The best August 2026 events in Chicago

For classical music lovers who enjoy taking in a show set beneath Chicago's skyline, the annual Grant Park Music Festival is a perennial favorite summer event. This year's series of classical concerts runs through August 15 with performances ranging from symphonies by Mozart and Brahms to an evening of classic Broadway arrangements and the annual Independence Day salute. Take a look at the complete schedule of events below and find more information on the Grant Park Music Festival website.

Displaying a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of THE 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. Running Thursdays through Saturdays beginning at 7:30pm, it’s best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.

Navy Pier's former Crystal Gardens space transforms into a retro roller skating rink this summer. Grab your skates (or borrow a pair; they're included with your ticket) and hit the rink for old-school fun, plus an arcade, photo booth, drinks and groovy disco tunes. At night, the Skate After Dark party turns up the energy for the 21+ crowd with DJ sets on select nights throughout the summer.

From June through September, more than 90 movies will screen in parks across Chicago as part of the Park District's annual Movies in the Parks program. From recent blockbusters like Zootopia 2 and Freakier Friday to classics like Back to the Future and Jumangi, you're sure to find something good to watch (for free!) beneath the stars this summer. Screenings typically begin at 8:45pm, or dusk, each evening. Take a look at the full list of movies and participating parks.

The newly opened Obama Presidential Center is celebrating the country's 250th anniversary with its inaugural "You Are America" series this summer. The series kicks off on July 4 with The People's Fourth, a free event featuring live music, self-guided tours and other family-friendly activations across the campus. Other series highlights include House Music on the Plaza, Garden Gatherings and an Art in Action talk with Obama Presidential Center-commissioned artist Mark Bradford. Check out the full schedule of You Are America events here.

Chicago's opulent new magic lounge, The Hand & The Eye, is introducing a limited-edition series dubbed Summer Friday Magic. Through Labor Day, a limited number of guests can enjoy a truncated, 45-minute show in the venue's Vault Theatre without having to commit to the typical full evening of programming.

Ready to explore Chicago's amazing architecture while floating on the river? The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise takes place aboard a First Lady boat, transporting guests on a 90-minute tour that traverses three branches of the Chicago River and explores the stories behind more than 50 buildings that make up the city's iconic skyline. What separates the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise from similar tours are the knowledgeable Chicago Architecture Center docents that lead each excursion. You'll be able to chat with experts who know the nitty-gritty details of Chicago architecture and are eager to help you learn more about the structures surrounding you—something that makes this attraction appealing to tourists and longtime residents. All tours depart from the First Lady dock on the Chicago Riverwalk, located just down the stairs from the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. If you want to continue learning about Chicago's buildings after your tour, you can add a Chicago Architecture Center ticket for just $5—and it's good for seven days after you board the boat.

Looking for free concerts near Chicago? Hop on the Blue Line to Rosemont's Parkway Bank Park for Thursday night performances—with a few holiday and weekend dates sprinkled through the summer—including performances by Atomic Punks, Live the Who and Rhythm of the Rocketman, complete with a fireworks show at the end of the night. Beverage tents will be located on site, but we won't fault you if you prefer to pre-game with a fishbowl-sized spiked punch from nearby Sugar Factory. For a full schedule of shows, visit the Parkway Bank Park website. 

Radiohead's travelling audio-visual experience KID A MNESIA is stopping by Cinespace Studios. A large-scale installation was built to show a 75-minute film featuring the soundtrack from the band's original Kid A and Amnesiac multitracks, which were recorded between 1999 and 2000. After the show, guests are invited to explore the gallery, six-point surround system, artworks and more.

During the summer, the Chicago attraction hosts twice-weekly fireworks shows (on Wednesdays at 9pm and Saturdays at 10pm) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with stunning views available from across the pier's public spaces. During the winter months, the pyrotechnics return for a much-needed encore. If you're feeling weary of crowds, you can also take in the show from nearby beaches or while cruising along the Lakefront Trail.