Few summer traditions are as iconic, or as anticipated, as the dazzling fireworks displays at Navy Pier. Recently named the No. 1 "Best Place to See Fireworks" in the nation by the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for the fourth consecutive year, the Pier's spectacular shows continue …
Chicago has hosted its share of celebrity-filled evenings, but the opening celebrations for the Obama Presidential Center may have set a new gold standard.
Taste of Chicago is ready to take off, and with it, of course, comes all the fun, frolic, and maybe even a little aggravation thrown in just for good measure.
Chicago's downtown will transform into an open-air gallery when Amdur Productions' Millennium Art Festival returns Saturday and Sunday, June 27-28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along East Lake Street at Stetson Avenue, just steps from Millennium Park.
Celebrate Independence Day with spectacular savings at Darvin Furniture & Mattress during its 4th of July Sale, running now through July 6. Whether you're refreshing a single room or furnishing an entire home, this limited-time event offers impressive discounts on quality furniture and m…
Chicago is about to get a major dose of supercute. Sanrio's beloved Hello Kitty brand will officially open the world's largest Hello Kitty Cafe on Friday, June 26, at 360 N. Michigan Ave., bringing an immersive dining and retail experience to the heart of downtown Chicago.
When you're consistently ranked among the finest hotels in the country, expectations are high - and The Peninsula Chicago exceeded them all during its dazzling 25th anniversary celebration on June 17.
Since the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Thursday, June 11, and with the USA’s first of three games set for Friday, June 12, there's never been a better time to embrace the soccer spirit.
Chicago is about to become the epicenter of the Pokémon universe. The Pokémon Company International has announced that the 2027 Pokémon North America International Championships (NAIC) will be held at McCormick Place, bringing one of the world’s premier competitive gaming events to the Windy…
The annual Chicago Dragon Boat Race for Literacy will return Saturday, June 20, at Ping Tom Memorial Park, bringing teams to the South Branch of the Chicago River for an all-afternoon competition, according to the Chicago Chinatown Community Foundation. The event is free and is designed to r…
Country star Morgan Wallen is heading back to Chicago this weekend as the singer prepares to bring his signature brand of country music to Soldier Field.
Bargain hunters, homeowners, and anyone looking to give their living space a refresh will want to mark their calendars for one of Chicagoland’s most anticipated shopping events of the summer. Darvin Furniture & Mattress is bringing back its popular Tent Sale for four days only, June 19 t…
Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Chicago ended with a new attendance record, according to a press release from Pokémon GO. The company said 90,000 tickets were sold for the Grant Park event, with 103,605 total ticketed participants across the city.
Looking for your next Illinois road trip or weekend getaway? Award-winning author Melanie Holmes is bringing plenty of inspiration to the Oak Lawn Public Library on Wednesday, June 17, where she'll celebrate her popular guidebook, 100 Things to Do in Illinois Before You Die, during a free pu…
Chicagoland dads can enjoy a weekend of food, drinks, and unique experiences tailored to their tastes this Father’s Day. From whiskey pours and award-winning brisket to luxury steak and self-guided boat rentals, multiple venues are offering special perks for families.
For more than a century, the Maxwell Street Market has been one of Chicago's most beloved traditions, bringing together food, music, shopping and culture in a lively open-air setting on the Near West Side. The historic market returns for its 2026 season with six dates scheduled from May thro…
Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The Labor Day weekend tradition will feature internationally known performers, Chicago artists and emerging players.
If opening night was any indication, NAIA is poised to become Chicago’s newest see-and-be-seen dining destination.
As Chicagoland residents prepare to make the most of the outdoor season, Darvin Furniture & Mattress is helping homeowners transform patios, decks, and backyards into luxurious extensions of their indoor living spaces.
Chicago’s 2026 event calendar is packed with large trade shows and expos that draw attendees from across the country. The lineup includes art, construction, fandom, food, and publishing events, each offering a different look at the city’s convention business.
Chicago’s favorite summer food tradition is returning to its roots. The 46th annual Taste of Chicago will take over Grant Park from July 8–12, bringing five days of iconic eats, free concerts, family fun and lakefront festivities back to the heart of summer. Admission is free.
Red Bull Spin Off is set to bring a one-day bike challenge to Chicago, where two-person teams will build custom bicycles and try to cross a floating race track without falling in.
Chicago’s iconic Michigan Avenue will transform into an open-air gallery this weekend as Amdur Productions presents the Magnificent Mile™ Spring Art Fest at 875 North Michigan Avenue, the former John Hancock Center plaza. The free festival takes place Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, fr…
More than 550 leaders from Chicago’s financial services and legal communities gathered at the stunning Wintrust Grand Banking Hall on Thursday, May 7, for Misericordia’s inaugural “Invest in the Heart” fundraiser, an evening that combined philanthropy, celebration and heartfelt purpose in su…
Actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise is bringing his high-energy Gary Sinise Foundation-backed concert experience with his Lt. Dan Band back to the Chicago area this summer for a patriotic evening honoring local veterans and military families.
Lincoln Park Zoo is planning a slate of additional adult-only events this summer, giving guests ages 21 and older a chance to visit after hours for games, music, drinks, and animal experiences. The lineup includes themed parties, a ’90s night, and an open-air wine event across the zoo’s grou…
Lincoln Park Zoo is lining up a busy slate of family-friendly summer events from late May through July, offering free admission days, after-hours celebrations, and child-friendly programs across its Chicago campus. The season includes music, animal chats, rides, cultural performances, medita…
Chicago’s Chinatown marked AAPI Heritage Month this past weekend with a public celebration that brought together dancers, artists and community leaders, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The event featured cultural performances and community showcases in Chinatown Square.
Looking to refresh your home before summer officially begins? Darvin Furniture & Mattress is making it easier - and more affordable - during its annual Memorial Day Sale, running now through May 25.
This summer, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will debut a brand-new signature event in Chicago that promises to blend fashion, inspiration and philanthropy in a meaningful way.
While we may dip our toes into the warm weather water beforehand, most proper Chicagoans would agree you can't officially claim summer has arrived in the Windy City until Memorial Day Weekend.
It’s never too early to plan for Chicago Gourmet— especially when Chicago’s signature food-and-wine celebration returns this September with an impressive lineup of chefs, tastings and culinary experiences designed to tempt every palate.
Chicago’s summer just got a whole lot groovier. Navy Pier is rolling out a brand-new retro-inspired roller rink experience this season, transforming the former Crystal Gardens space into a neon-lit destination called “Summer Skate at the Pier.” The new attraction officially opens June 18 and…
Chicago’s summer art season officially hits its stride when the beloved Gold Coast Art Fair returns to Grant Park, and this year’s celebration promises another vibrant weekend of creativity, music and community spirit.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is giving visitors two chances to race through Chicago this year, with one event set around dinosaurs and another tied to the holiday season. The zoo said the programs are designed for runners, walkers, and families looking for an active day out.
The Midwest’s largest Scottish event—the Scottish Festival & Highland Games—is set to return to Wheaton for its 40th annual run, bringing two days of music, athletics, and cultural events to the DuPage County Fairgrounds, according to a press release. The festival is scheduled for Friday…
MatchaFest, billed as the world's largest matcha festival, launches its 2026 tour with Chicago as the next stop on Saturday, May 16. The event sold out its last outing, but limited tickets remain for the Windy City gathering. Organizers promise a one-day explosion of matcha tea culture.
As a holiday, Armed Forces Day doesn’t typically garner a lot of fanfare, but for Chicagoans with family or friends in the military, this Saturday, May 16 is a day to remember.
Chicago's iconic Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park fired up for the summer 2026 season on Saturday. The free Switch on Summer event drew crowds to celebrate the unofficial start of warm weather. Water shot 150 feet high in a 20-minute display, according to ABC7 Chicago.
To kick off Pride Month in 2026, the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame has announced a special benefit performance of the North American premiere of Brokeback Mountain. This high-profile fundraiser will take place on Tuesday, June 2, at the prestigious Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
More than 1,400 business, civic, and community leaders gathered at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on March 10 for the annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner benefiting the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. The sold-out evening honored Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and Julie Smolyansky with t…
The butterflies weren’t the only things fluttering at this year’s gala.
Shoppers looking to upgrade their comfort in a big way should circle Saturday, May 9, on the calendar. Darvin Furniture & Mattress is hosting a one-day-only Power Motion and Mattress Clearance Sale packed with deep discounts, flexible financing and limited-time perks designed to make a h…
Looking for a simple way to make Mom smile this Mother’s Day? Darvin Furniture & Mattress is offering a sweet, no-strings-attached gesture designed to brighten her day.
Chicago's vibrant cabaret scene gears up for its fifth year. Chicago Cabaret Week runs Friday, May 8, through Sunday, May 17. More than 20 shows fill venues across the city and suburbs.
On Sunday, May 11 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Trump Hotel Chicago will host its annual Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet in the hotel’s newly renovated Grand Ballroom.
Chicago has plenty of ghost stories, but few settings make them feel as immediate as drifting down the river at night. The “ghost” and dark history cruises that run along the Chicago River lean into exactly that mix: skyline beauty on one side, and the city’s darker past on the other.
Food lovers and philanthropists alike will gather for one of Chicago’s most anticipated culinary fundraisers when Taste of the Nation returns in 2026 to benefit No Kid Hungry. The beloved tasting event blends top-tier bites, craft cocktails and a powerful mission: ending childhood hunger in …
If you’re looking for your cheesy fix without leaving the Midwest, here are two top Mac & Cheese festivals and events happening within a short drive of Chicago in 2026.
Chicago’s farmers market season is blooming with community energy, local flavor, and fresh produce as neighborhood markets prepare to open across the city.
If you’re looking for an easy, no-cost way to entertain the kids and soak up some spring sunshine, Rosemont has you covered. The annual Spring Fun Fest is returning to Parkway Bank Park on Sat., May 16, transforming the entertainment district’s great lawn into a lively hub of family-friendly…
