Architecture & history, Festivals & special events
Open House Chicago
Oct. 17 – 18, 2026 Free admission • Citywide One weekend. 30+ Chicago neighborhoods. 200+ places to explore. Open the door to architectural gems all…
National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen
Chicago Like a Local blog
Unique perspectives on the city from the people who live here.
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…
Blog, Special events
35+ things to do in Chicago this September 2026
While summer may be winding down, there’s no shortage of music festivals, art walks, cultural events, and more throughout September in Chicago. The month kicks…
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…
Holidays
Labor Day weekend in Chicago
Round out summer in Chicago with a long weekend of outdoor fun, waterfront sightseeing, and unique local festivals and events. Bucket list: Labor Day weekend…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago SummerDance
July 15 – Aug. 29, 2026 Free admission • Grant Park and parks citywide Enjoy live music and dancing on an open-air dance floor during…
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,…
Holidays
Fourth of July in Chicago
The Fourth of July is one of the best times to experience summer in Chicago. And since the holiday falls on a Saturday this year,…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink
Your guide to Chicago’s food festivals
Get a taste of Chicago’s award-winning dining scene at the city’s packed schedule of food festivals, featuring everything from barbecue to international cuisine to Chicago-style…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink
Chicago Gourmet
Sept. 24 – 27, 2026 Millennium Park Welcome to Chicago Gourmet, one of the country’s most distinguished food festivals. Each year, Chicago Gourmet celebrates the…
Holidays
Memorial Day weekend 2026 in Chicago
Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of summer in Chicago — and the city knows how to celebrate. Each year, Chicago comes to life…
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…
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