A mini version of the beloved Zoom Room exhibit will be set up in the museum’s Great Hall for a limited time. On display and ready…
Get ready for a boo-tiful day of Halloween fun at BOO! at the Zoo, Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s family-friendly fall tradition! Enjoy festive décor, not-so-scary surprises,…
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…
Young People’s Theatre of Chicago (YPT) launches its milestone Fifth-Anniversary Season with Laura Numeroff’s award-winning children’s classic, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie! The…
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…
Hidden history from deep research into fascinating stories, both famous and forgotten, with author and frequent TV “Talking Head” Adam Selzer
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…
The Chicago Artisan Market – Fulton Market returns to historic Morgan MFG (401 N. Morgan St., Chicago) in 2026 for six delightful indoor Sunday markets. …
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…
Chicago Mosaic School’s first ever FALL Mosaic Fest! Sunday, October 18th 2026. Drop in between 11am – 6pm. Make mosaic frames, tiles, and jewelry Do…
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…
Curious Theatre Branch, with co-producers Chicago Danztheater Ensemble, Chicago Dramatists and Labyrinth Club, are pleased to announce the 37th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival, September 20…
If you’re looking for a fast, flexible Greeter experience, check out our Riverwalk InstaGreeter walks. These hour-long guided walks are a fun and informal way…
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…
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…
Take a walk with us down Randolph Street in the buzzy West Loop neighborhood for an insider’s peek into Chicago’s most talked-about restaurants, homegrown breweries,…
This exhibit features photography taken by Deaf children and teens living in Somali and Sudanese refugee camps. This is a unique opportunity to see the…
Marriott Theatre, Chicagoland’s longest-running musical theatre presents Come From Away, the internationally celebrated musical that was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, captured four Laurence Olivier Awards,…
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…
Go behind the scenes of winemaking at City Winery with Crush Camp, an interactive experience designed to get you closer to the craft. Learn about…
An immersive work set to an electronic recorded score mixed with live music, takes the audience “on a journey from darkness to light” TAKE is…
Holy Ghost Bingo: God, Goblins, & Games is a Halloween-themed interactive comedy play written by Vicki Quade, one of the authors of the hit comedy,…
The 10th Anniversary tour of the hit Broadway musical Waitress is coming to the James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago, Il, October 17-18, 2026. The…
October 18 – December 20, 2026 Reception and artist talk: Thursday October 29th 5-7pm Hours: Sundays 2pm – 5pm, $8 Adults, $5 Kids Location: Chicago…
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:
