Festivals & special events, Free & cheap
Chicago Air and Water Show
Aug. 10 – 11, 2024 Free admission • Chicago lakefront Starting in the summer of 1959, the Chicago Air and Water Show has grown to…
Aug. 10 – 11, 2024 Free admission • Chicago lakefront Starting in the summer of 1959, the Chicago Air and Water Show has grown to…
In the summer, Chicago’s downtown and lakefront are filled with the sounds of live music. The city’s iconic festival season brings locals and visitors alike…
Chicago knows how to party for Pride. The annual LGBTQ+ celebration takes over the city each June, with street fests, concerts, parties, and the iconic…
July 11 – 14, 2024 United Center parking lot Country music, barbecue, and craft beer — it’s hard to think of a better way to…
Free admission • Millennium Park Gospel music has deep roots in Chicago. The city helped transform the genre, propelling it onto the world stage. The…
Free admission • Millennium Park and beyond A legendary Chicago event since 1984, the Chicago Blues Festival is the world’s largest free blues festival. Each…
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…
Grant Park Each year, thousands of fans travel from around the world to experience Lollapalooza in Chicago. Those lucky enough to score tickets get to…
Music lives big in Chicago, on neighborhood streets, in downtown parks, on stage at the stunning Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and along the lakefront in iconic…
Get a taste of Chicago’s award-winning dining scene at the city’s packed schedule of food festivals, featuring everything from barbecue to international cuisine to Chicago-style…
Aug. 19 – Sept. 19, 2021 Citywide Celebrate the Year of Chicago Music (and the return of festival season) with the new Chicago In Tune…
In Chicago, fest season is the best season. The city’s social calendar is packed with street fairs, music festivals, pop-up markets, outdoor concerts, food fests,…