These are the must-hit festivals, concerts, events, and most fun things to do in Chicago this year.
Summers in Chicago are what masses flock to the city for . You ca n’t beat a mean solar day at the beach ( we know it ’s a lake but we ’ll never call it that ) , jamming out at an outside concert with the visible horizon sparking in the background ( we see youLollapaloozaandPitchfork ) , or sipping a cold beverage while stray the stalling of a neighborhood street festival ( there ’s one practically every weekend across the metropolis ) . But the truth is , there ’s no shortage of thing to do throughout the year . Each season has its own spell and until you ’ve get them all , you ca n’t really say you live Chicago . Even in wintertime , the Windy City remains somehow underrated .
So pack your bag and tailor your travel around food , sports , finish and/or euphony — Chicago has it all . Here ’s a tilt of the metropolis ’s just result all twelvemonth long .
January
International Puppet Fest
January 15–26 , 2025Various locationsOne of the city ’s most unique displays of arts and culture is the International Puppet Fest , which features a range of puppetry style from around the universe . During the 2024 time of year artists from Belgium , Chile , Norway , Germany , Indonesia , Kenya , Mexico , and Poland put on shows for 11 years in various locations across Chicago . Performances ranged from crime syndicate - friendly works on minuscule level to an adults - only , late nighttime puppet cabaret . In the beginning , the festival was contain only once , every other twelvemonth . Due to its grow popularity , it is now contain each year . It ’s one of my favorite festival of the yr and the creativity on display somehow makes the wintertime leisurely to carry . Shows sell out speedily so if you see one you like , do n’t waver to book . quick to go?Book here .
February
Chicago Auto Show
February 8–17 , 2025McCormick PlaceFounded in 1901 , this is the oldest auto show in North America . The result feature the latest car manikin , concept railway car , and the in vogue self-propelled technology ( call back of it as the Stark Expo for cars ) . Visitors have the chance to test push back cars indoors and alfresco , and practical realness allow for arouse car experience . The show kicks off with a first look , sinister - tie gala that raises millions of dollar bill for local charities . Ready to go?Book here .
March
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 15 , 2025LoopInThe Fugitive , that iconic pic synonymous with Chicago , Harrison Ford ’s Dr. Richard Kimble eludes arrest by Tommy Lee Jones ' character byblending in with parade go - ers during the St. Patrick ’s Day Parade . The parade is more than 175 year old and each year it grows big and larger as the great unwashed pack the street flock to see the Chicago River dyed emerald green . The helter-skelter energy of St. Patrick ’s twenty-four hour period in Chicago is unmatchable . Expect bars to be packed , an unruly amount of Malort to be consumed , and lots of green to be worn . This Loop party is phratry - favorable and tame . Locals know to head down to Beverly for theSouth Side Irish Paradefor more of a party vibe . quick to go ? This event is barren .
April
EXPO CHICAGO
April 24–27 , 2025River NorthArt devotee from all over the world descend on Chicago and flock to Navy Pier each twelvemonth for EXPO CHICAGO . The four - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. artistry fair brings in picture gallery owner , artists , collector , curator , and fans together for art viewing and scheduling across the city . consequence pop - up in various galleries and nontextual matter museum , include the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art , for the city ’s premier art effect . Ready to go?Book here .
May
Sueños
May 24–25 , 2025LoopWhen the music festivalSueñosdebuted in Grant Park , it brought in more than 45,000 guests to enjoy the pulse beats ofreggaetonerosWisin y Yandel , J Balvin , Myke Tower , and Ozuna . It was an iconic cultural moment for Latinos as they dance and partied in the spirit of Chicago ’s downtown in this first - of - its - form outcome . This year event organizer sign a five - class contract bridge with the metropolis so expect it to bring in the most pop artists in Latin music . This year ’s headliners include Young Miko , Peso Pluma , Rauw Alejandro , and Maluma . Ready to go?Book here .
June
Taste of Randolph
June 2025 Dates TBDWest LoopThe Taste of Chicago is one of the urban center ’s great and longest standing neighbourhood festivals . It have three block of local food , beverages , and vendors , as well as two live performance stages to entertain more than 50,000 attendees in one of the city ’s most pop neighborhoods . quick to go ? This upshot is gratuitous .
Old Town Art Fair
June 14–15 , 2025Old TownThe Old Town Art Fair , which began in 1950 , is a basic of the Northside and the oldest middling of its form . More than 30,000 art lovers settle on the lakefront neighborhood to get a look at the work of over 220 artists . The shutdown of numerous streets creates a engine block political party effect for a five - block radius . I lucked out in college stimulate a friend who lived on Wells , a primary street of the fair , where I could enjoy the activities and brief respite ( including a bathroom ) if I ask to . For those without a local in the area , contrive your sojourn around mealtime and love the view from one of several local eating place in the arena . quick to go ? This event is free .
July
Windy City Smokeout
July 10–13 2025West LoopFor fan of area medicine , BBQ , and craft beer , there ’s no expert seat to be than the Windy City Smokeout . The fete is run byLettuce Entertain You , which signify you’re able to expect great food and quality help . anticipate live music from top performer . Past headliner include Carrie Underwood , Zac Brown Band , and Luke Bryan . Ready to go?Book here .
Fiesta Del Sol
July 2025 Exact Dates TBDPilsenLocated in the Mexican enclave of Pilsen , Fiesta del Sol is one of the great Hispanic street festivals of its sort . More than1 million attendeescome to the four day fete to roam endless kiosk of local vendors , go on the carnival rides , or soak in the prowess showing . Admission is destitute and profits made are reinvested into the community through scholarship program . In my experience , most vendors take credit card , but it ’s effective to take cash to stave off disappointment . quick to go ? This event is innocent .
NASCAR Chicago Street Race
July 5–6 2025LoopThe agitation of NASCAR hits the streets of Chicago as speeding racing car zoom through the urban center ’s downtown streets with the skyline serve as the backdrop . Unlike traditional NASCAR raceway held on ellipse rail , the Chicago Street Race electrical circuit have a 12 - turn , 2.2 - naut mi racetrack that weave through the Loop , providing a ambitious and scenic route for drivers and a one - of - a - sort experience for buff . Check the weather condition to secure you ’re apparel appropriately for the outdoor effect . The first year the effect had heavy rains and left many guests wishing they wore rain flush as they waded through wet William Claude Dukenfield and dirty H2O ( I do it because I was one of them).Ready to go?Book here .
Crosstown Classic
July 25–27 , 2025BridgeportIn this town you ’re either a Cubs or Sox rooter . “ Chicago fans , ” ordinarily get express joy at for their non - committal , lukewarm stance on which squad they arrogate ( take it from personal experience ) . The rivalry runs late here and each year fans get the chance to go head - to - head and brag that their squad is better when the two MLB team confront off against each other in a good of three serial publication that take piazza twice a yr — once on each squad ’s household turf . It does n’t matter where each team is in the ranking . When these two teams work each other for the Crosstown Cup , these winnings ( and losses ) are all that topic . Ready to go?Book here .
August
Bud Billiken Parade
August 9 , 2025Washington Park / BronzevilleMarching bands , saltation troupes , drill squad , elect officials , and the occasional celebrity are among the participants of the Bud Billiken Parade , which is synonymous with the end of summer . Founded in 1929 by Robert S. Abbott , founder of the Chicago Defender newsprint , to celebrate Black finish , the parade is one of the old and with child of its form . Bud is a fictional shielder of children and the tone of education . Oprah Winfrey , Duke Ellington , then - Senator Barack Obama , Michael Jordan , and Muhammad Ali , are among the notable faces to have enter in the parade . quick to go ? This event is free .
Market Days
August 9–10 , 2025NorthalstedOne of the biggest and most anticipate effect of the summer is Market Days , the largest LGBTQ+ event in the Midwest . More than 200 marketer gather selling their artwork and crafts , clothing , jewellery and food for thought . Beer gardens are set - up throughout and each night culminates with unrecorded medicine . Past issue headliners include Olivia Newton - John , Salt - N - Pepa , and En Vogue . Ready to go ? This outcome is barren .
September
26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade
September 14 , 2025Little VillageMore than 400,000 people gather each year in what ’s known as “ the Mexico of the Midwest , ” to celebrate Mexico ’s Independence Day . The parade kick off from the historical Little Village Arch on 26th street and Albany Avenue and persist in on through two - and half - miles of the neighborhood ’s business corridor ( the secondly - mellow grossing shopping district in the city ) . Expect mariachi band , folklórico dancer andcharroson horseback . quick to go ? This event is free .
Taste of Chicago
September 2025 Dates TBDLoopThe Taste of Chicago is the largest food festival in the city and one of the most dear events . It ’s exchange over the age and mini versions of the original pop - up in the neighborhoods . One matter that has n’t vary ? There ’s something for everyone ’s pallette . Restaurant better half include 90 Miles Cuban Café , Badou Senegalese Cuisine , Billy Goat Tavern , Churro Factory ( Xurro ) , and Connie ’s Pizza . Ready to go ? This event is complimentary .
Printers Row Lit Fest
September 2025 date TBDSouth LoopA literary fete made for book lover . The Printers words Lit Fest celebrates books , authors , and the writing process . The ( mostly ) outside event is devoid and the largest of its kind in the Midwest . Attendees can browse century of book for sale , attend speaker panels and author discussion , or enter in write workshops . The festival is household - friendly with a numeral of fry bodily function throughout the day . Submissions to participate open in spring 2025.Ready to go ? This upshot is free .
Destinos
2025 Dates TBDVarious LocationsDestinos , Chicago ’s outside Latino theater fete , produced by theChicago Latino Theater Alliancereturns for its seventh season with various production throughout the metropolis . ask performers from Brazil , Chile , Argentina , Puerto Rico , and Mexico , in increase to U.S. and Chicago ’s hometown companies presenting novel kit and boodle . The line - up is place to be announced in the summertime of 2025.Ready to go?Book here .
October
Chicago International Film Festival
October 2025 Dates TBDVarious locationsThe Chicago International Film Festival is North America ’s longest - running competitive outside film festival . For more than 60 years the prestigious festival has been a set up inking pad for filmmakers . Creatives from more than 50 country are present throughout . Martin Scorsese , Steven Spielberg , Oliver Stone , and Alfonso Cuarón are noted alumna who got their offset at CIFF.Ready to go?Book here .
Chicago Marathon
October 12 , 2025Various locationsNothing measure waking up on airstream day in Chicago and walking down to the line to cheerfulness runner on . The 26.2 mile grade goes through Chinatown , Greektown , the Loop , and up Lake Shore Drive , and it ’s where world - records are set ( Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya ruin the world disc by virtually two minutes in 2024 ) . hoi polloi say running the endurance contest is the best room to see the urban center . I ’ve done it once , and I have to harmonize . If that ’s not for you , then just grab your breakfast , a chair and hit the course . Make a daytime of it . With nearly 50,000 runners from all over the world , you never know who you might see blend in the space . Kevin Hart andTyler Cameronare among the race ’s celebrity offset . quick to go ? This event is gratis .
Oktoberfestiversary
October 11 - 12 , 2025RavenswoodHit upMalt Row , a workmanship brewing corridor in Ravenswood , for the twelfth yearly Oktoberfestivary host by Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery . Enjoy the dip in temps with live music , food trucks and band of beer . The festival is costless to go to but a $ 5 contribution is suggested . yield benefit The Friendship Center , a local food pantry suffice the community for more than 50 years . The outcome is mob friendly . quick to go ? This event is spare .
November
Christkindlmarket Holiday Market
November 22 – December 24 , 20242025 appointment TBDLoop , Wrigleyvilleand Aurora at RiverEdge ParkRed and white striped tents , alongside little browned huts , pit the heart-to-heart air Christkindlmarket . pep up by the Christmas markets of Germany , this snarl of stable pull more than 2 million visitors each year across all three markets . It ’s a perfect fashion to kick - off the holiday season . Grab a brother , a hot cup of cider , and take your metre strolling through rows of ornaments , wampum , wines and chocolate . The market is free , and thesignature boot mugruns up to $ 23.Ready to go ? This event is free .
Zoo Lights
November 15 , 2024 – January 5 , 2025Lincoln ParkDon’t let the cold stop you from seeing the Lincoln Park Zoo illumine up at night for the holidays . It ’s an well-off way to break up the winter sameness . Dress fond and avoid drive if you could ( I live in the area for several long time and the dealings in and out motility at a crawl ) . The zoo is free but for this special event , the cost is $ 7 - 10 per someone , look on the day . ZooLights will not be open Thanksgiving Day , Christmas Eve , Christmas Day , and New Year ’s Eve so plan accordingly . quick to go?Book here .
December
Deck the Hall
December 5–7 , 2024West LoopThis is by far one of the most beautiful Christmas events of the season . In Old St. Pat ’s , the Music Ministry gather to host a holiday concert ( complete with orchestral and choral performance . ) in a backlit church stack with poinsettias and festive decor . It ’s one of my favorite upshot of the season . The moment you walk up to the entree is when the feeling of being in a movie start out . Tickets go on sale November 1 and do n’t forget to dress up for the occasion!Ready to go?Book here .
Sueños Festival|Photo by Natasha Moustache/Getty Images
Courtesy of International Puppet Fest
EXPO CHICAGO
Photo by Michael Lyons, Courtesy of Taste of Randolph
Northalsted Market Days
Courtey of Destinos
Photo courtesy of Bank of America Chicago Marathon/Kevin Morris
Christkindlmarket Chicago
