The best things to do in Chicago today

Whether you’re parenting a pint-sized Pokémon devotee or a nostalgic millennial still clinging to a holographic Charizard card for its “possible resale value” (guilty), the Pokémon Fossil Museum is designed to surprise and delight. Making its U.S. debut at the Field Museum in spring 2026, the international exhibition invites visitors to compare Fossil Pokémon like Tyrantrum and Archeops with real-world fossils—including SUE the T. rex. Expect Pokémon models, real fossil excavation tools and immersive soundscapes throughout.

Part art installation, part psychological gauntlet, Theater of the Mind is David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar’s newest exploration of the self. Tucked inside a 15,000-square-foot office, the experience invites small groups of 16 or less to navigate a sensory-bending labyrinth. But the real variable isn't the set design; it’s the audience. Group participation is a central element of the show, which can be exhilarating but also sometimes awkward; the instructions are sometimes muddled, and the responses of the group can affect the narrative in ways that don’t always cohere. Ultimately, your enjoyment of Theater of the Mind may hinge on the group you’re there with—and on your own state of mind.

With soundstage-sized pieces like horned sculptures emitting soap bubbles, inflated spheres bedecked in abstract squiggles and surreal faceless figures hovering in space, “EmotionAir” reimagines the humble balloon as any other artistic medium—a conduit for creativity and emotion. 

This first-of-its-kind exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago explores the visual, political and spiritual histories of dancehall and reggaetón through contemporary art. Once grassroots scenes, both genres have become globally influential movements tied closely to sexual and political liberation. The show features works by more than 35 artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Edra Soto, supakid and Lee “Scratch” Perry.

How are some of the most iconic costumes of the past century made? Costume designer Paul Tazewell pulls back the curtain in this behind-the-scenes exhibition. Highlights include costumes from Wicked, Janelle Monáe’s MET Gala looks and Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Sketches, videos and narration reveal how imagination becomes wearable art.

Chicago Dance Month highlights the diversity of the city’s dance scene with four weeks of activations from nearly 35 dance artists and companies across a dozen free events throughout Chicago. The slate includes programming such as dance classes at Navy Pier's Wave Wall Platform on Wednesdays, pop-up performances at the Wave Wall stage on Saturdays, workshops, panels, film screenings and more. 

Spanning two distinct periods of Alberto Aguilar’s career, “I just really want to tell you this one thing” explores the delicate themes of communication and translation. Rather than a static display, the exhibition serves as a collective offering by Aguilar and his collaborators for viewers seeking an active creative conversation. Mirroring Aguilar’s broader practice, this collection prioritizes the unique meaning that emerges only through exchange. 

This immersive exhibition recreates the Secret Annex where Anne Frank, her family and four others hid during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Chicago is only the second U.S. city—and the first in the Midwest—to host the experience, which includes rarely seen artifacts from Frank’s life. Visitors can walk through the reconstructed hiding place while learning about Anne’s childhood, the rise of Nazi Germany and the Frank family’s years in Amsterdam. The exhibition offers a powerful look at the risks, courage and daily realities of those who lived in hiding.

Ready to explore Chicago's amazing architecture while floating on the river? The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise takes place aboard a First Lady boat, transporting guests on a 90-minute tour that traverses three branches of the Chicago River and explores the stories behind more than 50 buildings that make up the city's iconic skyline. What separates the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise from similar tours are the knowledgeable Chicago Architecture Center docents that lead each excursion. You'll be able to chat with experts who know the nitty-gritty details of Chicago architecture and are eager to help you learn more about the structures surrounding you—something that makes this attraction appealing to tourists and longtime residents. All tours depart from the First Lady dock on the Chicago Riverwalk, located just down the stairs from the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. If you want to continue learning about Chicago's buildings after your tour, you can add a Chicago Architecture Center ticket for just $5—and it's good for seven days after you board the boat.

In June 2026, the Chicago Symphony Center commemorates the United States’ 250th anniversary with a curated season reflecting the nation’s rich and evolving cultural landscape. Featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra alongside elite guest artists and jazz ensembles, these performances honor American resilience and creativity. From the seminal works of Copland, Gershwin and Ives to the cinematic grandeur of John Williams’ Star Wars: A New Hope score performed live to film, the season celebrates the enduring spirit of American music.

As the Driehaus Museum’s first artist-in-residence, Brendan Fernandes will transform the Murphy Auditorium into a dynamic site for sculpture, movement and sound. Inspired by the Judson Dance Theater, Fernandes’ Scores for the Murphy Auditorium will unfold as an episodic residency throughout 2026, with performances and public programs announced over time.

You’ve probably seen a Shakespeare play before, but never like this. Five professional actors come together for each performance of Drunk Shakespeare. The twist? One of them has had five shots before the show and is trying to stay on track while the other four actors do their best to hold the performance together.

To celebrate A Red Orchid Theatre’s 33rd season, join the Solidarity and Truth Summit—a gathering of the most “persecuted” and “misunderstood” people on earth. These self-identified Targeted Individuals believe they are victims of a vast, covert program of systematic surveillance and harassment by global powers. Over one whirlwind weekend in the woods, they will attempt to expose the Deep State, raise awareness for their plight and—despite their immense suffering—reclaim their humanity.