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
Things to do
Industry Mondays
Enjoy delicious food while sipping specialty Cafeto cocktails; all hospitality workers will receive 20% off their bar tabs.
Things to do
Winesday
Join Time Out Market Chicago every Wednesday for a relaxing evening of wine specials. Unwind with a glass of vino, paired with food from some of the...
Things to do
Trivia with Whaddayaknow?
Come alone or bring a group for weekly trivia on Wednesdays at the Market! Hosted by Whaddayaknow?, the evening will test your knowledge on a variety of...
Bottomless Lunch at Time Out Market
Indulge in our Bottomless Lunch every weekend! For just $55, enjoy a $20 TOM Card to spend on your favorite meal from 15 of our delicious concessions, plus 3...
The latest things to do in Chicago
Things to do
New Year's Eve Party at The Metropolitan
Get dressed up and head to the 66th floor of the Willis Tower for a five-room bash complete with martinis, Champagne, hors d'oeuvres, a buffet...
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
New Year's Eve Party at Palmer House
Dance the night away inside the grand ballroom of one of Chicago's most historic hotels. The party will feature multiple rooms with entertainment,...
Things to do
Eve of the Eve
Start your farewell to 2025 in decadent style at Untitled Supper Club's exclusive Eve of the Eve event. Hosted by the dazzling Tila Von Twirl, the night is a...
Things to do
New Year's Eve at Pizzeria Portofino
Lettuce Entertain You's riverfront Italian restaurant is throwing a party that will offer guests close-up views of the fireworks along the...
The latest Chicago news
Travel
State/Lake CTA is closing for repairs in 2026. Here is what to expect.
Prepare for three years of noise, traffic and detours.
Restaurants
A massive Fulton Market hotspot is hosting Chicago’s most epic New Year’s Eve party
Legendary Chicago DJ is headlining Time Out Market’s three-story bash.
Travel
A number of 'Letters to Santa' stations were just set up at both Chicago airports
Chicago’s airports launch drop-boxes to the North Pole just in time for peak holiday chaos.
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:...
Art
Día de Muertos: A Celebration of Remembrance
For 39 years and counting, the National Museum of Mexican Art has celebrated one of Mexico’s most extraordinary traditions with a multimedia...
Art
ART on THE MART
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...
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 Thanksgiving Parade 2025: Timing, route and street closures
Everything you need to know about the annual downtown procession.
Things to do
Paid content
Simone Mitchell-Peterson is proving that joy doesn’t age
The Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly CEO of 21 years has architected programs that provide friendship and companionship to older adults throughout...
Things to do
The best December 2025 events in Chicago
Find the best holiday activities in Chicago, including free things to do and picks from theater, music and pop-ups.
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
An all-you-can-eat Italian beef festival is taking over Chicagoland
It’s an aficionado’s dream: mix and match ingredients from some of the best Italian beef spots in the region.
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Things to do
The 12 best places to cut down a Christmas tree near Chicago
Want to cut down your own Christmas tree this year? Head to these seasonal farms located outside the city.
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.
Things to do
Thanksgiving in Chicago 2025: Best things to do over the long weekend
Here are the best Thanksgiving dinner options and things to do once you're done eating.
Things to do
This Chicago thoroughfare is one of Time Out’s coolest streets in the world
The community-driven thoroughfare proves the “Village in the City” motto correct, with a strong small business scene and vibrant restaurants.
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.
Time In - movies we love
Movies
'Eternity' review: Endless love gets messy in a likeable, if uneven, comedy
A delightful premise never fully comes to life in this sweet romcom, which is a real shame because it gets off to such a strong start.
At a party to celebrate...
Movies
The best new Christmas movies of 2025 to stream
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, especially on streaming services. Every year, a stuffed stocking’s worth of peppermint-sweet holiday...
Movies
'Zootropolis 2' review: Disney drops possibly the most adorable sequel ever
There have been better animated sequels and more epic ones, but has there ever been a fluffier follow-up than this bouncy, buoyant caper starring at least half...
Movies
'Pillion' review: A tender gay biker ‘dom-com’ that’s heavy with purpose
Sweet, shy Colin is having a shit time. His mother is terminally ill (but still trying to set him up with inappropriate men), his only hobby is barbershop...
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.