Typically updated 12h ago

Festivals in Chicago

The hottest festivals in Chicago right now, ranked 0-100 by how big each is.

Nothing hot enough to call trending in Chicago right now, so here is everything, soonest first.

Next upFestival

Riot Fest 2026 - Friday

Fairs & Festivals

Douglass Parkin 6 weeksFri 18 Sept, 11:00
60Rising

A festival on the radar.

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Also on the radar2
  1. Festivalin 7 weeks

    Jazz Is Dead Presents - Cortex (18+)

    Vic Theatre

    A 4.3-star venue.

    61
  2. Festivalin 21 weeks

    New Year's Eve

    Chicago city centre

    New Year's Eve fireworks and crowds across the city centre.

    63

Trendiness is led by crowd size, then venue quality, ticket demand, category, and cross-source confirmation. We do not sell tickets, so the rank is honest.

Festivals in Chicago: the rundown

3 spots are on the Place to Be radar in Chicago right now. The hottest is New Year's Eve at Chicago city centre (rising, 63/100), followed by Jazz Is Dead Presents - Cortex (18+) and Riot Fest 2026 - Friday. The board leans festival. Every spot is ranked 0 to 100 by how big the crowd is, and Place to Be does not sell tickets, so the order is honest.

3 festival

Top spots right now

  1. 1New Year's Eve 路 Chicago city centre 路 Thu 31 Dec63
  2. 2Jazz Is Dead Presents - Cortex (18+) 路 Vic Theatre 路 Sat 26 Sept61
  3. 3Riot Fest 2026 - Friday 路 Douglass Park 路 Fri 18 Sept60
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Frequently asked

What's on for festivals in Chicago right now?

Right now Chicago has 3 on the radar under festivals, led by New Year's Eve at Chicago city centre, Jazz Is Dead Presents - Cortex (18+) at Vic Theatre, Riot Fest 2026 - Friday at Douglass Park. The list is ranked by how big each spot is and updates hourly.

What is the biggest event in Chicago?

New Year's Eve at Chicago city centre on Thu 31 Dec. It scores 63 out of 100 on the radar, the rising tier.

How does Place to Be rank events?

Each spot is scored 0 to 100, led by how big the crowd is, then venue quality, ticket demand, category and whether more than one source lists it. Place to Be does not sell tickets, so the ranking is honest and never pay to play.

Do I need an account to see what's on in Chicago?

No. The Chicago radar is free and needs no sign-in. An account only adds saving spots and an optional weekly email of what is heating up in your city.

Refreshed through the day from live sources. 3 spots on the Chicago radar right now.