Festivals & special events
Chicago festival and event guide
Every season is festival season in Chicago. Each month brings a packed line-up of special events celebrating food, music, culture, art, history, and beyond. Choose…
National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen
Chicago Like a Local blog
Unique perspectives on the city from the people who live here.
Holidays
St. Patrick’s Day 2026 in Chicago
There’s nothing quite like St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, when Irish taverns fill with revelers, cultural celebrations pop up in every corner of the city,…
Blog, Special events
50+ things to do in Chicago this December
With the holidays in full swing, December is a magical month packed with things to do throughout Chicago. There’s plenty to keep you busy as…
Free & cheap, Holidays
Free Halloween events in Chicago
Halloween in Chicago is so much more than just trick-or-treating. There are magical nighttime parades, authentic Day of the Dead celebrations, spine-tingling ghost tours, and…
Family, Holidays
Kid-friendly Halloween events in Chicago
Tricks, treats, and costume fun — the Halloween season brings tons of family-friendly events and activities to Chicago. You can pick your own pumpkins, go…
Holidays
Labor Day weekend in Chicago
Round out summer in Chicago with a long weekend of outdoor fun and unique local events. Catch the last wave of summer warmth by cruising…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink
Chicago’s James Beard Award winners
Chicago is proud to be home to over 50 James Beard Awards winners, honoring the very best of Chicago’s acclaimed dining scene. Throughout the years,…
Music, Nightlife
30+ must-see Chicago live music venues
Mainstream pop, indie rock, hip hop, punk, blues, or jazz — no matter your musical taste, you’ll find it live in Chicago any night of…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago SummerDance
Free admission • Grant Park and parks citywide Enjoy live music and dancing on an open-air dance floor during the annual Chicago SummerDance festival. This…
Holidays
Fourth of July in Chicago
The Fourth of July is one of the best times to experience summer in Chicago, and it’s the perfect excuse to spend a long weekend…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink
Chicago Gourmet
Harris Theater Rooftop • Millennium Park Welcome to Chicago Gourmet, one of the country’s most distinguished food festivals. Each year, Chicago Gourmet celebrates the city’s…
Architecture & history, Festivals & special events
Open House Chicago
Free admission • Citywide One weekend. 25+ Chicago neighborhoods. 200+ places to explore. Open the door to architectural gems all over Chicago. Every October, the…
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