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April 2024 events calendar for Chicago

Plan your April in Chicago with our calendar of the best things to do, including concerts, theater and art exhibits.

Jeffy Mai
Edited by
Jeffy Mai
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Spring in Chicago has officially arrived! It's time to get outside and explore. You can go hiking near Chicago or take a day trip to enjoy a quick getaway. April sees the return of several big events, such as C2E2 and EXPO Chicago, as well as the Chicago Latino Film Festival for cinephiles. If you're looking for food and beverage experiences, grab tickets to the Chicago Rum Festival or New Beers Eve. Later in the month, head to Merchandise Mart to shop unique, handmade goods from 350 vendors at the One of a Kind Show or check out the Joffrey Ballet's Midsummer Night's Dream. So celebrate the beginning of the spring season—and all the new beginnings that go along with it—with our list of the best things to do in Chicago this April.

RECOMMENDED: Events calendar for Chicago in 2024

Featured events in April 2024

  • Art
  • Fairs

The International Exposition of Contemporary and Modern Art (better known as EXPO Chicago) returns to Navy Pier, hosting more than 170 of the world's prominent contemporary galleries from 29 countries and 75 cities. You’ll see towering installations, sprawling canvases, intriguing sculptures and more cutting-edge art at this annual gathering, which features work by artists from around the globe. EXPO Chicago also presents conversations with artists, public art installations and more ways to immerse yourself in the creative spirit of the event.

  • Things to do
  • Conventions
  • Museum Campus

Get ready to show off your most creative and exquisite cosplay outfit when the Chicago
Comic & Entertainment Expo, one of the largest pop culture conventions in the country,
returns to its annual stomping grounds at McCormick Place. You'll be able to wander through a massive wonderland filled with comics, toys, games, movies and television. Mingle with fellow fans, search for one-of-a-kind merch or attend live panels featuring some of biggest names in the industry. This year’s guest lineup includes professional wrestler Sting, Freddie Prinze Jr., Rachel Leigh Cook, Amy Jo Johnson and more.

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  • Movies
  • Drama
  • Loop

The Chicago Latino Film Fest returns for its 40th year, showing films from Latin America, Spain, Portugal, the United States and more via screenings at Landmark Century Centre Cinema, Davis Theatre and Cervantes Institute. This year's programming lineup includes highlights like Alonso Alvarez's thriller The Wingwalker as well as Laura González's drama Milonga, which will serve as the festival's closer. For a complete schedule of screenings, check out the Chicago Latino Film Festival website.

  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • Loop

This annual festival assembles luminaries from the fields of politics, journalism and the arts for a multi-week series of programming across the city, with events ranging from lectures and discussions to screenings and musical performances. Not sure which events to hit? Some of the fest’s biggest speakers this season include former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, architect Jeanne Gang, musician Kathleen Hanna and comedian Reggie Watts. You can see a full schedule of programming on the Chicago Humanities Festival website.

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  • Shopping

They call this three-day market One of a Kind for a reason. A whopping 350 artists from around the country will fill out one floor in the Merchandise Mart for the spring edition of this seasonal bazaar. Take a look at the show's website for a full list of vendors making everything from handpainted ceramic mugs and cool textured pillows to carved wooden bottlestoppers. Come for the shopping and stick around for daily fashion shows and a gourmet market stocked with lots of tasty treats.

  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • Logan Square

Presented by the experts at the Rum Lab, the Chicago Rum Festival (formerly the Midwest Run Festival) brings together producers from across the world for an afternoon of tastings and mingling. Guests can choose from one of four different tickets and work their way through a variety of rum expressions, accompanied by complimentary snacks and live music. All attendees will receive a three-ounce souvenir cup.

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  • Art
  • Fairs
  • Lake View

More than 110 emerging artists will be selling their work at Saatchi Art's touring art fair, which takes place this year at Artifact Events. Prices for art start at around $100, making this the perfect opportunity for burgeoning collectors to start their very own gallery wall without spending an arm and a leg. Want something to snack on in between browsing sessions? Snag bites from 5411 Empanadas or a sweet treat from Fat Milk.

Green City Market Lincoln Park
  • Things to do
  • Markets and fairs
  • Lincoln Park

One of Chicago's most popular farmer's markets, Green City Market welcomes vendors selling regional produce to the south end of Lincoln Park (between Clark Street and Stockton Drive) on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Amid the rows, you’ll find farm-fresh eggs from Michigan, cheese from Wisconsin and scrumptious pies baked by Chicago’s own Hoosier Mama Pie Co.

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  • Movies
  • Loop

See more than 20 films from China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Canada during the latest edition of the Asian Pop-Up Cinema screening series, which will include in-person and virtual screenings. This season's centerpeice is Good Autumn, Mommy, a story about a rural Chinese mother searching for her missing newborn daughter. For a complete schedule, visit the Asian Pop-Up Cinema website.

  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • West Loop

Gather for a celebration of Greek Independence Day—as well as all things related to Hellenic culture and identity—at the annual Greek Heritage Parade, which marches down Halsted Street in Greektown. The parade steps off at 2:30pm, but attendees can also grab a bite to eat at the neighborhood's best restaurants, check out art and jewelry at various shops or experience traditional Greek music and dance troupe performances.

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  • Things to do
  • Markets and fairs
  • Lincoln Square

SAUCED returns for its 10th season with a 4/20-inspired night market, where over 50 local vendors will be selling handmade goods, jewelry, vintage clothing, prints and more treasures, with a special emphasis on cannabis-related products. Got the munchies? Snag food from local eateries like Soul & Smoke and Mochinut, or bust some moves to live beats from DJ Johnny Walker.

  • Dance
  • Ballet
  • Loop

The Joffrey Ballet is bringing back a favorite to close out its 2023-24 season—Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman’s ballet rendition of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which takes cues from Scandinavian Midsummer traditions rather than Shakespeare. The Lyric Opera Orchestra performs the score by Swedish composer Mikael Karlsson, with Swedish singer Anna von Hausswolff joining the dancers onstage at every performance.

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  • Things to do
  • Jefferson Park

This annual event celebrating all things tea-related brings together enthusiasts and vendors from all over the world. You’ll taste, discuss and expand your knowledge of tea while discovering new flavors, and also have the opportunity to attend educational workshops, tea cupping sessions and more.

  • Things to do
  • Lake View

Join Artifact Events for a party with some of Chicago’s most popular local breweries. You'll get to sample beers from Begyle, Off Color, Revolution, Forbidden Root and many more, plus enjoy tasty bites, too. There will be live tunes and dogs are also welcome to attend.

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  • Things to do
  • Bridgeport

The seventh edition of Mexico in a Bottle Chicago will celebrate the country’s spirits with a full-scale tasting event at Bridgeport Art Center. Sip on a bevy of mezcal, tequila, rum, whiskey, gin, wine, beer and more from the finest Mexican brands, and then refuel with bites from notable local restaurants like Carnitas Uruapan and Mi Tocaya.

  • Things to do
  • Markets and fairs
  • River West/West Town

Find that perfect piece to complete your collection at this two-day marketplace, where visitors can look through everything from taxidermy to natural history items. The list of vendors is curated by founders Ryan Matthew Cohn and Regina Marie Cohn and includes local favorites like Wooly Mammoth Antiques and Sideshow Gallery in addition to Century Guild, Memento Mori LA and many, many more. There will also be tarot readings, flash tattoos and a spooky afterparty. Purchase special VIP tickets to start browsing the goods up to two hours early.

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  • Theater
  • Millennium Park

Experience 5,000 years of Chinese history through dance, enchanting live orchestra music, authentic costumes and interactive backdrops. Shen Yun brings audiences back to a time when divine beings walked the earth—performances feature around 20 segments that rapidly move between regions, legends and dynasties. The classical Chinese dance company tours the globe with an all-new program each year, working to preserve the traditions of Chinese culture.

  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • Loop

Satisfy your 4/20 cravings with a dessert and appetizer crawl around Ravenswood. You’ll be able to try tasting-sized portions of foods like pies and cookies, as well as cocktail and beer samples. The event will take place along Montrose Avenue between Seeley and Ravenswood; participating businesses include Cultivate by Forbidden Root, First Slice Pie, Katherine Anne Confections, Wolcott Tap and more.

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  • Things to do
  • River North

Tropical speakeasy Three Dots and a Dash is partnering with some of the best Japanese bars from the U.S. and Japan for a pop-up series throughout the month of April. The event will feature guest bartenders creating a menu of specialty cocktails, plus a selection of exclusive and rare Japanese whiskeys. To enhance the ambiance, a retro jukebox spinning vintage vinyls will provide the soundtrack. The guest lineup includes Bar Goto (April 4-7), Katana Kitchen (April 11-14), Bar Trench (April 18-21) and SG Club (April 25-28).

  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • Loop

Do you love all things pickled? Well there’s a festival for you. This Wrigleyville event—taking place at some of the neighborhood's top bars—will feature pickle cocktails and mocktails, pickle-focused foods, pickleback shots, live music, photo ops and much more. It’s a day you’ll relish forever.

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  • Things to do
  • West Loop

This vintage books, records and paper ephemera pop-up takes over West Loop’s Third Season on April 12-14. You’ll be able to browse a curated array of collectible posters and books—with an emphasis on film, science fiction, the graphic arts and rare first editions—as well as a selection of LPs and 45 RPM records. Focused on both the obscure and the approachable, there’s something for everyone.

  • Things to do
  • River West/West Town

Bingo Loco, an interactive rave show that’s taken place in cities around the world, comes to West Loop’s Recess this spring. The traditional game of bingo gets reimagined as a three-hour long immersive experience, complete with epic dance offs, rave rounds, lip sync battles, confetti showers, CO2 cannons, conga lines and prizes ranging from international trips to lawnmowers. One thing’s for sure—this ain’t bingo night at the senior center.

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  • Things to do
  • Bucktown

Disney fans, rejoice! A new exhibit showcasing the company’s storied history has come to the 35,000-square-foot Exhibition Hub Art Center in Lincoln Park. You’ll be able to explore 14 interactive installations and see more than 250 rarely-seen artifacts and memorabilia from various Disney franchises, including Marvel Studios and the Pixar Living Archives. There's also the opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise from the gift shop and take photos in front of enticing backdrops.

  • Art
  • Film and video

Displaying a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of the Merchandise Mart, ART on THE MART is the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, with programming that changes seasonally. ART on THE MART's array of 34 digital projectors show the creations after dusk every evening. It’s best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.

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  • Things to do
  • East Garfield Park

Winter is almost over and the Garfield Park Conservatory is here to usher in warmer days with its Spring Flower Show. Make a reservation to explore this year's show, "What's in a Name?" which explains the history and science of botanical nomenclature. You'll find spring bulbs like Tulipa ‘Rococo’, Lilium ‘Josephine,’ Viola ‘Matrix Yellow’ and Anemone ‘Giant Blue Poppy.’ The show only sticks around through Mother's Day weekend, so book your visit soon!

  • Things to do
  • Hyde Park

The Museum of Science and Industry debuts a new exhibit dedicated to the science and technology behind the world’s longest-running film franchise, James Bond. Fans can check out 13 vehicles and over 90 additional artifacts, including the prototype jetpack used in Thunderball, an MI6 Retina Scanner from GoldenEye and the Parahawk snowmobile hybrid from The World Is Not Enough. You’ll also be able to step into a lab space inspired by “Q” and test your skills developing the perfect vehicle for spy activities, designing stunts and more.

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  • Things to do
  • Skokie

The largest and most immersive touring Titanic exhibition comes to Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie. Visitors will experience a narrative journey that brings to light the fates of the passengers and crew aboard the famous ship. Marvel at hundreds of artifacts that survived the sinking, plus props and costumes featured in James Cameron’s blockbuster film Titanic. Music from the era will play as patrons walk through detailed recreations of the ship’s interiors, including the grand staircase, while the Discovery Gallery will simulate what discovery teams saw during dives to the Titanic’s wreckage site.

  • Things to do
  • Grant Park

Explore dozens of prints and drawings from Picasso's rich and varied 70-year career, from his student years in Barcelona to the last years of his life. Picasso: Drawing from Life traces how this celebrated artist’s success was tied to his network of artists, dealers, printers, family members and more.

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  • Things to do
  • Skokie

This exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center takes a look at how Jewish immigrants created an entirely new American cuisine through delicatessens. Organized into thematic sections that explore the history of the Jewish deli in America, I’ll Have What She’s Having tells the story of local Holocaust survivors and presents items like a meat slicer, cookbooks and signs from Chicagoland institutions. A film produced by the museum exploring the impact of Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen, Kaufman’s Delicatessen and The Bagel is also featured.

  • Things to do
  • Logan Square

Chicago Gamespace, a video game museum and gallery, opens a new exhibit that explores the unique and ephemeral history of vector (line) graphics in contrast to the dominant raster (pixel) visual displays that reign today. Notable games like Asteroids, Battlezone and Star Wars will be highlighted, as well as a recently-preserved emulation of Moonlander.

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  • Theater
  • River North

Gather a group of friends for this show, an off-the-cuff ode to Jane Austen that has gained a loyal following in the 15 years since its debut. The cast calls upon an audience suggestion to inspire the show’s title (ensuring a totally new performance each time), then creates a long-form, Regency Era "Rom-Com" with Austen tropes and manners of yore. Expect a tale of laughs, love and surprises.

  • Things to do
  • Streeterville

Navy Pier’s newest attraction is here, transporting guests to some of Chicago’s most epic places via exhilarating flights. The multi-sensory experience incorporates drone technologies with aerial shots and first-person views to showcase the city like never before. Guests will swoop, dip and turn in motion seats as they climb up skyscrapers, check out iconic landmarks, float through fireworks and more.

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  • Things to do
  • Suburbs

Sony Pictures Entertainment has brought its first immersive entertainment destination to Oakbrook Center, inviting guests to enter the worlds of popular franchises like Uncharted, Ghostbusters, Jumanji, Bad Boys, Zombieland and more. The 45,000-square-foot space is home to a variety of activities, ranging from escape rooms to virtual reality and racing simulators to bumper cars. When you need to refuel, drop into the Commissary Restaurant for a full menu of food, desserts and cocktails. Entry to Wonderverse is free, with attractions priced separately.

  • Museums
  • Museum Campus

Escape the planet with exhibits about the first lunar missions, the solar system and more, plus immersive shows in the dome theater. 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.

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  • Comedy
  • Uptown

This weekly “live magazine” is a cavalcade of culture, politics and wit featuring journalists, actors, comedians and musicians offering idiosyncratic reports on the news of the day. Head to Uptown’s iconic Green Mill for drinks, hot takes and laughs; the longstanding Saturday afternoon edition tends to run about two and a half hours.

Featured events in April 2023

  • Comedy
  • Uptown

This weekly “live magazine” is a cavalcade of culture, politics and wit featuring journalists, actors, comedians and musicians offering idiosyncratic reports on the news of the day. Head to Uptown’s iconic Green Mill for drinks, hot takes and laughs; the longstanding Saturday afternoon edition tends to run about two and a half hours.

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