Chicago entertainment guide: the official calendars

Updated October 17, 2026

The fastest way to find what’s on in Chicago is to go straight to the organizations that run the events. These are the official sources.

Events and things to do

• City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE): city festivals, Millennium Park programs, and the Chicago Cultural Center.
• Chicago Park District event finder: events in parks across the city’s neighborhoods.
• Chicago Public Library events: free talks, performances, and workshops at library branches.
• Choose Chicago events: the city’s tourism office calendar of shows, festivals, concerts, and games.

For performers and filmmakers

• Chicago Film Office: the City’s liaison for permits and production support. It also runs film programming such as the Millennium Park Summer Film Series.
• Illinois Film Office: state film production information and the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit.