Things to do
Chicago in winter: Our ultimate guide
Bundle up and prepare to brave the cold weather while exploring some of Chicago's best winter offerings.
Things to Do
Discover the best things to do in Chicago, including popular events, festivals, attractions, tours and free activities
Museums
The best Chicago museums
Want to see premier pieces from famous artists? We've got you covered.
Things to do
Where to go ice skating
Show off those figure eights while sliding around the best ice skating rinks in the city.
Things to do
Cheap things to do in Chicago
Our top picks for enjoying the city without breaking the bank.
Things to do
The best things to do indoors
Don’t let the weather get in the way of having a great day.
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Things to do in Chicago every day
Celebrate the holidays in Chicago
Things to do
Our guide to celebrating the holidays
Celebrate Christmas in Chicago with light displays, holiday theater and more festive events.
Things to do
See twinkling Christmas lights
Few sights jumpstart feelings of holiday cheer quite like sparkling Christmas lights.
Bars
Visit a rooftop bar
Hot drinks, fireplaces, curling lanes and over-the-top holiday decorations make these bars worth a visit.
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Events at Time Out Market Chicago
The latest things to do in Chicago
Things to do
Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade
Celebrate the Year of the Snake in Chinatown at the neighborhood's official Lunar New Year parade, which falls after the arrival of Chinese New Year...
Things to do
Chinese New Year Dumpling-Making Dinner
Kick off the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse with a dumpling-making dinner hosted by the Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute. The event will...
Things to do
Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration
Uptown's annual Lunar New Year Celebration kicks off the Chinese New Year with dazzling dragons, dancers, drummers and more. The parade starts at 1pm at...
Things to do
Cupid’s Undie Run
This annual tradition challenges participants to jog a chilly mile through Wrigleyville in their skivvies—all in the name of raising money for...
Things to do
Architecture & Design Film Festival
This touring film festival returns to the Gene Siskel Film Center to showcase movies that span a variety of architecture and design...
The latest Chicago news
Shopping
Barnes & Noble is opening four new locations around Chicago this year: see full list of new stores
There's still time to join a 2026 book club!
Travel
CTA State and Lake Station are now closed. Here is how the changes will affect your commute
The Loop’s busiest elevated stop has shut down for a full rebuild.
Things to do
Kick off the year at this massive Fulton Market wellness festival with pilates, yoga and sound bath classes
This weekend’s Winter Wellness festival at Time Out Market is the best way to honor your New Year’s resolutions.
The latest Chicago events
Things to do
Chicago Architecture Biennial
Every two years, Chicago becomes a global hub of architecture and design during the Chicago Architecture Biennial. This edition’s theme is SHIFT:...
Things to do
City of Chicago Christmas Tree
Every year, Millennium Park is adorned with an epic Christmas tree that remains on display until the beginning of the new year. The larger-than-life...
Things to do
Ice Skating at Maggie Daley Park
Situated in the heart of downtown Chicago with the city's sweeping skyline as a backdrop, the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is a winter attraction...
Things to do in Chicago neighborhoods
Things to do
Avondale
The traditionally Polish neighborhood is dotted with arts centers, small parks and interesting shops.
Shopping & Style
Shopping
The best boutiques and shopping in Logan Square, Chicago
Fill an afternoon browsing the neighborhood's shops.
Shopping
19 Chicago gift shops for unique presents
It’s been said that the best gifts in life are free, but no one’s really buying that, right?
Most popular things to do features
Things to do
Chicago has a new No. 1 bookstore, according to Time Out
Our editors ranked Chicago's best bookstores, and this Pilsen gem is our favorite.
Things to do
The best January 2026 events in Chicago
Start the new year with events, festivals, concerts, theater shows and more great things to do in Chicago during January.
Things to do
The best New Year’s Eve events and parties in Chicago to ring in 2026
Kiss 2025 goodbye with the help of these big hotel soirees, rooftop bashes and more.
Things to do
The best things to do in Chicago today
Find the best things to do in Chicago today, including parties, concerts, screenings and other can't-miss events.
Things to do
The best things to do in Chicago this weekend
Find the best things to do in Chicago this weekend with our guide to concerts, exhibitions, festivals and more.
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Things to do
You can ride CTA trains and buses for free today and tomorrow!
Here are the hours of operation on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Things to do
The 50 best things to do in Chicago right now
Discover the best things to do in Chicago, from iconic venues and views to cultural musts and late-night shenanigans.
Things to do
11 things to look forward to in Chicago in 2026
A Gilded Age magic palace, a major WNBA weekend and Obama’s expansive civic campus await in the new year.
Things to do
The 17 best ski and snowboard resorts near Chicago
Bunny hills, steep slopes and breathtaking vistas—there's a lot to love about the best winter resorts near Chicago.
Things to do
The best places to watch New Year's Eve fireworks in Chicago
Watch a spectacular pyrotechnics show when the clock strikes midnight at these spots.
Time In - movies we love
26 massive movies you need to see in 2026
From ‘The Odyssey’ to ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, it’s a year of epic visions and make-or-break blockbusters.
Movies
15 book-to-movie adaptations to get (very) excited about in 2026
Book lovers have a year to savour in store for them at the movie theatre and on streaming. Among the literary giants having their work adapted are Emily...
Movies
'Marty Supreme' review: Timothée Chalamet is on fire in this stunning achievement of a movie
American cinema’s fake-it-til-you-make-it brigade – Catch Me If You Can’s Frank Abagnale Jr, Moses Pray in Paper Moon, Rizzo in Midnight...
Movies
'Avatar: Fire and Ash' review: This threequel is sometimes spectacular, occasionally stultifying
Aside from an overlong film, there’s little more dull than hearing some overprivileged critic whining about film length. After all, an extra helping of...
Movies
'Hamnet' review: Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal extraordinary in Tudor tearjerker
The jury’s out on popcorn and the case has been made against phone use (time to criminalise?), but where do we stand on big, ugly,...
Time In - songs we love
Music
The 50 best karaoke songs ever made
Whether you’ve got the voice of an angel or you’re totally tone deaf, karaoke unites us all.
Music
The 40 best party songs ever made
Party songs come in all shapes and sizes, but to be a party song, there are some rules.
Music
The 30 best love songs of all time
Being in love tends to make you want to shout from the rooftops about how great it all is, so it’s no surprise it dominates the music world.