Ariana Grande, Meryl Streep and Megan Mullally are some of the names headlining shows headed for Chicago. Throughout 2026, the Windy City arts and entertainment scene brims with premiere plays, A-list music and dance performances, immersive exhibitions, first-rate festivals, and highly-anticipated movie releases.
DANCE
Giordano Dance Chicago is part of the Chicago Live! lineup at Navy Pier (Sept. 19). They’ll also dance at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts (Nov. 6-7). “At Giordano Dance Chicago, every season is a chance to break barriers—and for our 64th season, we’re going bigger than ever,” says GDC Artistic Director Nan Giordano. “From our electrifying fall performances at the North Shore Center to our dynamic spring engagement at the Harris Theater, and every stage we ignite in between, we’re unleashing the power, passion and pure exhilaration of Giordano. “I invite everyone to join us—experience it live, feel the energy, and be part of the movement.”
FASHION
In Rogers Park, shoppers can find unique handbags, jewelry, and more at Jarvis Square Summer Artisan Markets (July 11, Aug. 22, Sep. 12).
The 11-day citywide celebration known as Chicago Fashion Week (Oct. 8-18) will highlight the area’s range of talent with 61 events in 49 venues throughout the city and suburbs from Hyde Park to Highland Park. “Chicago Fashion Weekshines a light on what makes our city extraordinary–our creativity, diversity and entrepreneurial spirit,” says Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Fashion, like all art, tells the story of who we are. Events like this not only uplift our local designers and makers but also remind the world that Chicago is a city where culture, innovation and community come together to inspire.”
MOVIES
What goes around, comes around when The Devil Wears Prada 2 opens in theaters on May 1. Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci return in the long-awaited sequel that also features Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, and Kenneth Branagh.
Death, grief, embalming, cremation, romance, religion—and Liberace are featured in Tony Richardson’s macabre satire The Loved One (1965) which can be seen in the Hall of Immortals at the International Museum of Surgical Science (Sep. 3). Based on Evelyn Waugh‘s novella The Loved One: An Anglo-American Tragedy (1948) and sponsored by Inclusive Funeral Care, the evening includes special guest Michael Kutza, founder of the Chicago International Film Festival.
Emerald Fennell and Greta Gerwig bring classic books to the big screen with the former’s version of Wuthering Heights in February and the latter’s adaptation of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew in November. The films feature Margot Robbie and Emma Mackey, respectively.
ART
The Hilton Contemporary Gallery presents ten painted bronze, resin and stainless steel sculptures by superrealist Carole A. Feuerman are gracing the Magnificent Mile in Monuments of Stillness (through Nov. 2026). “Carole Feuerman’s sculptures are both technically extraordinary and emotionally powerful,” observes Arica Hilton, founder of Hilton Contemporary. “Chicago has long been celebrated for its architecture, public art, and cultural vitality,” adds the artist. “My work seeks to capture moments of quiet reflection and emotional connection, and I hope these sculptures invite viewers to pause, experience wonder, and reconnect with themselves amid the energy of the city.”
The print work by Molly Berkson, Sara Emerson, Matthew Ginsburg, Kasey Grealis, Katie Kiesewetter, Mint Liu, Hannah McMaster, K. Bellamy Mitchell, Alicja Pulit, Kim Raffield, Charlie Smith, Shannon Thompson, Paloma Valencia, Henry Voellmecke, and Anna Wagner is currently on view in The Matrix, an exhibition (through Sep. 25) at Lillstreet Art Center.
CONCERTS
In Glen Ellyn, music from Gioachino Rossini’s Barber of Seville (1816) to Bill Conti’s Rocky (1976) will be performed by the New Philharmonic in the McAninch Arts Center‘s season opener Musica Italiana Dolce (Sept. 26-27). “This season is a landmark for New Philharmonic as the organization turns 50,” says New Philharmonic Music Director and Conductor Kirk Muspratt. “To celebrate that, we wanted to open the season with something special and are excited to offer three performances of a must-see program for every Italophile or anyone wanting to lose themselves in two hours of extraordinary music performed by a symphony orchestra of some of the Chicago area’s most highly skilled artists and musicians.”
From Italy to England, the MAC also welcomes Elton Rohn (Oct. 3) to Belushi Performance Hall. The Elton John tribute band is recommended by John’s long-time guitarist Davey Johnstone.
For the first time in seven years, Ariana Grande hits the road. Fortunately for Chicagoans, her North American and European Eternal Sunshine tour includes a stop at United Center (Aug. 3-6).
Thanks to the Summer of Sound Series, Smash Mouth will perform for free at Westfield Old Orchard (Aug. 28).
THEATER
Vape! The Grease Parody makes its Chicago debut at the Apollo Theater (Aug. 20, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027), while Kokandy Productions performs HAIR (July 2-Sep. 13) and Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George (Aug. 13-Nov. 1) at Chopin Theatre.
Just in time for the holidays, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble will stage Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women (Nov. 12-Dec. 13) by Lauren Gunderson at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.
Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon directs Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Topdog/Underdog (Sep. 17-Nov. 1) in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater. Later, Robert Falls directs the world premiere of L.C. Bernadine’s Flying Monkeys (Dec. 6, 2026-Jan. 17, 2027) at Redtwist Theatre, which produced the play in collaboration with the New Theatre Project.
In Aurora, the Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen (Feb. 4-March 22) comes to Paramount Theatre. “The show explores the boxes we put ourselves in: the emotional, the metaphorical, and the digital ones we post, like and share,” explains the play’s director Jeff Award-winner Jessica Fisch. “My sincere hope is that this show brings together a multigenerational audience who feel inspired to discuss with one another how anxiety, loss, and technology have shaped their own lives.”
While E. Faye Butler stars in a revival of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (through May 3) at Goodman Theatre, Chicago offers a month’s worth of concerts, education programs, and community events in honor of International Jazz Day 2026, (April 1-May 2).
FESTIVALS
Nothing Without a Company is launching its inaugural Not Without Company Film Festival (May 31) at Facets Film Forum. The event features short film screenings and talkbacks with collaborating artists. Meanwhile, Music Box Theatre’s 13-film Sapphopalooza series (May 9–31) returns with 2015’s Carol (May 10), 2003’s Bend it like Beckham (May 21), 1994’s Go Fish (May 30), 2014’s Clouds of Sils Maria (May 31), and more.
Food, music and more mark Wicker Park Fest 2026 (July 24-26). On Saturday, DJ Heather headlines the south stage, returning to the neighborhood where she got her start at the Artful Dodger decades ago. By day, the celebration includes a Kids Fest featuring arts and crafts, magic acts, and miniature golf with proceeds benefitting Friends of Burr Elementary school as well as Pet Fest featuring puppy cuddling and a dog ice cream eating contest with proceeds benefitting Live Like Roo, Chicago Rescue Authority, and Whiskers and Tails.
More than 50 comedians will appear at Windy City Comedy Fest (Aug. 6-9) in 20 performances across the Den Theatre, Lincoln Hall, Laugh Factory Chicago, iO Theater, The Annoyance Theatre, The Lincoln Lodge, Newport Theater, de Maat Studio at The Second City, and Reggie’s.