Loop Arts Fest
Experience a day of arts, culture, and Chicago pride.
The Loop Arts Fest connects institutions, public art, performances, and street‑level creativity into one shared experience.
Photo by Vashon Jordan Jr.
Celebrate the Loop’s cultural current.
The Loop is the heart of downtown, where arts and culture move on the same grid as the city’s business, transit, and everyday life.
The Loop Arts Fest is a day-long street festival that closes State Street to vehicular traffic from Jackson to Madison as a celebration of the Loop’s dense arts and culture assets. The festival combines on-street activations with amplification of existing offsite programming to showcase the breadth of the Loop’s cultural community.
Photo by Abel Arciniega
Saturday, October 17
Noon-6 p.m.
State Street, Jackson to Madison
Three Blocks. Two Stages. One Headliner.
From arts and culture organizations to local artists, food vendors, and Chicago businesses, Loop Arts Fest brings together a wide variety of Chicago creativity all along State Street. Every block offers something different to discover, see, and experience.
With three blocks of programming, two stages of live entertainment and one headliner, there’s something happening throughout the festival.
See below for the full schedule of events across both stages.
Main Stage Schedule
12:05 PM | Broadway in Chicago
A performance of In His Eyes from Kokandy Productions’ critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning revival of JEKYLL & HYDE making its Broadway in Chicago debut at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, now through November 8
12:30 PM | Harold Washington College
Hear the next generation of Chicago musicians take the stage! Students from Harold Washington College, part of the City Colleges of Chicago and located in the heart of the Loop, bring their talents downtown for a performance celebrating the city’s emerging artists.
1:15 PM | Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts
Experience the talent of Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA), a nationally recognized conservatory right here in downtown Chicago. This performance features three ensembles: the CCPA Brass Ensemble, selections from Little Women, and the CCPA Jazz & Contemporary Ensemble.
2:30 PM | DePaul University School of Music & Theatre
Get ready for a performance that brings music and movement together! The DePaul Vocal Jazz Ensemble, featuring more than 10 vocalists backed by a full rhythm section, joins DePaul dance performers for a dynamic set filled with vocal harmonies, choreography and energy.
3:45 PM | Carpacho y Su Super Combo
Turn up the energy with Carpacho y Su Super Combo! This high-energy group brings the tropical sounds of salsa and cumbia to the Loop Arts Fest stage for a set made to get you moving.
5:00 PM | Simone Green
Close out the Main Stage with Loop Arts Fest headliner Simone Green! The Chicago-based soul singer, songwriter and producer has been captivating audiences for more than two decades. Inspired by icons including Prince, Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle, Simone brings her powerful voice and soulful sound to State Street for a performance you won’t want to miss.
Second Stage Schedule
12:00 PM | Joffrey Ballet
Experience the next generation of dance with 20 Joffrey Ballet students presenting two contemporary dance pieces, showcasing the artistry, athleticism and creativity of Chicago’s emerging dancers.
12:30 PM | Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
The pre-professional ensemble of Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre brings contemporary dance to the stage through powerful storytelling. Through movement, music, and expressive physicality, the dancers explore heritage, culture, identity and belonging in a performance that celebrates difference while highlighting our shared humanity.
1:15 PM | Kalapriya
Journey to South India through the traditional Indian classical dance of Bharatanatyam. Kalapriya Chicago will present selections from the Mārgam (“Journey”), highlighting the rich storytelling, intricate rhythms and expressive movement of this centuries-old tradition from Tamil Nadu.
2:00 PM | Second City Outlaws
Get ready to kick up your boots! Second City Outlaws will teach the crowd a few quick and easy line dances before taking the stage for an afternoon of country dancing, music and fun.
2:45 PM | Chicago Multicultural Dance Center
Meet the next generation of diverse dance talent through Hiplet NEXT, a mentorship-driven training program dedicated to empowering dancers to grow as artists and professionals. The program uses dance to build leadership, integrity and character while creating opportunities for dancers to thrive.
3:15 PM | South Asia Institute
Discover the vibrant traditions of South Asia with the South Asia Institute, Chicago’s independent South Asian American arts and cultural center dedicated to preserving, promoting and presenting South Asian arts and culture. Don’t miss this special performance!
4:00 PM | Ballet Chicago
Join Ballet Chicago for an experience that celebrates the artistry and joy of ballet! The performance features new choreography from the 2026 DanceVision program, excerpts from The Nutcracker, and a mini ballet lesson where audiences can join in on the fun.
4:45 PM | Cloggin’ Craze
Get ready for some high-energy footwork! Cloggin’ Craze is a nonprofit clogging team based in New Lenox, bringing this lively Appalachian dance tradition to the stage. Enjoy a mix of traditional and popular country music as the team showcases the rhythm, energy and fun of clogging.
5:30 PM | World Fashion
Experience fashion as a celebration of culture and connection. World Fashion brings designers, brands, diplomats and global communities together through a shared runway in Chicago. Stay tuned for something special! Learn more about the full Chicago World Fashion Festival here.
Explore More Around the Loop
Loop Arts Fest Off-Site Activations
Make a day of it! In addition to the festivities on State Street, explore special programming, exhibitions, and experiences happening at Loop Arts Fest partner locations throughout the neighborhood.
Classical Music Chicago | Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago – 55 E. Wacker Dr.
Keep the arts and culture going with Classical Music Chicago, featuring a special concert with Ryan Williamson, horn, and Umi Garrett, piano. Experience live classical music as part of a weekend celebrating the creativity and culture that make Chicago one of a kind.
Elephant Room Gallery | 704 S. Wabash Ave.
Step into Elephant Room Gallery to experience Urban Grain, a solo exhibition by sculptural street artist CLs. The collection features 17 abstract works crafted from reclaimed wood sourced from the artist’s own installations throughout the streets of Chicago.
Art on theMART | 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Art on theMART will present special evening programming that differs from its current projection series, offering a unique way to experience art along the Chicago River.
The Opus 414 Society | 77 W. Washington, 1st Floor
The Opus 414 Society will be presenting “A Day with The Organ” featuring organ music performed live on our temporary organ throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They will also be giving guests a hands-on opportunity to participate in building a small mechanical-action pipe organ from a kit created by Orgelkids USA. This is a multigenerational activity that helps to educate those involved about the fascinating way that pipe organs are built and create sounds. Visitors can come and go as their schedules permit, with the Orgelkids organ being assembled and disassembled several times throughout the day.
American Writers Museum | 180 N. Michigan Ave., 2nd Floor
Visit the American Writers Museum during regular public hours from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. for exhibitions, readings celebrating National Black Poetry Day in partnership with the Guild Literary Complex, and a seasonal, family-friendly Pumpkin Hunt. The museum will also have a limited presence on State Street featuring a staffed table with a typewriter-based interactive and creative activities such as blackout poetry.
The 61st International Film Festival | 164 N. State Street
The Chicago International Film Festival returns to the Gene Siskel Film Center October 17–26 for its 61st year. As North America’s longest-running competitive film festival, the festival showcases a diverse lineup of films from emerging and established filmmakers, celebrating the creativity, innovation, and artistry of cinema from around the world.
Art Institute of Chicago | 111 S. Michigan Avenue
Enjoy a day of art and discovery with a gallery tour at 12 p.m. in Spanish and at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. English guided tours. Families can get creative with hands-on art-making activities in the Ryan Learning Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don’t miss the featured exhibition, Mary Cassatt: After Impressionism!
Chicago International Film Festival | Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State
The Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago is a designated venue for the Chicago International Film Festival, hosting curated screenings from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. This screening is presented as part of the Loop Arts Fest. It is free and open to the public. There will also be featured Music in the Lobby performances taking place throughout the day.
- Voices of the City Arts Celebration: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM across multiple floors, featuring film, storytelling, visual arts, and music showcasing Chicago’s creative communities. The first 100 check-ins at the Welcome Station get a discount code for the Chicago Museum of Ice Cream.
- Loop Arts Fest: Music in the Lobby: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM, featuring live performances, including Jazzman Ray on saxophone from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM.
Know Before You Go
- Leashed, well-behaved dogs
- Strollers
- Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc.
- Lawn chairs, blankets, and other seating — whatever you find comfy, bring it! (Some seating will be provided)
- Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages
- Outside alcohol
- Weapons (bags are subject to search)
- Cars, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, etc.
The Loop Arts Fest is on State Street between Jackson and Madison. Enter N State St & E Madison St, Chicago IL, 60601 into your GPS for directions. Whether taking public transportation, biking, driving, using cabs or ride hail, or walking, find how to get to the Loop here.
Make a weekend of it and spend a night (or several!) at the footsteps of the event in a Loop hotel of your choice.
The Loop Arts Fest activations will be announced in the coming weeks. Make sure you don’t miss announcements regarding future potential Loop event opportunities by signing up for Chicago Loop Alliance’s email updates.
Other Happenings in the Loop
Open House Chicago Weekend
Make a weekend of it! Loop Arts Fest takes place during Open House Chicago weekend, October 17–18, giving visitors even more opportunities to explore Chicago’s architecture, arts, and culture. Discover Open House Chicago sites throughout the Loop and downtown, from iconic landmarks to unique cultural spaces.
Keep the arts and culture going with Classical Music Chicago, featuring a special concert with Ryan Williamson, horn, and Umi Garrett, piano. Experience live classical music as part of a weekend celebrating the creativity and culture that make Chicago one of a kind.
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