The best February 2026 events in Chicago

With soundstage-sized pieces like horned sculptures emitting soap bubbles, inflated spheres bedecked in abstract squiggles and surreal faceless figures hovering in space, “EmotionAir” reimagines the humble balloon as any other artistic medium—a conduit for creativity and emotion. 

This annual tradition challenges participants to jog a chilly mile through Wrigleyville in their skivvies—all in the name of raising money for neurofibromatosis research—before retiring to Slugger's for some scantily clad drinking and dancing. Those who don’t want to run can donate to the cause instead. Cheers to that!

The North Side is bringing back its own Restaurant Week, offering exclusive deals during lunch and dinner. Enjoy three-course menus at places throughout Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Albany Park, Edgewater, Irving Park, Northcenter, North Park, Rogers Park and Uptown. Participating spots include Maman Zari, Bistro Campagne, Khmai, Boonie's, Luella's, the Warbler and more.

How are some of the most iconic costumes of the past century made? Costume designer Paul Tazewell pulls back the curtain in this behind-the-scenes exhibition. Highlights include costumes from Wicked, Janelle Monáe’s MET Gala looks and Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Sketches, videos and narration reveal how imagination becomes wearable art.

“Mutuality” a group exhibition of new works created during the 11th year of the Hyde Park Art Center’s biennial Center Program, a professional development program designed to elevate emerging and mid-career artists. The exhibition defines mutuality as demonstrating mutual care and interest, encouraging artists to consider how their intentions, works and practice impact the world. Artworks in “Mutuality” represent over 20 artists practicing a multitude of disciplines, from painting and drawing to fiber and printmaking to performance and sound.

If dozens of vendors aren't enough of a draw for you to come to the lively Sunday market at this West Town neighborhood’s namesake park, maybe the weekly complimentary market programming—which includes free yoga, meditation and storytime for kids—will be. The market is also committed to sustainability, with plastic-free vendors and composting.

Multimedia artist Yoonshin Park challenges conventional ideas of what books are—and what they can be. Prompt and Prompted presents new and ongoing works that reimagine artist books as spatial, symbolic and participatory sites, engaging ideas of memory, marginality, translation and transformation.

The Museum of Contemporary Photography celebrates its 50th anniversary with a sweeping look at its collection. Each of the museum's five galleries will represent a decade of collecting, beginning with its most recent acquisitions (2016-2026) in the first gallery, then rewinding through time. The retrospective features rarely exhibited and newly acquired works by influential photographers including Dorothea Lange, Harry Callahan and Robert Frank.

Escape the planet with exhibits about the first lunar missions, the solar system and more, plus immersive shows in the dome theater. Stationed just a stone's throw away from the Adler, the Doane Observatory is also home to the largest public telescope in the area and gathers 7,000 times more light than the human eye. Every Wednesday, the Adler stays open late from 4pm-10pm so that folks can visit after work or school. And best of all, admission is free on those nights for Illinois residents.

“Living with Modernism: Kelli Connell” presents two series of photographic works by the Chicago artist. The exhibition's first body of work, “Pictures for Charis” finds Connell responding to iconic Edward Weston photographs through a queer, feminist lens. The second major work, “Double Life,” spurs a dialogue with the Mies van der Rohe-designed McCormick House while charting the evolution of nature, identity and relationships. This exhibition marks the largest presentation of Connell’s work in Chicagoland, placing queerness, power structures and shifting ecologies to the forefront.