Your insider's guide to the best things to do, see, and experience in Chicago.
The Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation is pleased to announce that its “Maskerade” Gala presented by Pressure Washing Systems grossed $150,000. Funds raised will support public art projects and events in the Loop in 2022. Past examples of Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation initiatives include Sundays on State, ACTIVATE pop-up alley events, mural projects, The Gateway and more.
3 MIN READ – Chicago Loop Alliance today released a new report, The Chicago Loop’s New Demography: Reviewing Change from 2010-2020, based on U.S. Census data. The report shows the Loop is the fastest growing Chicago neighborhood, and Chicago’s downtown is the fastest growing in the United States. View the report here.
2 MIN READ — Since July 2020, Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) has released monthly reports on downtown activity using a variety of data sources to track operations during COVID-19, and today released its September report, which also includes data for Sundays on State. The report tracks COVID-19 positivity rates, pedestrian activity, parking volumes, hotel occupancy, number of office workers on-site and more. View the full September report.
2 MIN READ – Beloved downtown Chicago icon Petterino’s reopened October 5 under new ownership, with a completely refreshed interior, expanded outdoor dining area and reimagined food menu and beverage program.
1 MIN READ – Condé Nast Traveler announced the winners of its prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards — and Chicago has been voted the Best Big City in the U.S. for an unprecedented fifth year in a row. For their 34th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, over 800,000 registered voters weighed in on their favorite cities in the United …
1 MIN READ – Condé Nast Traveler announced the winners of its prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards — and Chicago has been voted the Best Big City in the U.S. for an unprecedented fourth year in a row.
8 MIN READ – From dazzling marquees, to performances in the park, to edgy and intimate stages, the Loop is home to a wide variety of world-class theater. Whether you’re looking for musicals, plays, dance, classical music, or even acrobatics, you’ll find it right here in the heart of downtown and everyone’s neighborhood—the Loop.
Chicago Loop Alliance wrapped up the popular new Sundays on State event series on September 12 and has compiled quantitative and qualitative data that shows the program accomplished its three primary goals: accelerating the economic recovery from COVID-19, uniting the community, and creating joy. Sundays on State was an open streets celebration of arts, culture, active recreation, food, drinks, shopping and more that was free and open to the public, running for eight select Sundays from July 11 through September 12.
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…
