Want to know what’s happening this weekend in Chicago? Look no further. There’s a whole calendar of exciting events, exhibits, and activities taking place all over the city this January in Chicago.
This weekend in Chicago is jam-packed with fun things to do: exhilarating live sports (particularly for Chicago Bears fans), jaw-dropping art exhibits (including some of the final days of the groundbreaking Yoko Ono exhibit), family-friendly fun, exciting cultural events, and so much more.
Check out just a few of the top things to do this weekend in Chicago, Jan. 9 – 11, 2026.
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
The Chicago Bears will host the rival Green Bay Packers in a Wild Card matchup Saturday evening at historic Soldier Field.
Family Day at the MCA
Folklore, fantasy, and fortune! Take inspiration from Firelei Báez and Yoko Ono to venture forth into a mythical land.
Designed for children under 12 and their grown-ups, MCA Family Days invite our youngest visitors to be the museum’s artists, thinkers, and collaborators. Admission is free to Family Day attendees.
A Live Presentation of 2001: A Space Odyssey
Hailed as one of the greatest films of all time, Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi epic 2001: A Space Odyssey — renowned for its stunning visuals and groundbreaking use of classical music. André de Ridder leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in breathtaking live-to-picture performances of this iconic score.
Tomorrow Never Knows
Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago
Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago, the first exhibition to open in Intuit’s newly-renovated museum, is part of Art Design Chicago, a citywide collaboration initiated by the Terra Foundation for American Art that highlights the city’s artistic heritage and creative communities.
Founders Day Celebration
Did you know the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is the public face of the Chicago Academy of Sciences? We are! The Chicago Academy of Sciences was…
The Phantom of the Opera
THE BRILLIANT ORIGINAL RETURNS “MORE SPECTACULAR THAN EVER” – Sunday Express The Phantom is back to thrill audiences once again! Cameron Mackintosh presents a revitalized…
Improvised Jane Austen
Celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday all winter long with Improvised Jane Austen! Just one day cannot encapsulate a proper observation of Jane Austen’s life and work.…
Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers
Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers will perform live at Thalia Hall on Jan. 10, 2026.
Handmade Market at the Empty Bottle
Handmade Market Chicago - you’re invited to celebrate two decades of creativity, community, and craft! 20 Years of Handmade Market Chicago Saturday, January 10, 2026…
American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture
American Prophets journeys through the pages of American history to explore the influence of religion and spirituality on writers and culture, with interactive displays incorporating…
The Indoor Farmers Market at Water Tower Place
For the second year in a row, Chicago’s Water Tower Place is teaming up with the South Loop Farmers Market to bring its popular indoor…
Amadeus
Vienna: a cacophony of music and intrigue. The emperor’s composer, Antonio Salieri, holds court until the flamboyant entrance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: prodigy and wild…
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Ice skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park begins Nov. 21 (weather permitting). Admission to the ice rink will be free, but…
Pegasus Theatre Chicago’s 39th Annual Young Playwrights Festival
Pegasus Theatre Chicago presents the 39th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, January 1 - 24, 2026 at Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen. For nearly four decades,…
Balloon Museum: EmotionAir
The Pop Air and Let’s Fly exhibitions continue to thrill and engage a participative audience, but EmotionAir sets an even more ambitious goal. This latest…
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind presents one of the most comprehensive exhibitions to date of Yoko Ono, the trailblazing artist, celebrated musician, and formidable campaigner…
Chicago Architecture Biennial
Explore cutting-edge projects and ideas from global contributors at North America’s largest architecture and design festival. All events are free and open to the public.
Explore our events calendar for more Chicago events and happenings.
Please note that all events are subject to change.
