Things to Do in Chicago

Whether you're extending your stay in Chicago or simply looking for ways to enjoy your free time outside of the meeting, this curated list of things to do in the Windy City offers a variety of options to explore.

Please note: These activities are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or included as part of the SOFT-TIAFT 2026 Joint Meeting and are provided for informational purposes only.

Fine Arts, Music, and Culture

• Chicago Jazz Festival (Sept. 3-6)
• ARC Music Festival (Sept 4-6)
• Taste of Polonia Festival (Sept. 4-7)
• North Coast Music Festival (Sept. 4-6)
• NieR: Orchestra Concert 12026 [YoRHa] (Sept. 5-6)
• Jekyll & Hyde Theater Show (Sept. 8- Oct. 25)
• Dirty Dancing The Musical (Sept. 9-20)
• German American Octoberfest (Sept. 11-13)
• El Grito Chicago (Sept. 12-13)
• Printers Row Lit Fest (Sept. 12-13) 
• Ravenswood Art Walk (Sept. 12-13)
• Petr Popelka & Hilary Hahn @ Symphony Center (Sept. 17-19)
• Reeling Film Festival (Sept. 17-27)
• Riot Fest (Sept. 18-20)
• Old Town Oktoberfest (Sept. 18-20)
• Retro on Roscoe (Sept. 18-20)
• Chicago Live! (Sept. 19-21)
• Makela Conducts Sibelius & Shostakovich @Symphony (Sept. 24-26)
• World Music Festival (Sept. 25-Oct.4)
• Oktoberfest Chicago at St. Alphonsus (Sept. 25-27)
• Randolph Street Market (Sept. 26-27)
• Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical (Sept. 29-Oct. 11)

Food & Resturaunts 

• Michelin Guide to Chicago
• World Dumpling Festival (Sept. 19-20)
• Chicago Gourmet (Sept. 24-27)

General

• Chicago CityPass

Sports

• Chicago White Sox Baseball (Sept. 4-6,9-10, 17-20, 25-27)
• Chicago Bears Football (American) (Sept. 20)
• Chicago Fire (Soccer) Football Club (Sept. 9, 13)
• Chicago Cubs Baseball (Sept. 11-16, 22-24)
• Chicago Blackhawks Hockey (Schedule Pending)