Top events in Illinois 2026
The events worth planning around in Illinois in 2026 — the biggest and best-known first, with people to go with.
608 events
6 Jan – 4 Dec 2027
7 free
Highlights: ZooLights
Any time
Today104This weekend179This month521Next month707Free14Highlights625Festivals92Christmas markets3Halloween57Date night967With kids385On your own900With friends79After-work & aperitivo58With a view1Birthday3Hen and stag parties18Volunteering1Pumpkin patches10Christmas lights14Fruit picking5Foraging1Autumn foliage23Stargazing10Rainy day609Street food3Oktoberfest1Day of the Dead5
1
Runs every yearTicketsThe Chicago Theatre
2
Runs every yearTicketsLynfred Winery
3
Runs every yearTicketsLynfred Winery Guest Suites
4
Runs every yearTicketsEpiphany Center For The Arts
5
Runs every yearLincoln Park Zoo
6
Runs every yearTicketsWildlife Prairie Park
7
Runs every yearKrannert Art Museum
8
Runs every yearCedarhurst Center for the Arts
9
TicketsMuseum of Contemporary Art Chicago
10
TicketsKlehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Questions
Top events in Illinois 2026: what's on?
608 events between 24 Oct – 4 Dec 2027. Among them: ZooLights.
What is the next event in Illinois?
Halloween Hoopla on 24 Oct in Galesburg.
Which events in Illinois are free?
7 events are free, for example RE SERIES: Chicago a cappella Presents… · From the Vault: Knives, Knives, Knives! · Golden Hour Featuring Kari Novilla Duo.
What are the biggest events in Illinois?
The named events of the place: ZooLights (20 Nov).
Where in Illinois is most going on?
Most events are in Chicago (232) · Springfield (38) · Champaign (31).