The best things to do in Chicago this week

Northalsted Market Days is one of the largest street festivals in the Midwest, welcoming 100,000 people to the streets of Northalsted (formerly known as Boystown) for an LGBTQ-friendly summer celebration of music, food and dance. You can expect a long list of performers across five stages—check out the Northalsted Market Days website for a complete schedule.

It's the 97th edition of the world's largest and oldest African-American parade, which celebrates Chicago's youth just before the school year begins. Hundreds of thousands of attendees line King Drive to see colorful floats, marching bands and talented dance and drill teams. The parade's two-mile route begins in the Bronzeville neighborhood at 39th Street and Martin Luther King Drive before moving south to 51st Street and into Washington Park.

Ariana Grande will headline the United Center this summer on her Eternal Sunshine tour. Expect arena-sized spectacle paired with Grande’s signature vocal fireworks, plus a setlist pulling from across her decade-long career, from Yours Truly to Eternal Sunshine.

Time to start training for the ultimate rock 'n roll marathon: Foo Fighters are embarking on their first stadium tour since 2023's raucous Everything or Nothing At All tour. This 2026 jaunt will see the Foos at—praise be—maximum volume. Making this a true blue rock 'n roll free for all: Queens of the Stone Age and Mannequin Pussy will be rounding out the bill.

A whopping 30,000–100,000 rubber duckies—depending on how many are "adopted" by race day—are poured out of a dump truck at Columbus Drive Bridge and race down the Chicago River at this annual fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. You can adopt a lone duck for $10, a "Quack Pack" (six ducks) for $30, a "Ducky Dozen" (12 ducks) for $60, a "Flock of Ducks" (24 ducks) for $120 or a "Diamond Duck Pack" (240 ducks) for $1,200. If your duck wins the race, you can snag prizes like a new car, Cubs tickets and a $2,500 cash prize. Spectating, on the other hand, is free. May the best duck win! 

Find the perfect vintage piece for your collection at this Andersonville market, where you can shop antiques, home decor, jewelry, clothing and other trinkets from over 30 vendors on six different dates throughout the summer. Participating businesses include Antiqueandmod, J-Bird Clay, Scal's Vintage, The Paper Archive and many more.

Explore a host of galleries and programming at this monthly event that showcases West Town’s dynamic arts community. On the first Friday of every month, galleries and arts-based businesses stay open until 8pm.

The inaugural Ravenswood Feel Good Fest is taking over Sunnyside Avenue this summer. The free daylong block party brings music, food, art and more to the streets to promote "feeling good, doing good and fostering meaningful community." Guests can join yoga and dance classes, watch live music performances and grab bites and drinks from local favorites like 5411 Empanadas and Begyle Brewing. The event is free to attend, but a $5 donation, which will go toward the nonprofit organization Great Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, is encouraged.

The producers behind South Loop Farmers Market are bringing a new shopping experience to the Water Tower Place. On Thursdays from July 9 through September 24, head to the fourth floor to shop vintage treasures, artisan goods and farmers market finds, and enjoy live music and local food. 

Pack your own popcorn, bring a blanket and enjoy another season of free outdoor movie screenings during the Millennium Park Summer Film Series. You can grab a seat in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion or spread out on the Great Lawn as you watch flicks on a 40-foot LED screen. This year's lineup is to-be-announced. For the full schedule, check the official site.

The Budweiser Concert Series is back at Gallagher Way this summer, with three outdoor shows from Guster, Hippo Campus and Ashley McBryde. GA and VIP tickets are available, and $1 from each ticket sold will go to mental health and wellness organization Backline or sustainability organization Reverb.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Navy Pier's former Crystal Gardens space has transformed into a retro roller skating rink for the summer. Grab your skates and hit the rink for some of the best views in the city, plus an arcade, 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.

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.

Free outdoor film series Movies at the Pier is back at Polk Bros Park this summer. Head to the park near Navy Pier on Monday nights through August to catch a flick at 6pm. From family favorites like Lilo & Stitch to cult classics like Mean Girls, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, viewers can cast their votes on Instagram for the series' final film.

“Willem de Kooning Drawing” is the first exhibition to explore the full scope of the artist's drawing practice, framing it as the foundation of his boundary-breaking career. Featuring more than 200 artworks—including rarely seen drawings alongside paintings, sculptures and prints—this exhibition offers an unprecedented opportunity to experience seven decades of his graphic production while shedding light on his constant experimentation with various materials, tools and techniques.

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.

Head to Pritzker Pavilion on select Mondays and Thursdays from June 15–August 6 for the Millennium Park Summer Music Series, which showcases a wide range of music from both emerging and well-established performers. Check the official website for the full list of artists and schedule.

Whether you’re parenting a pint-sized Pokémon devotee or a nostalgic millennial still clinging to a holographic Charizard card for its “possible resale value” (guilty), the Pokémon Fossil Museum is designed to surprise and delight. Making its U.S. debut at the Field Museum in spring 2026, the international exhibition invites visitors to compare Fossil Pokémon like Tyrantrum and Archeops with real-world fossils—including SUE the T. rex. Expect Pokémon models, real fossil excavation tools and immersive soundscapes throughout.

In honor of America's 250th anniversary, the American Writers Museum presents a pop-up exhibition titled "Declarations: 250 Years of Writing Toward Independence." An 1832 William Stone print of the Declaration of Independence, a 1776 British edition of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, which advocated for the independence of U.S. colonies, and more artifacts will be on view. Visitors can also explore works related to the Declaration by Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and other historical figures, as well as edit the document into their own words through interactive activations.

Explore three millennia of Mexican spiritual beliefs and sacred rituals at the (free) National Museum of Mexican Art's exhibition, Images of Faith: 3000 Years of Spiritual Expressions in Mexico, the revamped rendition of the museum's inaugural exhibit, which debuted in 1987. This version of Images of Faith traces ancient traditions and explores Catholic traditions and spiritual principles of ancient Mesoamerican societies and modern Indigenous communities.

"Flyway City: Architecture for a Flourishing Ecosystem," designed by Studio Gang and led by world-renowned architect Jeanne Gang, explores solutions to prevent the estimated one billion annual bird-glass collisions in the U.S. Through a variety of architectural models, interactive media and local artifacts, the exhibition demonstrates how urban design can coexist harmoniously with nature. 

Highland Park's summertime tradition Food Truck Thursdays is back at the Ravinia District. From June 4 through September 3, more than a dozen local food trucks will set up on Thursday nights on Dean Avenue and at Jens Jensen Park. Bring the whole family (plus your own blankets and lawn chairs), and enjoy food, drinks, live performances and themed events on select nights. 

This first-of-its-kind exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago explores the visual, political and spiritual histories of dancehall and reggaetón through contemporary art. Once grassroots scenes, both genres have become globally influential movements tied closely to sexual and political liberation. The show features works by more than 35 artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Edra Soto, supakid and Lee “Scratch” Perry.

Part art installation, part psychological gauntlet, Theater of the Mind is David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar’s newest exploration of the self. Tucked inside a 15,000-square-foot office, the experience invites small groups of 16 or less to navigate a sensory-bending labyrinth. But the real variable isn't the set design; it’s the audience. Group participation is a central element of the show, which can be exhilarating but also sometimes awkward; the instructions are sometimes muddled, and the responses of the group can affect the narrative in ways that don’t always cohere. Ultimately, your enjoyment of Theater of the Mind may hinge on the group you’re there with—and on your own state of mind.

Intuit Art Museum joins the national Handwork 2026 celebration with an exhibition investigating Henry Darger’s relationship to traditional American paper crafts. Drawing on research by art historian Dr. Mary Trent, the exhibition demonstrates how Darger adapted common practices—such as making paper dolls and scrapbooks—into a complex, mixed-media narrative style. By showcasing Darger’s source materials alongside his final works, the exhibition highlights how he reclaimed these institutionalized hobbies to express the interior lives and struggles of the marginalized.

Originally established in the late 1800s, the Maxwell Street Market brought vendors, musicians and cooks to an open-air flea market where shoppers could find just about anything they wanted. The market introduced the Maxwell Street Polish sausage, provided a venue for rising Chicago blues musicians and was immortalized in a scene in The Blues Brothers. These days, the market sets up on Maxwell Street, between South Halsted Street and South Union Avenue on Sundays, where visitors will find vendors hawking their wares, an abundance of delicious Mexican food and occasional performances by local bands and dance troupes. 

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. 

Enjoy outdoor live music all summer long at the Navy Pier Beer Garden. The free series will feature local, regional and national acts performing countless genres and musical styles every weekend. Check the official Navy Pier website for the full lineup and schedule.

Spin classes and weight lifting can wait for the winter. This summer, jump start your weekend with free cardio kickboxing, yoga, pilates and Zumba classes on Millennium Park’s Great Lawn and in Wrigley Square every Saturday from May through August.

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.

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.

This immersive exhibition recreates the Secret Annex where Anne Frank, her family and four others hid during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Chicago is only the second U.S. city—and the first in the Midwest—to host the experience, which includes rarely seen artifacts from Frank’s life. Visitors can walk through the reconstructed hiding place while learning about Anne’s childhood, the rise of Nazi Germany and the Frank family’s years in Amsterdam. The exhibition offers a powerful look at the risks, courage and daily realities of those who lived in hiding. Admission is free on Friday, June 12 in honor of what would have been Anne's 97th birthday. Guests can also enjoy the exhibit for free with the purchase of a general admission ticket for the rest of the weekend.

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. 

Ready to explore Chicago's amazing architecture while floating on the river? The Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise takes place aboard a Chicago’s 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. 

Find your flow with the whole family in the cozy confines of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum at a Brain to Belly Kids Yoga session! This creative class flows through several fun poses, each one complementing the month's children's story. Children (ages two to eight) and their grown-ups will enjoy moving, breathing and connecting together while bringing the story's plot to life. Bonus: Your ticket includes full access to all museum exhibits, so stick around after class!

Spanning two distinct periods of Alberto Aguilar’s career, “I just really want to tell you this one thing” explores the delicate themes of communication and translation. Rather than a static display, the exhibition serves as a collective offering by Aguilar and his collaborators for viewers seeking an active creative conversation. Mirroring Aguilar’s broader practice, this collection prioritizes the unique meaning that emerges only through exchange. 

Head to 360 Chicago on Saturdays for yoga with a killer view. Instructor Britta Eumann will lead an hour-long class on the 94th floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center) that’s suitable for all ages and skill levels—you just need to bring your own mat and arrive properly dressed. Registration is $55 and includes a cocktail or coffee, plus admission to the observation deck so you can stick around and snap some photos after you're done striking poses on the mat.

As the Driehaus Museum’s first artist-in-residence, Brendan Fernandes will transform the Murphy Auditorium into a dynamic site for sculpture, movement and sound. Inspired by the Judson Dance Theater, Fernandes’ Scores for the Murphy Auditorium will unfold as an episodic residency throughout 2026, with performances and public programs announced over time.

Experience Chicago through the eyes of artist Marvin Young at Intuit Art Museum’s latest exhibition. Since joining the Arts of Life studio in 2024, the lifelong South Sider has used vibrant mixed media to capture both imagined and remembered urban scenes. From large-scale portraits to detailed architectural landscapes, Young’s work brings the city to life with vintage walk-ups, classic cars and the energy of the streets. 

Just when you thought the state's largest mall couldn't surprise you anymore, Woodfield Mall announces WONDRA, a sprawling new immersive experience. Inside, you’ll wander through enchanted meadows that respond to the sound of your voice, stumble across bioluminescent landscapes and drift into crystal caves and celestial gardens that blur the line between digital spectacle and raw wonder. Every corner is crafted to ignite curiosity and inspire a sense of awe, whether you’re a kid seeing it all for the first time or an adult who forgot what it feels like to play.

You’ve probably seen a Shakespeare play before, but never like this. Five professional actors come together for each performance of Drunk Shakespeare. The twist? One of them has had five shots before the show and is trying to stay on track while the other four actors do their best to hold the performance together.

Located inside The Den, a 1920s greystone-turned-hotel in Lakeview, the Blind Wolf Speakeasy is an intimate, approachable bar, event venue and home to a free weekly comedy show. Blind Wolf Comedy hosts a rotating roster of Chicago comics each Wednesday at 8pm, as well as open mic nights on Thursdays at 7:30pm. There's no cost to attend, but you can reserve a seat through their Instagram page.

For more than 30 years, the Neo-Futurists have been delighting late-night crowds with performances that pack 30 miniature plays into a 60-minute show. The company's signature show is more unpredictable than ever these days, with a handful of compact new plays premiering every week. Within the span of 10 minutes, you may be treated to a poignant monologue about everyday life or an irreverent diatribe delivered by a pantsless member of the cast—all inspired by the experiences of the performers on stage. Always changing and evolving, it's the rare show that truly offers something different everytime you show up to see it.

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.

Every Wednesday, the Old Town School of Folk Music hosts a showcase of world music and dance. Featuring both local and touring talent, you're sure to hear something new and exciting at this long-running series. Before the show, be sure to peruse the Old Town School of Folk Music Store, where you can rent instruments, learn about lessons and peruse a wide selection of books.