Discover new productions and enjoy the best of the city's theater scene during Chicago Theatre Week 2023. From February 16 to February 23, theaters across the Chicago area offer value-priced tickets, allowing theatergoers to experience the thrill of live theater at a reduced cost.

Two-day general admission tickets for the NASCAR Cup Series Chicago Street Race are officially on sale to the public for the weekend of Saturday, July 1 - Sunday, July 2.

Are you ready for a twist on Valentine's Day? How about a scary haunting? Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group has got you covered! Love Bites: A Valentine’s Day Haunted House returns to Schiller Park on Friday, February 17 through Sunday, February 19, with terrifying moments lurking around …

The Chicago Philharmonic Society kicked-off the Year of the Rabbit celebrations Saturday night at the Harris Theatre by transporting audiences back in time and across oceans with the North American premiere of Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra (Yi2).

Chinese (lunar) New Year lands on Jan 22, 2023, and Chicago's celebrations are steeped in traditions, old and new. Take a look at our top picks of the many events and activities around the city and suburbs to kickstart your Year of the Rabbit celebration.

Planets and stars brighten the long, dark January nights in Chicago. You can see Saturn, Venus, Mars and Mercury if you know where and when to look. And if you don’t, Adler Planetarium is your guide to the Chicago night sky. Checkout Adler’s Skywatch blog or join astronomy educators for the …

Steppenwolf Theatre Company will host a special presentation of Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret – a touring production championed by the Gary Sinise Foundation, playing two performances only January 20 & 21, 2023 at 7 pm in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater. 

The Auditorium Theatre will present its award-winning summer camp, Hearts to Art, formerly known as Hands Together, Heart to Art! This unique performing arts camp brings together young people between the ages of 7 and 14 who have experienced the death of a parent to encourage the healing pow…

Giordano Dance Chicago will be celebrating 60 fabulous years on April 1 at the Harris Theater with a grand anniversary gala. America’s original jazz dance company is an integral part of Chicago’s vibrant performing arts community. From its origins in founder Gus Giordano’s original school in…

The American Writers Museum (AWM) always has great events! In January, start your New Year off right by experiencing AWM's first Get Lit happy hour Tuesday, January 10, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Subsequent happy hour events will take place on the second Tuesday of every month with themed program…

Long recognized as one of the region’s top classical groups, Music of the Baroque’s professional chorus and orchestra is one of the leading ensembles in the country devoted to the performance of eighteenth-century works. The 2022-2023 season marks the 20th anniversaries of Music Director Dam…

Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol incorporates puppetry and music into an unexpected adaptation of Charles Dickens’ original telling of the story. This new modern version was first performed over Zoom in 2020 by the Emmy Award-winning performance collective, design studio and film production c…

Chicago Star's top picks for places to go for NYE 2023 in the city.

Chicago Star has the exclusive first look at Navy Pier's BIG plans for NYE! The Countdown is on for New Year on The Pier in Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier! Ring in 2023 with live entertainment, premium cocktails, food, dancing on Chicagoland’s largest dance floor, and fireworks!

What better time than the holiday season to lose yourself in the reverie of music and theater? Here’s a look forward and back to some of the best.

Glitz, glamour and chocolate! After a nearly three-year hiatus, AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) 's beloved fundraiser will return with its famed World of Chocolate on Friday, February 17 at Union Station (225 S. Canal).

Chicagoland is filled with so much festive fun this season. Below are some of our top event picks that the whole family can enjoy: 

Navy Pier is a “happening” destination all throughout the year, but it really comes alive during the holidays. They have so many fun activities planned for the entire family. Check out some of the offerings below!

Unlike any other theater production, “A Christmas Carol” has become a favorite holiday tradition for families across Chicago. Downtown resident and local talent, Vikram Konkimalla, 10, stars again in this popular show that continues to capture so many hearts year after year.

Where else can you dress up like an astronaut, launch your own space shuttle, drive a moon car and toss around (foam) space rocks? Only at the Adler Planetarium! This museum has been voted one of the best for kids by a variety of publications, and the experience was out of this world. The Ad…

If you're wondering where to go and what to do in November, look no further than this carefully curated list of Chicago Star's TOP event picks! Everything from pups in tux to meeting the Christkind at the Christkindlmarket to a festive holiday Nutcracker production, we have it ALL right here…

Take a look at some of the best in what promises to be an outstanding month in Chicago theater and music.

A Happening Auction Party, taking place November 11, will highlight exclusive work from contemporary artists. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), a global leader in art and design education, is inviting all art collectors and enthusiasts to an online auction taking place Novem…

The 8th annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade, a magical evening parade, will draw together world-renowned institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, Ballet Foloklorico Xochitl, important youth programs like After School Matters, and aspiring artists in every field on Saturday, Octob…

Tickets on sale NOW! Kick off the holiday season at the 7th Annual "‘Twas the Night Before Christkindlmarket” Preview Event at the Christkindlmarket Chicago on November 17, from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Be one of the first to snag the hot souvenir mug, take pics with the Christkind and Santa and …

The Chicago Police Foundation will host its annual “True Blue” event on Saturday, November 5, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 E. Wacker).  The event will raise funds to help improve the city of Chicago’s public safety programs and supplement resources and equipment available to the Chicago…

This year, Howard Brown Health’s annual Big Orange Ball is back in person and is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween while supporting LGBTQ-affirming healthcare. 

Robert’s Pizza is calling all canines for its 2nd annual “Howl-o-Ween” costume contest and raffle Oct. 29 from 2 p.m. to 4.

Count Gregula (aka Sam Gregula) is a veteran vampire personality who has been seen in various forms for over 20 years and COUNTing. He has been a horror host, actor, classic monster cosplayer, entertainment blogger and more. So, if anyone knows where to find fang-tastic fun, it’s our very ow…

The award-winning Chicago Thanksgiving Parade (‘Where grateful hearts gather’)returns on Thursday, November 24, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT, traveling up Chicago's legendary State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street. This free family tradition joyfully showcases the best ta…

This holiday season, Rosemont’s Impact Field (9850 Balmoral Ave.) will shine a little brighter with the debut of Sparkle Light Festival. Scheduled to open Wednesday, Nov. 23, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking immersive display of millions of holiday lights amongst outdoor holiday activities …

This holiday season, The Joffrey Ballet celebrates the return of Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s magical production of The Nutcracker. Set in Chicago’s World Fair in 1893, The Nutcracker highlights the rich cultural heritage of Chicago and the wonder of the season. A…

Navy Pier recently announced a full slate of free programs and events to celebrate the Halloween season now through October 31. Navy Pier’s 2022 Halloween programming roster includes, but is not limited to:

Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) brings their first Chicago performances of their 60th anniversary season to the Harris Theater, Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22. The program will include GDC’s first performance of Tony Powell’s “Impulse” in 13 ye…

Shop Til’ You Drop! The One of a Kind Show and Sale , Chicago’s not-to-miss annual shopping extravaganza, will return for its 21st year to THE MART (7th floor), 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Thursday, December 1 through Sunday, December 4. Celebrating 21 years of pure magic, the One of a Ki…

Music of the Baroque will host its annual gala on Saturday, October 15 at the Fairmont Chicago. Once again, the highlight of the evening will be the gala concert that will welcome MOB’s principal guest conductor, Nicholas Kraemer. He will conduct the chorus, orchestra, and featured soloists …

This weekend, enjoy a "slice" of the Midwest in Lincoln Square when the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce presents its 35th Annual Apple Fest!  The festivities will take place on Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2 from 9am - 6pm on Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Wilson. 

True to the customs of the Bavarian festival, St. Benedict’s 56th annual OktoberFest promises entertainment for the whole family, with music, food, beverages, carnival rides and games! Cheerful toasts of “Zum Wohl” and shouts of  “Prost!” will resonate through the parish courtyard once more …

The Slow & Low: Chicago Lowrider Festival will take place at Navy Pier on Saturday, October 15 (10 am to 8 pm). This year's return follows its pre-pandemic festival in September 2018, taking over four city blocks in the Pilsen community, where it exhibited more than 250+ customized cars,…

Randolph Street Market will return to its home at Plumber’s Hall (1350 W. Washington) on September 24/25; November 12/13 and December 17/18. Anyone who is a fan of vintage, is sure to be excited to hear this news! Founder Sally Schwartz has meticulously curated 175 vendors for the September …

Dolphin Promotions’ annual antiques, art and design show in Chicago, renamed The Chicago Show: Antiques & Art & Modern, will return to The Merchandise Mart October 6-9, 2022. The show brings together 50 premier national and international dealers of fine antique furniture, jewelry, si…

Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district (5501 Park Place) will kick off the fall season with the return of its annual “Family Fall Fest” Sunday, September 18 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The family-friendly event will feature a variety of free activities including bounce houses, face pai…

WINDEE here, your friendly Chicago Star mascot! This month, I’m taking you for a visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Founded in 1868, it’s the fourth oldest zoo in North America. At that time, there were only two pairs of swans and now it’s grown to care for 1,100 animals from some 200 species!

Pull on your dirndls and lederhosen and polka on down to Oktoberfest Chicago, coming to St. Alphonsus church in West Lake view Friday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 25. One of Chicago’s most popular celebrations of fall and all things Bavarian, Oktoberfest Chicago returns for its 20th year …

Over 300 guests—each and every one dressed to impress—gathered together for the annual Service Club of Chicago’s fashionable luncheon and fashion show fundraiser, “Day on the Terrace” at the Peninsula.

Just because it's nearing the end of summer, it doesn't mean the fun is coming to an end! On the contrary, take a look at some of our top event picks. From Stevie Nicks to the Long Grove Apple Fest, there is something here for EVERYONE!

Rosemont is rockin' with live music! You won't want to miss the final weeks of "Rockin' in the Park," an exciting schedule of free outdoor concerts.

Taste of Greektown returns Friday, Aug. 26 thru Sunday, August 28. Enjoy Greek specialties like tzatziki, roasted chicken, feta and more signature Mediterranean flavors at this three-day festival.Some of the neighborhood's most beloved restaurants, like Artopolis Bakery, Cafe and Agora, Athe…