Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide - 2026
Festivals & events
2025-12-26 06:21:14
Explore our up-to-date events calendar for even more throughout the year.
Events subject to change.
WINTER
DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY
November – January | Lincoln Park Zoo
This spectacular holiday display, made up of more than 2 million lights, transforms Chicago’s historic Lincoln Park Zoo into a breathtaking winter wonderland.
November – December | Daley Plaza
Feel the magic at this annual outdoor holiday market modeled after traditional German Christmas markets.
Dec. 5 – Jan. 4 | Navy Pier
An indoor holiday experience complete with dazzling decor, thrilling rides, ice skating, and seasonal fun for all ages.
Jan. 23 – Feb. 8 | Citywide
The best time of year to try new cuisine from Chicago’s acclaimed dining scene, Chicago Restaurant Week features special prix fixe menus at hundreds of local restaurants. Sample bites from top Chicago restaurants at First Bites Bash, the celebratory tasting event that kicks off Chicago Restaurant Week.
Feb. 5 – 15 | Citywide
Experience the thrill of Chicago’s vibrant theatre scene with half-price tickets to the city’s hottest shows.
Feb. 7 – 16 | McCormick Place
The nation’s largest and longest-running auto show features debut vehicles, concept cars, interactive exhibits, and more.
SPRING
MARCH, APRIL, MAY
GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY SPRING FLOWER SHOW
February – May | Garfield Park Conservatory
This annual flower show features the first blooms of spring, housed in one of the largest greenhouses in the country.
March 14 | Chicago Riverwalk
One of the world’s most famous St. Patrick’s Day traditions, Chicago’s downtown parade and green river dyeing are bucket list events.
April | Navy Pier
This international exposition of contemporary and modern art brings galleries and artists from around the globe to Navy Pier.
April 30 | Citywide
The 15th annual International Jazz Day will take place in Chicago, a city known for its incredible contributions to the history and future of jazz.
May 23 – 24 | Grant Park
Chicago’s Latin music festival kicks off summer with a two-day experience in Grant Park.
SUMMER
JUNE, JULY, AUGUST
June | Lyric Opera
The nation’s most prestigious culinary honors are presented at this star-studded event.
June | Millennium Park
A genre with deep Chicago roots, blues is the star of this outdoor summer festival that attracts some of the music industry’s biggest names.
June 20 – 21 & June 28 | Northalsted
This joyful celebration of LGBTQ+ community and culture takes place in the nation’s oldest official gay neighborhood.
July | Loop
Chicago’s annual Disability Pride Parade celebrates more than 20 years of promoting human diversity, drawing over 5,000 individuals, organizations, and leaders.
July – August | Pilsen
This family-friendly festival has been celebrating Mexican culture and music in the Pilsen neighborhood for 50 years.
July – August | Grant Park and select neighborhoods
This iconic music festival takes over the lakefront’s Grant Park and features a multigenre lineup of local talent and top acts from around the globe.
August | McCormick Place
The nation’s largest, longest-running exposition dedicated to Black women consumers and empowering local businesses features lifestyle, beauty, entertainment, and culture.
August | Citywide
Celebrate the birthplace of house music at this free festival featuring local and international DJs spinning iconic beats around the city.
Aug. 8 | Martin Luther King Drive
The largest African American parade in the country, this exuberant procession of bands, floats, and student performers has been taking place since 1929.
FALL
SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER
September | Grant Park and select neighborhoods
One of the country’s largest free-admission food festivals offers a diverse taste of Chicago’s acclaimed culinary scene.
September | Navy Pier
The Midwest’s largest free performing arts showcase features more than 110 artists and organizations performing throughout lakefront Navy Pier.
September | Millennium Park
This high-end food festival features elevated tastings, live cooking demos, and intimate dinners with the country’s best chefs.
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON
Oct. 11 | Citywide
Runners from around the world gather for this major marathon that travels through 29 unique neighborhoods.
October | Citywide
This one-of-a-kind free architecture festival offers a behind-the-scenes look inside the city’s most unique buildings, skyscrapers, and landmarks.
CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
October | Loop
America’s longest-running competitive film festival features more than 80 screenings across the city.
October | Loop
This whimsical evening parade celebrates Halloween as the artist’s holiday, with creative puppets, floats, and performances.
October | Pilsen
The National Museum of Mexican Art hosts this annual cultural celebration that features traditional altars, live music, and art activities.
THE WINTRUST MAGNIFICENT MILE LIGHTS FESTIVAL
November | The Magnificent Mile
A beloved holiday tradition, this spectacular event includes a parade and the official lighting of the trees along iconic Michigan Avenue.
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