Your insider's guide to the best things to do, see, and experience in Chicago.
5 MIN READ — Summertime Chi is here and we have so many ideas for how to spend it in the Loop this July. The best part? All of these events are FREE. Read more to get ideas for how you can spend your July in the Loop! Get Active Every Saturday now through September …
6 MIN READ – Summers are fleeting in Chicago, only to give way to our brutal winters, so get out and enjoy the weather while it lasts. Do everything on your summer bucket list, like listening to live music, going on a bike ride, swimming, seeing art at a museum, and visiting the Chicago Loop’s best attractions while it’s still warm.
Chicago’s legendary food festival returns to Grant Park July 8-12, with five days of free concerts, diverse local cuisine and family-friendly programming along the iconic lakefront. Read the full details here.
5 MIN READ — The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announces the return of the Millenium Park Summer Workouts, Summer Music Series and Summer Film Series. Running May through August, these signature free programs bring world-class performances, fan-favorite films and energizing fitness experiences all in the heart of the Loop.
3 MIN READ – Classic St. Patrick’s Day activities in the Loop are back in full bloom! From the Chicago River dyeing to the best bars and restaurants, we’ve rounded up the best ways to get your green on for St. Paddy’s.
4 MIN READ – March is all about celebrating the incredible women shaping our world. Join us in honoring their legacy by supporting women-led businesses in and around the Chicago Loop this Women’s History Month.
3 MIN READ – The beautiful thing about Black history is that it’s still being made every day. Check out what these Loop businesses and organizations have to offer, and find a way to honor Black History Month this February.
1 MIN READ – Visiting the many renown museums in Chicago is always an enthralling experience, better yet is when admission is free! Plan your 2025 museum visits using the free day listings here.
March 15, 2026
Chicago’s top-rated architecture boat tour, 90 minutes with expert CAC guides, stunning skyline views, open-air seating, and onboard amenities.
March 21, 2026
Explore Chicago’s haunted past on a nighttime river cruise featuring ghost stories, mob history, and eerie secrets of the Windy City.
April 17, 2026
Chicago River & Lake Michigan cruise with skyline views, iconic landmarks, and engaging guides sharing the city’s history and stories.
April 17, 2026
Experience Chicago at night on a 90-minute river and lake cruise, featuring a glittering skyline, cool breezes, and lively, family-friendly commentary.
April 22, 2026
Directed by Andrew Scoville. Co-created by Academy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning artist David Byrne* and writer Mala Gaonkar, Theater of the Mind is a new theatrical…
May 23, 2026 | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cruise from the Chicago Riverwalk to Lake Michigan for skyline views and a 3D-enhanced fireworks show with music and narration.
June 1, 2026
Let your creative potential shine this summer with a class at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with options available for kids, teens and…
June 20, 2026
MUSIC BY MARK HOLLMANN LYRICS BY MARK HOLLMANN AND JAY REISS BOOK BY ERIN QUINN PURCELL AND JAY REISS DIRECTED…
June 30, 2026
An exciting lineup of outdoor films on Tuesdays this summer.
