Secret Chicago • Your Complete Guide To Things To Do In Chicago

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Chicago’s Red Line is closing subway stations for a third consecutive weekend—here are the alternative routes

If you were one of the many festival-goers this past weekend and were completely shocked that the Red Line wasn’t working, you weren’t alone. In addition to the Cubs game,…

Get the most out of the city

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- Things To Do,
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5+ Amazing Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend

With the weekends giving many of us time to step away from work, we must fill them with memories. Whether exploring the parks, spending valuable time with friends and family,…
- Top News,
- Wellness & Nature
A full strawberry moon will light up the Chicago sky this month—here’s when and where to catch a glimpse

A spectacular celestial event will light up the night sky over Chicago at the end of the month—the illustrious Strawberry Moon. Here are a few fun facts about the sweetest…
- Culture,
- Top News
The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is rolling near Chicago for one day only next month—here’s what to know

After a successful tour in the U.S. in 2025, the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is returning to the Chicago area next month! While we eagerly await the opening of the…
- Culture,
- Top News
Phoebe Bridgers is bringing her tour to Chicago this fall—here’s when you can get tickets
- Escapes,
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A short drive from Chicago: This desert-like beach lets you drive directly onto Lake Michigan shores

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Things To Do

- Culture,
- Things To Do
Here’s the 2026 Chicago Movies in the Parks schedule

Your favorite local outdoor summer movie series is officially back—the Chicago Park District has released the 2026 lineup for Movies in the Parks, and the schedule is stacked. Here’s a…
June 10, 2026

This hidden 3-level waterfall oasis in Illinois features a 15-foot deep swimming hole and a 2,750-acre lake

If you venture deep into Southern Illinois, you’ll encounter Kinkaid Lake—a stunning 2,750-acre area located in Jackson County. Constructed in the late 1960s by the Crisenberry Dam on Kinkaid Creek,…
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June 10, 2026

Enjoy cocktails by candlelight while a live string quartet plays your favorite songs at these Candlelight concerts with On the Rocks

If sipping cocktails while a live string quartet plays crowd favorite anthems, surrounded by hundreds of flickering candles sounds like your kind of summer evening – you won’t want to…
- Food & Drink,
- Things To Do
Glizzies and good vibes: Hot Dog Fest is back in Wrigleyville this weekend
- Culture,
- Things To Do
15 of the most exciting things to do with your friends in Chicago right now

Food & Drink

1 hour from Chicago: Long Grove is hosting its 3-day summer Strawberry Fest this June with live music and $7 admission

There is one particular summer festival that attracts thousands from all over to this quaint small town every year, and its main theme is strawberries. If you haven’t heard of…
Weiner’s Circle, Tamale Guy, and 30+ other vendors—here’s the 2026 Summer Smash food lineup

Heading to Summer Smash this weekend in Chicago? The 2026 edition of Lyrical Lemonade’s annual hip hop festival is bringing more than just headlining performances from Chief Keef and…
Portillo’s is launching a new downtown Chicago location

Visitors to the Chicago Loop will soon be able to get their Portillo’s fix without having to venture from downtown! The iconic Chicagoland chain’s long-rumored new location is opening soon…
Caleb Williams calls a downtown Chicago spot the “best pizza I’ve ever had” on the ‘New Heights’ podcast—and it’s not deep dish

Caleb Williams may be known as the “Iceman,” but he recently shared a surprising opinion on Chicago-style pizza. While speaking with the Kelce brothers on their “New Heights” podcast, the…

Culture

After the 1900s cholera outbreaks, Chicago executed an engineering feat that forced a river into reverse — and it secretly saved the city

If you stand on almost any bridge in downtown Chicago today, the river below seems perfectly ordinary. It glides past…
Ventra just launched a Pokémon-themed card—here’s how to get one

Pokémon-mania has officially hit Chicago, with the launch of Pokémon Fossil Museum at the Field Museum. Now, Ventra is joining the fun, teaming up with the Field Museum to roll…
Chicago’s largest EDM festival is back this summer—check out the lineup

It’s music festival season in Chicago, and we’ve got another lineup to add to your radar! North Coast, Chicago’s largest…
Lakeshore Arts & Music Festival in Chicago: complete lineup, dates and tickets for this two-day house music experience this month

This June, Lakeshore Arts & Music Festival takes over Lincoln Park for a weekend of house music by the lake. From curated DJ sets to art, games, food, and brand…

Secret Guides

Father’s Day 2026—where to drink, dine, and celebrate dad in Chicago

Father’s Day in Chicago is June 21, and if you haven’t firmed up your day-of plans yet, you’ll need a few options! Luckily Secret Chicago is here to help.
Memorial Day 2026—Your guide to patio parties, bar hangs, and boat bashes in Chicago

Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago is just a few short weeks away, and now is the perfect time to shore up some plans for your day off! Whether you’re looking…
14 Of The Best Date Night Ideas In And Around Chicago

Sure Paris is the place for romance, but have you stopped to consider the ample opportunities Chicago has to offer? From…
Where to see live classical music in Chicago this year

Chicago’s love affair with classical music goes way back—think 1890s orchestras, grand opera houses, and a city buzzing with choral groups and composers. From launching the world-famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra…

Visit Chicago

This one-of-a-kind multisensory experience near Chicago brings nature to life

Reimagine your world and awaken your senses at WONDRA, a multisensory experience at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. WONDRA takes you on a one-of-a-kind journey through the beauty, mystery, and magic…
We went inside the new Minecraft experience near Chicago—here’s what we thought

If you haven’t heard, Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue has landed just outside Chicago. Whether you’re a…
This Minecraft experience just outside Chicago is now open—chop trees, gather resources, and enter the world IRL

It’s the greatest-selling video game of all time, and now you can walk through its world IRL. With Minecraft Movie 2 officially announced and starring Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and…
Chicago 2026 Music Festival Season: Official Dates, Lineups & Tickets for Summer Concerts

The Chicago 2026 music festival season is almost here, and some of the biggest shows are right around the corner. From Lollapalooza and Karol G’s Chicago tour stop to the…

Chicago’s Red Line is closing subway stations for a third consecutive weekend—here are the alternative routes

Editor's pick

Only 1 hour from Chicago: The city’s oldest professional jazz orchestra is headlining a massive 8-hour festival this Father’s Day

Spanning two full city blocks since 1977, one of Chicago’s oldest plant stores has an entire street cutting right through its backyard

The “Grand Canyon of Illinois” is just a short drive from Chicago—featuring massive sandstone gorges and hidden cascades

Chicago is opening a massive new South Side tourism center with half-day bike, walking, and culinary tours

Get the most out of the city

Top News

5+ Amazing Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend

A full strawberry moon will light up the Chicago sky this month—here’s when and where to catch a glimpse

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is rolling near Chicago for one day only next month—here’s what to know

Phoebe Bridgers is bringing her tour to Chicago this fall—here’s when you can get tickets

A short drive from Chicago: This desert-like beach lets you drive directly onto Lake Michigan shores

Things To Do

Here’s the 2026 Chicago Movies in the Parks schedule

This hidden 3-level waterfall oasis in Illinois features a 15-foot deep swimming hole and a 2,750-acre lake

Enjoy cocktails by candlelight while a live string quartet plays your favorite songs at these Candlelight concerts with On the Rocks

Glizzies and good vibes: Hot Dog Fest is back in Wrigleyville this weekend

15 of the most exciting things to do with your friends in Chicago right now

Food & Drink

1 hour from Chicago: Long Grove is hosting its 3-day summer Strawberry Fest this June with live music and $7 admission

Weiner’s Circle, Tamale Guy, and 30+ other vendors—here’s the 2026 Summer Smash food lineup

Portillo’s is launching a new downtown Chicago location

Caleb Williams calls a downtown Chicago spot the “best pizza I’ve ever had” on the ‘New Heights’ podcast—and it’s not deep dish

Culture

After the 1900s cholera outbreaks, Chicago executed an engineering feat that forced a river into reverse — and it secretly saved the city

Ventra just launched a Pokémon-themed card—here’s how to get one

Chicago’s largest EDM festival is back this summer—check out the lineup

Lakeshore Arts & Music Festival in Chicago: complete lineup, dates and tickets for this two-day house music experience this month

Secret Guides

Father’s Day 2026—where to drink, dine, and celebrate dad in Chicago

Memorial Day 2026—Your guide to patio parties, bar hangs, and boat bashes in Chicago

14 Of The Best Date Night Ideas In And Around Chicago

Where to see live classical music in Chicago this year

Visit Chicago

This one-of-a-kind multisensory experience near Chicago brings nature to life

We went inside the new Minecraft experience near Chicago—here’s what we thought

This Minecraft experience just outside Chicago is now open—chop trees, gather resources, and enter the world IRL

Chicago 2026 Music Festival Season: Official Dates, Lineups & Tickets for Summer Concerts