Mike Reed's Common Good Dance Band at Navy Pier
Mike Reed's Common Good Dance Band plays soul-jazz from Sun Ra, Ellington, and South African legends at the lakefront stage, with Katie Ernst solo opening and DJ Joe Bryl spinning—plus limited event posters by illustrator Ryan Duggan.
Friday, August 14, 2026 · Lake Stage at Polk Bros Park (Navy Pier), 699 W Grand Ave, Chicago
Anthony Rodia at Chicago Improv
Comedian Anthony Rodia performs five shows over the weekend at Chicago Improv, with tickets selling fast.
Friday, August 14, 2026 · Chicago Improv, Chicago
James Austin Johnson at The Den Theatre
The SNL cast member and impressionist James Austin Johnson performs two nights at The Den Theatre in Wicker Park.
Friday, August 14, 2026 7:15 PM · The Den Theatre, 1331 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
Wooden Wisdom (Elijah Wood & Zach Cowie) Fantasy Party & Vinyl DJ Set
Elijah Wood and Zach Cowie spin a fantasy-themed vinyl DJ set—now moved to Radius—for a one-night pop culture party.
Saturday, August 15, 2026 Doors 9:00 PM · Radius, Chicago
BabyChiefDoIt at Ramova Theatre
Chicago drill sensation BabyChiefDoIt performs at the Ramova Theatre behind his R.A.M.B.O project.
Saturday, August 22, 2026 · Ramova Theatre, Chicago
Tahaa Kahn - 72 Virgins
Stand-up comedian Tahaa Kahn performs his show '72 Virgins' at The Den Theatre in Wicker Park.
Friday, August 14, 2026 9:00 PM · The Den Theatre, 1331 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
Jerry Wayne Longmire at Chicago Improv
Comedian Jerry Wayne Longmire performs a Thursday night stand-up show at Chicago Improv.
Thursday, August 20, 2026 7:00 PM · Chicago Improv, Chicago
Fun Run Before the Author Talk: Chicago's Fine Arts Building
Read & Run Chicago hosts a free fun run paired with an author talk on Chicago's Fine Arts Building, in collaboration with the Chicago Public Library.
Friday, August 21, 2026 1:00 PM · Chicago's Fine Arts Building, Chicago
Festivals & Special Events
Chicago House Music Festival
The annual Chicago House Music Festival spreads across the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and more for four days of the genre that the city invented.
Thursday, August 27, 2026 · Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and elsewhere, Chicago