Your insider's guide to the best things to do, see, and experience in Chicago.
2 MINUTE READ — Ring in the New Year in the heart of Chicago! The Loop comes alive with dazzling celebrations—from iconic citywide spectacles to intimate cultural events—offering something for every kind of reveler. Whether you’re looking for free community festivities, live performances, riverfront fireworks, or ticketed parties with a view, the Loop is the place to be as we count down to 2026.
3 MIN READ – It’s time once again to usher in a new year, and there’s no better place to do it than downtown in the Chicago Loop. Glitzy and glamorous open bar events await, along with live music, immersive experiences, and more.
4 MIN READ – Whether you’re looking for a skyline view, down to earth luxury along the Riverwalk, modern or traditional buildings for your special day, the Chicago Loop has it all. So, take a trip around the Loop and find the best venues to hold your next shindig.
Make plans for an unforgettable bachelorette party that lasts all day and night. During the day, treat the girls to a spa visit, shop around the city, go for a booze cruise, have an award-winning glass of wine, or rent a private boat. At night, celebrate with a luxurious hotel stay, make your way around swanky rooftop bars, or participate in a competitive game of darts. The possibilities are endless. Make sure your last night as a bachelorette is one you’ll never forget.
Clodagh and Amy Lawless bring Irish authenticity to The Dearborn
March 14, 2026
Chicago’s top-rated architecture boat tour, 90 minutes with expert CAC guides, stunning skyline views, open-air seating, and onboard amenities.
March 20, 2026
Explore Chicago’s haunted past on a nighttime river cruise featuring ghost stories, mob history, and eerie secrets of the Windy City.
April 16, 2026
Chicago River & Lake Michigan cruise with skyline views, iconic landmarks, and engaging guides sharing the city’s history and stories.
April 16, 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 21, 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 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Cruise from the Chicago Riverwalk to Lake Michigan for skyline views and a 3D-enhanced fireworks show with music and narration.
May 31, 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 5, 2026
From June 6th until July 5th, the phenomenal Champions of Magic bring their acclaimed illusion spectacular to Chicago. Featuring their biggest illusions ever, experience the Broadway-scale…
June 19, 2026
MUSIC BY MARK HOLLMANNLYRICS BY MARK HOLLMANN AND JAY REISSBOOK BY ERIN QUINN PURCELL AND JAY REISSDIRECTED BY MARC BRUNISTARRING…
