Events
Events
A Year-Round Guide for 2024-2025
Chicago, known for its rich cultural heritage, iconic architecture, and vibrant arts scene, is a city that comes alive with events and festivals year-round. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, there’s always something happening in Chicago that will pique your interest. This guide will provide a month-by-month overview of notable events occurring in the city from January 2025 to December 2024, highlighting why Chicago is a must-visit destination for event enthusiasts.
January
Chicago Restaurant Week
- Dates: January 24 – February 9, 2025
- Location: Various restaurants citywide
- Contact: info@choosechicago.com
- Special Highlights: Enjoy special prix fixe menus at over 250 of Chicago’s finest dining establishments.
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival
- Dates: January 9 – 19, 2025
- Location: Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
- Contact: +1 773-327-5252
- Special Highlights: The largest sketch comedy festival in the nation, featuring over 180 shows.
Winter Brew
- Dates: January 25 – 26, 2025
- Location: Lincoln Square, 4700 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
- Contact: info@lincolnsquare.org
- Special Highlights: A craft beer festival showcasing local breweries in a cozy indoor setting.
February
Chicago Auto Show
- Dates: February 8 – 19, 2025
- Location: McCormick Place, 2301 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616
- Contact: info@chicagoautoshow.com
- Special Highlights: The largest auto show in North America, featuring the latest vehicle models and innovations.
Chinese New Year Parade
- Dates: February 10, 2025
- Location: Chinatown, Wentworth Ave and Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
- Contact: +1 312-326-5320
- Special Highlights: Traditional lion dances, floats, and fireworks celebrating the Lunar New Year.
Chicago Theatre Week
- Dates: February 15 – 25, 2025
- Location: Various theaters citywide
- Contact: info@chicagoplays.com
- Special Highlights: Discounted tickets to over 100 productions, from major theaters to smaller venues.
March
St. Patrick's Day Parade
- Dates: March 16, 2025
- Location: Downtown Chicago, Columbus Dr from Balbo to Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Contact: info@chicagostpatsparade.com
- Special Highlights: A vibrant parade with bagpipers, dancers, and the iconic dyeing of the Chicago River.
Chicago Flower & Garden Show
- Dates: March 20 – 24, 2025
- Location: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
- Contact: info@chicagoflower.com
- Special Highlights: Stunning garden displays, workshops, and DIY projects for gardening enthusiasts.
International Vintage Poster Fair
- Dates: March 29 – 31, 2025
- Location: Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
- Contact: info@posterfair.com
- Special Highlights: The largest event in the U.S. dedicated to vintage posters, featuring thousands of pieces from around the world.
April
Chicago Improv Festival
- Dates: April 15 – 21, 2025
- Location: Various theaters citywide
- Contact: info@chicagoimprovfestival.org
- Special Highlights: A week-long celebration of improvisational theater with performances and workshops.
One of a Kind Show
- Dates: April 26 – 28, 2025
- Location: Merchandise Mart, 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654
- Contact: info@oneofakindshow.com
- Special Highlights: Unique handmade goods from artisans and craftspeople across North America.
Art Chicago
- Dates: April 12 – 15, 2025
- Location: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
- Contact: info@artchicago.com
- Special Highlights: Contemporary and modern art fair featuring galleries from around the world.
May
Chicago Kids and Kites Festival
- Dates: May 4, 2025
- Location: Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park, Montrose Ave and Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60613
- Contact: +1 312-744-3316
- Special Highlights: Free kite-making kits for kids, family-friendly activities, and kite flying demonstrations.
Chicago Mayfest
- Dates: May 17 – 19, 2025
- Location: Lakeview, Ashland Ave and Barry Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
- Contact: info@chicagoevents.com
- Special Highlights: Live music, food, and drinks celebrating the start of the summer festival season.
Chicago House Music Festival
- Dates: May 25, 2025
- Location: Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Contact: info@chicagoparkdistrict.com
- Special Highlights: Free performances by local and international house music artists.
June
Chicago Blues Festival
- Dates: June 7 – 9, 2025
- Location: Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Contact: info@chicagoparkdistrict.com
- Special Highlights: The largest free blues festival in the world, featuring top blues musicians.
Chicago Pride Parade
- Dates: June 30, 2025
- Location: North Side, starting at Montrose Ave and Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60613
- Contact: info@chicagopride.com
- Special Highlights: A vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with colorful floats and performances.
Grant Park Music Festival
- Dates: June 12 – August 17, 2025
- Location: Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Contact: info@grantparkmusicfestival.com
- Special Highlights: Free classical music concerts performed by the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus.
July
Taste of Chicago
- Dates: July 10 – 14, 2024
- Location: Grant Park, 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Contact: info@choosechicago.com
- Special Highlights: The world’s largest food festival, showcasing the city’s diverse culinary scene with live music and family activities.
Chicago Air and Water Show
- Dates: July 20 – 21, 2024
- Location: North Avenue Beach, 1600 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60613
- Contact: +1 312-744-3316
- Special Highlights: Spectacular air and water performances featuring military and civilian aerial teams.
Millennium Park Summer Music Series
- Dates: Every Monday and Thursday in July 2024
- Location: Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Contact: info@millenniumpark.org
- Special Highlights: Free outdoor concerts featuring a variety of music genres.
August
Lollapalooza
- Dates: August 1 – 4, 2024
- Location: Grant Park, 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Contact: info@lollapalooza.com
- Special Highlights: One of the largest music festivals in the world, featuring top artists across multiple genres.
Chicago Air and Water Show
- Dates: August 17 – 18, 2024
- Location: North Avenue Beach, 1600 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60613
- Contact: +1 312-744-3316
- Special Highlights: Aerobatic and water stunts by military and civilian teams.
Chicago Jazz Festival
- Dates: August 29 – September 1, 2024
- Location: Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Contact: info@chicagojazzfestival.org
- Special Highlights: Free performances by local and international jazz musicians.
September
Chicago Gourmet
- Dates: September 27 – 29, 2024
- Location: Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Contact: info@illinoisrestaurants.org
- Special Highlights: A culinary celebration featuring tastings, cooking demonstrations, and wine pairings from top chefs.
Expo Chicago
- Dates: September 19 – 22, 2024
- Location: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
- Contact: info@expochicago.com
- Special Highlights: An international exposition of contemporary and modern art.
Hyde Park Jazz Festival
- Dates: September 28 – 29, 2024
- Location: Hyde Park, various locations
- Contact: info@hydeparkjazzfestival.org
- Special Highlights: Free jazz performances in one of Chicago’s most historic neighborhoods.
October
Chicago International Film Festival
- Dates: October 16 – 27, 2024
- Location: AMC River East 21, 322 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611
- Contact: info@chicagofilmfestival.com
- Special Highlights: Screenings of films from around the world, including premieres and filmmaker Q&As.
Open House Chicago
- Dates: October 19 – 20, 2024
- Location: Various locations citywide
- Contact: info@openhousechicago.org
- Special Highlights: Free access to over 250 architecturally significant sites across the city.
Arts in the Dark Parade
- Dates: October 26, 2024
- Location: State Street from Lake to Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Contact: info@chicagoculturalcenter.org
- Special Highlights: A nighttime parade celebrating Halloween with art, music, and performance.
November
Chicago Marathon
- Dates: November 3, 2024
- Location: Grant Park, 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Contact: info@chicagomarathon.com
- Special Highlights: One of the six World Marathon Majors, drawing elite runners and amateurs from around the globe.
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
- Dates: November 23, 2024
- Location: Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
- Contact: info@themagnificentmile.com
- Special Highlights: A holiday celebration featuring a tree-lighting parade, fireworks, and live entertainment.
Christkindlmarket
- Dates: November 15 – December 24, 2024
- Location: Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
- Contact: info@christkindlmarket.com
- Special Highlights: Traditional German holiday market with crafts, food, and drinks.
December
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
- Dates: December 1, 2024 – January 5, 2025
- Location: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
- Contact: info@lpzoo.org
- Special Highlights: Holiday light displays, seasonal activities, and live entertainment.
Winter WonderFest
- Dates: December 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025
- Location: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
- Contact: info@navypier.com
- Special Highlights: Indoor winter carnival with ice skating, rides, and holiday-themed attractions.
Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along
- Dates: Every Friday in December 2024
- Location: Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Contact: info@millenniumpark.org
- Special Highlights: Community sing-alongs of classic holiday songs in front of the city’s Christmas tree.
Practical Information
Tickets and Booking
- Online: Most events have online ticket sales on their official websites.
- On-Site: Some events offer on-site ticket sales.
- Prices: Vary by event, with options ranging from free to several hundred dollars for premium experiences.
Getting There
- Public Transportation: Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers buses and trains that service most event locations.
- Parking: Available at most venues but can be expensive; public transit is often more convenient.
- Accessibility: Most events and venues are accessible to people with disabilities.
- Nearby Hotels: Book early for major events as hotels can fill up quickly.
- Recommendations: Look for hotels near event venues for convenience.
Final Thoughts
Insider Tips
Best Times to Attend:
- Early Arrival: Arrive early to avoid crowds and secure the best spots.
- Weekdays: Often less crowded than weekends.
Local Customs:
- Respectful Behavior: Be mindful of local customs and respectful during parades and festivals.
Additional Attractions:
- Explore Nearby: Check out local attractions like museums, parks, and restaurants while attending events.
Safety and Comfort
Staying Safe:
- Crowds: Stay aware of your surroundings in crowded areas.
- Weather: Dress appropriately for the weather; Chicago can be cold in winter and hot in summer.
Comfort Tips:
- Essentials: Bring water, snacks, and sun protection for outdoor events.
- Layering: Dress in layers for fluctuating temperatures.
Planning Your Visit
Chicago offers a wealth of events throughout the year, making it a vibrant destination for visitors. From food festivals to music events and cultural celebrations, there’s always something happening in the Windy City. Plan your visit around these exciting events to experience the best of what Chicago has to offer. Happy exploring!