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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.

Jeffy Mai
Written by
Jeffy Mai
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Not sure what's happening around the city today? Allow us to be of service. Chicago's best attractions, which include beautiful parks, neighborhoods and a free zoo, are always a good start. So are Chicago's best museums, from the Art Institute of Chicago to the Shedd Aquarium. Plus—as always—we're keeping track of the top parties, concerts, museum exhibitions, community events and more interesting stuff happening in Chicago day-by-day. Grab your calendar and check out all the best things to do in Chicago today.

RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Chicago right now 

Best things to do in Chicago today

  • Art
  • Film and video
  • price 0 of 4
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 the world, with programming that changes seasonally. ART on THE MART's array of 34 digital projectors show the creations after dusk every evening. It’s best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.
  • Things to do
  • Suburbs
Sony Pictures Entertainment has brought its first immersive entertainment destination to Oakbrook Center, inviting guests to enter the worlds of popular franchises like Uncharted, Ghostbusters, Jumanji, Bad Boys, Zombieland and more. The 45,000-square-foot space is home to a variety of activities, ranging from escape rooms to virtual reality and racing simulators to bumper cars. When you need to refuel, drop into the Commissary Restaurant for a full menu of food, desserts and cocktails. Entry to Wonderverse is free, with attractions priced separately.
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  • Things to do
  • Streeterville
Navy Pier’s newest attraction is here, transporting guests to some of Chicago’s most epic places via exhilarating flights. The multi-sensory experience incorporates drone technologies with aerial shots and first-person views to showcase the city like never before. Guests will swoop, dip and turn in motion seats as they climb up skyscrapers, check out iconic landmarks, float through fireworks and more.
  • Things to do
  • East Garfield Park
Winter is almost over and the Garfield Park Conservatory is here to usher in warmer days with its Spring Flower Show. Make a reservation to explore this year's show, "What's in a Name?" which explains the history and science of botanical nomenclature. You'll find spring bulbs like Tulipa ‘Rococo’, Lilium ‘Josephine,’ Viola ‘Matrix Yellow’ and Anemone ‘Giant Blue Poppy.’ The show only sticks around through Mother's Day weekend, so book your visit soon!
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  • Things to do
  • Skokie
The largest and most immersive touring Titanic exhibition comes to Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie. Visitors will experience a narrative journey that brings to light the fates of the passengers and crew aboard the famous ship. Marvel at hundreds of artifacts that survived the sinking, plus props and costumes featured in James Cameron’s blockbuster film Titanic. Music from the era will play as patrons walk through detailed recreations of the ship’s interiors, including the grand staircase, while the Discovery Gallery will simulate what discovery teams saw during dives to the Titanic’s wreckage site.
  • Movies
  • Drama
  • price 2 of 4
  • Loop
The Chicago Latino Film Fest returns for its 40th year, showing films from Latin America, Spain, Portugal, the United States and more via screenings at Landmark Century Centre Cinema, Davis Theatre and Cervantes Institute. This year's programming lineup includes highlights like Alonso Alvarez's thriller The Wingwalker as well as Laura González's drama Milonga, which will serve as the festival's closer. For a complete schedule of screenings, check out the Chicago Latino Film Festival website.
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  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • Loop
This annual festival assembles luminaries from the fields of politics, journalism and the arts for a multi-week series of programming across the city, with events ranging from lectures and discussions to screenings and musical performances. Not sure which events to hit? Some of the fest’s biggest speakers this season include former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, architect Jeanne Gang, musician Kathleen Hanna and comedian Reggie Watts. You can see a full schedule of programming on the Chicago Humanities Festival website.
  • Things to do
  • Hyde Park
The Museum of Science and Industry debuts a new exhibit dedicated to the science and technology behind the world’s longest-running film franchise, James Bond. Fans can check out 13 vehicles and over 90 additional artifacts, including the prototype jetpack used in Thunderball, an MI6 Retina Scanner from GoldenEye and the Parahawk snowmobile hybrid from The World Is Not Enough. You’ll also be able to step into a lab space inspired by “Q” and test your skills developing the perfect vehicle for spy activities, designing stunts and more.
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  • Museums
  • Museum Campus
Escape the planet with exhibits about the first lunar missions, the solar system and more, plus immersive shows in the dome theater. The Doane Observatory is also home to the largest public telescope in the area, and gathers 7,000 times more light than the human eye. Every Wednesday, the Adler stays open late from 4pm-10pm so that folks can visit after work or school. And best of all, admission is free on those nights for Illinois residents.
  • Movies
  • price 1 of 4
  • Loop
See more than 20 films from China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Canada during the latest edition of the Asian Pop-Up Cinema screening series, which will include in-person and virtual screenings. This season's centerpeice is Good Autumn, Mommy, a story about a rural Chinese mother searching for her missing newborn daughter. For a complete schedule, visit the Asian Pop-Up Cinema website.
  • Things to do
  • Ukrainian Village
Every third Wednesday of the month, Dorothy plays host to Fruit Salad—a queer open mic night. The all-inclusive event reserves five performance slots for BIPOC individuals, alongside five for any interested performers. The shows have showcased some of the city’s best queer and trans musicians, poets and storytellers, and a portion of ticket sales support local organizations focused on issues ranging from abortion care to cancer awareness.
House on the Plaza
  • Things to do
  • Loop
Take a midday break and head to Daley Plaza for a dance party. Live DJs will be spinning house music so get ready to get down.
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  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • Loop
In its 13th year, One Earth Film Festival offers a slate of environmental films aimed at understanding climate change, sustainability and the power of human involvement. Screenings cover topics including water justice, public housing, deforestation, more. Films will be screened all over Chicagoland, from the Chicago Cultural Center and Bronzeville to Oak Park.
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