Mahler’s last completed work, the Ninth Symphony, opens with a sighing farewell, but that’s just the start. The composer takes you on a journey through…
The popular cultural commentary series Grits & Eggs Podcast is bringing its Coming Thru America Tour to Chicago, Illinois on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Hosted…
NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! records its live tapings at the Studebaker Theater inside the Fine Arts Building in Chicago, Illinois. Hosted by Peter Sagal…
Naomi Sharon is performing live in Chicago on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Park West. The Dutch alternative R&B singer-songwriter—and the first female artist signed…
Award-winning Refracted Theatre Company is proud to announce the cast and creative team of I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire, written by Samantha Hurley and…
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…
Then God created Sir Thomas Madden Jr. Averaging six feet, six-and-a-half inches, Sir Thomas Madden Jr. is Jeff Madden and Paul Thomas, an Atlanta-Chicago sketch…
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…
Reality Detox: The Improv Experience is a high-energy night of improvisation from The Second City, with a few sketch surprises mixed in along the way. Built…
Writer, producer and actress Issa Rae is bringing Insecure: The 10th Anniversary Tour to Chicago on Thursday, October 1, 2026, for a live celebration at…
Idle Muse Theatre Company continues its 20th anniversary season and kicks off the Halloween season with Witch, September 10 – October 10, written by Jen…
British internet and comedy duo Dan and Phil are performing live at the Rosemont Theatre on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 8:00 PM as part…
Roast Battle Is @ Zanies Chicago! From the hit Comedy Central series, Roast Battle, brought to you by the team with over 200,000 online followers, Roast Battle…
Nominated “Best Comedy Show” by the Chicago Reader (2025), Sketch Playlist is a weekly sketch show that will feature all-new sketches every single week… the…
Blueprint is the kind of improv that keeps audiences AND players on their toes. Each week, a different cast member designs a bold new improv format…
Continuing the rich tradition of late night improv, join the veteran cast of THE 11PM SHOW every Friday at 11PM as they perform late night, artistic improv…
How did a dead body, a fake love letter, and — of all people — Ian Fleming turn the tide of World War II? Olivier…
Starting May 22, Dinos! are taking over Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Come face-to-face with life-size dinosaurs throughout the Zoo. Journey through a massive rib-cage tunnel, climb…
Now Extended Multiple experiences per day at the Reid Murdoch Building, 333 N LaSalle Visit TheateroftheMindChicago.com for dates, times, and tickets Created by David Byrne…
NoMI Gallery Presents: 萬物生輝 Everything is Bright. All Things are Beautiful. NoMI is proud to present a curated exhibition by contemporary artist Dwight Hwang, whose…
The new public art exhibit We the People: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Beauty in Greektown Chicago celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration…
Glide along the Chicago River and Lakefront as you’re dazzled by the sparkle of the city at night. Hear lively commentary as you feel the…
From strange sightings to eerie haunts, mobsters and more, our latest nighttime tour takes you into Chicago’s shadowy past. Cruise along the Chicago River as…
For five years running, the Latina Comedy Festival has done something the comedy industry doesn’t do often often enough: handing the mic to Latina comedians…
Save the date, cinephiles: The Chicago International Film Festival is back with exciting screenings, world premieres, and more events for cinephiles from Oct. 14 to…
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…
This fall, Chicago’s fashion and design scene takes center stage during the third annual Chicago Fashion Week, showcasing the city’s creativity, culture, and couture. This…
Fall in Chicago is the best time of year for architecture lovers. The season brings top events like the annual Pullman House Tour, the Chicago…
Chicago is a city renowned for its rich cultural diversity, and there’s no better time to experience it than during National Hispanic Heritage Month. From…
Chicago is a city with history — a whole lot of history, dating back to before the city’s founding in 1837. So it’s hardly surprising…
Chicago’s summer festival season may be winding down, but there’s still another standout event on the city’s cultural calendar — Chicago Live Festival at Navy…
There’s no better way to celebrate the spookiest time of year than by packing your calendar with haunted events, themed cocktails, and spine-chilling pop-ups —…
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:
