Chicago Events
From world-class festivals and concerts to family-friendly activities, sporting events, cultural celebrations, and seasonal traditions, discover what’s happening in Chicago during your visit.
What's Happening Now
Looking for something to do during your visit? Explore our editor’s selection of upcoming concerts, festivals, sporting events, cultural celebrations, and seasonal experiences happening across Chicago.
Find Events by Interest
Chicago’s event calendar spans live music, cultural celebrations, family activities, sports, and entertainment. Here are some of the experiences you can expect to find throughout the year.
Concerts & Live Music
From intimate performances to stadium tours and internationally acclaimed artists, discover Chicago’s vibrant live music scene throughout the year.
Festivals & Cultural Events
Celebrate Chicago’s diverse communities through food festivals, neighborhood celebrations, cultural traditions, and citywide events.
Family-Friendly Events
Find interactive exhibits, outdoor activities, seasonal celebrations, and experiences the entire family can enjoy together.
Sports & Entertainment
Cheer on Chicago’s professional sports teams or experience major sporting events, exhibitions, and live entertainment across the city.
Events by Season
Every season brings something unique to Chicago. Explore festivals, holiday celebrations, outdoor events, and signature experiences happening throughout the year.
Spring
Celebrate the arrival of warmer weather with flower shows, neighborhood festivals, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, baseball season, and outdoor events.
Summer
Experience Chicago’s busiest event season with music festivals, neighborhood celebrations, outdoor concerts, lakefront events, and fireworks.
Fall
Enjoy food festivals, cultural celebrations, football season, Halloween events, autumn colors, and crisp Chicago evenings.
Winter
Discover Christkindlmarket, ZooLights, holiday performances, New Year’s celebrations, indoor festivals, and winter traditions.
Chicago's Signature Annual Events
Some events define Chicago. From iconic festivals and sporting traditions to world-famous celebrations, these annual events draw visitors from around the world year after year.
Air & Water Show
One of the nation’s largest free air shows, featuring breathtaking aerial demonstrations along Chicago’s stunning lakefront.
Chicago Marathon
Watch or participate in one of the world’s premier marathons as runners from around the globe race through Chicago’s vibrant neighborhoods.
Taste of Chicago
Chicago’s signature food festival celebrates the city’s incredible culinary diversity with local restaurants, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities.
Christkindlmarket
Experience one of Chicago’s favorite holiday traditions with authentic German-inspired shopping, seasonal treats, festive entertainment, and holiday cheer.
Discover More
Explore our latest event guides, seasonal recommendations, neighborhood celebrations, and curated stories to discover more of what’s happening across Chicago.
Complete Your Trip
Make the most of your Chicago event experience by finding the right place to stay, planning where to eat, and discovering more things to do while you’re here.
Where to Stay
Find hotels near Chicago’s biggest venues, downtown attractions, and the neighborhoods where your event is happening.
Dining in Chicago
Before the show or after the festival, discover restaurants, rooftop bars, neighborhood favorites, and memorable dining experiences.
Things to Do
Turn your event into a complete Chicago experience with iconic attractions, museums, neighborhoods, and local discoveries.