June 2026 events calendar for Chicago

Chicago Pride Fest brings two days of music, drag, vendors and LGBTQ-friendly event to Northalsted in celebration of Chicago Pride Month. Swing by to catch headlining sets from major chart-topping and local artists. Plus, browse arts and crafts from more than 150 vendors and don't miss out on the Proud Pet Parade at noon on Sunday. Once you've had your fill, head to one of the best gay bars in Chicago to keep the party going.

The oldest music festival in North America plays host to more than 90 shows throughout summer, featuring big-name headliners like Paul Simon, Alabama Shakes and Chance the Rapper. Check out the full schedule of artists coming to Highland Park this year, and don't forget to pack a picnic.

Mandala South Asian Performing Arts—a bridge connecting audiences to the vibrant colors and rich traditions of South Asian heritage—returns with the eighth annual Mandala Makers Festival. This multidisciplinary platform, which supports a diverse array of South Asian performing artists, kicks off its season on April 15. The festivities continue through October, offering a continuous showcase of immersive music and dance events. Visit the Mandala Makers Festival website for a complete schedule of performances.

The Chicago Cultural Center is free and open to the public throughout the majority of the year, but if you need an excuse to check out all it has to offer, an Open House should do the trick. This year, the event will feature live music, gallery exhibitions, shopping and more. For a full schedule of activities and to RSVP, visit the official website.

Chicago honors its legacy as a city of 12-bar melodies and wailing guitar solos by hosting this annual blues music festival, bringing living legends and local players to Millennium Park for four days of electrifying performances. 

Head to North Center to dig into more than 50,000 pounds of ribs and barbecue across the streets of Lincoln, Damen and Irving Park. The annual celebration of saucy pork brings together more than 20 vendors, lounges where you can sit down to eat and live music to keep you entertained while you're digesting your second rack of ribs. 

Catch digital monsters in Grant Park with thousands of other trainers at the Pokémon GO Fest. Organizers are promising encounters with new species, real-time challenges, exclusive merch, photo ops with your favorite Pokémon and more. If you're still trying to catch 'em all, this is where you can fill your Pokédex and probably make a few friends while you're at it.

Beyond Wonderland makes its highly anticipated return to Chicago this summer, taking over the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island for its third annual edition. The festival's lineup features a powerhouse of globally renowned selectors including DJ Snake, Tiësto, Zedd and San Holo. Beyond the mainstage, the event continues to champion the electronic community through Insomniac’s Discovery Project—a dedicated initiative for nurturing emerging DJ talent—alongside the heavy-hitting Bassrush Experience.

The oldest juried craft fair in Hyde Park features paintings, sculptures, jewelry and ceramics from nearly 200 artists. The event also features blues and jazz acts, presented by Buddy Guy's Legends, as well as a family-friendly activity area and various food vendors. Attendees can shop for artwork created in a variety of mediums, including glass, jewelry, leather, photography, printmaking, painting, sculpture, wood, ceramics or fiber.

On June 13, teams of two will bring their custom-built bicycles to Chicago for the Red Bull Spin Off, a high-energy challenge requiring balance, brains and bravery to navigate a floating race track without falling in. This quirky athletic challenge will showcase 40 teams from across the country; they'll be judged on creativity, showmanship and race time.