Festivals & special events, Music
Top summer music festivals in Chicago
Music lives large in Chicago, from our neighborhood streets and historic venues to downtown parks and our iconic lakefront. And Chicago’s iconic festival season brings…
Festivals & special events
Discover the best of the city’s fests.
Architecture & history, Festivals & special events
Chicago Architecture Biennial
Sept. 12, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 Free admission • Chicago Cultural Center & partner locations Experience the future of architecture at the 10th annual…
Festivals, Festivals & special events, Special events
Your guide to the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade 2024
Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 • State Street It’s turkey time! The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, a local tradition for almost 90 years, kicks off the holiday…
Blog, Family, Festivals & special events, Holidays, Special events
Your guide to The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival 2024
The holiday season in Chicago is always an exciting time. With countless events across multiple neighborhoods, there are so many ways to celebrate. One of…
Architecture & history, Festivals & special events
Open House Chicago
Free admission • Citywide One weekend. 20+ Chicago neighborhoods. 170+ places to explore. Open the door to architectural gems all over Chicago. Every October, the…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink
Chicago beer festivals and events
Attention all beer enthusiasts! Cheers to Chicago’s booming craft beer scene at the city’s packed calendar of beer fests. Sample craft beers — from IPAs…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink
Taste of Chicago
Free admission • Grant Park and citywide Taste of Chicago has been a foodie staple for more than 40 years. This year, the annual food…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap
Chicago Air and Water Show
Free admission • Chicago lakefront Starting in the summer of 1959, the Chicago Air and Water Show has grown to be the largest and oldest…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink
Chicago’s James Beard Award winners
Chicago is proud to be home to over 50 James Beard Award winners. Since the first ceremony in 1991, this national award has become the…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago SummerDance
Free admission • Grant Park and parks citywide The annual SummerDance festival brings people of all ages and skill levels together on open-air dance floors…
Entertainment, Festivals & special events, Parks & outdoors
Millennium Park Summer Film Series
Free admission • Millennium Park Every summer in Chicago, visitors and locals flock to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park to kick back, picnic,…
Festivals & special events, Music, Parks & outdoors
Millennium Park Summer Music Series
Free admission • Millennium Park The Millennium Park Summer Music Series features free outdoor concerts, showcasing a wide range of established and emerging musicians in…
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