Skip to main content

it's all nearby!!! 

Chicago is a city CHOCK-FUL of amazing stuff to do year-round! If you're looking for the hottest local events, concerts, festivals, look no further than this page! We've got the 411 on all the cool stuff to do that you'll need - There are even direct links to book, ticket, or buy! Welcome to ACME and to our awesome city! 

Given the current situation around the world, many events in Chicago have been canceled or postponed in an effort to promote safe social distancing.
We will update the calendar below as events return to the schedule in the future. In the meantime, please stay safe! 
 
Chicago Classics
Chicago Classics
Chicago Classics
Nothing beats the classics. Get a true taste of Chicago at world-famous sights like the Willis Tower, Navy Pier or Lincoln Park Zoo.
View Chicago Classics Details
ACME Insider, Illinois
ACME Insider
ACME Insider
Get the skinny on the city's best music venues, performances and hotspots, and experience Chi-Town like a Chicago insider.
View ACME Insider Details

SPORTS

Chicago is a sports town, no doubt about it . . . In summer and FALL, we've got the 2016 World Series Champion, CUBS - at the amazing Wrigley Field. Plus you can check out the notorious 3 B's - Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls this fall and winter! Check their schedules and plan to spend a few nights in the Chi - even if you don't score tickets - there's plenty of fist-bumping and high-fiving to be had on game days at like a gazillion sports pubs around the city. Bear down!
 

Seasonal stuff!

If you're looking to explore ways to soak up the season, Chicago has it for you in spades! Check out your moves and ice skate at Millennium Park now through March, or . . . you can hit up the skating ribbon at Maggie Daly Park . . . and really show off your mad skills on cold steal! Check out even more happenings and events below!

 

may 1 - may 7

Calling all film-buffs, and armchair film critics! The Chicago Critics Film Festival returns to the Music Box Theatre and will be featuring the Sundance smash hit,  The Farewell, among many others films . . . Being at The Music Box is reason enough to check out this event! 
 

may 2

The next best thing to going to Soldier Field to see the Bears is attending the Chicago Beer Classic. It's exactly as it sounds . . . loads of beers on yards of field. Check it out, it's always a good time! 
 

may 11

A man not without controversy, but certainly a lot of humor, Ricky Gervais hits the stage at the Chicago Theatre as part of his SuperNature Tour. Tickets are still available! 
 

may 11 - may 17

Craft Beer Week is the ideal time to discover all the best the land of Lincoln has to offer in craft brewing when hundreds of local brewers do a tap takeover at bars across the city. If you love to try good craft beers - THIS is the time to do it. Check out the schedule for details! 
 

may 21

Who doesn't love FREE concerts? The 4th annual House Music Festival comes to Millennium Park for 3 days, and as you've likely gathered . . . it's FREE! 

 

may 23/may 24

Just a short L ride away, one of the cities best neighborhood music festivals takes place featuring all the band, beers, and bites you could ever dream of! It's the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival, and it rates pretty close to the top as neighborhood fests go!
 

may 26 - may 30

What better life inspiration is there than taking in the Chicago Gospel Festival! Featuring some of the world's best Gospel singers and groups, this 3 day event is sure to inspire and delight! 
 

june 5 - june 7

Chicago's deep roots in blues go far beyond The Blues Brothers, and the Chicago Blues Festival proves once again just how deep those roots go! One of the favorite music events of the summer, if you haven't been, you need to get out here - and if you have been, you know you need a repeat! Did we mention it's FREE? 
 

june 13

Maroon 5 at Wrigley Field with Leon Bridges and Meghan Trainor  . . . do we really need to say anything more? We didn't think so. 
 

june 13/june 14

If you dig art, you'll dig two of Chicago's most infamous art festivals . . . The Old Town Art Fair returns with 250 juried artists plus live music and great eats, the Wells Street Art Fair takes place adjacent to Old Town Art Fair and features artisans from across the country. Live bands here pick up late afternoon and jam til sundown. 
 

JUNE 19/june20

Elton John takes the stage at the United Center for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour . . . This has been one busy man, saying goodbye all over the world! Say it isn't really your final call????
 

JUNE 20/june 21

Featuring live artists on 3 stages, food, drink, DJ's and dancing, drag shows, a pet parade, and 100+ arts and crafts artisans, PrideFest 2020 will be the event of the year! grab an L and join in the festivities! 
 

JUNE 28

Capping off a week of Pride festivities, Chicago's Annual Pride Parade steps off Sunday, June 28th snaking its way through Boystown. It's the party of the year, so come on our and show yur Pride!! 
 

july 10

Lincoln Square rocks the weekend with the return of the Square Roots Festival featuring bands, regional craft beers, more bands, food, and lots more bands. You get the gist . . . plan to get there! 
 

july 10 - July 12

One of the best eating fests in the midwest (accidental rhyme), the Windy City Smokeout takes place at the United Center parking lot (Yup, it's a big one), and features BBQ, Bands, and Beer. Right? we know . . . . 

 

JUly 17 - july 19

The music never ends in the 312, and we wouldn't have it any other way! Pitchfork returns with an awesome line-up, including Haim, Mavis Staples, The Isley Brothers, and a ton more. So get your tix and rock Chicago this summer! 
 

july 30 - aug 2

What seemingly has become one of the most anticipated weekend events in Chicago, Lollapalooza returns for a weekend that'll rock your world! When headliners have been announced, we'll give a heads up here! 



 

 

DO YOUR THING - DIFFERENT! Check out our curated list of cool attractions

  • If you love the great outdoors, get yourself to the 606. An elevated jogging/hiking/biking path that takes you through some of the 312's most interesting neighborhoods like Bucktown, Wicker Park, Logan Square, and others.
  • Bike your way through town on a Divvy. Those are the blue bikes you see pretty much everywhere . . . We suggest a ride up the Lakefront, coz it will net you some pretty awesome instagram shots!
  • If you've been dying to check out EATALY, you're in luck - it's a block away, and yeah, it's awesome. It's a bustling Italian marketplace that offers some of the freshest fare and authentic Italian foods around. Foodies won't want to pass it up.
  • In season, there are few things cooler than getting out on the cool waters of lake Michigan on your own (rented) jet ski, and worth e-v-e-r-y penny! Or one with the river in your very own kayak. Here you'll get some of the best views of the city, and get in a pretty decent workout too. Of course, both are seasonal.
  • Check out the Riverwalk (hint: it's on the river), and check out the peeps walking and cruising by. It's a great stop for a cocktail, or just to brown bag it.
  • What better way to hold on to a memory than with body ink? Deluxe Tattoo is one of the best tattoo shops in Chicago. We just recommend you visit sober - you know, no regrets and all. 
  • Everybody's heard about the Architectural Boat Tour, now go out and do it. It is def. one of the best "attractions" in Chicago.
 

CHICAGO'S MUSIC SCENE

If you dig music, you've come to the right city. In addition to the major arena's, Chicago boasts a ton of awesome, more intimate venues that often book the cutting edge talent on the cusp of stardom. You may also see them at one of Chicago's major music festival during the summer. Here is a short list of some of the best venues in the 312 to sit back and jam. -  These even made TimeOut Chicago's best list!