The Time Out Chicago blog team

Since 2021, the beloved street party Sundays on State has drawn nearly 1.5 million people to the Loop’s main drag, but, to the disappointment of many Chicagoans, it will not return this year.  The 2026 festival, which took place on September 7 and October 5 last year, was cancelled by The Chicago Loop Alliance, which announced in February that the decision was made as it works to establish the new Loop Arts District, along with revamped arts- and culture-related programming.  Although it’s disappointing that Sundays on State will not take place this year, a new wave of cultural events is on the horizon, and a brand new event called Loop Arts Fest on Saturday, October 17, is slated to replace Sundays on State. The new daylong festival will take over State Street from Jackson to Madison for a celebration of the area's rich arts and culture assets, according to the Loop Alliance. The organization added that Loop Arts Fest will combine on-street activations with amplification of existing offsite programming to showcase the breadth of the Loop’s cultural community. A complete lineup of events and participants is expected to be announced in September. RECOMMENDED: The best festivals in Chicago for 2026, from music fests to street fairs The Loop, and particularly State Street, is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. But things are looking up: Vacant storefronts on State Street dropped nearly 14% in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, and...

For nearly four decades, Wishbone has been welcoming diners with Southern-inspired comfort fare and friendly vibes. But co-owners Joel and Julie Nickson recently announced that the brunch institution will soon close its doors after 36 long years in the West Loop. "We are saddened to announce that after 36 years, Wishbone will be closing," the team posted on social media to announce the sad news. We began in 1990 at 1800 Wast Grand Avenue on a shoestring budget with a lot of help from my family and, of course, my mother's paintings on the walls." They hope to remain open through the end of the month, giving loyal fans one final chance to say goodbye. RECOMMENDED: The 34 best restaurants in Chicago right now View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wishbone Restaurant (@wishbonechicago) The closure marks the end of a remarkable journey that began in 1990 at 1800 W. Grand Ave. What started as an eclectic, budget-friendly spot for neighborhood artists grew into a citywide staple. For more than two decades, Wishbone called 1001 W. Washington Blvd. home, drawing everyday locals alongside celebrities, politicians and even Oprah Winfrey’s studio staff. Its cozy, welcoming dining room was famously adorned with colorful paintings created by Joel Nickson’s mother, giving the restaurant a unique family warmth. Over the years, Wishbone adapted to shifting real estate and economic conditions. Rising rents prompted a move in 2018 to its current location at 161 N....

To paraphrase Sabrina Carpenter: "This pizza leaves quite an impression; five feet to be exact." That doesn't have quite the same ring as her song "Taste," but Paulie Gee's in Logan Square might have her beat for tastiness with its new offering, a pizza bigger than the Grammy winner. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Paulie Gee's Logan Square has officially launched "The Sheet Show," a gargantuan grandma-style pizza the restaurant claims is the largest pizza in the state. The size sounds like a joke (the pie clocks in at 5 feet 2 inches long, and weighing roughly 65 pounds), but the $500 price tag is no laughing matter. This is the kind of big event meal that hopefully includes a lot of guests; where the hell would you store the leftovers?  RECOMMENDED: This Chicago spot serves the best burger in America, according to Time Out View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chicago Food & Lifestyle | Phillip Morales (@catchinphils) At that size, no wonder the pizza comes out on a custom-built board and requires ordering in advance—and only one order per night. Turns out, a pie the length of a bathtub isn't something the kitchen can casually slide into the oven shortly after the order comes in. That's why it's offered only as a dine-in experience, intended to feed between 25 to 30 people, and has to be ordered 72 hours in advance. Despite its novelty status and headline-grabbing dimensions, The Sheet Show isn't just about size. The pizza is designed...