#1
Far SuburbsOpens Fri, Nov 13, 2026 · through Jan 3, 2027
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Far Suburbs
Lightscape opens a new illuminated trail through the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Limited Run
Chicago in December
Stumblday's hand-checked ranking of the best things to do in Chicago in December 2026: 46 picks, refreshed weekly. The month's biggest events, exhibitions and long runs in one ranked list.
46 picks
Far Suburbs#1Opens Fri, Nov 13, 2026 · through Jan 3, 2027 · Limited Run
Far SuburbsLightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Lightscape opens a new illuminated trail through the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Add to calendar#2
Far SuburbsOpens Sat, Nov 14, 2026 · through Jan 2, 2027
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Far Suburbs
The Arboretum's one-mile tree-light trail opens its fourteenth season with new displays.
Limited Run
#2Opens Sat, Nov 14, 2026 · through Jan 2, 2027 · Limited Run
Far SuburbsIllumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
The Arboretum's one-mile tree-light trail opens its fourteenth season with new displays.
Add to calendar#3
Antepli Mediterranean Grill, Albany Park, Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln SquareOpen this weekend — recently opened
Antepli Mediterranean Grill
Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln Square
Antepli Mediterranean Grill at Antepli Mediterranean Grill.
Limited Run
#3Open this weekend — recently opened · Limited Run
Antepli Mediterranean Grill, Albany Park, Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln SquareAntepli Mediterranean Grill
Antepli Mediterranean Grill at Antepli Mediterranean Grill.
Add to calendar#4
Downtown, the Loop & West LoopOpens Sat, Nov 7, 2026 · through Apr 25, 2027
Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Rashid Johnson's Chicago homecoming survey opens with more than 70 works at the MCA.
ArtLimited Run
#4Opens Sat, Nov 7, 2026 · through Apr 25, 2027 · Limited Run
Downtown, the Loop & West LoopRashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers
Rashid Johnson's Chicago homecoming survey opens with more than 70 works at the MCA.
Add to calendar#5
Chicago History Museum, Lincoln ParkOn view through Sun, Jul 18, 2027
Threads of a Nation: Preserving Presidential Clothing
Chicago History Museum, Lincoln Park
Presidential garments reveal how conservation, politics and public memory meet in the museum collection.
ArtLimited Run
#5On view through Sun, Jul 18, 2027 · Limited Run
Chicago History Museum, Lincoln ParkThreads of a Nation: Preserving Presidential Clothing
Presidential garments reveal how conservation, politics and public memory meet in the museum collection.
Add to calendar#6
Ela Thai Kitchen, North Center, Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln SquareOpen this weekend — recently opened
Ela Thai Kitchen
Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln Square
Ela Thai Kitchen at Ela Thai Kitchen.
Limited Run
#6Open this weekend — recently opened · Limited Run
Ela Thai Kitchen, North Center, Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln Square#7
Lenci's Greek Pita, DunningOpen this weekend — recently opened
Lenci's Greek Pita
Lenci's Greek Pita, Dunning
Lenci's Greek Pita at Lenci's Greek Pita.
Limited Run
#7Open this weekend — recently opened · Limited Run
Lenci's Greek Pita, Dunning#8
F1 Arcade, River North, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopOpen this weekend — recently opened
F1 Arcade
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
F1 Arcade at F1 Arcade.
Limited Run
#8Open this weekend — recently opened · Limited Run
F1 Arcade, River North, Downtown, the Loop & West Loop#9
The Fields Studios, 4120 W Diversey Ave, Logan Square, Wicker Park & BucktownOn view through Jan 19, 2027
Balloon Museum
Logan Square, Wicker Park & Bucktown
Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - FLEX TICKET - Chicago at The Fields Studios.
ArtLimited Run
#9On view through Jan 19, 2027 · Limited Run
The Fields Studios, 4120 W Diversey Ave, Logan Square, Wicker Park & BucktownBalloon Museum
Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - FLEX TICKET - Chicago at The Fields Studios.
Add to calendar#10
Pitch And Pour Supper Club, West LoopOpen this weekend — recently opened
Pitch And Pour Supper Club
Pitch And Pour Supper Club, West Loop
Pitch And Pour Supper Club at Pitch And Pour Supper Club.
Limited Run
#10Open this weekend — recently opened · Limited Run
Pitch And Pour Supper Club, West Loop#11
Art Institute of Chicago, Gallery 283, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopOn view through Jan 25, 2027
Abigail Lucien: Blood of the Earth
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Abigail Lucien: Blood of the Earth at Art Institute of Chicago.
ArtLimited Run
#11On view through Jan 25, 2027 · Limited Run
Art Institute of Chicago, Gallery 283, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopAbigail Lucien: Blood of the Earth
Abigail Lucien: Blood of the Earth at Art Institute of Chicago.
Add to calendar#12
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopOn view through Jan 25, 2027
Embroidered Traditions
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Embroidered Traditions from Morocco to Afghanistan at Art Institute of Chicago.
ArtLimited Run
#12On view through Jan 25, 2027 · Limited Run
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopEmbroidered Traditions
Embroidered Traditions from Morocco to Afghanistan at Art Institute of Chicago.
Add to calendar#13
Intuit Art Museum, Pilsen, West Town & the West SideOn view through Mar 21, 2027
Life is an Art: The Collection of Jan Petry
Pilsen, West Town & the West Side
Life is an Art: The Collection of Jan Petry at Intuit Art Museum.
ArtLimited Run
#13On view through Mar 21, 2027 · Limited Run
Intuit Art Museum, Pilsen, West Town & the West SideLife is an Art: The Collection of Jan Petry
Life is an Art: The Collection of Jan Petry at Intuit Art Museum.
Add to calendar#14
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopOn view through Jan 31, 2027
Kenzi Shiokava
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Kenzi Shiokava at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
ArtLimited Run
#14On view through Jan 31, 2027 · Limited Run
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopPlanning December's weekends?
Each December weekend's list lands the Friday before it, one email every Friday. Unsubscribe anytime.
#15
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopUser:JeremyA · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia CommonsOn view through Jun 20, 2027
Atrium Project: Celeste Rapone
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Atrium Project: Celeste Rapone at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
ArtLimited Run
#15On view through Jun 20, 2027 · Limited Run
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopUser:JeremyA · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia CommonsAtrium Project: Celeste Rapone
Atrium Project: Celeste Rapone at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
Add to calendar#16
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopOn view through Dec 31, 2027
Double Feature with Short Subject
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Double Feature with Short Subject at Art Institute of Chicago.
ArtLimited Run
#16On view through Dec 31, 2027 · Limited Run
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopDouble Feature with Short Subject
Double Feature with Short Subject at Art Institute of Chicago.
Add to calendar#17
Art Institute of Chicago, Gallery 289, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopOn view through Jan 18, 2027
Jill Mulleady: The Passenger
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Jill Mulleady: The Passenger at Art Institute of Chicago.
ArtLimited Run
#17On view through Jan 18, 2027 · Limited Run
Art Institute of Chicago, Gallery 289, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopJill Mulleady: The Passenger
Jill Mulleady: The Passenger at Art Institute of Chicago.
Add to calendar#18
Art Institute of Chicago, Bluhm Family Terrace, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopOn view through Mar 14, 2027
Tony Cokes: On Boredom
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Tony Cokes: On Boredom has enough weekend energy to earn a spot on the board.
ArtLimited Run
#18On view through Mar 14, 2027 · Limited Run
Art Institute of Chicago, Bluhm Family Terrace, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopTony Cokes: On Boredom
Tony Cokes: On Boredom has enough weekend energy to earn a spot on the board.
Add to calendar#19
Richard H. Driehaus Museum, River North, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopOctober 9, 2026 – April 18, 2027Adults $23
Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History
ArtLimited Run
#19October 9, 2026 – April 18, 2027 · Limited Run
Richard H. Driehaus Museum, River North, Downtown, the Loop & West Loop#20
Museum of Contemporary Photography, South Loop, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopViselippi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsSeptember 10–December 19, 2026; Mon–Wed and Fri–Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thu 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun closedFree
If Emmett Till Lived: Freedom on American Ground
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Imagine the life Emmett Till was denied through a free MoCP exhibition drawing on photographs by more than 110 artists.
FreeArt
#20September 10–December 19, 2026; Mon–Wed and Fri–Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thu 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun closed · Limited Run
Museum of Contemporary Photography, South Loop, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopViselippi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsIf Emmett Till Lived: Freedom on American Ground
Imagine the life Emmett Till was denied through a free MoCP exhibition drawing on photographs by more than 110 artists.
Add to calendar#21
Stolp Island Theatre, Aurora, Far SuburbsOctober 7, 2026 – January 3, 2027$87 in person
Million Dollar Quartet
Aurora, Far Suburbs
Million Dollar Quartet is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Limited Run
#21October 7, 2026 – January 3, 2027 · Limited Run
Stolp Island Theatre, Aurora, Far Suburbs#22
Wrightwood 659, Lincoln ParkSeptember 25–December 19, 2026; open Fridays and Saturdays with timed-entry tickets$20 general admission
Inner Worlds: Visions from the Hirshhorn Collection
Wrightwood 659, Lincoln Park
Kusama joins Bauermeister and de Saint Phalle in a Hirshhorn Collection exhibition.
ArtLimited Run
#22September 25–December 19, 2026; open Fridays and Saturdays with timed-entry tickets · Limited Run
Wrightwood 659, Lincoln ParkInner Worlds: Visions from the Hirshhorn Collection
Kusama joins Bauermeister and de Saint Phalle in a Hirshhorn Collection exhibition.
Add to calendar#23
Smart Museum of Art, Hyde ParkAdam Jones, Ph.D. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsSeptember 22, 2026 – February 21, 2027; Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.Free
teamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity
Smart Museum of Art, Hyde Park
The Tokyo art collective teamLab's immersive show at the Smart Museum, with free admission.
FreeArt
#23September 22, 2026 – February 21, 2027; Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. · Limited Run
Smart Museum of Art, Hyde ParkAdam Jones, Ph.D. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsteamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity
The Tokyo art collective teamLab's immersive show at the Smart Museum, with free admission.
Add to calendar#24
Field Museum, Museum Campus, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopJoe Ravi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsOn view May 22, 2026 – April 11, 2027Requires an add-on ticket
Pokémon Fossil Museum
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Pokémon Fossil Museum is listed for Chicago this weekend.
ArtLimited Run
#24On view May 22, 2026 – April 11, 2027 · Limited Run
Field Museum, Museum Campus, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopJoe Ravi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons