Festivals & special events
Chicago festival and event guide 2026
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.
Entertainment, Festivals & special events
Chicago film festivals and events
Chicago has a long and illustrious cinematic history. In the early 1900s, Chicago was home to the famous Essanay Studios in the early 1900s, which…
Blog, Special events
35+ things to do in Chicago this April
April is a jam-packed month in Chicago — spring is on the horizon, tulips start to bloom all over the city, and weekends fill up…
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
Your guide to the Chicago Auto Show 2026
For car lovers, winter in Chicago can only mean one thing — the Chicago Auto Show. Whether you’re a first-time or an Auto Show veteran,…
Festivals & special events, LGBTQ+
Chicago Pride: Your guide to Chicago Pride Parade, Pride Fest, and more
Chicago really knows how to party for Pride. Each June, the city is brimming with LGBTQ+ celebrations and events, including over-the-top street fests, exhilarating concerts,…
Holidays, Free & cheap
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…
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