Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago SummerDance
June – September 2025 Free admission • Grant Park and parks citywide Enjoy live music and dancing on an open-air dance floor during the annual…
National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen
Chicago Like a Local blog
Unique perspectives on the city from the people who live here.
Festivals & special events, LGBTQ+
Chicago Pride: Your guide to Chicago Pride Parade, Pride Fest, and more
Chicago really knows how to party for Pride. Each June, the city is brimming with LGBTQ+ celebrations and events, including over-the-top street fests, exhilarating concerts,…
Holidays
Memorial Day weekend in Chicago
Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of summer in Chicago — and the city knows how to celebrate. Each year, Chicago comes to life…
Blog, Special events
30+ things to do in Chicago this April
April is a jam-packed month in Chicago — spring is on the horizon, tulips start to bloom all over the city, and weekends fill up…
Blog, Special events
Your guide to the Chicago Auto Show 2025
For car lovers, winter in Chicago can only mean one thing — the Chicago Auto Show. Whether you’re a first-time or an Auto Show veteran,…
Holidays
St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago
There’s nothing quite like St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, when Irish taverns fill with revelers, cultural celebrations pop up in every corner of the city,…
Architecture & history, Festivals & special events
Chicago Architecture Biennial
Sept. 12, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 Free admission • Chicago Cultural Center & partner locations Experience the future of architecture at the 10th annual…
Holidays
Fourth of July in Chicago
The Fourth of July is one of the best times to experience summer in Chicago, and it’s the perfect excuse to spend a long weekend…
Festivals & special events
Chicago festival and event guide
Every season is festival season in Chicago. Chicago’s world-renowned fests and events celebrate food, music, culture, art, and history throughout the city. Check out the…
Architecture & history, Festivals & special events
Open House Chicago
Free admission • Citywide One weekend. 20+ Chicago neighborhoods. 170+ places to explore. Open the door to architectural gems all over Chicago. Every October, the…
Family, Holidays
Kid-friendly Halloween events in Chicago
Tricks, treats, and costume fun — the Halloween season brings tons of family-friendly events and activities to Chicago. You can pick your own pumpkins, go…
Free & cheap, Holidays
Free Halloween events in Chicago
Halloween in Chicago is so much more than just trick-or-treating. There are magical nighttime parades, authentic Day of the Dead celebrations, spine-tingling ghost tours, and…
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