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 & special events
Discover the best of the city’s fests.
Festivals & special events
Chicago festival and event guide
Every season is festival season in Chicago. Chicago’s world-renowned fests and events celebrate food, music, culture, art, and history throughout the city. Check out the…
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
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
June – September 2025 Free admission • Grant Park and parks citywide The annual SummerDance festival brings people of all ages and skill levels together…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink
Chicago Gourmet
Sept. 25 – 28, 2025 Harris Theater Rooftop • Millennium Park Welcome to Chicago Gourmet, one of the country’s most distinguished food festivals. Each year,…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Grant Park Music Festival
June 11 — Aug. 16, 2025 Free admission • Millennium Park Experience a summer of extraordinary music with dozens of free classical concerts. The Grant…
Entertainment, Festivals & special events
Chicago film festivals and events
Chicago has a long and illustrious cinematic history: the filming location for Charlie Chaplin at the Essanay Studios in 1915, ’80s classics like Ferris Bueller’s…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
World Music Festival Chicago
Sept. 26 – Oct. 5, 2025 Free admission • Multiple locations The annual World Music Festival is your passport to musical acts from around the…
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