Chicago Illinois Entertainment & Events
Special Events
Chicago Air & Water Show
1600 North Lake Shore Drive • Chicago, IL 60610
North Avenue Beach
312-744-3315
The Chicago Air & Water Show is "the largest spectator event in the United States and the longest ongoing show of its kind in North America." This two-day event features civilian and military aircraft navigating around the city and watercrafts splashing across the lakefront. The Chicago Air & Water Show will take place August 15 & 16, 2009. more...Lincoln Park ZooLights Festival
2001 North Clark Street • Chicago, IL 60614
312-742-2000
The annual winter Lincoln Park ZooLights Festival features thousands of lights, ice-carving demonstrations, meetings with Santa, and more. Presented by ComEd, the Lincoln Park ZooLights Festival will take place November 27, 2000 to January 3, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. more...Christkindlmarket
Located in Daley Plaza
312-744-3315
Patterned after the famous outdoor markets in Germany, this holiday shopping market lasts for almost a month and allows visitors to sample a slice of Europe. A wide range of gifts are available such as handmade glass ornaments, wooden toys, and silver jewelry. more...Winter Wonderfest
600 East Grand Avenue • Chicago, IL 60616
Located at Navy Pier
312-595-PIER
See Navy Pier transformed into a winter wonderland during this 13 day holiday festival that features wintertime decorations, decorated trees, sparkling lights, an ice skating rink, and an in-line skating rink. Santa Claus and his toy making elves will also be on site.Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show
2301 South Lake Shore Drive • Chicago, IL 60616
Located at McCormick Place
312-791-7000
This five day show is packed with over 600 boats, 200 recreational vehicles, and hundreds of booths filled with marine equipment, as well as travel destinations, charter boats, jet skis, and fishing tackle. more...Milk Mustache-Great American Weight Loss Challenge
875 North Michigan Avenue • Chicago, IL 60611
John Hancock Center
312-988-2118
Free event that is encouraging Americans to become healthier. There will be a sign-ups for the challenge (the city with the most participants will receive $25,000 for health-related community improvements and an ad in the Ladies Home Journal), free health assessments provided by local dieticians, milk sampling, fitness tips from Curves representatives, and souvenir Milk Mustache photos. more...Chicagoland Entertainment Collectors Expo
400 Park Boulevard Itasca • Chicago, IL 60455
Located at Wyndham Northwest Chicago
708-430-8107
A public collectors expo including a charity breakfast, dinner and auction. Exhibitors from across the globe feature nonsport cards, comics, movie posters, and toys. Guest celebrities will appear in person. more...Halloween Pumpkin Plaza
Located at Dearborn & Washington Streets
312-744-3315
Lasting for over 20 days, this haunted village is sure to entertain the whole family and includes ghosts, pumpkin decorating, fortune tellers, and story tellers.Back to the Blues
233 North Michigan Avenue • Chicago, IL601-863-0485
The event will feature the Delta Blues Museum’s Arts and Education Program in Clarksdale, Mississippi, a 2005 grantee of the Raised Up Right Fund. This exceptional program teaches young people to play the Blues and keep the rich history of this music alive in the region where it originated. The students will give a concert to showcase both their talent and the program that provides the opportunity for these children to reach their full potential. Join them for an evening of food and fun from 5pm to 8pm.
Sponsored By: Raised Up Right Expatriates NetworkElvis Is Alive 5K
Starts at Grant Park • Chicago, IL 60605
Across from the Columbia Yacht Club
773-305-3338
Benefiting Girls on the Run, the annual Elvis Is Alive 5K is a non-competitive event that includes an evening race on Chicago's lakefront, an "all-Elvis" start corral, a post-run show and more. more...International Vintage Poster Fair's Feature Exhibi
77 East Randolph • Chicago, IL 60602
Located at the Chicago Cultural Center
The International Vintage Poster Fair, the world's oldest and largest sale and exposition of original vintage posters, returns to Chicago the weekend of March 30th at the Chicago Cultural Center. More than 10,000 posters dated from the 1890s-1980s will be on display and available for purchase throughout the weekend. World-class exhibitors hailing from six continents will offer vintage posters of food and liquor advertisements, film, travel and transportation, and international events. Styles include the popular Art Deco and Modernism posters, as well classic Art Nouveau and Victorian images. This year's Feature Exhibit, Seven Deadly Sins, will showcase vices through original vintage posters. Wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony will be sinfully displayed through a selection of original vintage posters. more...
International Gem & Jewelry Show 
5555 North River Road • Rosemont, IL 60018
Held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
301-294-1640
Founded in 1967, in the Washington, D.C. area by Herbert A. Duke Sr., the renowned International Gem & Jewelry Show features exhibitors selling the highest quality loose gems, gold, silver, estate jewelry, beads, accessories and much more all at the best possible prices. The International Gem & Jewelry Show in Chicago will take place May 10-12th, 2013. Please visit the website for information about classes or demonstrations that may be offered at the show. Show hours are Friday 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m, Sunday11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m more...
Cinema
ICE 62nd and Western
2258 West 62nd Street • Chicago, IL 60624
773-746-4959
Enjoy featured motion pictures at this quality establishment. more...ICE Chatham
210 West 87th Street • Chicago, IL 60620
773-783-8711
Enjoy featured motion pictures at this quality establishment. more...ICE Lawndale
3330 West Roosevelt Road • Chicago, IL 60624
773-265-1010
Enjoy featured motion pictures at this quality establishment. more...Marcus Cinema Chicago Heights
1301 Hilltop Avenue • Chicago, IL 60411
Chicago Heights
708-747-0800
Enjoy featured motion pictures at this quality establishment. more...
Night Life
Senese's Barrel Of Laughs Comedy Club
10345 South Central Avenue • Chicago, IL 60453
Located in Oak Lawn
708-499-2969
The longest running comedy show that features headliners from across the country, this comedy club features top stand up comedy acts Wednesday through Sunday evenings. more...Ground Zero
19081 Old LaGrange Road • Chicago, IL 60448
Located in Mokena
708-478-0600
The largest 21 and over entertainment complex in the area, this night spot features a game room with pool tables, dart boards, and more, as well as a sports bar with three large screen TVs and a nightclub with comedy and live music.Comedy Sportz of Chicago
929 West Belmont • Chicago, IL 60657
773-549-8080
This unique comedy club features two teams of comedians that compete in improvisational sketches based on audience suggestions. The shows are appropriate for all ages and are available on Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., as well as on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. more...Second City, The
1616 North Wells Street • Chicago, IL 60614
312-337-3992
This comedy club has been entertaining audiences with its signature brand of sociopolitical satire since 1959. Dinner show packages are available. more...Zanies Comedy Club
1548 North Wells Street • Chicago, IL 60610
312-337-4027
Chicago's premier comedy club, this comedy club has featured many major comedy stars including Jay Leno, Tim Allen, and Jerry Seinfeld since 1978. more...Mystique
157 West Ontario Street • Chicago, IL 60610
312-642-2582
This casual, fun nightclub features two floors with four distinct rooms and atmospheres. Visitors can enjoy a lounge style area on the top floor while retro tunes and more are featured downstairs.Brando's Speakeasy
343 South Dearbourn • Chicago, IL 60604
773-216-3213
Brando's Speakeasy, a Chicago Loop bar in the historic south loop of Chicago, is where everyone wants to be. Brando's Speakeasy is housed in a 100-year old building, called the Fisher building, which was designed by Architect Burnham. Once you enter Brando's Speakeasy, which is a landmark status building, you will be impressed with the intimate, warm feeling you get from the staff, as well as the patrons. more...
Concerts & Performances
Aragon Entertainment Center
1106 West Lawrence Avenue • Chicago, IL 60640
773-561-9500
Designed to replicate a Spanish palace courtyard, the famous and historic Aragon is "Chicago's premiere venue for live entertainment." more...Harris Theater
205 East Randolph Drive • Chicago, IL 60601
Located in Millennium Park
312-629-8696
This 1,500 seat state-of-the-art intimate theater is one of the finest venues in Chicago for music and dance. The theater has fine acoustics and presents a number of diverse performing companies throughout the year.Chicago Symphony Orchestra
220 South Michigan Avenue • Chicago, IL 60604
312-294-3000
Playing at the Symphony Center, the musical heart of Chicago, this symphony orchestra performs over 100 beautiful classical music concerts each year from September to June. more...Noble Horse Theatre
1410 North Orleans Street • Chicago, IL 60610
312-266-7878
Chicago's only riding hall. Renovated in 2003, built in 1871. A live dinner performance with 290 seats. See horses and riders from around the world in spectacular performances! These performances are some that will never be forgotten! more...Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 North Wacker Drive • Chicago, IL 60606
312-332-2244
"One of the world's greatest opera companies," Lyric Opera of Chicago's season lasts from late September through late March. The entrance of the Ardis Krainik Theatre of the Civic Opera House can be found on the northwest corner of Madison Street and Wacker Drive. more...New Philharmonic Orchestra
425 Fawell Boulevard • Chicago, IL 60137
Located in Glen Ellyn
630-942-4000
Conductor and music director Kirk Muspratt and New Philharmonic Orchestra present the annual Viennese Pops New Year’s Eve, a medley of Viennese waltzes, American jazz and Italian opera. more...Pitchfork Music Festival
228 South Racine Avenue • Chicago, IL 60607
Come enjoy some music with friends and family at the Pitchfork Music Festival. more...
Plays & Productions
Apollo Theater
2540 North Lincoln Avenue • Chicago, IL 60614
Located in Lincoln Park Neighborhood
773-935-6100
This lush theatre has 450 plush seats configured in just eleven rows that allows visitors unparalleled intimacy and accessibility to the stage. A wide range of comedies, musicals, off Broadway hits, and special events are performed here throughout the year. more...Broadway in Chicago
22 West Monroe Street • Chicago, IL 60603
Located in the Downtown Theatre District
312-977-1710
This theatre presents a variety of the finest in touring Broadway musicals, plays, and dances throughout the year. more...Chicago Center for the Performing Arts
777 North Green Street • Chicago, IL 60622
312-327-2000
A wide range of original live theatrical productions, classic plays and musicals, and performing arts are showcased at this multi-venue facility that includes a 330 seat theater and can be used to host corporate and group events. more...Chicago Theatre
175 North State Street • Chicago, IL 60601
312-263-1138
Bringing you the best performing arts from some of the world's best touring artists, this Historic Landmark theatre also offers space for conference, banquets, meetings, and events with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, sound, lighting, and catering services available. more...Goodman Theatre
170 North Dearborn Street • Chicago, IL 60601
312-443-3800
Named "The Best Regional Theatre in the United States" by Time Magazine, this theatre is the oldest and largest nonprofit theatre in Chicago. A wide array of classic with new visions, as well as premiering new plays, are presented at this theatre. more...Royal George Theatre Center
1641 North Halsted Street • Chicago, IL 60614
312-988-9000
Featuring four theatres within one complex, this center features a 450 seat main stage, one of Chicago's premier, mid-sized theatres, as well as a 190 seat Cabaret with an intimate club atmosphere, a 50 seat Gallery Theatre that features productions by new and developing theatre companies, and a 190 seat Great Room that is the home to long running comedies."The Nutcracker"
205 East Randolph Drive • Chicago, IL312-334-7777
Chicago Festival Ballet presents “The Nutcracker,” by internationally-renowned choreographer Kenneth von Heidecke. Orchestral accompaniment by New Philharmonic conducted by Kirk Muspratt. The event takes place at 2 and 7 p.m. more...
Art Exhibits
Annual Gold Coast Art Fair
Corner of Monroe and Lake Shore Drive • Chicago, IL 60603
Grant Park's Butler Field
847-926-4300
The Gold Coast Art Fair, the granddaddy of American Art Festivals, returns to Grant Park's Butler Field, with more than 350 artists from around the world. Currently rated as one of the top 30 juried art festivals in the country, the Gold Coast Art Fair attracts hundreds of thousands of art enthusiasts annually. Extraordinary artwork of all mediums is offered at the Gold Coast Art Fair with prices ranging from $25 to $25,000. Incredible artwork, live music on the music stage sponsored by WLIT, great food, and fun activities for kids make the Gold Coast Art Fair a destination for all. See the masters at work with live art demos and speed-painting taking place throughout the weekend. more...Wells Street Art Festival
North Wells Street • Chicago, IL 60601
Located Between North Avenue & Division Street
The Wells Street Art Festival attracts exhibitors and prospective buyers from all over the nation. The show features a wide variety of fine art - everything from glass and ceramics, to pencil drawings and oil paintings - plus a silent auction and children's area. more...
Arts & Crafts Shows
Bucktown Arts Fest
2300 North Oakley • Chicago, IL 60606
312-409-8305
This two day arts festival features beautiful paintings, furniture, jewelry, and ceramics, as well as live theater and dance performances. more...
Festivals & Fairs
Goose Island Fest
Marcey Street • Chicago, IL 60616
Located at Clybourn & Sheffield Avenues
312-915-0071
Known as the last big outdoor event of the summer, this summer festival showcases Goose Island brewed beer and features live entertainment by top name musical talent.Chicago Flower & Garden Show
Located on the Lake Front at Navy Pier
312-595-5701
Themed gardens, how-to lectures, seminars, floral designers, and exhibitors will be on hand to give garden enthusiasts ideas for their outside oasis. There will be horticulture and flower arranging competitions. more...Chicago Improv Festival
2936 North Southport Avenue • Chicago, IL 60657
Held at the Athenaeum Theatre
773-935-9810
A jury made up of professional actors, artistic directors, directors, improvisers, and teachers from Chicago's improv and theatre communities will be looking at the improv's "use of style, theatrical presentation, overall look and tone, and attempt to advance and refine improvisation for performance to audiences." Some categories include main stage, solo, and fringe. more...Taste of Chicago
331 East Randolph Street • Chicago, IL 60601
Located at Grant Park
A 10-day party featuring live music, cooking demonstrations, food from over 70 local restaurants, a wine garden, fireworks show, and fun for the whole family. more...Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party
Madison and Des Plaines Streets • Chicago, ILOld St. Patrick’s major fundraising event of the year, the World’s Largest Block Party features lots of music, food, and fun. more...Ginza Holiday, A Japanese Cultural Festival
435 West Menomonee Street • Chicago, IL 60614
312-943-7801
Learn about Japanese culture during this three day festival that features exhibits and demonstrations, classical and folk dances, martial arts, Japanese drums, master craftsmen from Tokyo, and delicious foods such as teriyaki chicken and sushi.Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival
300 South Columbus Drive • Chicago, IL 60602
Located in Grant Park
312-744-3370
Enjoy Latin music such as merengue, salsa, tropical, cumbias, ballads, ranchero, and mariachi during this two day festival that also includes traditional Latin food, jewelry, and clothing vendors.Chicago Jazz Festival
Located in Grant Park
312-744-3370
The longest running lakefront music festival in Chicago, this four day festival honors and celebrates jazz music and musicians and features live jazz entertainment, as well as an art fair that offers a variety of handmade crafts and artwork.Celtic Fest
Located in Grant Park
312-744-3370
Celebrate the music, dance, art, products, and cuisine of the Celtic regions during this two day festival that represents Brittany, France, Ireland, Galicia, Spain, Scotland, Isle of Man, Cornwall, Wales, Nova Scotia, and the United States.Chicago International Children's Film Festival
1517 West Fullerton Avenue • Chicago, IL 60614
773-281-9075
The largest festival of films for children in North America, this 11 day festival features over 250 animated and live action films from 40 countries. Interactive workshops are also available. more...Cinco de Mayo Festival
26th Street & Kostner (Little Village)
A celebration of South-of-the-border culture, this annual three-day festival will feature plenty of live music, food, arts & crafts, activities for families and children and much more. more...
Sponsored By: Little Village Chamber of CommerceWine Riot
210 South Canal Street • Chicago, IL 60606
Great Hall at Union Station
Sip over 250 different wines from every region of the world, all while rocking out with a few thousand of your closest friends. They have you covered in the education department with 20-minute Crash Course Wine Seminars and their Wine Intelligence Unit, staffed by winos who are excited to answer any question. Between sipping and learning, be sure to hop in the photo booth, enjoy the DJ, munch on tasty restaurant food pairings (for a few extra bucks), and just plain have fun.Belmont/Sheffield Music Festival
3200 North Sheffield Avenue • Chicago, IL 60618
Located in the Lakeview Neighborhood
773-868-3010
The annual Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival features local musical entertainment, arts, crafts, fashion and a variety of food & drink. more...
Sponsored By: Central Lakeview Merchants AssociationMayfest Chicago
Located in Lincoln Square
773-545-4800
Will feature food, dancing, live entertainment and, as always, German Gemutlichkeit. more...June Jam
Addison Street and Hoyne Avenue
773-665-4682
This two-day summer festival is located in the heart of Roscoe Village and features live entertainment, artisans, kids activities, and great food & drink. They have expanded the food court to provide an eclectic mix of summer favorites. Ice cold beer and other beverages will be available throughout the festival grounds. more...Do Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale
1600 West Division Street • Chicago, IL 60622
312-850-9390
This festival features cutting edge live music on two stages, arts, crafts, retail, and food & drink. The sidewalk sale spans 10 blocks. Lots of family fun. more...57th Street Art Fair
57th Street and Kimbark Avenue • Chicago, IL 60637
Located in the Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood
773-493-3247
Artists and art lovers reunite at Chicago's oldest juried art fair in the streets of the historic Hyde Park neighborhood. Meet and talk with artists from around the country. Offers a family friendly, alcohol free environment. Whether you are looking for glass, jewelry, leather, photography, printmaking, painting, sculpture, wood, ceramics or fiber - you are sure to find something special at this one of a kind event. Hands on activities and playgrounds for the kids, along with food to please everyone's palate available from multiple venues. more...Annual Chicago Blues Festival
Located in Grant Park
312-744-3370
The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world and remains the largest of Chicago's Music Festivals. During three days on five stages, more than 500,000 blues fans prove that Chicago is the "Blues Capital of the World." Past performers include Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, B.B. King, the late Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy and the late Koko Taylor. more...Lollapalooza
Michigan & Congress • Chicago, IL 60601
Located in Grant Park
Lollapalooza offers music and memories to experience and enjoy with family and friends and is a three-day event. more...Millennium Art Festival [Friday, May. 31, 2013]
Lake Street at Michigan Avenue
847-926-4300
The Millennium Art Festival returns to downtown Chicago's iconic Michigan Avenue for its fifth year. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago at Michigan Avenue and Lake Street, the Millennium Art Festival offers original works from more than 130 acclaimed artists. Artwork of every medium including ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, sculpture, mixed media, painting, drawing, photography, wood, and furniture can be found at the festival. In addition to the incredible artwork, festival-goers will enjoy live music and tasty festival fare from neighboring restaurants throughout the weekend. Daily drawings take place at the festival where several lucky festival-goers will receive Art Buck$, courtesy of Amdur Productions, to spend on a piece of art at any of Amdur Productions 2013 festivals. more...
Seminars & Symposiums
SoxFest - White Sox Fan Convention
151 East Wacker Drive • Chicago, IL 60602
Located at the Hyatt Regency Chicago
312-674-1000
Fans have the opportunity to meet their favorite current and former Sox players during this three day weekend event where the players will participate in skills clinics, question-and-answer sessions, and autograph signings throughout the weekend.Chicago Cubs Convention
720 South Michigan Avenue • Chicago, IL 60602
Located at the Hilton Chicago
773-404-CUBS
Mingle with current and former Cubs players, broadcasters, and front office executives during this three day convention where fans can enjoy autograph and photo sessions, question-and-answer seminars, and baseball clinics.
Sporting Events
Balmoral Park Race Track
26435 South Dixie Highway • Chicago, IL 60417
Located in Crete
708-672-7544
Enjoy live and simulcast harness racing at this race track that offers racing throughout the year except during the months of May and June. The dining room and club house have private TV booths and picnic areas are on site. more...Chicago Bulls
1901 West Madison Street • Chicago, IL 60612
Located at the United Center
312-455-4000
Basketball fans can enjoy fast paced, exciting basketball action by this NBA team whose regular season is from October to April. more...Chicago Cubs
1060 West Addison Street • Chicago, IL 60613
The whole family will enjoy a day out to see the world famous Cubs play hard hitting baseball from April to September. more...Chicago Rush Arena Football
8735 West Higgins Road, Suite 160 • Chicago, IL 60631
773-243-3434
Don't miss the hard hitting, high scoring action as this arena football team prepares to challenge for an ArenaBowl championship. Their season runs from February to May. more...Chicago White Sox
333 West Thirty-Fifth Street • Chicago, IL 60616
312-674-1000
A MLB baseball team that provides exciting, hard hitting, and fast paced games the whole family can enjoy from April to September. more...
Parades
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
State Street • Chicago, IL 60606
Located from Congress Parkway to Randolph Street
312-781-5681
Over 300,000 spectators line up annually to see this magnificent parade that features over 100 high stepping marching bands, gigantic helium balloons, majestic equestrian units, fabulous floats, and performance groups. more...St. Patrick's Day Parade
1340 West Washington Boulevard • Chicago, IL 60604
Held in Downtown Chicago
312-942-9188 or 312-421-1010
The Chicago River turns an incredible shade of Irish green during the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Chicago. This St. Patrick's Day Parade will begin at 12:00 p.m. at Balbo and Columbus. more...South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade
773-393-8687
Stepping off from 104th & Western at 12:00 p.m., the 2009 South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade is an annual celebration of faith and heritage that will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2009. This event will begin with Irish songs and music at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Cajetan Church at 112th and Artesian (2500W) in the West Morgan Park neighborhood of Chicago. more...
Tours
Haunted 'L'
78 East Washington Street • Chicago, IL 60602
Located at Chicago Cultural Center
312-744-3315
Take a tour of Chicago's Loop on a spooky CTA 'L' train and listen as ghosts recount bone chilling tales of Chicago's history during this event that lasts nearly a month.
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