Don your armor, pull out your spellbooks, and straighten your crown; Castle, presented by Shriners Children’s, is coming back to Chicago Children’s Museum. In this…
Flyway City: Architecture for a Flourishing Ecosystem, designed and co-curated by architecture and urban design practice Studio Gang in collaboration with the Chicago Architecture Center,…
This Halloween season, join us for the third year of Incredible Insects at The Butterfly House at Navy Pier: an interactive exhibit featuring wacky and…
“All That Glam: Chicago’s Art Deco Masterpieces” is a 2-hour walking tour celebrating the glitz, elegance, and futuristic flair of Chicago’s 1920s Art Deco buildings…
In this foot-stomping new musical, Grace accidentally knocks down the fence between her dad’s well-manicured backyard and Mr. Hertz’s wildflower garden, where she discovers three…
Step into the sugary, shadowy world of Sugar Plum Fairy, P.I., a fairytale noir mystery filled with crime and double crosses! During the dark days…
Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors and rich history of Chicago’s Chinatown on our top-rated TripAdvisor food and culture tour. Enjoy seated dining at five…
This is the ORIGINAL Chicago food tour that takes you to the restaurants featured on the TV phenomenon, The Bear. We’ll take you to the actual…
The Ritz-Carlton Chicago invites families and fairytale lovers to step into a modern Cinderella story with “Before Midnight: A Cinderella Tea Experience,” an enchanting afternoon…
On Saturday, October 31, Farragut transforms into the most haunted street in Andersonville! Join us from 11AM–4PM at Clark & Farragut to show off your…
Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History examines the full scope of Stebbins’s history‑making career as one of the most significant American sculptors of the nineteenth century. From…
Serial Killer: The Exhibition makes its Chicago debut on September 5, 2026, at Cinespace Film Studios Chicago, bringing the world’s largest private collection of authentic serial killer artifacts to…
Plan your costumes, pack up your pets, and join us at Harry Caray’s Navy Pier for our annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest benefiting PAWS Chicago!…
Chicago is known across the world for inventing and perfecting five authentic dishes that are “must eats” and the Iconic Foods of Chicago Food tour…
Día de Los Muertos Window Walk The Pilsen Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome you to Pilsen’s 18th Street commercial corridor to marvel at…
Step into the sugary, shadowy world of Sugar Plum Fairy, P.I., a fairytale noir mystery filled with crime and double crosses! During the dark days…
10/31: Saturday 1PM vs St. John’s: Halloween at Wish Field Celebrate Halloween with themed music, costumes, and family-friendly fun throughout the afternoon.
Create your own Halloween Arts & crafts. Halloween Costume Parade. Halloween Spooky Story & More!!! Stop by for a THRILLER TIME!!!!!
Join us for free movies at Navy Pier in Crystal Gardens on Saturdays, October 17 and 24, plus trick-or-treating throughout the Pier on Halloween, October…
If you’re looking for a fast, flexible Greeter experience, check out our InstaGreeter walks. These hour-long guided walks are a fun and informal way to…
Map enthusiast and fifth-grader Ben Isaac is coping with the loss of his grandmother. After discovering a mysterious map in her coat pocket, Ben and…
Ballet 5:8 brings La Llorona to Elgin for a special Halloween afternoon performance at The Hemmens Cultural Center. A legend, reimagined with empathy, La Llorona…
The Book of Mormon is returning to Chicago for a limited limited engagement from Friday, October 23 through Sunday, November 1, 2026. From the creators…
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…
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:
