Chicago Annual Events
Car Show in Chicago Illinois
Listed below are many of the major events held in Chicago each year. The various parades, festivals. sporting events and shows are listed by month. In the event that you would like to obtain more information regarding any of these events, please follow the links leading to the Chicago Event Calendar.
Chicago is the host of dozens of popular annual events each year, with more new Chicago events sprouting up all the time! Whether you have a passion for music, sports, or arts and crafts, there's almost always a Chicago event sure to spark your interest. From the cold chill of Winter to the humid Summer months, check out some of the best Chicago annual events below.
Chicago Music Events
The Windy City regularly hosts some of the best live music festivals and concerts in the Midwest. With several top Chicago music venues to choose from - including smaller venues like the House of Blues Chicago, to the bigger outdoor theaters such as the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre - there's an annual Chicago event for every kind of music fan.
Each June, Grant Park hosts the popular free music event in Downtown Chicago, the Chicago Blues Festival. This annual Chicago event attracts the best local Blues musicians in Chicago, as well as national headliners from around the country. Great for families and Chicago budget travelers, the Blues Festival in Chicago takes place the second weekend of June each year. Grant Park also hosts other free music events throughout the Summer - check our Chicago Events Calendar for updates on the best free annual events in Grant Park.
Chicago Sporting Events
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With so many professional sports teams in Chicago, each new season brings on a celebration filled with hope and excitement. The Chicago Cubs home opener and theChicago White Sox season opener signal the much-anticipated beginning of Summer. Football fans in Chicago are known to celebrate the Chicago Bears Kickoff several hours before the team even hits the field by tailgating in the parking lot or reserving their spot at one of the many great sports bars in Chicago. Finally, Blackhawks and Bulls fans at the United Center sell out America's largest arena for the first of 81 games at the beginning of each new NBA and NHL season.
For information on how to get cheap tickets to Chicago sports home openers, visit our Chicago tickets page and get the best deals on sports tickets in Chicago.
Arts, Crafts and Food Fairs
Chicago is a city known for its arts ... and it's also a city that knows how to eat. With that being said, it's no wonder that there are a number of popular Chicago annual events that cater to Chicago arts, crafts and Chicago food.
In April, the famous Merchandise Mart in Downtown Chicago hosts theChicago International Antiques and Fine Art Fair, which brings out some of the top artists from around the Windy City. In July, the annual Gold Coast Art Fair is a long-standing Chicago tradition that has been running for over 50 years and brings out more than 400 exhibitors annually.
Chicago foodies can enjoy the annual Taste of Chicago Festival in Grant Park from the end of June to early July. Sample the best Chicago restaurants and vendors in this scenic Chicago park for a Chicago food festival unlike any other.
Check out our complete list of art galleries in Chicago, or learn more about the best Chicago restaurants Downtown.
Annual Events in Chicago
Chinese New Year Parade in Chicago Illinois
Annual Chicago conventions and conferences draw tourists and locals alike for some of the biggest trade shows in Chicago. Each January, locals hoping to find great deals on boats and RV's of all sizes and prices get geared up for the warm Summer months by attending the Chicago Boat Show at McCormick Place. Literature enthusiasts can find out-of-print books and meet some of their favorite authors at the Printer's Row Book Fair each June. Lastly, nothing signals the beginning of the holiday season quite like the Christkindlmarket at the Daley Plaza on Washington Street. This annual holiday tradition in Chicago brings out small vendors selling holiday gifts, food and more in an open-air market decorated to the nines.
For more information on the best annual events in Chicago, check out the links below, or follow the Chicago events calendar throughout the year and stay up to date on the top special events in Chicago.
