10/16: Saturday 3PM vs St. John’s FSL & Student Organization Night Calling all fraternities, sororities, and student organizations! Gather your members, show your Blue Demon…
As Halloween season arrives, the Seadog Haunted River Tour returns to the Chicago River, offering guests a hauntingly fun journey through the city’s storied past.…
“Haunted by Our Dark Side: Chicago Ghosts, Gangsters, and True Crime” is a 2-hour afternoon/evening walking tour that uncovers Chicago’s shadowy past through chilling tales…
Free Admission Museum Nights take place every third Friday of each month from 5 pm to 8 pm! The tour will start at 6:00 pm…
Escape the Museum returns for another thrilling year with a brand new experience. After a sold-out run last year, Griffin MSI is hosting eight nights…
Clarketoberfest at the Harley Clarke Mansion Oct. 16–18 brings three days of FREE fall fun, beer, food by Hatchet Burger, dancing, family festivities, and live…
The “First Fridays Art Walk,” organized by the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, welcomes art enthusiasts to explore the neighborhoods’ vibrant arts scene. All…
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…
Join us at the American Writers Museum for a special live reading of a new play in production from Painted Pistachio Productions, Cold Was the…
Fashion builds, restricts, exaggerates, protects, conceals, and transforms. Forum 301 examines how, garments move between architecture, sculpture, and performance transformed by the presence of a…
Date & Time Opening reception: Friday, October 16, 2026, 6–10 PM On view: October 16–30, 2026, 12-6 PM Venue & Address Evoke Gallery 3040 N…
Liz Carmouche vs. Jena Bishop 2 is officially scheduled to headline PFL Chicago on Friday, October 16, 2026. The highly anticipated rematch will serve as…
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…
Don’t miss the longest running late-night show in Chicago! At The Infinite Wrench you’ll see 30 original plays in 60 minutes written and performed by…
Dada Reinvents the Wheel: An Interactive Comedy Experience Where Anything Can Happen Forget everything you know, except breathing—Dada Reinvents the Wheel is putting the fate…
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…
Come cheer on the Bulls!
After wrapping the final season of Disney Channel’s top-rated show, LIV AND MADDIE, Joey Bragg has been incredibly busy establishing himself as a comedic leading…
A cozy evening with Chicago’s best comedians sharing their takes on every headline that makes you say, “”Is this really happening?” BREAKING! In our frantic…
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…
This production is produced by Repertorio Latino TC and Colectivo El Pozo, written by Raúl Dorantes and directed by Joaquín Catana and Roma Díaz. El…
Zhou B Art Center opens exhibitions every 3rd Friday of the month with an evening reception from 7pm-10pm hosted by resident artists and galleries. This…
Kokandy Productions’ critically acclaimed revival of the 10-time 2025 Jeff Award–nominated musical JEKYLL & HYDE will make its Broadway In Chicago debut at the Broadway Playhouse at…
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…
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…
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…
It’s an incredible time to be a Chicago sports fan. Almost all of the city’s iconic sports teams are still playing, whether the season is…
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:
