Searching for what to do this week in Chicago? Below are the best things to do in Chicago this week (August 10-16, 2026) including the best events and activities.
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as it is updated regularly with new events and activities.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you make a booking using my links at no extra cost to you.
Best Events This Week in Chicago
Below are the best events this week in Chicago:
Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert in Millennium Park – Monday, August 10, 2026, 6:15pm | Free
Taste of Andersonville – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 5-8pm
Chicago Air & Water Show – August 15 & 16, 2026 (Rehearsal on August 14, 2026) | Free (see below for private watch parties, events and cruises)
Printer’s Row Art Fest – August 15-16, 2026, 10am-5pm | Free
Sangria Festival (Humboldt Park) – August 15-16, 2026
Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival (Rogers Park) – August 14-16, 2026 | Free
Taylor Street Little Italy Festival – August 13-16, 2026
Sonido Fest at the National Museum of Mexican Art – Saturday, August 15, 2026, 2pm | Free
Summer Slow Jams & RnB Party – Saturday, August 15, 2026, 4pm
Ritmo del Mar at the Shedd Aquarium (21+) – Saturday, August 15, 2026, 7-11pm
South Shore Summer Fest – Sunday, August 16, 2026, 12-8pm | Free
Sinatra Under The Stars at AIRE Rooftop – Sunday, August 16, 2026, 5pm & 8pm
More Events in Chicago This Week
Below are more events taking place this week in Chicago:
Pilates at Gallagher Way – Monday, August 10, 2026, 7-8am | Free
Kicking It Curbside (Pilsen) – Monday, August 10, 2026, 7-9pm | Free – Live music and drink specials every Monday in the summer on Allport Street.
Yoga Class at Gallagher Way – Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 7-8am | Free
Get Lit: Summer Book Fair at the American Writers Museum (21+) – Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 5:30-7:30pm
Tuesdays on the Terrace – Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 5:30–8pm | Free, but tickets are limited
Pier Fitness – Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 6-8:30pm | Free
Millennium Park Summer Film Series: The Devil Wears Prada – Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 6:30pm (gates open at 5pm) | Free Admission
HIIT at Gallagher Way – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 7-8am | Free
Illinois Free Wednesdays at the Field Museum – Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Zootopia 2 at Gallagher Way – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 3:30- 5:30pm | Free
Chicago SummerDance in the Parks at Hamilton Park – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 5-7:30pm | Free
Jazzin’ at the Shedd – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 5-10pm
Pilates in Pink at Tom (Ping) Memorial Park – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 5:30-7:30pm | Free
High School Musical at Gallagher Way – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 6-10pm | Free
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Panel Discussion + Meet-and-Greet at Navy Pier – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 6:30-7:30pm | Free – In celebration of the Chicago Air and Water Show, enjoy an in-depth panel discussion, meet-and-greet experience and interactive VR activations.
Bottomless Margaritas on the Riverwalk (Ages 21+) – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 6:30-9pm
Dvořák New World Symphony at Jay Pritzker Pavilion – Wednesday, August 12, 6:30pm | Free
After5Chicago – The Power of Hypnosis: Unlocking Your Potential – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm
Summer Concert Series at Northcenter Town Square – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 7-8:30pm | Free
Lot Jams (Albany Park) – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 7-9pm | Free – Outdoor summer concert series taking place every other Wednesday until the end of August.
CatJam Chicago Jam Session at The Wild Mile – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 7-10pm | Free
Summer Fireworks at Navy Pier – Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 9pm | Free
Yoga Class at Gallagher Way – Thursday, August 13, 2026, 7-8am | Free
Chicago History Museum Free Day for Illinois Residents – Thursday, August 13, 2026 | Free
Wrigleyville Night Market at Gallagher Way – Thursday, August 13, 2026, 4-8pm | Free
Art Institute of Chicago Free Hours for Illinois Residents – Thursday, August 13, 2026, 5–8pm | Free
Argyle Night Market – Thursday, August 13, 2026, 5-9pm | Free
Summer Concert Series in Lincoln Square – Thursday, August 13, 2026, 6-8:30pm | Free – Last concert of the season.
Wild Mile Projections: Skunk Run – Gųųšgoonąk – Thursday, August 13, 2026, 9-9:30pm | Free
BAPA Porch Concert Series – Friday, August 14, 2026, 6-8pm | Free
Zhu on the Move at East End Plaza at Navy Pier – Saturday, August 15, 2026, 4pm
BonFest at North Park Village Nature Center – Saturday, August 15, 2026, 7:30-9pm | Free
Free Day at the American Writers Museum – Sunday, August 16, 2026, 10am-5pm | Free
Summer Sunday at Navy Pier – Sunday, August 16, 2026, 12-5pm | Free – New summer series filled with free live music, interactive workshops, games and activities for all ages.
Rockefeller Chapel 60th Bells of Summer Concert Season – Sunday, August 16, 2026, 5pm – Final concert.
You can find more Chicago weekend events here.
Grant Park Music Festival: Beethoven Symphony No. 9 at Jay Pritzker Pavilion – August 14, 2026, 6:30pm & August 15, 2026, 7:30pm – Final performance for the summer.
Summerdance: Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park – August 14 & 15, 2025, 6-9pm | Free
Sunday in the Park with George – August 13 – November 1, 2026
Fan Expo – August 14-16, 2026
Vintage House $10 and Under Sale (Avondale) – August 15 & 16, 2026, 12-5pm | Free
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition at The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry – Through August 16, 2026
The Notebook: The Musical at the James M. Nederlander Theatre – Through August 16, 2026
Iceboy! at the Goodman Theatre – Through August 16, 2026
SAW The Musical: The Unauthorized Parody of SAW – Through September 6, 2026
More Things to Do in Chicago This Week
See the Chicago Air & Water Show
While you can see the Air & Water Show for free from the beach, you can also avoid the crowds by joining one of the following cruises or watch parties:
Air & Water Show Preview at Shore Club – Friday, August 14, 11am-2pm
Air & Water Show Watch Party at Caffe Oliva on Ohio Street Beach – August 15 & 16, 2025, 10am
Air & Water Show Viewing Party at The Lakefront Green at Theater on the Lake – Saturday, August 15, 11am-4pm
Air & Water Show Saturday Lake Cruise – Saturday, August 15, 12-3pm
Flight Deck: Air Show Rooftop Party at Offshore Rooftop – Sunday, August 16, 11am-4pm
Air & Water Show Viewing Party at The Lakefront Green at Theater on the Lake – Sunday, August 16, 11am-4pm
Air & Water Show Sunday Lake Cruise – Sunday, August 16, 12-3pm
Take an Architecture River Cruise
An architecture river cruise is a must do Chicago experience.
Take a Lake Cruise
Enjoy a cool lake breeze and admire the Chicago skyline from a lake cruise.
If your time is short, you can do a combination river and lake cruise.
Watch Fireworks
Watch fireworks at Navy Pier Wednesday and Saturday all summer. The fireworks can be seen from various spots along the Lakefront including North Avenue Beach, Oak Street Beach and the Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk.
The best and most relaxing way to see the Navy Pier fireworks show is on a fireworks lake or river cruise.
If you enjoy guided tours, you can also see the fireworks and other attractions on this fireworks segway tour.
Kayak in the River or Lake
A fun way to explore the city is to go kayaking in the Chicago River or Lake Michigan. You can rent a kayak in the Chicago River here and Ohio beach here.
You can also join a guided kayaking tour in the downtown portion of the Chicago River including this history and architecture kayak tour and this sunset kayak tour.
Please note that you will get a little wet when kayaking so bring a waterproof case for your phone and water-resistant or quick-drying clothing.
Attend a Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s Candlelight Concerts is a series of special classical music concerts that take place in beautiful venues bathed in candlelight. Some of the concerts taking place this week include:
Tribute to Queen
A Tribute to Drake
Tribute to the Beatles (Oak Park)
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
Titanic: A Voyage Through Time
Step into history at Titanic: A Voyage Through Time an extraordinary virtual reality (VR) journey into history’s most famous ship. Dive to the wreckage as it rests today, then travel back to 1912 to experience the Titanic as a passenger. Walk the Grand Staircase, meet the people who shaped its story, and witness history firsthand in this immersive adventure.
When: Through September 27, 2026
Where: 108 West Germania Place, Chicago, IL 60610
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to purchase tickets.
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue is an immersive adventure that lets you and your friends become heroes, fighting spiders, creepers, and skeletons on your quest to rescue villagers from a zombie attack. Explore eight interactive Minecraft rooms and gather resources for your quest in these interactive biomes. Practice your Minecrafting skills with a handheld Orb to chop down trees, collect resources, and fight mobs.
Where: 9900 Berwyn Ave, in the Pearl District, Rosemont, IL 60018
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to purchase tickets.
AirOtic Soirée
AirOtic Soirée is a bold, sensual and provocative cabaret-circus experience returning to Chicago for a full summer run. After sold-out runs across the U.S. and Europe, the internationally acclaimed Airotic Soirée is a show that celebrates desire, sensuality, athletic beauty, and erotic elegance. Airotic Soirée is a blend of erotic cabaret and contemporary circus blending high-level acrobatics, seductive choreography and visual artistry. 21+ with valid ID.
When: Through August 29, 2026
Where: Experience 868, 868 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to purchase tickets.
Balloon Museum’s EmotionAir Exhibition
Balloon Museum’s EmotionAir Exhibition is a limited time unique exhibition that explores the profound relationship between art and emotions through the captivating medium of inflatable art. This exhibition, first presented in London in December 2023, is committed to the work of emotions, transforming artworks into mirrors to explore the profound relationship between art and emotions, action, and reaction. This is manifested tangibly through Inflatable Art, which offers itself as a medium to express the most intimate nuances of human feelings. Through a mix of interactive installations, emotional projections, and performance art, EmotionAir aims to transport visitors on an unprecedented sensory journey.
Where: The Fields Studios – Gate 1, 2828 N. Pulaski, Chicago, IL 60641
Cost: Timed-entry tickets are required. Click here to purchase tickets.
Watch a Drunk Shakespeare Play
Join The Drunk Shakespeare Society for an unforgettable evening of Shakespearean revelry. Set within a speakeasy, five actors attempt to perform a Shakespearean play after one of them downs multiple shots of various alcohols. Every show is different depending on who is drinking and what they’re drinking. Must be 21+ with valid ID.
Where: The Lounge At The Lion, 182 North Wabash Avenue
Cost: Prices start at $29 per person. Click here to purchase tickets.
Wondra: Immerse yourself in the magic of nature
Looking for a fun activity for kids? Head to the suburbs for Wondra, where each space invites curious minds to discover hidden details, dazzling colors, and natural awe-scapes that spark imagination and evoke wonder. Experience nature’s wonders in a whole new light with this immersive journey.
Where: 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to see prices and purchase tickets in advance.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago this week. If you are looking for more things to do in the Chicago area, you can find the best things to do in the suburbs here. If you are planning ahead, you can find more things to do in Chicago in August.
