Every season is festival season in Chicago. Each month brings a packed line-up of special events celebrating food, music, culture, art, history, and beyond.
Choose from major music festivals, neighborhood street fairs, artisan markets, gourmet food fests, cultural heritage events, festive holiday celebrations, renowned film festivals, and so much more. Plus, many of the year’s top events are free to attend.
Some of Chicago’s biggest annual happenings include bucket-list festivals like:
- Lollapalooza, a massive genre-spanning fest in lakefront Grant Park that attracts today’s top artists
- Chicago Blues Festival showcases Chicago-style blues and has grown into one of the largest free blues fests in the world
- Taste of Chicago lets you sample some of the city’s best bites during the multi-day foodie extravaganza
- Chicago Jazz Festival, which spotlights top jazz talent to downtown Millennium Park for this free Labor Day weekend fest
Check out the always-growing guide to Chicago’s top festivals and events in 2026 and mark your calendars to make the most out of a busy year. And don’t forget to explore our events calendar for even more things to do in Chicago.
Discover Chicago festivals by month:
January • February • March • April
May • June • July • August • September
October • November • December
January: Chicago Restaurant Week & winter festivities
Top Chicago festivals and events in January
Chicago Restaurant Week (Jan. 23 – Feb. 8, 2026): Celebrate Chicago’s acclaimed dining scene during Chicago Restaurant Week, the city’s largest culinary event. Take advantage of special dining deals at hundreds of top Chicago restaurants.
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden (through Jan. 4, 2026): Experience the awe-inspiring outdoor light show, when an illuminated trail transforms the Chicago Botanic Garden with lights and sounds.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo (through Jan. 4, 2026): Don’t miss ZooLights, a spectacular Chicago holiday tradition featuring more than one million sparkling lights and festive displays throughout the historic zoo.
Ice skating in Millennium Park (through January): Grab your skates and enjoy some classic winter fun in Chicago’s famous Millennium Park. Check out the two pop-up ice rinks offering scenic views of the snowy skyline.
More January festivals and events in Chicago
Tomorrow Never Knows (Jan. 8 – 31, 2026): This citywide multi-venue festival showcases the best of the city’s indie scene with performances from local musicians and comedians.
Winter Flower Show at Garfield Park Conservatory (through Jan. 4, 2026): Escape the cold and explore the Winter Flower Show, which showcases stunning flowers and lush greenery throughout the indoor greenhouses.
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (through Jan. 3, 2026): Immerse yourself in this dazzling holiday display, when brilliant lights and music bring the Morton Arboretum’s trees to life.
Polar Adventure Days (Jan. 24 and Feb. 21, 2026): Enjoy free family fun in Chicago’s parks with sled dogs, snowshoeing, crafts, and more winter activities.
Cider Summit Chicago (Jan. 31, 2026): Sample top hard ciders from regional and international producers at this annual Navy Pier tasting event.
February: Lunar New Year & Chicago Theatre Week
Top Chicago festivals and events in February
Chicago Restaurant Week (Jan. 23 – Feb. 8, 2026): Celebrate Chicago’s acclaimed dining scene during Chicago Restaurant Week, the city’s largest culinary event. Take advantage of special dining deals at hundreds of top Chicago restaurants.
Chicago Theatre Week (Feb. 5 – 15, 2026): Experience the excitement of Chicago Theatre Week, where you can enjoy discounted tickets to a diverse range of exhilarating productions, ranging from original premieres to Broadway in Chicago favorites.
Chicago Lunar New Year celebrations (Feb. 15 – March 1, 2026): Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Chicago with lively cultural performances, colorful parades with traditional lion dances, film screenings, shopping specials, and culinary events across the city.
Chicago Auto Show (Feb. 7 – 16, 2026): The Chicago Auto Show — America’s largest and longest-running auto exhibition — features the latest vehicles, concept cars, and interactive displays for auto enthusiasts of all ages.
Ice skating in Millennium Park (through February): Grab your skates and enjoy some classic winter fun in Chicago’s famous Millennium Park. Check out the two pop-up ice rinks offering scenic views of the snowy skyline.
More February festivals and events in Chicago
Chicago Beer Festival (Feb. 28, 2026): Sample seasonal brews from over 60 local breweries, all while exploring inside the historic Field Museum.
The Orchid Show at Chicago Botanic Garden (Feb. 7 – March 22, 2026): Marvel at thousands of colorful orchids in bloom during this stunning annual exhibition.
Polar Adventure Days (Jan. 24 and Feb. 21, 2026): Enjoy free family fun in Chicago’s parks with sled dogs, snowshoeing, crafts, and more winter activities.
Global Connections at Navy Pier: Experience vibrant international celebrations, including Carnivale and Lunar New Year, at lakefront Navy Pier.
Taste of Ravenswood (Feb. 6): This indoor tasting event showcases some of the best local bites and sips from throughout the vibrant Ravenswood neighborhood.
UChicago Folk Festival (Feb. 20 and 21): Celebrate the rich tradition of folk music from around the world at this beloved University of Chicago event, a local favorite since 1961.
Music Frozen Dancing: Bundle up and rock out at this free (outdoor!) winter music festival, hosted at legendary music venue Empty Bottle.
Chicago Irish Film Festival (Feb. 26 – March 8): A local staple for more than two decades, the Chicago Irish Film Festival brings some of the year’s best movies and documentaries from Irish filmmakers to Chicago audiences.
March: St. Patrick’s Day Parade & River Dyeing
Top Chicago festivals and events in March
Chinese New Year Parade (March 1, 2026): This colorful parade marches through the streets of the historic Chinatown neighborhood with live performances and traditional lion dances.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 14, 2026): The annual parade in downtown Chicago brings thousands of revelers to Grant Park to cheer on bag pipers, Irish dancers, community groups, and more.
Chicago Green River Dyeing (March 14, 2026): One of the world’s most famous St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Chicago River is dyed a vivid emerald green in honor of the holiday.
South Side Irish Parade (March 15, 2026): A tradition enjoyed by many generations of Chicagoans, this family-friendly parade draws thousands of revelers to the Beverly neighborhood each year.
C2E2: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (March 27 – 29, 2026): Enjoy comic books, cosplay, anime, video games, celebrity panels, and more at the Midwest’s largest comic and entertainment convention.
More March festivals and events in Chicago
Northwest Side Irish Parade (March 15, 2026): Celebrate Chicago’s Irish heritage on the city’s Northwest Side with this annual parade, traditionally held the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick’s Fest at Irish American Heritage Center (March 14 – 15, 2026): This fun-filled day includes traditional and contemporary Irish music, dance, an arts and crafts fair, and more at the Irish American Heritage Center.
Chicago Irish Film Festival (Feb. 26 – March 8, 2026): A local staple for more than two decades, the Chicago Irish Film Festival brings some of the year’s best movies and documentaries from Irish filmmakers to Chicago audiences.
Chicago Cubs home opener (March 26, 2026): Kick off baseball season in Chicago during the Cubs’ first home game of the year at historic Wrigley Field, the country’s second-oldest ballpark.
Holi at Navy Pier (March 7, 2026): This free cultural celebration brings the colors and traditions of the Holi holiday to the lakefront attraction, including the iconic powder throwing.
Glow Wild at Brookfield Zoo (March 19 – May 10, 2026): This new evening event features an array of glowing handcrafted lanterns, plus live performances and unique food experiences.
April: Spring art events & film festivals
Top Chicago festivals and events in April
EXPO Chicago Contemporary Art Fair (April 9 – 12, 2026): This renowned contemporary art fair brings more than 170 international galleries to Navy Pier for a range of exhibitions, shows, and curator discussions.
EXPO Art Week (April 7 – 12, 2026): Explore Chicago’s vibrant art scene during EXPO Art Week, with free citywide exhibitions, installations, and programming leading up to the main event at Navy Pier.