What’s New and Happening in Chicago – Summer/Fall 2024

Choose Chicago Media Relations Contacts:
Michelle Gonzalez, mgonzalez@choosechicago.com
Stephanie D’Adamo, stephanie@letssipp.com

What’s New and Happening in Chicago – Summer/Fall 2024

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (May 2, 2024) – The summer will kick off an extra busy season in Chicago with a slate of citywide, high profile events that run the gamut from the Democratic National Convention to the James Beard Awards to the return of NASCAR Chicago Street Race. Choose Chicago invites you to come and discover award-winning restaurants, iconic attractions, stunning outdoor spaces, a rich cultural scene, vibrant neighborhoods, and a welcoming and inclusive Midwestern spirit.

You’ll see why Chicago was voted Best Big City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler readers for a record-breaking seventh consecutive year. Visit ChooseChicago.com for more information and travel inspiration.

Recent Accolades:

This spring Choose Chicago released a new neighborhood travel show titled “The 77: A City of Neighborhoods,” which tells the stories of residents and small business owners in five neighborhoods – Bronzeville, Humboldt Park, Little Village, Pullman and Roseland, and Uptown. The series takes viewers on a captivating and delicious journey to explore the authentic stories, culinary traditions, and preservation efforts that define these remarkable communities. It is one piece of Choose Chicago’s broad efforts to support community-led neighborhood tourism through traditional and digital marketing, neighborhood guides, the Chicago Alfresco Program, and more. The series is available to stream for free on YouTube and on the Choose Chicago website.
Chicago and its businesses were honored in multiple categories of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards:
Best City Food Festival (#10): Taste of Chicago
Best Film Festival (#10): Chicago Underground Film Festival
Best Specialty Food Festival (#10): Windy City Smokeout
Michelin Guide has named eight Chicago hotels among its inaugural “Key Hotel” winners:
- Two Keys: Pendry Chicago, The Langham, Chicago, The Peninsula Chicago
- One Key: Gwen, Nobu, Viceroy, Waldorf, Chicago Athletic Association
Chicago was named one of the 50 Best Vacations in the US by the 2024 Men’s Journal Travel Awards.
For the 11th consecutive year, Chicago was named the Top Metro Area in the U.S. for Corporate Investment by Site Selection Magazine. This ranking underscores Chicago’s sustained appeal as a prime destination for business growth and development.
Big Shoulders Coffee in Chicago has won Overall Champion Small Chain/Franchise at the Golden Bean World Series 2024. The cafe and roastery, founded by Tim and Patricia Coonan, submitted in three categories during this year’s Golden Bean World Series, earning Overall Champion Small Chain/Franchise after winning bronze medals in the espresso and filter categories with their Sucker Punch and Wilton Benitez Pink Bourbon roasts, respectively.
Chicago favorite Pequod’s topped Yelp’s list of Top 100 Pizza Spots 2024.
Chicago is represented among the nominees 33rd annual James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards, to be held on June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Current contenders include:
Anna Posey, Elske for the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker Category: Danish cuisine is the inspiration at Elske, where Anna Posey showcases contemporary and classic techniques in her stunning desserts.
Lula Cafe for the Outstanding Hospitality Category: A Logan Square staple since 1999, Lula still brings crowds out in droves for its funky, market-driven cuisine and welcoming atmosphere.
Sujan Sarkar, Indienne for Best Chef (Great Lakes) Category: This progressive fine-dining restaurant puts a spotlight on Indian culinary traditions, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.
Jenner Tomaska, Esmé for Best Chef (Great Lakes) Category: Art and food collide at Esmé, where you’ll find tasting menu collaborations with a diverse array of artists.

To read more about Chicago in the news, click here.

Accommodations:
As part of its 35th anniversary celebrations, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago has introduced new family offerings for young city explorers. (Neighborhood: Streeterville)

Sammy’s Adventure-Packed Passport – Upon arrival, kids enjoy a special check-in experience including a gift from the hidden Treasure Chest and a custom Passport to Adventure – Sammy the Skyscraper’s guide to unlimited fun during a stay. Guests checking in on Friday afternoons can also enjoy a special welcome activity with seasonal crafts available from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
Extraordinary In-Room Experiences – Surprise the whole family with charming surprises that can be ordered to the room. Enjoy the ultimate treat with the on-call Ice Cream Cart, scooping out dream sundaes in guest rooms or suites. For those seeking a virtual adventure, the In-Room Gamer Menu features Oculus VR glasses, PS5 consoles, and Nintendo Switches, providing hours of entertainment and bonding time for families.
Space to Gather and Play – Families can venture up to the Kids’ Room on Floor 32, a dedicated space where young guests can be immersed in a world of fun and games. Complete with video games, snacks, and arcade machines, this vibrant space is the perfect haven for children’s imaginations to soar. Not to be missed are the weekly Movie Nights hosted every Friday and Saturday at 7:00 PM, creating space and time for families to connect and make memories.
Fun for All Four Seasons – Whether it’s a refreshing swim or time for play, families are guaranteed endless weatherproof fun with daily access to the Hotel Pool and Bubbles Academy Open Play. Aquatic adventures can dive into the heated indoor pool, offering year-round enjoyment illuminated by a stunning dome skylight. For imagination-filled playtime, families can take the Hotel elevator one floor to mom-owned Bubbles located on the sixth floor of 900 N. Michigan.
Concierge Curated Experiences – Blocks from Lake Michigan and top attractions, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago is a top destination for families. The Hotel’s knowledgeable concierge team is always ready to help plan activities suitable for kids of all ages, crafting personalized itineraries that highlight Chicago’s renowned museums and attractions. Families can embark on unforgettable adventures tailored to varying interests, from exploring the wonders of the Field Museum to gazing at the stars in the Adler Planetarium and discovering the vibrant wildlife at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Bringing one of Asia’s most prominent and beloved hotel brands stateside for the very first time, South Korea’s largest hotel group LOTTE HOTELS AND RESORTS introduces vibrant, lifestyle-centric L7 HOTEL to downtown Chicago (225 N. Wabash at E. Wacker Place).
Designed by award-winning design firm AvroKO, the aesthetics of the property reflect both its brand origins in Korea as well as the surrounding spirit of Chicago with 191 guest rooms (including 22 suites), unique wellness-focused amenities, a curated contemporary art program featuring Chicagoan, Korean, and Korean-American artists, and a signature ground-floor restaurant, PERILLA korean american steakhouse, from acclaimed local restaurateurs and ambassadors of Korean fare, Executive Chef Andrew Lim and Partners Thomas Oh and Alvin Kang. Located just steps from the Chicago Riverwalk and the iconic Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue, L7 HOTELS BY LOTTE offers guests close proximity to the city’s tourist attractions and business district, bringing the best of an iconic brand to the United States in grand fashion.

Loews Chicago Hotel and Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel, proudly announce the debut of their Free Spirited by Loews Hotels program. As one of the pioneering hotel brands to embrace the growing trend of mindful consumption, Free Spirited by Loews at Loews Chicago and O’Hare Hotels will provide elevated and bespoke hotel bar programming for those who choose to imbibe less or not at all. As part of Loews’ commitment to “welcoming you like family,” Loews Chicagoland Hotels continue to create judgment-free environments designed to accommodate guests of all ages, abilities, and lifestyles. With this program, Loews Hotels will showcase their respective, on-site mixology talent crafting impressive libations focusing on locally sourced ingredients and unique flavor combinations.

Food and Libations:

Bar La Rue is a brand-new concept at 820 W. Fulton Market Street that celebrates French-American cuisine with an inventive co*cktail program in the heart of the neighborhood. The stylish new location also boasts a beautiful all-season, streetside pergola bar and dining area which will stand out as a much-desired destination for al fresco dining. (Neighborhood: Fulton Market)

Chicago Brew Pass, in partnership with The Choir of Man, a program designed to promote exploration of Chicago’s award-winning craft brewery scene, has relaunched for the summer season. Through the Brew Pass, locals and visitors can check in at breweries across

the city and earn points that can be redeemed for limited-edition prizes. The upcoming season of the Brew Pass introduces several enhancements to its digital platform while maintaining its user-friendly interface. A total of 32 breweries are participating this year, with other notable updates including the extended timeline (from 6 months to 8 months) and new prizes. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

City Winery at the Chicago Riverwalk is now open rain-or-shine, serving a menu of award-winning wines made in Chicago at City Winery’s West Loop location, and dishes created to pair with the wines. With the addition of a retractable enclosure, City Winery at the Chicago Riverwalk is now able to accommodate larger parties and private events, taking full advantage of both indoor and outdoor space, with up to 150 seated and 250 for reception. Spring menu favorites by the Riverwalk location’s Executive Chef, Leomie Walton include Watermelon and Feta Salad, a Lobster Roll with Calabrian peppers, Pulled PorkTacos, and Whiskey Peach Pound Cake. Also featured on the menu are signature City Winery wines on tap crafted by Head Winemaker Caroline Schrader, local seasonal beer offerings, and crafted co*cktails such as the Chicago Sour, City Sangria, and City Mule. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Giordano’s, Chicago’s hometown iconic deep-dish pizza brand, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Established in 1974, Giordano’s has become synonymous with deep-dish pizza excellence, attracting not only locals but visitors across the world. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

This summer, as part of Parachute’s ten-year anniversary, Chefs Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark will debut a new high-fidelity music bar and restaurant, Parachute Hi-Fi. The new experience will be an expansion of the Parachute brand and will be housed at the previous location of Kim and Clark’s flagship restaurant at 3500 N Elston Avenue. The chefs will bring a new and exciting experience to the neighborhood that fuses together culinary co*cktails, high-fidelity sound, creative Korean-American cuisine, and affections for future nostalgia. (Neighborhood: Avondale)

Sky Terrace Rooftop Lounge at Ivy Hotel will reopen for the summer season in May 2024. Pairing creatively crafted libations and delectable small plates with sparkling downtown scenery, Sky Terrace elevates evening rendezvous with extraordinary style. Settle into our breezy ambiance, as you kick back in one of our lounge spaces, gaze out over the city, and toast to a rooftop experience unlike any other. (Neighborhood: Streeterville)

Coinciding with the 15th anniversary of its debut in River North, Chicago’s second Sunda New Asian location has opened in Fulton Market (333 N. Green Street). By creatively melding the many cooking techniques and flavors found throughout Southeast Asia, Sunda creates new culinary experiences that feature a modern New Asian twist. Menu highlights include spicy tuna crispy rice, truffled chicken siu mai, and roasted duck hash. (Neighborhood: Fulton Market)

A new location of Sushi-san (1948 N. Halsted Street) from Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants is slated to open in Chicago’s Lincoln Park in late Spring/early Summer 2024. Sushi-san in Lincoln Park will be led by Master Sushi Chef Kaze Chan and offer signatures like maki, nigiri, sashimi, San Sets, charcoal grilled and sizzling rice dishes, and more, as well as offerings unique to the new Lincoln Park location. As always, blast-chilled Asahi beer, Sake Bombs, specialty co*cktails and an extensive collection of Japanese whisky will be available, along with the house signature Sake-san and other sake by the glass and bottle. Sushi-san in Lincoln Park will be the third location of the beloved Chicago sushi spot, joining the original in River North and the second, which is a part of Catalog at Willis Tower. (Neighborhood: Lincoln Park)

Time Out Market Chicago, the food and cultural market which brings the best of the city together under one roof, is thrilled to announce the addition of Sporty Bird – a fried chicken concept from chef to the stars and all-round culinary maestro, Art Smith. Opening April 20 at the Market, Sporty Bird will combine the thrill of sports with the irresistible allure of Chef Art Smith’s divine fried chicken creations. (Neighborhood: Fulton Market)

Tre Dita (401 E. Wacker Drive, 2nd Floor) and Bar Tre Dita are now open at The St. Regis Chicago. A collaboration between award-winning Chef Evan Funke (Funke, Mother Wolf, Felix) and Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, Tre Dita marks the Los Angeles-based chef’s first Chicago restaurant. Italian for “three fingers,” Tre Dita is a nod to the precise thickness of a properly cut bistecca Fiorentina, which the “cucina Toscana” serves from its open-hearth, wood-fired grill, along with handmade pastas and more. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Umaga Bakehouse, a reimagined Filipino bakery, is set to open its doors this spring at 4703 W. Foster Avenue. Located in the vibrant North Mayfair neighborhood across from the Seafood City supermarket, Umaga Bakehouse offers a fresh and innovative take on the traditional Filipino bakery experience, aiming to become a staple destination for both the Filipino community and beyond. (Neighborhood: North Mayfair)

Exhibitions (Immersive Art & Museums):

The Art Institute of Chicago has announced its spring/summer programming. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Georgia O’Keeffe: “My New Yorks” (June 2-September 22, 2024) – Famed for her images of flowers and Southwestern landscapes, Georgia O’Keeffe spent several years exploring the built environment of New York City with brush in hand. The artist first moved to the city’s newly built Shelton Hotel in 1924, then the tallest residential skyscraper in the world, and its soaring heights inspired a five-year period of energetic experimentation, across media and at a variety of scales, with subject matter, form, and perspective. She created street-level compositions capturing the city’s monumental skyscrapers from below and suspended views looking down from her 30th-floor apartment. O’Keeffe called these works “my New Yorks” and through them investigated the dynamic potential of New York’s cityscape. This presentation establishes these works not as outliers or anomalous to her practice, but rather as entirely integral to her modernist investigation in the 1920s.
János Megyik Photograms (through July 8, 2024) – For six decades, János Megyik (Hungarian, born 1938) has been making poetic investigations of fractal geometry and perspectival systems, motivated by questions of point, line, plane, volume, and all that lies between and beyond their innumerable intersections. In 1983, following a decade or so spent building constructions from larch wood, the artist started experimenting with the cameraless technique known as the photogram. The first US museum exhibition of the artist’s work, János Megyik Photograms includes 12 large-scale photograms and one wall construction, his sculpture Corpus. A projection in three dimensions generated from one of his photograms, Corpus effectively functions as the reversal of a reversal, a prime example of the sort of “new dimension” the artist continuously seeks.
Threaded Visions: Contemporary Weavings from the Collection (through August 26, 2024) – This exhibition, drawn entirely from the Art Institute’s permanent collection, explores the beautiful diversity of this ancient and global practice through the works of 13 contemporary artists from five countries. Some of these artists—like Olga de Amaral of Colombia—are internationally admired and have decades-long careers; others—like Qualeasha Wood from the United States—have come to prominence quite recently. Each of these contemporary creators has been a diligent student of the history of textiles, and this is reflected in their work. Many of the textiles, created from 1983 to today, are made from materials that carry cultural significance for the artist. Respect for the origins of fibers and knowledge of modern and historical techniques enables each artist, in their own way, to make informed decisions about what to use and how to use it. The show also takes a closer look at the visual alchemy that results from combining different raw materials and techniques, such as coloring materials prior to weaving and using contemporary technology to translate concepts to cloth.

Chicago Architecture Center will present a new exhibition, Loop as Lab: Reshaping Downtowns, this spring. Chicago’s Loop is an inflection point, emerging from the pandemic on shaky footing but also with abundant opportunity to transition to something more vibrant, resilient, and livable. Loop as Lab: Reshaping Downtowns holds our central business district up to the light, exploring ways to keep our economic engine humming while diversifying uses and making the Loop more welcoming for everyone. The exhibition frames Chicago’s Loop as a “lab” for examining the shared challenges American downtowns face today. It prompts visitors’ reflection on their own experiences and aspirations and ventures design and policy solutions for reshaping downtowns and our relationship to them. The show espouses the belief that Chicagoans can continue to meet our challenges with vision and resolve, while also drawing inspiration from more than a century of central area planning and a modern-day exchange of ideas with peer cities. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Chicago History Museum’s newest exhibit Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s–70s will open May 18, 2024, showcasing more than 100 posters, fliers, signs, banners, newspapers, magazines, and books from the era, created by Chicago activists to amplify their visions for social change. They expressed often radical ideas about race, war, gender equality, and sexuality that challenged the mainstream culture of the time and remain enduring issues today. (Neighborhood: Lincoln Park)

Cleve Carney Art Museum will present Grid Luck: Alberto Aguilar (June 29-October 6, 2024). In the exhibit, Alberto Aguilar explores the grid’s role as both a generative and expansive tool. Drawing inspiration from the College of DuPage Permanent Art Collection, the exhibit reimagines the materials and spaces within the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, leading to the creation of new site-specific works. Aguilar’s innovative approach to using existing objects from institutional spaces as his materials offers a fresh take on traditional art-making, providing a new perspective on often overlooked possibilities. (Glen Ellyn, Illinois)

Dragon Boat Race for Literacy (June 22, 2024) – The Chinese dragon boat race has over 2,000 years of history in China and is a popular sport amongst Chinese and Asian communities all over the world. Thirty-two dragon boat race teams will compete on the south branch of the Chicago River in beautifully decorated dragon boats, each consisting of up to 20 members: 18 paddlers and 1 drummer. (Neighborhood: Chinatown)

Elmhurst Art Museum will present three new exhibitions. (Elmhurst, Illinois)

Elmhurst Artists’ Guild Spring Member Show (Through May 31, 2024) – The show includes works by featured artist Cherylyn Gnadt and other EAG members. Gnadt will show some of her familiar favorites, new takes on recurring themes, and storybook scenes in her wall exhibit – about a girl.
Monsters in Wilder Park – A Kid-Powered Art Show (May 4-July 31, 2024) – As a follow-up to the popular public art installation Superheroes in Wilder Park, which drew over 20,000 visitors, Elmhurst Art Museum will feature monsters in the park! Over 300 kids within the community dreamt up and submitted their own monster drawings. Inspired by these unique sketches, Elmhurst-based artist and illustrator Dave Pryor will reimagine them as larger than life public artworks.
Designing Donkey Hodie – From Make-Believe to Someplace Else (May 18-August 11, 2024) – Join us for an exciting summer of family-friendly programming exploring the visual evolution of the popular PBS KIDS show Donkey Hodie produced by Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures. The exhibit introduces the origins of Donkey Hodie, a character that debuted on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in the 1960s and has been reimagined for the puppet series today. Attendees experience the visual development of the series through storyboards, drawings, models, puppets, set pieces, and other props from the show. Displays, including original concept artwork and props from the series, and hands-on activities offer multiple ways to explore the practical magic behind the imaginative puppet series, from puppet design and building to the art of set and prop design. The exhibit follows efforts by the award-winning production team from Chicago-based Spiffy Pictures and Pittsburgh-based Fred Rogers Productions to create the adventures of Donkey Hodie and her pals.

The Field Museum has opened its newest exhibition, The Changing Face of Science: Ylanda Wilhite (April 19, 2024-March 14, 2025). Engage with the captivating stories of women and people of color in science and find inspiration for your own exploration. Discover how diverse perspectives, identities, and backgrounds uniquely contribute to scientific advancement. Explore the diverse ecosystem of Chicago with Ylanda Wilhite. Through camping, kayaking along the Cal Sag River, and immersing yourself in the outdoors, discover how science is present all around you, wherever you go. Become an advocate for nature and the environment while learning about the positive impact of environmental action in your community. Plus, discover all the ways to connect with your community through nature and environmental action. (Neighborhood: South Side)

Hyde Park Art Center presents Teen Show (June 15-September 22, 2024). New paintings, drawings, photography, prints, and multimedia works demonstrate the intense study by young adult artists participating in Hyde Park Art Center’s Teen programs. Under the guidance of professional artists, nearly twenty teens develop their creative voices over the course of 15 weeks. These young artists chose to address the challenges of articulating perplexed thoughts, feelings, and emotions into individual works of art. (Neighborhood: Hyde Park)

New Edition (July 13-October 6, 2024) – This exhibition presents new works from participants in New Edition, a two-part program developed by the Art Center for artists to learn and make work in a medium with which they have had little to no previous experience and receive critique on the work. Curated by the Program Facilitator, Jeff Robinson, the exhibition will feature the work of 10 artists, each of whom presents one piece in the medium for which they are known, alongside a new artwork made during the 10-week program.

Illinois Holocaust Museum will open a groundbreaking new core exhibition, Voices of Genocide, on May 1, 2024. Anchored by testimonies from local survivors and descendants of genocides in Armenia, Guatemala, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Rwanda, and Burma, the exhibition will explore how and why genocide continues to occur across geography and time. Through Voices of Genocide, visitors will leave with a better understanding of the common conditions and warning signs that can lead to genocide and how recognizing these factors helps determine efforts toward intervention and prevention. (Skokie, Illinois)

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum will present Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective (May 23-September 22, 2024). This first-of-its-kind exhibition includes a range of never-seen-before jewelry and decorative art objects from the Richard H. Driehaus Collection alongside objects from the Chicago History Museum, the Field Museum, and the Lizzardo Museum of Lapidary Art, among loans from other Chicago institutions, collections, and private lenders with unique areas of focus. The exhibit is organized by jewelry historian and author Elyse Zorn Karlin, curator of the Museum’s 2015 exhibition “Maker and Muse: Women and 20th Century Art Jewelry”. Highlights of the exhibition include loans from the Field Museum from the 1893 World’s Fair; a rare piece of silver made by Paul Revere, Jr.; a handwrought silver punch bowl belonging to the Cliff Dweller’s Club; jewelry renderings by Art Nouveau master Rene ́Lalique; a number of jewels and objects made by Chicago’s own Kalo Shop as well as other Chicago artists from the Arts & Crafts Movement, and more. (Neighborhood: River North)

A Journey (through mid-June 2024) is a contemporary art exhibition presented by The Peninsula Chicago, curated by Dara Pizzuti, featuring highlights from Pizzuti Collection. This exhibit, which includes 30 exceptional works reflecting the Ron and Ann Pizzuti’s journey in art collecting, represents the most ambitious and diverse collection of art works presented at The Peninsula Chicago to date. (Neighborhood: River North)

The Poetry Foundation is excited to present two groundbreaking exhibitions this Spring/Summer season. (Neighborhood: River North)

The current exhibition, Kara Walker: Back of Hand (through May 18, 2024), foregrounds Walker’s long-term engagement with language and text. The exhibition features 2015 Book, a series of 11 typewritten pages with ink and watercolor illustrations, and two large-scale drawings, The Ballad of How We Got Here and Feast of Famine. Completed in 2021, this is the first time these works are being shown in Chicago.
An exhibition celebrating an iconic Chicago poetry institution will open this summer. A Bigger Table: 50 Years of the Chicago Poetry Center (June 27-September 14, 2024) will feature 50 broadsides, 50 vintage poetry event posters, archival materials and ephemera, and the premiere of a documentary film.

Festivals & Events:

American Writers Festival (May 19, 2024) – This one-day free literary event takes place at the Harold Washington Library Center. Join us as writers from around the country and across genres and disciplines converge in Chicago to celebrate the power of the written word and the joys of reading. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Argyle Night Market (Every Thursday from July 11 – Aug 29, 2024) – Started in 2013 by Uptown United, the Argyle Night Market is an annual event that features food from local Argyle restaurants plus live cultural and musical performances on Thursday evenings each summer. This vibrant and award-winning event is located on Argyle, the city’s first shared street. (Neighborhood: Uptown)

Chicago Air and Water Show (August 10-11, 2024) – The Chicago Air and Water Show is the largest and oldest free admission air and water exhibition in the United States. The spectacular two-day event draws an audience of over two million to the city’s stunning beachfront to see military pilots perform astonishing stunts above the waters of Lake Michigan. For more than 60 years, the multi-day show has taken to the skies above Lake Michigan, with North Avenue Beach as the center point. Make sure to arrive early to secure your spot and catch the spectacular demonstrations by aircrafts, boats, and diving and parachute teams. It’s a thrilling, bucket list experience — soak up the sun, breathe in the crisp lake breezes, and feel the rumble of jet engines soaring overhead.

Chicago Blues Festival (June 6-9, 2024) – This 2024 edition of the largest free Blues Festival in the world will return as part of Millennium Park’s milestone 20th anniversary season. The festival will kick off with a special opening night performance at the historic Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport. Throughout the weekend, three stages across the Millennium Park will welcome more than 35 performances and more than 250 artists including a special Sunday evening performance by GRAMMY Award-winning Chicago Blues legend Buddy Guy, as part of his “Damn Right Farewell” tour, marking one of his final Chicago performances. Additional headliners include Award-winning blues, soul, and Americana singer Shemekia Copeland; “The Mississippi Blues Child,” Mr. Sipp; GRAMMY-nominated Memphis-based Soul and Roots band Southern Avenue; and Centennial Tributes to Jimmy Rogers, Dinah Washington, and Otis Spann. Back by popular demand, the festival will also elevate its food options with a Blues-inspired smokehouse experience called “Wally’s BBQ Pit” in the North Promenade Tent of the Park with delicious BBQ fare and specialty drinks catered by Eleven North Hospitality. (Neighborhood: Bridgeport, Millennium Park)

Chicago Cabaret Week (May 10-19, 2024) – Now in its third year, Chicago Cabaret Week runs from May 10 to May 19 – with more than 60 performers in 16 venues throughout Chicagoland. The ten-day event showcases the diversity of the local cabaret community and the growing number of venues offering cabaret performances throughout the year. Discounted tickets are available for 17 featured events of $30 or less, excluding fees. Reservations are strongly recommended. (Many venues will sell out!) (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Chicago Craft Beer Festival (July 5-7, 2024) – From brewery-focused pubs and taprooms to bars and even the local supermarket, the popularity of craft beers remains as strong as ever. Illinois alone is home to more than 200 of the nation’s 4,000-plus microbreweries. Windy City beer lovers will again be in hops heaven when Chicago Craft Beer Fest returns for its 11th flavor-packed year in Jonquil Park!

Chicago Farmers Markets (May – October 2024) – Chicago Farmers Markets sell fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products, and rare finds at Chicago’s longest running farmers market on Daley Plaza, the historic Maxwell Street Market, and community markets in neighborhoods across Chicago. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Chicago Gospel Music Festival (June 1, 2024) – Kicking off the summer season in Millennium Park, this FREE inspirational music festival brings audiences of all ages and backgrounds together at Jay Pritzker Pavilion to celebrate the power of gospel music. This year’s headliners include the three-time GRAMMY® winning, highest-selling female gospel group in history, The Clark Sisters; Chicago’s own award-winning singer/songwriter Todd Dulaney; GRAMMY® winning singer/songwriter, Chandler Moore, widely recognized for his collaboration with the contemporary gospel group, Maverick City Music; and three-time GRAMMY® nominated Global Recording Artist Anita Wilson. Hosted by iHeartMedia Chicago’s Inspiration 1390’s Sonya Blakey, DeAndre Patterson and VaShawn Mitchell, the festival also showcases rising star Lena Byrd Miles and brings audiences to their feet with Choir Nation: A tribute to Chicago Church Choirs. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Chicago House Music Festival (June 2, 2024) – Making a return to Millennium Park for the 20th Anniversary Summer Season, the 2024 Chicago House Music Festival will feature an incredible lineup of local and international DJs. Headlining the Jay Pritzker Pavilion are Tony Touch, ANANÉ, Ash Lauryn, and Karizma performing before Wayne Williams and Alan King of the Chosen Few DJs. On the North Promenade of the Park, Slo ‘Mo / Kido hosts Queer Fam Pride Jam, a youth and queer family-friendly event with dance lessons, DJ sets, and more from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM, followed by Viva Acid presenting top local DJs until 9:00 PM.

Leading up to the June 2nd Chicago House Music Festival, DCASE will present three days of free House Music events including the Chicago Cultural Center’s Open House (May 30) featuring House DJs spinning throughout the historical building alongside new visual art exhibitions and arts programming from 4:00-8:00 PM. The next day, the Chicago House Music Conference (May 31) brings engaging panels with House music icons and experts to the Chicago Cultural Center featuring Keynote Speaker Steve “Silk” Hurley of S&S Chicago. There will be a special Chicago House Music Festival Pre-Party (June 1) at Navy Pier showcasing Stacy Kidd, Gene Hunt, and more before the festivities culminate in Millennium Park for the 2024 Chicago House Music Festival (June 2), as part of Millennium Park’s 20th Anniversary Season. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Chicago Jazz Festival (August 29-September 1, 2024) – The Chicago Jazz Festival is a Labor Day weekend tradition that promotes all forms of jazz through free, high-quality music programming. The festival showcases Chicago’s local talent alongside national and international artists to raise awareness and appreciation for one of the city’s most beloved art forms.

Chicago Mayfest (May 17 – 19, 2024) – The 27th Chicago Mayfest kicks off the summer festival seasonLocated in the Historic District of Lincoln Park at Armitage & Sheffield, this incredible event benefits the Ranch Triangle Community Conservation Association. Two stages will showcase Chicago’s most acclaimed musicians while festival goers enjoy a variety of delicious food and all the libations needed to light up your weekend. You won’t want to miss this celebration of the sights, sounds and tastes of Chicago’s glorious Summer Season. Now with the Armitage Art Show in the heart of the festival, you’ll get to experience Chicago’s top artists as they showcase and sell their work with interactive experiences. (Neighborhood: Lincoln Park)

Chicago Pride Fest (June 22-23, 2024) – Pride Fest features live music on three stages, a Youth Pride Space for teens, best of Chicago drag performance, the Proud Pet Parade with prizes, dance exhibitions, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, guest speakers, and over 150 food and merchandise vendors. (Neighborhood: Northalsted)

Chicago Pride Parade (June 30, 2024) – One of Chicago’s most iconic events, the Chicago Pride Parade is somewhat of a finale to Pride Month. Featuring over 150 floats, the parade starts in Uptown and heads south to Lakeview.

Chicago SummerDance (June-September 2024) – The annual SummerDance festival brings people of all ages and skill levels together on open-air dance floors in Chicago’s scenic parks for an evening of live music and dancing. Come for free lessons from a pro dancer or simply sit back and enjoy the music. All summer long, Chicago SummerDance takes place in Grant Park, as well as on select dates in neighborhood parks across the city with SummerDance In The Parks. Dance styles include waltz, tango, kizomba, swing, salsa, cha-cha, flamenco, and so much more. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Chicago Taco and Tequila Festival (September 6-8, 2024) – One of the world’s greatest food and beverage pairings takes the spotlight over Labor Day Weekend at the Chicago Taco & Tequila Festival. Set up much like a tasting event, choose your session and ticket type then get ready to sip your way through various flavors of margaritas as well as the opportunity to sample small batch tequilas. A handful of Chicago’s tastiest taco purveyors will be on-site to feed your needs. From authentic to eclectic, the tortilla will be full and waiting for you. (Neighborhood: Lincoln Park)

Chinatown Summer Fair (July 27-28, 2024) – This iconic event is one of the most ethnically unique outdoor events in Chicago and the Midwest. Attracting more than 50,000 people from throughout the region, Chinatown Summer Fair is a true celebration of Far East beauty and culture including food, art, and music.

Grant Park Music Festival (June 12-August 17, 2024) – The Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus will present a ten-week series at Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion and other venues throughout the city. Christopher Bell returns as Festival Chorus Director. All concerts are free and most will take place on Wednesday and Friday evenings at 6:30 PM and Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM. (Exceptions include a Thursday concert on July 4 instead of a Saturday evening concert on July 6, and a Thursday concert featuring alumni of the Festival String and Vocal Fellowship on Thursday, June 27). (Neighborhood: Grant Park, The Loop)

Lincoln Park Greek Fest (May 31-June 2, 2024) – Tasty home-made Greek cuisine, music, folk dance performances, libations, artisans, kids’ activities, and, of course, Hellenic culture and pride are on the menu at this lively annual happening on Sheffield Avenue on the grounds of St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

Lincoln Park Uncorked: An Armitage-Halsted Wine Stroll (May 9, 2024) – Gather your fellow wine aficionados for Lincoln Park Uncorked. Take a picturesque stroll through one of Chicago’s most charming neighborhoods while stopping at local businesses to sample over 25 seasonal wines plus light fares provided by Lincoln Park eateries. From crisp whites to bold reds, there’s a taste for every palate.

Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony & Parade (May 25, 2024) – Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade honors all men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. The wreath laying ceremony will take place at 11:00 AM at Daley Plaza followed by a parade at 12:00 PM.

Millennium Park Summer Film Series (Tuesdays, July 9-August 27, 2024) – This year’s line-up includes blockbusters, award-winners, family classics, and cult favorites in an unforgettable setting. The annual Millennium Park Summer Film Series takes place on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM and admission is totally free. All seats within the pavilion’s seating bowl and space on the Great Lawn are free and first come, first served. Arrive early to snag a spot! Guests can bring their own food and beverages to the events, so pack a picnic and make a night out of it. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Millennium Park Summer Music Series (Mondays & Thursdays, July 1- August 8, 2024) – The Millennium Park Summer Music Series features free outdoor concerts, showcasing a broad spectrum of established and emerging musicians in a spectacular setting. Grab a seat or a spot on the lawn and enjoy views of the soaring Pritzker Pavilion overhead and the surrounding city skyline that lights up around you as dusk falls. Concerts feature artists from across genres, including R&B, house, disco, jazz, pop, country, alternative, and world music. Come see your favorite artists or discover someone new. Don’t forget to pack a picnic to enjoy before and during the show. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Celebration (July 18–21, 2024) – Scheduled to take place almost exactly 20 years since Millennium Park’s official opening on July 16, 2004, this four-day free celebration features award-winning headliners, activities for families and youth, workouts, new public art, dance performances, and concerts. Performers include South Side native Common performing alongside the Grant Park Orchestra and popular Latin music group Fruko y Sus Tesos. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Mole de Mayo (May 24 – 26, 2024) – This annual event in one of Chicago’s coolest neighborhoods, Pilsen, offers visitors the opportunity to savor a variety of regional and specialty mole dishes from some of Pilsen’s popular eateries and the surrounding neighborhoods. The weekend also includes music and cultural performances, as well as Mexican style lucha libre wrestling. (Neighborhood: Pilsen)

Pride in the Park (June 29, 2024) – It’s all about celebrating LGBTQ pride in both Windy City and the Midwest when the 3^rd annual Pride in the Park comes to Grant Park! Held at the Petrillo Bandshell in downtown’s scenic Grant Park, Pride in the Park is the perfect party (in addition to the city’s iconic Pride Parade on Sunday) to top off June’s Pride Month. By far the biggest draw will be a non-stop lineup and impressive deejay roster that will wow visitors and have everyone dancing. Pride in the Park will also feature plenty of fantastic food and merchandise vendors. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Pride South Side (July 6, 2024) – Show your pride spirit at the 6th annual Pride South Side Festival! This year’s theme is The Right to Pride and this free event includes a day of performances, activations, and opportunities to learn more about the roles of the Black, Latinx, and LGBTQI+ voting rights and elections in public policy. (Neighborhood: Hyde Park)

Private Tour of Chicago’s Legendary Chess Records (May 26, 2024) – Join Amy Bizzarri, author of The Best Hits on the Blues Highway, for an afternoon reception and private tour of iconic Chess Records (2120 S. Michigan Avenue) benefiting Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation. Includes a private tour of Chess Records, a copy of the book The Best Hits on the Blues Highway, and light refreshments. All event proceeds support the Blues Heaven Foundation, whose mission is to help artists and musicians obtain what is rightfully theirs and to educate both adults and children on the history of the blues and the business of music. (Neighborhood: South Side)

Pullman Railroad Days (June 1-2, 2024) – Historic Pullman Foundation (HPF), in partnership with Metra and the American Association of Private Rail Car Owners (AAPRCO), is excited to announce the three Chicago Pullman-built rail cars featured at Pullman Railroad Days: People, Progress & Innovation. All three train cars are appearing at the event for the first time ever! This year’s luxury cars include the 1923 Sleeper-Lounge Dover Harbor, 1950 Pullman

Sleeper-Observation Blue Ridge Club, and the sleek 1957 Hollywood Beach. Throughout the

weekend visitors can tour these remarkable train cars at the 111th Street/Pullman Metra Electric

Station. (Neighborhood: Pullman)

Ribfest Chicago (June 14-16, 2024) – One of Chicago’s most iconic events continues to get the attention it deserves! Returning for its 24th year in Northcenter, Ribfest Chicago is clearly all about one thing – ribs! But what goes better with ribs than live eclectic music on two stages, cold beer, new this year – bourbon/whiskey tasting, an expanded kids’ area, and so much more!

Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024 (June 28-30, 2024) – Choose Chicago and the Chicago Film Office, in partnership with the Sundance Institute, will present an exciting new independent film event coming to Chicago this summer featuring artists programs, film screenings, and events across the city. It will be an opportunity to highlight Chicago’s vibrant cultural scene and bolster its status as a diverse and innovative filmmaking hub. Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024 will make Chicago the only U.S. city to host an independent artist and film weekend in partnership with the Sundance Institute outside of Park City, Utah, the home of the annual prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

Sundays on State (June 16 & July 14, 2024, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM) – The internationally acclaimed, award-winning FREE event series, Sundays on State, will transform Chicago’s most iconic street for two Sundays this summer. State Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Lake to Adams on June 16 and July 14 and neighbors from every Chicago community invited to the interactive block party, where they can enjoy art, culture, active recreation, food, drinks, shopping, and local attractions in the heart of everyone’s neighborhood–the Loop. Chicago Loop Alliance’s Sundays on State series accelerates economic recovery, unites the community, and creates joy! The events have welcomed over one million people to Chicago’s State Street and 88% of activation participants in 2023 came from underrepresented business owners. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Taste of Chicago (September 6-8, 2024) – Taste of Chicago has been a foodie staple for more than 40 years. This year, the annual food and music extravaganza will include the return of the iconic lakefront festival, alongside neighborhood pop-up events throughout the summer. The classic food festival will take over Grant Park with more than 35 of Chicago’s favorite food vendors, live music performances, community dance lessons, a karaoke competition, and so much more. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Windy City Hot Dog Fest (June 1-2, 2024) – Some of Chicagoland’s favorite hot dog stands will compete for the “Top Dog” Award, and you get to be the judge! Plus, in addition to tasty dogs, patrons will get to listen to great local and regional acts on the event’s main stage as well as a community stage. Don’t miss the kids’ area as well as arts & crafts vendors and the now famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Saturday. (Neighborhood: Portage Park)

World Music Festival Chicago (September 20-29, 2024) – The annual World Music Festival is your passport to musical acts from around the globe. This free, city-wide festival features over 30 artists from 22 countries at venues around Chicago including the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier, bringing even more diversity to Chicago’s already rich music festival line-up. This festival, which has been held in Chicago for more than 20 years, embraces well-known stars and emerging artists in genres that range from traditional to contemporary. You can hear everything at the World Music Festival — from Indian classical music to Bulgarian bagpipes and Congolese funk. (Multiple Neighborhoods)

Attractions:

Area 51 Encounter will debut June 14 on the first floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue (the former John Hanco*ck Center) and will welcome fans of everything outer space, ufologists, skeptics, and families to an all-encompassing immersive exhibition where even star people feel at home, and leaves you questioning what’s real and what is science fiction. More than just an exhibit and as entertaining as it is immersive, Area 51 Encounter is designed to pique the interest and curiosities of earthlings of all ages, if they aren’t abducted first! (The attraction includes a simulation of an alien abduction.) Guests will grab their boarding passes and launch themselves into seven galleries, bringing them face-to-face with original and reproduced alien artifacts while they explore everything from fastwalkers to foo fighters, modern-day sightings, military involvement, life on an alien spacecraft, and pop culture’s fascination with extraterrestrial life. The journey continues with interactive elements including video and audio recordings of famous sightings, a 3D short film, alien hunt laser shooting game, and discovering new worlds with a fascinating deep dive into the James Webb Space Telescope. There is also a virtual reality moon explorer for the younger lifeforms in attendance.

Chicago Electric Boat Company has announced its newest attractions for the 2024 summer season.

Brand new for this year, CEBC is bringing over 10 new vibrant pontoon boats to the river and lakefront. Each vessel fits eight to 12 passengers depending on location, with adjustable canopies, plush seating, upgraded stereos, underwater light, and more. Guests can choose to cruise on the new boats from three different docking locations–Rockwell on the River, Marina City in the Loop, and Lake Michigan’s Monroe Harbor. As always, cruises are BYOB food and drink, so you can pack a perfect picnic meal before hitting the water. Boats will launch for the season at all locations for Memorial Day weekend.
Join CEBC for booked-by-the-seat public cruises with professional captains and tour guides on their Chicago History Cruises and Chicago Ghost Tours by way of Party Barge. The Chicago History Cruise takes you on a journey through Chicago’s evolution, including The Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the gangsters’ go-to places on the River, the unique architecture dotting the skyline, and more. If you’re feeling spooky, the Ghost Tour is all about haunted facts such as the Christmas Tree Ship and the Streeterville Curse. Cruises are available Sunday through Friday, with History Tours running from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and Ghost Tours running from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Prices start at $55 per person, and bookings are available on the Chicago Cycleboats website.

Chicago Greeter will be bringing back its Neighborhood Pop-Up series, arriving in over 20 Chicago neighborhood locations this summer. The third summer of these Pop-up walks will start June 1 and continue through August 31. Join a Greeter to explore the rich tapestry of the city’s diverse neighborhoods. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate. Walks will be scheduled on Saturdays leaving at 11:30 AM or 1:00 PM.

Returning for the first time since 2019, Lincoln Park Zoo is excited to re-introduce its beloved Malott Family Penguin Encounter. During this ticketed program ($80 per person, $70 for zoo members) , guests get the chance to learn about African penguins at Robert & Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove during a personal, guided experience. The program was previously put on hiatus for the safety of the animals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Encounters run May 17-October 27, 2024, taking place Friday-Sunday at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM as an available 10:00 AM program Wednesdays and Thursdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Up to eight guests can participate in each experience, and guests must be at least six years old. (Neighborhood: Lincoln Park)

This spring, Navy Pier will launch its first-ever membership program. The new Navy Pier Passport offers discounts on parking, free fast pass tickets for the iconic Centennial Wheel, and other exclusive discounts and perks at a range of annual donation levels. All proceeds will go toward supporting Navy Pier’s free public arts, culture, and engagement programming and maintaining the architectural beauty of the Pier. (Neighborhood: Streeterville)

Spring 2024’s not-to-be-missed happenings at Navy Pier include:

Flyover Chicago (Now Open) – Navy Pier’s newest, year-round attraction uses leading-edge drone technology and impressive aerial photography to showcase Chicago from perspectives never seen before. The immersive, three-act experience culminates in an exhilarating flying journey that takes audiences from 13,000 feet above the skyline, diving down skyscrapers and skimming sidewalks, floating through fireworks, airshows, and the city’s most iconic landmarks, to connect with the people, stories, architecture, and culture that make Chicago truly spectacular.
Chicago: Home of House Exhibit (Opening May 1, 2024) – Commemorating the 40^th anniversary of House music, this one-of-a-kind exhibit will pay homage to the energy, music, and dance of Black and Latino youth on Chicago’s south and west sides that laid the critical foundation for Chicago House music. Presented in partnership with the Design Museum of Chicago and The Vintage House Show Collective, the exhibit will explore the history of the artists, clubs, and labels that built the style of House pioneers and practitioners.
Mexico Fest (May 3-5, 2024) – Presented in partnership with the Mexican Consulate, this free event will feature mercadito booths and performances celebrating the states of Chihuahua, Nayarit, and Queretaro.
Lakefront Loop 5K (May 5, 2024) – Presented by Navy Pier’s Associate Board to support the Pier’s cultural programming, the Lakefront Loop 5K is the only 5K contained entirely on Navy Pier. 2024 marks the first year this popular run will be a timed event.
Summer Fireworks (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend) – Chicago’s favorite sky spectacle was named best in the country by readers of USA Today in 2023. Set to popular and special occasion soundtracks, Navy Pier’s free fireworks will light up the lakefront every Wednesday and Saturday night throughout the summer.

Shedd Aquarium has multiple events planned throughout the spring and summer months. (Neighborhood: South Loop)

Ritmo del Mar (May 25 and July 27, 2024) – Enjoy a night of music, cuisine, culture, and mesmerizing animals with an aquatic backdrop like nowhere else in Chicago. Dance to the sounds of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and Latin jazz. ¡Será una noche inolvidable!
Shedd Pride Night (June 1, 2024) – Join Shedd Aquarium and A Queer Pride in celebrating our vibrant and creative LGBTQ+ community! Kick off Pride Month festivities in style with a memorable Pride Night at Shedd featuring multiple DJs and an ocean-themed drag showcase.
Jazzin’ at the Shedd (June 5 – August 28, 2024) – Live jazz revels at Shedd Aquarium! The popular midweek Jazzin’ at the Shedd series showcases a festival-worthy lineup of Chicago’s top jazz ensembles. As the sun goes down and the music heats up, relax with a drink, take in our unbeatable city view, or stroll the aquarium and experience the unbelievable animals that live here. Plus, take in fantastic fireworks from across the glimmering lake.
Shedd After Hours: House Party (June 8, June 14, July 13, and July 19, 2024) – What better place to experience house music than overlooking the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan? Vibe with local DJs as they spin the beats. Catch your breath as you come face-to-face with fascinating animals from across the globe. And take in stunning, ocean-themed architecture fit for King Neptune.

Meetings, Conventions, & Venues:

Chicago will host this year’s Democratic National Convention, which will take place August 19-22, 2024, at the United Center. The Marriott Marquis Chicago and Hyatt Regency at McCormick Place, both connected to the McCormick Place convention center, will be the official headquarters’ hotels for the convention. (Neighborhood: South Side)

Chicago has been selected as the host city for U.S. Travel Association’s IPW in 2025. The last time Chicago hosted the leading inbound travel trade show was 2014. The conference will be held June 27 – July 1, 2025, at McCormick Place. (Neighborhood: South Side)

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is hosting their Annual Convention & Career Fair from July 31-August 4, 2024 at the Hilton Chicago. Thousands of the nation’s best and brightest journalists, media executives, journalism educators, communications and marketing professionals, and students will unite in a vibrant city where the Black community has had a lasting impact on culture and history worldwide, including a legacy of thriving Black-owned businesses and cultural institutions.

Theatre & Performing Arts:

Broadway In Chicago is proud to produce the following shows as part of its Summer/Fall lineup

(Neighborhood: The Loop):

SIX (playing June 4-July 15, 2024, at the James M. Nederlander Theatre) – From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over! SIX has won 23 awards in the 2021/2022 Broadway season, including the Tony Award® for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.
The Kite Runner (playing June 11-23, 2024, at the CIBC Theatre) – Based on Khaled Hosseini’s beloved, international best-selling novel, The Kite Runner is a powerful new play adapted by Matthew Spangler that follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption in war-torn Afghanistan.
Back to the Future: The Musical (playing August 13-September 1, 2024, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre) – When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself… back to the future. Winner of the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical, Back to the Future: The Musical is adapted for the stage by the iconic film’s creators Bob Gale (Back to the Future trilogy) and Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump) and directed by the Tony Award®-winner John Rando with original music by multi-Grammy® winners Alan Silvestri (Avengers: Endgame) and Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”), alongside hit songs from the movie including “The Power of Love,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Earth Angel,” and “Back in Time.”
The Book of Mormon (playing September 10-15, 2024, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre) – This outrageous nine-time Tony Award® winning Best Musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, The Book of Mormon has truly become an international sensation. (Contains explicit language.)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (playing September 10, 2024-February 1, 2025, at the James M. Nederlander Theatre) – Broadway’s Spellbinding Sensation Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is coming to Chicago on its first-ever North American Tour. When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage.
Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations (playing September 24-19, 2024, at the CIBC Theatre) – This electrifying, smash-hit Broadway musical follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and silky-smooth harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one. Nominated for 12 Tony® Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, Ain’t Too Proud tells the thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal, as the group’s personal and political conflicts threatened to tear them apart during a decade of civil unrest in America.

Chicago Philharmonic is pleased to present the following performances (Neighborhood: The Loop):

Violent Femmes with the Chicago Philharmonic (June 21, 2024; as part of the Ravinia Festival) – Hailing from Milwaukee, Violent Femmes were one of the most influential punk acts in the 1980’s alternative rock scene. They come to Ravinia for the first time for a night of music with the Chicago Philharmonic led by conductor Stuart Chafetz. Songs like “Blister in the Sun,” “Kiss Off,” and “Gone Daddy Gone” continue to rock the radio waves around the world. (Neighborhood: Highland Park, IL)
Marvel Studios’ Black Panther In Concert (June 22, 2024) – After an electric sold-out debut in 2022, Chicago Philharmonic brings back Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in Concert. In 2018, Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther”, quickly became a global sensation and cultural phenomenon, showing a new dimension of what SuperHero films could be. Now you can relive the excitement of T’Challa becoming king and battling Killmonger all while the “one of the country’s finest symphonic orchestras” (Chicago Tribune) performs Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar® and Grammy®-winning score live to picture. Joining the orchestra for the concert Massamba Diop, the revered Senegalese tama drummer who recorded and co-created parts of the movie score with composer Göransson. (Neighborhood: The Loop)
Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony (July 27, 2024; as part of the Ravinia Festival) – As the Kids Concert Series continues, the Chicago Philharmonic performs Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony. The hit concert presentation and picture book is from the mind of #1 New York Times bestselling author Dan Brown. Called “a wide-ranging, peppy blend of rhyming poems, puzzles, motivational messages, and music” by Booklist, Brown’s musical portrait of the animal kingdom has reached stages across the globe. (Neighborhood: Highland Park, IL)

The Voice Of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration (August 30, 2024; as part of the Ravinia Festival) – Ravinia Festival hosts the world premiere of The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration , an original tribute concert celebrating the “most awarded female artist of all time” (Guinness World Records), Whitney Houston. This dynamic production celebrates the singer’s astounding musical legacy with new, original orchestrations of her sweeping catalog performed by Chicago Philharmonic. From her legendary Super Bowl XXV performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” to timeless hits “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “Higher Love,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “How Will I Know,” among many others, audiences will be immersed in the world of Whitney as the evening weaves through her iconic songbook, film performances, intimate home videos, and rare never-before-seen photos and footage. This official and authorized production is a collaboration between Pat Houston and the Estate of Whitney Houston, Park Avenue Artists, and Primary Wave Music. For the first time ever, the performance will showcase the original master recordings of Houston’s voice. (Neighborhood: Highland Park, IL)

Chicago Shakespeare Theater will present the following performances this summer (Neighborhood: Streeterville):

Judgement Day (Until May 26, 2024, at The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare) – Emmy and Tony Award-winner Jason Alexander makes his Chicago stage debut in a hilariously irreverent world premiere comedy staged by Broadway director Moritz von Stuelpnagel and written by award-winning TV screenwriter Rob Ulin. Alexander plays Sammy Campo, a staggeringly corrupt, morally bankrupt lawyer who’s threatened with eternal damnation by a terrifying angel after a near-death experience. In a desperate attempt to redeem himself, Sammy forms an unlikely bond with a Catholic priest who is having his own crisis of faith. Filled with razor-sharp wit, this deliciously devious comedy rollicks through the timeless questions of Western philosophy—“morality,” “faith,” and “Are people any damn good?”
Community Partner A.B.L.E. The Odyssey (May 11, 2024, at Courtyard Theater) – This vibrant re-imagining of the epic classic marks A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations—and Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s 7th collaboration, most recently having co-produced “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” last spring. A.B.L.E’s neurodiverse cast of 44 performers, including 24 actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities, weaves music, movement, shadow puppetry, and scenes devised by the group into a powerful and joyful celebration of the choices we make, and the challenges we face along our journey. Each actor self-identified where their strengths lie as a performer, and were assigned to a chapter of the story based on their interests.
The Enigmatist (May 29-June 30, 2024, at Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare) – Following wildly successful runs in New York City and Los Angeles, renowned magician and The New York Times crossword constructor David Kwong brings his immersive experience of puzzles and cryptology to Chicago. Clues are everywhere, so keep your eyes open and be ready for surprises behind every multi-layered illusion.
Corduroy (June 18-July 14, 2024, at Courtyard Theater) – The beloved bear’s button has gone missing, and he can’t go home with kindhearted Lisa without it. Audiences will follow Corduroy’s rollicking and delightfully destructive journey through the department store as he searches high and low—up escalators, and to the top of a teetering store display. This 60-minute tale of friendship and belonging had its world premiere at the Tony Award-winning Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis in 2018. Now, esteemed Chicago director Amber Mak returns to CST after last summer’s smash-hit production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”, bringing a wealth of experience directing shows for young audiences.
The Lord of the Rings (July 19-September 1, 2024, at The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare) – Journey to the magical realms of Middle-earth as J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy of books are brought to the stage in a US premiere musical. As the Hobbits celebrate Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday in the Shire, he gifts his nephew Frodo his most precious belonging—a gold ring. This fateful moment launches Frodo on a legendary and perilous quest across Middle-earth to the darkest realms of Mordor, to vanquish evil with his loyal Fellowship. This theatrical event celebrates the magical world of Middle-earth, making for an unforgettable experience for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Henry V (September 6-October 6, 2024, at Courtyard Theater) – Following his groundbreaking production of “Richard III”, Artistic Director Edward Hall opens the fall season with “Henry V”. From the evocative opening line, “O for a Muse of Fire,” the play includes some of Shakespeare’s most famous speeches and stirring poetry. Hall explores the thrill and destructive power of war, examining nationalism at its most dangerous and seductive. Prior to taking the helm of CST as artistic director in October 2023, Hall staged acclaimed productions of Shakespeare’s plays in London’s West End, New York, and on tour around the globe as the founder and artistic director of Propeller Shakespeare.

Goodman Theatre will finish its 2023/2024 season with the following two shows. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

English (May 10-June 9, 2024, in Goodman’s Owen Theatre) – This smash Off-Broadway hit and Obie Award-winning play makes its Chicago premiere. Four adult students in Karaj, Iran are studying for the Test of English as a Foreign Language—the key to their green card, medical school admission or family reunification. Chasing fluency through a maze of word games, listening exercises and show-and-tell sessions, they hope that one day, English will make them whole. But it might be splitting them each in half.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (June 25-August 4, 2024, in Goodman’s Albert Theatre) – Acclaimed author John Berendt’s iconic New York Times best seller becomes a seductive new musical.Southern charm is bountiful in Savannah, Georgia. But behind polite smiles, the eccentric residents are filled with secrets and motives. When wealthy antiques dealer Jim Williams is accused of murder, the sensational trial uncovers hidden truths and exposes the fine line between good and evil – which sparks Lady Chablis and other Savannahians to change the city forever. MacArthur “Genius” grantee Taylor Mac, Tony Award winners Jason Robert Brown and Rob Ashford, and choreographer Tanya Birl bring the true-crime blockbuster book and its beloved characters to life in a new musical adaptation.

Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse and Nitti’s Supper Club present a new production: Who Killed Eddie O’Hare? A True Crime History Mystery Musical. Step inside Harry Caray’s landmark building, once owned by infamous Chicago mobster Frank Nitti, and travel back in time for dinner and a show based on the real-life murder of Eddie O’Hare. This irreverent comedy features an ensemble cast of characters, many of whom walked the very halls of 33 W. Kinzie back when Nitti called it home. The immersive experience invites you to step into the role of partygoer at Frank Nitti’s birthday, and delve into the unsolved murder of Edward J. “Easy Eddie” O’Hare — Al Capone’s lawyer and father of war hero Butch O’Hare for whom the airport is named. The crime was never solved, but suspects included Frank Nitti, his wife Annette, Al Capone and several others. The interactive show is filled with historical anecdotes, laughs, audience interaction and toe-tapping musical productions. (Neighborhood: River North)

Lyric Opera of Chicago will open its next season (2024/2025) with Rigoletto (September 14-October 6, 2024) a powerfully dramatic rendition of Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece based on a play by Victor Hugo. The composer brings astounding intensity to the court jester Rigoletto, tragically obsessed with avenging his daughter Gilda’s dishonor. The score’s highlights are unforgettable, from Rigoletto’s hair-raising denunciation of the Duke of Mantua’s courtiers, “Cortigiani,” to the immoral, philandering Duke’s “La donna è mobile,” to Gilda’s ecstatic “Caro nome.” Conducted by Music Director Enrique Mazzola, a much-acclaimed Verdian, Lyric’s visually sumptuous production stars the sensational baritone Igor Golovatenko. He’s joined by two other international luminaries making eagerly awaited company debuts: Mané Galoyan, the exquisite Armenian soprano, and Javier Camarena, the spectacular Mexican tenor. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Sports:

After a historic inaugural race in July 2023, NASCAR Chicago Street Race will return to downtown Chicago from July 6-7, 2024. The event will feature two days of racing and non-stop entertainment with full sets from top musical artists (including Keith Urban, The Chainsmokers, and The Black Keys), Q&A sessions, interactive displays, and so much more. Additional musical acts including a Chicago music showcase with legendary Chicago musicians will be announced soon. Stay tuned for additional updates and information. (Neighborhood: The Loop)

Nike Tournament of Champions (July 19-22, 2024) – Nike’s flagship girls basketball events, the Tournament of Champions and Nike Nationals, return to McCormick Place in Chicago July 19-22, 2024. After a banner year in 2023 which saw record-breaking participation and attendance and a historic partnership with the NBA – the Tournament of Champions will celebrate its 26th Anniversary by producing an event that promises to be unlike any that summer basketball has ever seen. (Neighborhood: South Side)

AVP Bally’s Chicago Open (August 30 – September 1, 2024) – The Midwest tradition continues as Chicago hosts the 2024 AVP Bally’s Gold Series Chicago Open. Beach volleyball’s best and brightest will battle to become the pride of Oak Street Beach. This marks the 34th year of the tournament in Chicago, which has become a Labor Day favorite and a can’t-miss Chicago classic!

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About Choose Chicago

Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor and meetings destination, leveraging the city’s unmatched assets to ensure the economic vitality of the city and its member business community. Follow @choosechicago on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok, and tag #ChicaGOandKNOW. For more information, visit choosechicago.com.

What’s New and Happening in Chicago – Summer/Fall 2024 | Choose Chicago (2024)