chicago Media Relations Contacts:
Meryl Press Vissel, mvissel@choosechicago.com
Amari Silverman, asilverman@choosechicago.com
Praytell Agency, choosechicago@praytellagency.com

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (September 10, 2026) – CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (September 10, 2026) – Chicago enters fall and winter with continued momentum as a premier global destination, following another strong year for the city’s visitor economy. Chicago welcomed more than 55 million visitors in 2025, generating over $20 billion in economic impact, while leisure hotel room demand also reached an all-time high.

As Chicago welcomes the 2026 holiday season and winter 2027, locals and visitors can experience the city at its most festive, from Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo and Holidays @ Skydeck to The Joffrey Ballet’s Chicago set production of The Nutcracker and a full calendar of seasonal events.

Chicago’s acclaimed culinary community will also take the spotlight beyond the city this fall as Choose Chicago hosts a James Beard Foundation dinner in New York City, continuing to showcase the chefs, restaurants, and culinary talent that have helped establish Chicago as one of the world’s great dining destinations. Chicago remains the official home of the James Beard Awards through 2028.

The city is also heading into the new season with major openings, immersive attractions, milestone cultural celebrations, international air service, acclaimed culinary experiences, and signature events spanning Chicago’s neighborhoods. The coming months will bring new dining destinations across the city, major museum exhibitions, the centennial of Route 66, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the Presidents Cup, and more.

Choose Chicago is also entering a new chapter in its communications and global storytelling efforts. Meryl Vissel officially joined the organization as Vice President of Communications & Content, where she will bring Choose Chicago’s communications, media relations, and social media functions together under one unified team. Choose Chicago has also announced a new and renewed roster of national and international agency partners to expand Chicago’s global media reach and drive visitation.

Choose Chicago also launched a first-of-its-kind partnership with Amazon this summer, positioning Chicago as the exclusive bookable travel destination featured through Amazon’s Prime Day Travel Deals experience. During the June 23–26 promotion, participating Chicago hotels offered 20% discounts through bookings powered by Expedia, with travel availability extending into the first quarter of 2027.

Choose Chicago continued its All for the Love of Chicago campaign with the ongoing Roundtable series, featuring a South Side field trip, bringing participants together for an immersive neighborhood tour, including the newly opened Obama Presidential Center. Following this year’s launch of the All for the Love of Chicago podcast, Choose Chicago continues to spotlight the people, places, and stories that shape the city. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, or view the episodes on YouTube.

Read on to discover what’s new and happening in Chicago this fall and winter.

Airlines & Airports:

Travelers visiting Chicago this Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 will have more ways to get here and get around the world, with new international and seasonal nonstop service and continued investment at O’Hare International Airport.

O’Hare’s New Concourse D Moves Forward with Major Public Art Investment | Chicago O’Hare | Under Construction. As work continues on the $1.3 billion New Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport, the Chicago Department of Aviation and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events have announced a $3.8 million public art program for seven prominent interior and exterior locations throughout the new passenger facility. Concourse D, the largest new passenger facility built at O’Hare in more than 30 years, will add 19 gates as the first major component of ORDNext and is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Chicago to Tokyo-Narita | Chicago O’Hare | Beginning Oct 24, 2026. Beginning October 24, United will launch daily, year round nonstop service between Chicago O’Hare and Tokyo Narita aboard a Boeing 787 8 Dreamliner. The route will complement existing service to Tokyo Haneda and provide convenient connections to 21 destinations across the Asia Pacific region through United and ANA.

Philippine Airlines Launches First Nonstop Chicago–Manila Service. | Chicago O’Hare | Beginning Nov. 9, 2026. Philippine Airlines will launch the first-ever nonstop service between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Manila this fall, creating a new direct connection between the Midwest and the Philippines. The route will operate three times weekly, further expanding O’Hare’s international connectivity and providing onward access throughout the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

American Airlines Adds New Winter Nonstop Service from Chicago to Maui | Chicago O’Hare | Beginning Dec. 17, 2026. American Airlines will launch daily seasonal nonstop service between Chicago O’Hare and Kahului, Maui, this winter. Operated aboard a Boeing 787-8, the service is scheduled to continue through March 27, 2027, expanding nonstop leisure options from Chicago.

Arts & Culture:

Chicago’s arts and culture scene comes alive this Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 with milestone anniversaries, major exhibitions, new theater productions, and citywide celebrations showcasing the people, creativity and diverse perspectives that define Chicago.

Greektown Debuts New America 250 Public Art Exhibition | Greektown/West Loop | Through May 2027. We the People: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Beauty in Greektown Chicago celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with 40 vibrant outdoor and indoor artworks displayed along South Halsted Street. Created by 27 professional and emerging artists and 13 Chicagoland Greek schools, the free exhibition draws inspiration from the Declaration of Independence, the Statue of Liberty, and ideas rooted in ancient Greek thought to explore themes of life, liberty, and beauty.

Broadway In Chicago Welcomes New Fall Productions | Various Neighborhoods | Fall 2026. Broadway In Chicago’s fall season brings an array of acclaimed productions to downtown stages, including Jekyll & Hyde, returning to the Broadway Playhouse following a sold-out run, and Operation Mincemeat, the acclaimed musical comedy making its Chicago stop as part of a world tour following four 2025 Tony Award nominations.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater Celebrates 40th Anniversary Season | Streeterville | Beginning Sept. 2026. Chicago Shakespeare Theater launches its milestone 40th Anniversary Season at Navy Pier this fall. Highlights include Play On!, a musical reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night set to the music of Duke Ellington, followed by The Winter’s Tale and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The latter productions will be performed by the same company of actors in repertory, marking a first for Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theater Festival Returns for its Ninth Edition | Various Neighborhoods | Sept. 14–Oct. 11, 2026. Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theater Festival returns this fall for a citywide celebration of Latino theatre and performance. Presented by the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance, the festival brings together artists and companies from Chicago, across the United States, and Latin America for nearly a month of productions at venues throughout the city, spotlighting diverse voices, stories, and perspectives from the Latino theatre community.

National Museum of Mexican Art Celebrates 40 Years of Día de Muertos | Pilsen | Sept. 25–Nov. 29,2026. The National Museum of Mexican Art marks four decades of its signature Día de Muertos tradition with Wher e Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos, a milestone exhibition reflecting on remembrance, tradition, and the evolution of one of the museum’s most beloved annual presentations.

Barbara Bates Designs Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Milestone Fashion Event | Hyde Park | Oct. 3, 2026. Chicago designer Barbara Bates celebrates the 40th anniversary of Barbara Bates Designs with a special event at the Obama Presidential Center featuring a cocktail reception, fashion show with 40 models and five emerging designers, and a curated exhibition highlighting four decades of design. The event also supports breast cancer awareness through the 40 for 40 Initiative, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Sinai Chicago’s Barbara Bates Imaging Center.

The Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker Returns with a Distinctly Chicago Setting | The Loop | Dec. 4–27, 2026. The Joffrey Ballet presents Christopher Wheeldon’s acclaimed reimagining of The Nutcracker, transporting the classic holiday story to Chicago’s 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, the production follows Marie and her Nutcracker prince through dreamlike fairgrounds filled with spectacles inspired by the historic exposition.

Vape! A Grease Parody Plays the Apollo Theater | Lincoln Park | Through Jan. 3, 2027. Vape! A Grease Parody brings an irreverent comedic spoof of the iconic musical Grease to Chicago’s Apollo Theater for an extended engagement spanning the fall and holiday seasons, reimagining familiar characters, romances, rivalries, and moments through a contemporary comedic lens.

Intuit Art Museum Debuts New Henry Darger Exhibition | West Town | Through Jan. 31, 2027. Intuit Art Museum presents Cutting and Pasting a World: The Paper Craft of Henry Darger, exploring the relationship between the prolific Chicago-based artist’s work and traditional American paper crafts. Presented as part of Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a nationwide initiative tied to America’s 250th anniversary, the exhibition examines Darger’s distinctive creative process within the broader history of American craft.

Attractions:

From immersive new experiences to seasonal programming and major museum exhibitions, Chicago’s attractions offer plenty to discover throughout Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 for locals and visitors of all ages.

THE CUBE Makes U.S. Debut on the Magnificent Mile | Streeterville | Now Open. THE CUBE, the high-adrenaline immersive game experience based on the global brand and hit TBS television show, has made its U.S. debut at 600 N. Michigan Avenue. The Chicago attraction features 21 glass game cubes where groups take on fast-paced challenges testing balance, memory, speed, and judgment. The technology-driven social entertainment destination also features elevated food and beverage offerings, mixologist-led bars, and private party packages for team building, group outings, and celebrations.

F1® Arcade Chicago Debuts in River North | River North | Now Open. The world’s first official Formula 1® social gaming experience has opened its first Midwest location at 1 W. Grand Avenue. The destination features 61 full-motion racing simulators, globally inspired food and cocktails, flexible private event spaces, and the brand’s first-ever rooftop terrace. The venue also hosts official Formula 1® Watch Parties.

Shedd Aquarium Debuts New Nature Exploration Garden | Museum Campus/South Loop | Now Open. Shedd Aquarium has opened a new Nature Exploration Garden at its Welcome Plaza as part of its Centennial Commitment. The interactive green space features 70 native plant species, larger-than-life sculptures of local aquatic animals, bilingual interpretive signage, spotting scopes, and five hands-on experiences encouraging visitors to explore nature through touch, observation, and play. Accessible paths, new seating, nature journaling, and surprise animal ambassador encounters further expand the experience beyond the aquarium walls.

Garfield Park Conservatory Debuts Reimagined Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden | Garfield Park | Now Open. The Garfield Park Conservatory has unveiled its reimagined 6,000-square-foot Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden. Designed to inspire creativity, curiosity, and connection to nature, the interactive garden features the Curiosity Canopy, The Lucky Climber, and an Art and Sculpture Gallery.

Serial Killer: The Exhibition Makes Its Chicago Debut | North Lawndale | Now Open. The international museum-scale experience exploring serial crime, criminal psychology, criminology, and forensic science makes its Chicago debut at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. Spanning more than 26,000 square feet, the exhibition includes more than 2,100 authentic artifacts across more than 40 galleries featuring original evidence, historical interpretation, multimedia installations, crime-scene reconstructions, and virtual reality. The Chicago edition introduces locally focused material examining cases including H.H. Holmes and John Wayne Gacy.

Introducing A Woman’s Place: The Chicago Women’s History Tour | The Loop | Beginning Oct. 2026. Inside Chicago Walking Tours will debut a new two-hour walking experience dedicated to the women who helped shape Chicago’s architecture, culture, politics, commerce, and public life. The approximately 1.5-mile route explores indoor and outdoor spaces while sharing the stories of influential Chicago women including Ida B. Wells, Jane Addams, Sophia Hayden, Bertha Palmer, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Jeanne Gang.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago Announces Fall and Winter Programming | Brookfield | Beginning Sept. 13, 2026. Brookfield Zoo Chicago welcomes the cooler months with seasonal celebrations, cultural programming, family experiences, and new offerings extending into Jan. Guests can also catch Dinos!, featuring life-size dinosaurs, fossil-digging experiences, and immersive prehistoric displays throughout the Zoo. New programming includes Member Appreciation Month throughout Sept. and Senior Sundays, launching Sept. 13, and continuing through Nov. 22, 2026. Fall highlights include Boo! at the Zoo from Oct. 3–25, 2026 and a Community Ofrenda for Día de los Muertos from Oct. 28–Nov. 4, 2026. The season culminates with the 45th annual Holiday Magic presented by ComEd, running on select dates Nov. 20–Jan. 3, 2027 and transforming the Zoo with more than 3.5 million lights, festive décor, Santa visits, seasonal treats, shopping, and holiday programming.

Chicago Children’s Museum Introduces Seasonal Exhibit Experiences | Streeterville | Fall 2026. Chicago Children’s Museum welcomes fall with seasonal changes and the return of a beloved hands-on experience. Beginning in late Sept., the museum’s Castle exhibit will be reimagined with a witch’s den, falling leaves, lighting changes, and autumn décor. From Sept. 30 through Oct. 26, a mini version of the popular Zoom Room returns to the Great Hall, inviting children to race die-cast cars while exploring the physics of speed and motion.

Route 66 Neighborhoods by Trolley Celebrates the Mother Road’s Centennial | Various Neighborhoods | Select Dates Through Nov. 11, 2026. Launched in celebration of Route 66’s centennial, Tours With Mike’s Route 66 Neighborhoods by Trolley takes visitors through Chicago communities along the historic highway’s original path, exploring local history, architecture, culture, landmarks, and the neighborhoods shaped by the Mother Road. A special Nov. 11 tour will commemorate Route 66’s official 100th birthday.

Illinois Holocaust Museum’s Experience360 Continues to Bring Immersive History Downtown | River North | Through Dec. 31, 2026. Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center’s downtown Experience360 brings immersive storytelling and technology to River North while the museum’s Skokie campus undergoes renovation. Interactive exhibitions share first-person stories of survival, resistance, strength, love, and compassion while encouraging reflection, empathy, and understanding.

Choose Chicago and Big Bus Tours Extend South Side & Presidential Center Shuttle Partnership | The Loop & Hyde Park | Through Dec. 31, 2026. Choose Chicago and Big Bus Tours Chicago have extended their partnership on the seasonal open-top shuttle connecting downtown Chicago with major cultural destinations on the city’s South Side. The Chicago South Side & Presidential Center Shuttle provides convenient transportation between downtown and the Obama Presidential Center and Jackson Park, as well as the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.

Field Museum Continues Viral Exhibit, Pokémon Fossil Museum | Museum Campus/South Loop | Through April 11, 2027. The Pokémon Fossil Museum made its North American debut at the Field Museum, bringing together the worlds of Pokémon and paleontology in an interactive exhibition created with the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo and The Pokémon Company International. Visitors can compare Fossil Pokémon with real-world fossils while exploring paleontology alongside Field Museum scientists. The Chicago presentation marks the exhibition’s first appearance outside Japan.

Festivals & Events:

Chicago’s Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 calendar is packed with festivals and events spanning food, film, art, shopping, literature and holiday traditions across neighborhoods throughout the city.

Chicago Gourmet Celebrates the City’s Culinary Scene | Various Neighborhoods | Sept. 23–27, 2026. Chicago Gourmet returns with the 2026 theme “Let Your Tastebuds Dance,” bringing together leading chefs, restaurants, beverage experts, and food enthusiasts for a multi-day celebration of Chicago’s acclaimed dining community.

Two New Contemporary Art Fairs Debut at THE MART | River North | Oct. 7–10, 2026. Spectrum Chicago and Chicago Art Fair will make their inaugural debuts at THE MART this fall. Spectrum Chicago will spotlight solo presentations by independent artists, while Chicago Art Fair will showcase contemporary and modern works from international, national, and regional galleries. Together, the fairs will welcome artists, collectors, designers, architects, advisors, and art enthusiasts for four days of art discovery and networking.

Chicago International Film Festival Returns for 62nd Edition | Various Neighborhoods | Oct. 14–25, 2026. North America’s longest-running competitive film festival returns with an international slate of films, premieres, filmmaker appearances, discussions, and special events at venues across Chicago.

Open House Chicago Offers Behind-the-Scenes Access to the City’s Architectural Treasures | Various Neighborhoods | Oct. 17–18, 2026. Presented by the Chicago Architecture Center, Open House Chicago returns for a free weekend of behind-the-scenes access to more than 200 architecturally, historically, and culturally significant sites across over 25 Chicago neighborhoods. Visitors can explore skyscrapers, historic buildings, private clubs, sacred spaces, residences, breweries, and other locations rarely open to the public.

Arts in the Dark Illuminates State Street for Halloween | The Loop | Oct. 24, 2026. Chicago’s official Halloween parade returns to State Street with a free, family-friendly celebration of the city’s creative community. The nighttime procession brings together artists and cultural organizations from across Chicago for an imaginative display of illuminated floats, towering puppets, costumes, music, dance, and live performance.

KOVAL Distillery and I Heart Indie Markets Launch Fall and Holiday Artisan Market Series | Ravenswood | Oct. 24, Nov. 14 & 28, and Dec. 12, 2026. KOVAL Distillery and I Heart Indie Markets launch a four-part artisan shopping series featuring rotating lineups of local artists, independent makers, and small businesses offering handcrafted goods, seasonal décor, and holiday gifts. The free markets invite visitors to shop local while supporting Chicago’s creative community.

Haunted Halsted Celebrates 30 Years with Expanded Halloween Block Party and Parade | Northalsted/Lakeview | Oct. 31, 2026. Haunted Halsted celebrates its 30th anniversary with an expanded, free, all-ages Halloween celebration in Chicago’s historic LGBTQ+ Northalsted district. New this year, a daytime block party will fill five blocks of North Halsted Street with family activities, trick-or-treating, local vendors, food, drinks, music, and live entertainment before the evening parade. More than 300 costumed participants, decorated vehicles, marching groups, dancers, and fire performers will take over Halsted Street, followed by a costume contest and post-parade party featuring $4,000 in prizes, DJs, live music, and drag performances.

Christkindlmarket Chicago Celebrates 30 Years at Daley Plaza | The Loop & Wrigleyville | Nov. 20–Dec. 31, 2026. Chicago’s beloved German-inspired holiday market celebrates its 30th anniversary at Daley Plaza with traditional wooden stalls, handcrafted gifts, festive entertainment, international foods, and seasonal drinks served in collectible mugs. The Daley Plaza market runs through Dec. 24, while Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville returns to Gallagher Way through Dec. 31.

The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary | The Magnificent Mile | Nov. 21, 2026. The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival marks 35 years of holiday magic with a full day of family-friendly festivities culminating in the country’s largest nighttime parade. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will lead illuminated floats, marching bands, giant balloons, performers, and Santa Claus down North Michigan Avenue as more than one million lights illuminate 200 trees, followed by a fireworks spectacular over the Chicago River.

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Returns to State Street | The Loop | Nov. 26, 2026. The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade returns for its 92nd year, continuing a downtown tradition that dates to the 1930s. The free Thanksgiving morning procession travels north along State Street with marching bands, festive floats, giant helium balloons, equestrian groups, acrobats, cultural performers, and entertainment from across Chicago and the country.

One of a Kind Holiday Show Brings More Than 600 Artists and Makers to THE MART | River North | Dec. 3–6, 2026. The One of a Kind Holiday Show returns to THE MART for four days of holiday shopping featuring more than 600 artists and makers. Visitors can discover original fashion, jewelry, home décor, fine art, ceramics, accessories, gourmet goods, and handcrafted gifts while meeting the creators behind each piece.

Holidays @ Skydeck Returns 103 Stories Above Chicago | The Loop | Nov. 13, 2026–Jan. 4, 2027. Skydeck Chicago celebrates the season with the second annual Holidays @ Skydeck, transforming its lower-level Chicago museum and observation deck with thousands of twinkling lights, festive décor, holiday photo opportunities, seasonal live performances, and Santa appearances, all paired with winter views from Chicago’s highest observation deck.

American Writers Museum Hosts Get Lit: Santa’s Book Fair | The Loop | Dec. 9, 2026. The American Writers Museum brings a literary twist to holiday shopping with Get Lit: Santa’s Book Fair, an after-hours event featuring local independent Chicago bookstores. Guests can browse books and gifts while enjoying beer, wine, a seasonal specialty cocktail, holiday stories, and photo opportunities with Santa.

Food & Libations:

Chicago’s acclaimed dining scene continues to evolve this Fall 2026 and Winter 2027, with new restaurants, expanded concepts and special culinary experiences bringing fresh flavors and global influences to neighborhoods across the city.

Tarra & Sura Debuts Dual-Concept Thai Dining Experience | River North | Now Open. Newly opened Tarra & Sura brings a contemporary exploration of Thailand’s regional cuisine and cocktail culture to River North. The dual concept pairs Tarra, a design-forward restaurant led by Thailand-born Executive Chef Namo Chowcharoen, with Sura, an intimate subterranean cocktail lounge. Tarra’s menu draws inspiration from distinct regions of Thailand, from Royal Thai-influenced bites to southern curries and other traditional dishes, while Sura complements the restaurant with inventive cocktails and a forthcoming Thai snack menu.

The Carlyle Club Debuts Along the Chicago River | River North | Now Open. From the team behind Dēliz Italian Steakhouse, The Carlyle Club has opened inside the historic Reid Murdoch Building at 316 N. Clark Street. Inspired by Chicago’s architectural legacy, historic dining rooms, and riverfront setting, the all-day concept serves lunch, dinner, and happy hour with classic American cuisine shaped by global influences, including sushi, signature steaks, and cocktails.

Black Briar to Open in Fulton Market | Fulton Market/West Loop | Opening Sept. 26, 2026. Acclaimed chef Jimmy Papadopoulos reunites with former Bellemore collaborator and co-owner/operator Tim Anderson to debut Black Briar, a bold new American restaurant with the soul of a timeless tavern designed by Studio K. Guests can expect inventive yet approachable dishes, coal-roasted touches, thoughtfully crafted drinks, and warm hospitality.

Piccadilly Market Expands | Lincoln Park | Opening Sept. 2026. Piccadilly Market will open a new all-day destination at Clark Street and Fullerton Avenue, expanding on the European-style marketplace that debuted in Lincoln Square in 2025. The larger location will feature artisan goods from Chicago and European purveyors, a full-service café, all-day sandwiches, a sommelier-curated wine shop, and a dedicated bar, while outdoor Piccadilly Square will offer a European-inspired gathering space.

Tzuco Celebrates Seven Years with Special Fall Chef Dinners | River North | Sept. 15 & Oct. 24, 2026. Tzuco marks its seventh anniversary with two culinary events spotlighting leading voices in contemporary Mexican cuisine. On Sept. 15, guest chef José Luis Hinostroza joined a dinner held in conjunction with the launch of Chef Carlos Gaytán’s cookbook, Raíces. On Oct. 24, Gaytán hosted a collaboration dinner with Michelin-starred chef Santiago Lastra during Lastra’s U.S. tour for Mexican Soul.

Gunny’s Pub to Open | Lincoln Park | Opening Sept. 16, 2026. Independently owned Gunny’s Pub will open inside a thoughtfully restored 145-year-old building at 2642 N. Lincoln Avenue. The restaurant pairs the warmth of a classic Chicago pub with elevated pub favorites, more ambitious dishes, cocktails, beer, and wine. The space transitions from a lively traditional pub up front to a plant-filled rear dining room beneath a dramatic 20-by-20-foot skylight.

Berenjak to Bring Acclaimed Persian Cuisine to Fulton Market | Fulton Market/West Loop | Opening Sept. 2026. Acclaimed Persian restaurant Berenjak will open its first Chicago location at Soho House Chicago in Fulton Market this fall. Founded in London by chef Kian Samyani and inspired by the traditional kebab houses of Tehran, the internationally recognized concept showcases Persian cuisine through charcoal-grilled meats, mezze, stews, and other dishes rooted in Iranian culinary traditions.

NoMI at Park Hyatt Chicago Launches HERITAGE SERIES | Streeterville | Oct. 16–17, 2026. NoMI launches HERITAGE SERIES, presented by Park Hyatt Masters of Food & Wine, a new immersive series exploring enduring cultural traditions. The inaugural Japanese Artistry chapter brings together Executive Chef Terence Zubieta, Chef Masayori “Masa” Adachi, gyotaku artist Dwight Hwang, and Suntory Global Ambassador Davey Jones for a Japanese-inspired cocktail reception, six-course omakase, live fish-printing demonstrations, vinyl music inspired by Japanese listening bars, and an optional House of Suntory whisky tasting.

Hotels, Meetings & Conventions:

Chicago’s hotel and meetings landscape continues to grow in Fall 2026 and Winter 2027, with renovated accommodations, new event spaces and sustainability-focused offerings for leisure travelers, groups and meeting planners.

RR Events Debuts Reimagined Riverfront Event Venue | River North | Now Open. RR Events has debuted as a fully reimagined event venue adjacent to River Roast inside the historic Reid Murdoch Building. Designed for gatherings ranging from intimate dinners of 20 to corporate events, weddings, and celebrations of up to 1,200 guests, the renovated venue pairs flexible event capabilities with views of the Chicago River and downtown skyline. RR Events shares culinary infrastructure, chef talent, and hospitality staff with River Roast, bringing the restaurant’s established chef-driven food and beverage approach into a dedicated private events setting.

McCormick Place Advances Sustainable Meetings and Events | South Loop | Ongoing. Following its new Platinum Level Certification from the Events Industry Council — the program’s highest distinction — McCormick Place continues to expand sustainable practices across North America’s largest convention center. The campus offsets 100% of its electricity usage through certified wind renewable energy credits and supports local sourcing and food recovery initiatives, providing meeting planners with expanded opportunities to incorporate sustainability into events.

Sports on the Global Stage:

2026 Presidents Cup Comes to the Chicago Region | Medinah, IL | Sept. 21–27, 2026. The Presidents Cup brings many of the world’s top golfers to Medinah Country Club for a week of international team competition. The biennial event pits the United States Team against an International Team representing players from around the world outside Europe, placing the Chicago region at the center of the global golf calendar.

Bank of America Chicago Marathon Returns for its 48th Running | Various Neighborhoods | Oct. 11, 2026. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon returns for its 48th running this fall, welcoming more than 55,000 participants — the largest field in event history — to one of the world’s premier road races. A member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the 26.2-mile course brings elite athletes, first-time marathoners, charity runners, and participants from around the globe through 29 Chicago neighborhoods before finishing in Grant Park.

Chicago Blackhawks Take NHL Global Series to Germany | Düsseldorf, Germany | Dec. 18 & 20, 2026. The Chicago Blackhawks will take the global stage this winter with two regular-season games against the Ottawa Senators in Düsseldorf as part of the NHL’s long-term strategy to grow hockey in Germany. The December games mark a major international moment for the Chicago team and continue the NHL’s commitment to bringing regular-season games to Germany for at least the next three seasons.

Recent Accolades:

Chicago Recognized in Midwest Living’s 2026 Best of the Midwest Awards. Chicago was selected among the Best Midwest Cities to Visit in 2026 as part of Midwest Living’s expanded Best of the Midwest Awards. Hand-selected by the publication’s editors, the awards recognize nearly 150 established and emerging leaders in travel and hospitality across 16 categories.

North America’s largest convention center has achieved Platinum Level Certification from the Events Industry Council’s Sustainable Event Standards, advancing from Gold Level Certification in 2025 to the program’s highest distinction. The recognition reflects McCormick Place’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility across its operations, including offsetting 100% of electricity usage through certified wind renewable energy certificates, operating the Midwest’s largest farm-to-fork rooftop garden, recovering surplus food and event materials for more than 100 community organizations through its partnership with Fight2Feed, and advancing local economic inclusion through its Business Diversity Program.

Chicago Eyes Historic 10th Consecutive “Best Big City” Win. Chicago currently holds an unprecedented nine consecutive Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Big City in the U.S. Thank you to everyone who cast their vote and showed their love for Chicago in this year’s awards. The 2026 results will be announced Oct. 6, when Chicago could extend its record-breaking streak to a historic tenth consecutive year.

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About Choose Chicago
Choose Chicago is the official destination marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global tourism and meetings destination, the city that’s Never Done and Never Outdone. Choose Chicago leverages the city’s unmatched assets to enrich the community by attracting meetings, events, and more than 55 million annual visitors, generating over $20 billion in economic impact. Follow @choosechicago and tag #NeverOutdoneChi on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X/Twitter. For more information, visit choosechicago.com.