Arts & Culture Events in Chicago

119 real events — independently sourced, no listings dumps.

Omar

Lyric Opera HouseFri Oct 23, Sun Oct 25 & Wed Oct 28, 2026Not listed — check lyricopera.org

Mitote Día de los Muertos at Burnham Park

Burnham (Daniel) Park lakefrontSat Oct 24, 2026Free

Family Field Nights: Boo with SUE

Field MuseumOct 30, 2026Not listed

Day of the Dead Celebration at Vittum Park

Vittum Park, 5010 W. 50th St.Fri Oct 30, 2026Free

MARÍA: ¿Qué es un huracán? Exhibition Opening

National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, 3015 W. Division St.Fri Oct 30, 2026Free (registration requested)

Día de los Muertos Ofrenda Walk at Steelworkers Park

Steelworkers Park, 87th St. at S. Lake Shore Dr.Sun Nov 1, 2026Free

Día de los Muertos at Marquette Park

Marquette Park Cultural Center, 6743 S. Kedzie Ave.Fri Nov 6, 2026Free

'Aquí en Chicago' Final Day Celebration

Chicago History MuseumSun Nov 8, 2026Included with general admission

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson: Astronomy Bizarre

Auditorium TheatreTue Nov 10, 2026From $72

Black Hawk Performance Company at the Field Museum (Native American Heritage Month)

Stanley Field Hall, Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr.Wed Nov 11, 2026Free for Illinois residents (Illinois Free Wednesday); otherwise included with admission

Andrew Bird & the CSO

Symphony Center (Orchestra Hall)Fri Nov 13 & Sat Nov 14, 2026From $109

Future Folk Festival at Douglass Park

Douglass (Anna and Frederick) Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr.Fri Nov 13, 2026Free

Sol Invictus (Compagnie Hervé Koubi)

Harris TheaterSat Nov 14, 2026From $57

Reimagining Chicago: Brick by Brick Gallery Tour

Harold Washington Library CenterSat Nov 14, 2026Free

Reimagining Chicago: Brick by Brick Gallery Tour

Harold Washington Library CenterSat Nov 14, 2026Free

George Lopez

The Chicago TheatreSat Nov 21, 2026From $48

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

Cadillac Palace TheatreTue Nov 24 – Sun Nov 29, 2026Check broadwayinchicago.com for pricing

Mrs. Doubtfire

James M. Nederlander TheatreTue Nov 24 – Sun Nov 29, 2026Check broadwayinchicago.com for pricing

Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna

Symphony Center (Orchestra Hall)Sat Nov 28, 2026From $29

Disney's Encanto in Concert Live to Film

Lyric Opera HouseSat Nov 28 & Sun Nov 29, 2026Not listed — check lyricopera.org

Naughty or Nice at MSI

Griffin Museum of Science and IndustryThu Dec 10, 2026$35 ($28 members), 21+

Elf in Concert

Symphony CenterFri Dec 11 – Sun Dec 13, 2026From $79

Apollo's Fire: Handel's Messiah

St. James CathedralTue Dec 15, 2026 (also Dec 16 in Evanston, Dec 17 in Naperville)Not listed

Future Folk Festival at Austin Town Hall

Austin Town Hall Park, 5610 W. Lake St.Wed Dec 16, 2026Free

Handel's Messiah (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

Symphony Center (Orchestra Hall)Thu Dec 17 – Sat Dec 19, 2026Not listed

Merry, Merry Chicago! (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

Symphony CenterSat Dec 19 – Wed Dec 23, 2026From $55

A Quilt Is a Poem That We Say Again: Closing Reception

Harold Washington Library Center, Grand Lobby, 400 S. State St.Thu Jan 7, 2027Free

Chicago Sinfonietta: Soul Force (Dr. King Celebration)

Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St.Sat Jan 16, 2027From $38

Harsh Readers Circle: Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention

Woodson Regional Library (Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection), 9525 S. Halsted St.Sat Jan 16, 2027Free

All Things Equal: The Life & Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower PlaceTue–Thu Jan 26–28, 2027Not yet listed

Dancing with the Stars: Live! (2027 Tour)

Allstate ArenaFri Feb 19, 2027 (just announced; time TBA)Not listed — general on-sale opens Oct 13, 2026

Harsh Readers Circle: Last Summer on State Street

Woodson Regional Library (Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection), 9525 S. Halsted St.Sat Feb 20, 2027Free

Hérodiade: An Opera in Concert

Lyric Opera HouseFeb 23–28, 2027From $114

28th Annual Chicago Irish Film Festival

Venues not yet announcedThu Feb 25 – Sun Feb 28, 2027Free to attend (confirm with organizer)

Harsh Readers Circle: American Daughter

Woodson Regional Library (Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection), 9525 S. Halsted St.Sat Mar 20, 2027Free

EXPO CHICAGO

Navy Pier (Festival Hall)Thu–Sun April 8–11, 2027Not listed — check expochicago.com

EXPO Chicago

Navy Pier, Festival HallExpected Apr 8–11, 2027 (per gallery-industry listings, the 14th edition; not yet confirmed on the fair's own official site)Paid (day/weekend passes)

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Auditorium TheatreThu April 22 – Sun April 25, 2027From $44

C2E2 (Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo)

McCormick PlaceFri–Sun Apr 30 – May 2, 2027Single-day from $50; 3-day from $137

62nd Chicago International Film Festival

Multiple venues; HQ at 212 W Van Buren StOct 14–25, 2026Not listed (early-bird passes)

A Christmas Carol

Goodman Theatre (Albert Theatre)Nov 13 – Dec 31, 2026From $25

Adirondack Chair Circle

Steppenwolf Theatre (Ensemble Theater)Oct 22 – Dec 6, 2026Not listed

After the Age of Dinosaurs

Field MuseumThrough Jan 3, 2027$43 adult / $34 Chicago resident (All-Access Pass); members free

All the World (World Premiere)

North Shore Center for the Performing Arts (Northlight Theatre)Nov 11 – Dec 20, 2026Not found in available sources; check Northlight directly

Alley Art Festival

Water Street Mall & Downer PlaceExpected late Aug 2027 (2026 ran Sat Aug 29, noon–5 PM; exact 2027 dates not yet announced)Free

Anne Frank The Exhibition

Griffin Museum of Science and IndustryThrough early 2027$19 adult/$15 child, plus museum admission ($10 Flex Pass option; free entry ended Sept 2026)

Annie

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury LaneNov 4, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027Not independently confirmed (resale listings vary wildly, $133–$1,347 depending on date/site — none are official box-office figures; check drurylanetheatre.com)

Ariadne auf Naxos

Lyric Opera HouseMarch 11–26, 2027From $68

Art Fair on the Square (Lake Forest)

Market SquareExpected early Sept 2027 (the 69th annual ran Sat–Sun, Sep 6–7, 2026; exact 2027 dates not yet announced)Free

Art in Wilder Park

Wilder ParkExpected early May 2027 (2026 ran Sat–Sun, May 2–3, 10 AM–5 PM; exact 2027 dates not yet announced)Free

Beatriz González: In Series and Full Color

Art Institute of ChicagoNov 15, 2026 – March 1, 2027$32 non-resident / $20 resident; members free

Beverly Art Walk

40+ galleries, studios & businesses across the neighborhoodExpected late Sept 2027 (the 13th annual ran Sat Sep 26, 2026, 11 AM–5 PM; exact 2027 date not yet announced)Free

Black Harvest Film Festival

Gene Siskel Film CenterFri Nov 6 – Sun Nov 15, 2026Around $13 general admission (2025 rate — confirm 2026 pricing)

Black Harvest Film Festival

Gene Siskel Film CenterNov 6–15, 2026 (confirmed, the 32nd annual); expect a similar early-to-mid November window in 2027, exact dates not yet announcedPaid ($13 general/$8 students & seniors, 2025 pricing)

Blue Man Group: A New Holiday Surprise

CIBC TheatreTue Nov 24 – Sun Dec 13, 2026$39–$120

Chalk Howard Street

Howard St. between Paulina and Ashland Ave.Expected late Aug 2027 (a Saturday in late Aug each year — 2026 ran Sat Aug 22; exact 2027 date not yet officially announced)Free (chalk squares ~$25 to purchase and draw)

Chicago Humanities Festival — Fall 2026

Venues citywideSept 14 – Nov 7, 2026Varies by event — many free, ticketed talks typically $10–$40

Chicago International Film Festival

AMC NewCity 14 (venue has shifted year to year)Oct 14–25, 2026 (confirmed, currently running as of this writing); expect a similar mid-to-late October window in 2027, exact dates not yet announcedPaid (per-screening tickets/passes)

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival

Fine Arts Building, Chicago Children's Theatre & other stagesWed Jan 20 – Sun Jan 31, 2027Varies by event

Chicago Latino Film Festival

Landmark Century Centre CinemaApr 15–26, 2027$17 general; $12 Mon–Tue; $15 student/senior/member

Chicago Latino Film Festival

Landmark Century Centre Cinemas (venue may shift)Apr 15–26, 2027 (confirmed, the 43rd annual)Paid (per-screening tickets/passes)

Chicago Theatre Week

Venues citywideExpected early–mid Feb 2027 (2026 ran Feb 5–15 — 2027 dates not yet announced)$15–$30 per ticket

Dead Girl's Quinceañera

Goodman Theatre, Owen TheatreSept 26 – Nov 1, 2026Not listed

Don Giovanni (Lyric Opera of Chicago)

Civic Opera HouseOct 10 – Nov 1, 2026From $77

Don Pasquale

Lyric Opera HouseNov 12–27, 2026From $68

Ellen B.

Steppenwolf Theatre (Ensemble Theatre)Apr 1 – May 9, 2027Not yet listed — check steppenwolf.org

Embroidered Traditions from Morocco to Afghanistan

Art Institute of ChicagoThrough Jan 25, 2027 (running since May 2026)$32 non-resident / $20 resident; members free

Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History

Driehaus MuseumOct 8, 2026 – April 18, 2027$23 adult / $18 senior / $13 student; children 12 & under free

Escape to Margaritaville

Music Theater Works, North Shore Center for the Performing ArtsOct 9 – Nov 1, 2026Not listed

FEAST! (Goodman Theatre)

Goodman TheatreFeb 27 – March 28, 2027Not listed — check goodmantheatre.org

First Nations Film & Video Festival (Fall 2026)

FACETS (Nov 3), Restoried Bookshop (Nov 7), Music Box Theatre (Nov 10 closing night)Tue Nov 3 – Tue Nov 10, 2026Free to attend (confirm with organizer)

Guys and Dolls

Lyric Opera HouseJune 4–20, 2027From $71

Heartbreakers (Chicago Shakespeare Theater)

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (Upstairs Studio)Tue May 4 – Sun June 6, 2027Not listed — check chicagoshakes.com

Hyde Park Jazz Festival

Various venues across Hyde Park, Kenwood & Washington ParkExpected late Sept 2027 (the 20th annual ran Sat–Sun, Sep 26–27, 2026; exact 2027 dates not yet announced)Free ($10 suggested donation)

Illinoise

Chicago Shakespeare TheaterTue Feb 9 – Sun March 14, 2027Not listed — check chicagoshakes.com

Impressive Textiles: Printing on Fabric

Newberry LibraryDec 10, 2026 – April 3, 2027Free

Inner Worlds: Visions from the Hirshhorn Collection

Wrightwood 659Sept 25 – Dec 19, 2026Not listed (advance reservation required)

Jekyll & Hyde

Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower PlaceSept 8 – Nov 8, 2026Check broadwayinchicago.com for pricing

Jersey Boys

CIBC TheatreTue Nov 10 – Sun Nov 22, 2026From $70

Jill Mulleady: The Passenger

Art Institute of ChicagoSept 19, 2026 – Jan 18, 2027Included with general admission

John Proctor is the Villain

Goodman Theatre (Albert Theatre)Jan 23 – Feb 21, 2027Not listed — check goodmantheatre.org

Karimah Ashadu: Machine Boys

Art Institute of ChicagoSept 11 – Nov 1, 2026 (per one third-party listing; Art Institute hadn't published its own closing date as of this writing — confirm before a special trip)Included with general admission

Lee Miller: Fearless

Art Institute of ChicagoAug 29 – Dec 7, 2026$32 non-resident / $20 resident; members free

Little Village Arts Festival

Pop-up galleries along 26th StreetExpected early November 2026 (2024 ran Nov 2–3; annual since 2006, exact 2026 date not yet announced)Free

Mary Cassatt: After Impressionism

Art Institute of ChicagoSept 6, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027$32 non-resident / $20 resident; members free

Maybe Happy Ending

CIBC TheatreJan 5–17, 2027From $113 (resale); $49 day-of rush available

Mercado Navideño

National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.Expected around Thanksgiving weekend, Nov 2026 (ran Nov 24–26, 2023; Nov 29–Dec 1, 2024; Nov 28–30, 2025; exact 2026 date not yet posted on the museum's site)Free (museum members get 30% off merchandise)

Metal, Paper, Ink: Early Printing from Jikji to Gutenberg

Newberry LibraryMarch 11 – June 26, 2027Free

Notes on Love (Joffrey Ballet)

Lyric Opera HouseFeb 4–14, 2027Not listed — confirm with venue

Oh, Mary!

CIBC TheatreJan 19 – Feb 7, 2027Not listed — check Broadway in Chicago

Open House Chicago

200+ locations across 30 neighborhoods citywideExpected mid-Oct 2027 (2026 ran Sat–Sun, Oct 17–18; 2025 ran Oct 18–19; exact 2027 dates not yet announced)Free

Paris in Black: Internationalism and the Black Renaissance

DuSable Black History Museum and Education CenterThrough early 2027$14.50 non-resident / $12.50 Chicago resident (free Wednesdays & first Friday monthly)

Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon (Fulldome Show)

Adler Planetarium (Grainger Sky Theater)Year-long run, began Jan 1, 2026$20 (plus museum admission)

Pokémon Fossil Museum (Field Museum)

Field MuseumMay 22, 2026 – April 11, 2027$18/$13 weekdays, $20/$14 weekends (adult/child)

Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers

Museum of Contemporary Art ChicagoNov 7, 2026 – April 25, 2027$22 adult / $14 student-senior; children free

Say It with Pictures: Photography, Black Chicago and the Great Migration

Newberry LibraryJune 10 – Sept 18, 2027Free

Serial Killer: The Exhibition

Cinespace Chicago Film StudiosOngoing through Jan 24, 2027 (opened Sept 5, 2026; closed Mon & Tue)Not listed — check Fever for current pricing

Slow Dance

Museum of Contemporary Art ChicagoSept 12, 2026 – March 14, 2027$22 adult / $14 student-senior; children free

Susannah

Lyric Opera HouseApril 11–23, 2027From $68

The Artistry of Plastic Surgery

International Museum of Surgical ScienceJuly 31, 2026 – March 31, 2027$25 adult / $18 senior-student-military

The Book of Mormon

Cadillac Palace TheatreOct 23 – Nov 1, 2026From $148

The Christmas Schooner

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St.Nov 24, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027Not yet confirmed (single-ticket on-sale date not found as of this writing — check the box office)

The Comeuppance (Steppenwolf Theatre)

Steppenwolf Theatre (Downstairs Theater)Feb 4 – March 21, 2027Typically $42–75 (Steppenwolf's usual range)

The Lion King

Cadillac Palace TheatreThu June 3 – Sat July 31, 2027From $218 (varies widely by date)

The Night Fawn

Steppenwolf Theatre (Downstairs Theater)May 27 – July 3, 2027Not yet listed — check steppenwolf.org

The Nutcracker (Joffrey Ballet)

Lyric Opera HouseDec 4 – 27, 2026$50–$171

The Sleeping Beauty (Joffrey Ballet)

Lyric Opera HouseMay 13–23, 2027Not listed — confirm with venue

The XIXth (The Nineteenth)

Goodman TheatreApril 17 – May 16, 2027Not listed — check goodmantheatre.org

Threads of a Nation

Chicago History MuseumOct 24, 2026 – July 17, 2027$19 adult / $17 senior; children 6-12 free

Tony Cokes: On Boredom

Art Institute of ChicagoOct 3, 2026 – Mar 14, 2027Included with general admission

Topdog/Underdog

Steppenwolf TheatreSept 17 – Nov 1, 2026Not listed

Utamaro: Elements of Beauty

Art Institute of ChicagoSept 23 – Dec 21, 2026Included with general admission

Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos

National Museum of Mexican ArtSept 25 – Nov 29, 2026Free

Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos

National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.Sept 25–Nov 29, 2026 (confirmed, currently running)Free

Wilmette Art Fair

Wilmette & Central Aves.Expected early Aug 2027 (2026 ran Sat–Sun, Aug 1–2, 10 AM–5 PM; exact 2027 dates not yet announced)Free

World Music Festival Chicago

Venues citywideExpected late Sept–early Oct 2027 (2026 ran Sep 25–Oct 4; 2025 was the 25th edition; exact 2027 dates not yet announced)Free (some ticketed shows)

Wright Plus Housewalk

Oak Park (starts at Unity Temple)Expected a Saturday in mid-May 2027 (2026 ran Sat May 16; exact 2027 date not yet announced)Paid ($135 general/$100 members, 2026 pricing)

Zurbarán: Divine Light

Art Institute of ChicagoFeb 28 – June 20, 2027$32 non-resident / $20 resident; members free

teamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity

Smart Museum of ArtSept 22, 2026 – Feb 21, 2027Free