World Premiere dystopian fable written by Broadway’s Eric Coble. ‘The Fix’ was supposed to correct everything that had gone wrong with the country. Now, three…
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company is pleased to announce the cast, creative and production teams for the first production in its 2026 – 2027 season, Mud…
Tin Drum Theatre Company announces the Chicago premiere of A Dark Wood, October 15 – November 1, written by Eric Coble and directed by Steve…
I.A. Inteligencia Actoral by Aguijón Theater. Written by: Flavio González Mello. Directed by: Marcela Muñoz A couple of weeks before a theater company opens Hamlet, its…
“Take thuh cards and show me whatcha got!” Brothers Lincoln and Booth, named in jest, are two Black men living in America just trying to…
Ever since his meteoric rise at the 2021 International Chopin Competition, Bruce Liu has roused audiences with performances that balance breathtaking power and poetic refinement.…
Oil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production, Dial M for Murder, October 2 – November 1,…
About this show In a world where facts are manipulated and fear is currency, the truth becomes dangerous. As a new authoritarian government tightens its…
The Factory Theater and Artistic Director Michael Jones are proud to announce the first production of its 32nd season, the world premiere of B.Z Florida’s…
Babes With Blades Theatre Company’s (BWBTC) presents the final production in its 2026 season, William Shakespeare’s King Lear, directed by Alison Dornheggen and fight choreography…
Zoe, a Black student at a liberal arts college, is called into her white professor’s office to discuss her paper about slavery’s effect on the…
One of the most provocative and enduring theatrical works to emerge from the AIDS crisis. The play follows J.R. and Bert, two gay men who…
Chicago Wolves hockey games are so much fun in person! Check out a Chicago Wolves game this fall at Allstate Arena. The 5-time league champions,…
Revisiting characters established in August Wilson’s SEVEN GUITARS, this play returns to Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1985. King Hedley, a man recently released from prison,…
Detroit ’67 A Play by Dominique Morisseau Directed by Aaron Reese Boseman Running through November 1, 2026 ★★★★ “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. THE CAST IS FIRE!” –Bonnie…
Award-winning Redtwist Theatre’s new 22nd season, “State of Violence,” begins with Prayer Circle, September 17 – November 8, by Erik Gernand and directed by Executive…
Two lifelong friends sail into open water: one edging closer to the pull of oblivion, the other with a question neither can escape. Nobel laureate…
Design Graveyard is a free, two-week exhibition of design work that never made it out of the studio. It collects abandoned concepts, rejected pitches, unbuilt…
Is it a cannabis-themed game show or an uproarious, electively interactive live theatrical experience? Why can’t it be both? HighQ is an uplifting blend of…
Musical theatre and improv collide as Marquee presents you with an hour of fully improvised musical comedy, spontaneously creating entire scenes, songs, and stories based…
Intuit Art Museum (IAM), recognized worldwide as one of the few institutions dedicated solely to championing the work of self-taught artists, marks the 250th anniversary…
Widely discussed performer James Tom will bring his “Goes on a Mini-Tour, Casual Style” show to Chicago on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
A strange object in the sky. A cursed gas station hot dog. A llama with government clearance. Our performers create a brand new story influenced…
The Second City’s 114th Mainstage Revue Pandemonium, Please Hold is a loud, fast, and gloriously unhinged night of comedic mayhem. The Second City’s six-person cast…
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…
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…
Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 State Street The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, a local tradition for more than 90 years, kicks off the holiday season with a…
Chicago goes all out for the holidays, with something magical happening in every corner of the city. The season kicks off with the Christmas Tree…
If you’re looking for a getaway in January or February, Chicago continues to deliver a flurry of seasonal fun long after the holidays end. Between…
The best way to get to know Chicago is one meal at a time. This three-day Chicago food itinerary explores the city’s most iconic dishes and…
Chicago is the city that’s Never Done, Never Outdone. And we keep proving it year after year. In 2026, Chicago welcomed new immersive experiences, celebrated…
Celebrate cozy weather and changing leaves in the city made for autumn adventures. We’ve got everything you need to plan the perfect fall day in…
Chicago’s event calendar reflects the city itself — bold, diverse, and always buzzing. From lakefront music festivals and neighborhood street fairs to major sporting events and food celebrations, there’s something happening in every season.
Here’s a look at the types of events you’ll find across the city:
Other Chicago events include cultural celebrations, sporting events, conventions, comedy shows, live theatre, and so much more.
Chicago’s biggest annual events draw visitors from around the world and highlight the very best of the city’s food, music, and culture.
These signature events help define Chicago as one of the top festival cities in the country.
If you’re planning a trip around Chicago’s event calendar, there’s something new to discover every month of the year.
Summer is peak festival season. The city comes alive with outdoor concerts, neighborhood street fests, and major events like Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, and the Chicago Air and Water Show. Nearly every weekend offers something new, especially along the lakefront and in Millennium Park.
Early fall brings cooler temperatures and marquee events like the Chicago Marathon and culinary celebrations such as Chicago Gourmet. It’s an ideal time for visitors seeking cultural events like the Chicago International Film Festival.
Winter brings a dose of holiday magic to Chicago, with beloved traditions like ZooLights and Christkindlmarket. Visitors can also check out cultural celebrations for the Lunar New Year and enjoy local-favorite annual events like Chicago Restaurant Week and Chicago Theatre Week.
Spring is the perfect time to visit Chicago for culture lovers. Check out spring flower shows, top art fairs like EXPO Chicago, and bucket-list traditions like Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It’s also the start of outdoor events, with baseball season kicking off in late March.
Chicago is known for offering an impressive lineup of free events, particularly in the summer months.
Some of the city’s most popular free events include:
Come experience the unmatched energy of Chicago’s legendary sports scene, from our fan-favorite teams to our historic stadiums and iconic events.
Catch a game by one of Chicago’s major league teams:
Other major annual sporting events in Chicago include:
