Introducing our newest edition of the Classic Chicago DateBook for 2025.
For event submissions, email aedelfosse1@gmail.com or judycbross@aol.com with the following details:
-Calendar date, day of week & time of event
-Sponsoring organization
-Name of event
-Event details / schedule of event components
-Location of event
-Contact telephone, email and/or website
June
June 01st, 2025, Sunday
Bank of America
Bank of America Chicago 13.1
The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 returns to the historic parks and boulevards of the city’s West Side on Sunday, June 1. The fourth annual race builds on the vision to reimagine what running can be in Chicago, offering a weekend of health and wellness-based activities for event participants and community members. The one-of-a-kind event starts and finishes in Garfield Park with scenic loops through Douglass and Humboldt Parks. Leading this year’s sold-out 10,000-person participant field are three 2024 champions, with Peter Njeru, Joyline Chemutai and Daniel Romanchuk looking to defend their titles in the professional races.
Garfield Park – Start line media riser on Jackson Boulevard between Hamlin and Central Park Avenues
More information here
June 03rd – 08th, 2025
Chicago Opera Theater
She Who Dared
Three performances only! Chicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago’s foremost producer of new and reimagined opera, proudly presents She Who Dared, by composer Jasmine Arielle Barnes and librettist Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton. Featuring an All-Black female cast, and an all-Black creative team, the compelling, richly melodic, new opera shines a spotlight on the women who challenged segregation before and alongside Rosa Parks. COT’s production of She Who Dared is Tuesday, June 3 at 7:30 PM; Friday, June 6 at 7:30 PM; and Sunday, June 8 at 3:00 PM.
Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building, 410 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Tickets here
June 04th, 2025, Wednesday, 06:00 – 09:00 p.m
Chicago History Museum
Making History Awards
The Board of Trustees of the Chicago Historical Society proudly hosts the Making History Awards in honor of the extraordinary contributions of this year’s awardees to our city and its history.
More details to come.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 East Delaware Place, Chicago
For questions contact Livia Kenney lkenney@pjhchicago.com or Eric Miller miller@chicagohistory.org
June 06th, 2025, Friday, 07:30 p.m
The Auditorium
Bea Hive Bash
Join The Auditorium for the event of the season: The Bea Hive Bash. The Bea Hive Bash is a 1967-themed celebration of a crowdsourced competition held on The Auditorium’s iconic and historic stage featuring creative cocktails, delicious food, an exclusive silent auction, and a live performance by the acclaimed Beatles cover band, Britain’s Finest.
The Auditorium, 50 East Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago
Tickets here
June 06th, 2025, Friday, 07:30 p.m
Jeremy Piven
Jeremy Piven: Live Stand-Up Tour
Doors open 06:30 p.m. Ages 18 and over.
The Vic Theatre, 3145 North Sheffield Avenue, Chicago
Tickets here
June 08th, 2025, Sunday, 01:00 – 04:00 p.m
Rogers Park Business Alliance
Hard Core Cider Fest
The third annual Hard Core Cider Fest is coming to Jarvis Square Alfresco, a vibrant outdoor gathering dedicated to supporting Care4Real, a local charity providing essential resources to neighbors in need. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a diverse selection of over 50 ciders from cideries far and wide. Guests will be able to purchase their favorite ciders via an order sheet. The festival will also feature delicious food options from R Public House and other local businesses, enhancing the tasting experience.
Jarvis Square Alfresco, 1500 West Jarvis Avenue, Chicago
Tickets here
June 11th, 2025, Wednesday, 07:00 p.m
Teatro ZinZanni
Frank Ferrante’s GROUCHO
Celebrating 40 years! Award-winning actor and longtime ZinZanni favorite Frank Ferrante reprises his iconic portrayal of Groucho Marx in this acclaimed two-act comedy hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “nothing short of masterful.” Featuring classic one-liners, songs, and wild audience interaction, Frank Ferrante’s GROUCHO is a laugh-packed homage to a comedy legend. With over 3,000 performances across 500+ cities over 40 years, Ferrante’s Groucho is not only critically celebrated but personally endorsed by the Marx family. Stay for the post-show Q&A moderated by the Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones.
Teatro ZinZanni, 32 West Randolph Street, Chicago
Tickets here
June 13th, 2025, Friday, 07:30 p.m
The Auditorium
The Terminator – Chicago Philharmonic
The Auditorium and The Chicago Philharmonic continue the second season of the Auditorium Philms Concert Series, a multi-media experience presenting iconic films brought to life with scores performed in concert. Next up is The Terminator in concert, the beloved sci-fi film—which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024—will play while an all-electric chamber orchestra performs the high-octane score composed by Brad Fiedel with in-sync dialogue and sound effects from the original film.
The Auditorium, 50 East Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago
Tickets here
June 14th & 15th, 2025, Saturday & Sunday
Old Town Art Fair
The 75th Old Town Art Fair Celebration will take many forms in the coming months. We hope you enjoy all of the exciting new features to be announced. The first change you’ll notice: the Art Fair logo has been redesigned.
More details to come
June 14th & 15th, 2025, Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m – 05:00 p.m
Rogers Park Business Alliance | Loyola Park Advisory Council
32nd annual Artists of the Wall
Free admission, with painting spaces available for purchase. A beloved Father’s Day weekend tradition, this long-standing community festival will feature 160 murals, live music, and kids’ activities. Artists, neighbors, and families in Rogers Park and from across the city will paint sections of a 600-foot-long beach wall, with pre-registered mural spots available for purchase. This year’s theme will be “All Together Now.” Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic and blanket while enjoying the festival, and check out the walking trails, natural dunes, picnic grounds, a fishing pier, lighthouse, nearby restaurants, bookstores, and gift shops.
1096 West Pratt Blvd, Chicago
More information here
June 21st, 2025, Saturday, 07:00 – 09:00 p.m
Elmhurst Art Museum
Soundbites: An Evening of Music
Elmhurst Art Museum presents an evening of art and music. Groups of local musicians will perform in a variety of styles and genres throughout the Museum’s campus. Inspired by the concept of a progressive dinner, guests will move freely through the museum’s galleries and art studios to listen to “collections” of live music at their own pace.
Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Avenue, Elmhurst
Tickets and more information here
June 23rd, 2025, Monday, 06:00 p.m
American Writers Museum
Faith is Funny with Peter Sagal, Hari Kondabolu, Negin Farsad and Kate Sidley
In “Faith is Funny: Comedy Writers on God and Religion,”, leading comedians Negin Farsad, Hari Kondabolu and Kate Sidley talk with “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” host Peter Sagal about why religion is so hilarious and how their faiths—Jewish, Hindu, Catholic and Muslim—inform their jokes. From Sister Act to The Book of Mormon, The Righteous Gemstones to Groundhog Day, religion has been a fertile ground for funny writers, getting serious ideas about American culture across with a laugh. Event tickets are $26.
Studebaker Theater, 410 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Tickets here
June 25th, 2025, Wednesday, 07:00 p.m
Teatro ZinZanni
LiV Warfield: Center Stage
Powerhouse vocalist and international sensation LiV Warfield kicks off a summer concert series with “Purple Frequency” a fierce and soulful tribute to the one-and only-Prince. LiV Warfield: Center Stage features Warfield fronting a supergroup with members of Prince’s legendary New Power Generation and Minneapolis icons Mint Condition: Tommy Barbarella (keys), Mike Scott (guitar), Rick (bass, Mint Condition), and Brandon Commodore (drums).
Teatro ZinZanni, 32 West Randolph Street, Chicago
Tickets here
June 29th, 2025, Sunday, 01:00 – 08:00 p.m
R Public House
13th Jarvis Square Family Pride Fest
Jarvis Square Family Pride Fest is a much-anticipated event rounding out Chicago’s LGBT Pride weekend. Now in its thirteenth year, Jarvis Square Family Pride features a main stage, kids’ area, dance floor, vendors, and a unique neighborhood block-party atmosphere that welcomes a diverse audience to celebrate the biggest holiday in the LGBT+ community. Located a few train stops from the parade, Jarvis Square Pride Fest is becoming a favorite stop during the Pride Weekend for an exuberant yet spacious and friendly party.
Jarvis Square Alfresco, 1500 West Jarvis Avenue, Chicago
More information here
July
July 17th, 2025, Thursday, 06:00 p.m
PAWS Chicago
Beach Party
Set at Offshore on Navy Pier, Beach Party is a summer celebration for more than 500 luau guests and their pets. Sip festive cocktails and soak up the sun, as the Lake Michigan waves roll in and the summer breeze fills the air. As the sun sets, dance the night away, enjoy an open bar, dinner, live and silent auctions, raffles, and so much more.
Offshore, Navy Pier, 1000 East Grand Avenue, Chicago
Tickets here
July 25th – 27th, 2025, Friday – Sunday
Chicago Botanic Garden
Superbloom Premiere
The Seldoms, which presents multidisciplinary performances exploring complex issues, collaborates with the Chicago Botanic Garden to present the Chicago North Shore premiere of Superbloom, an evening-length work combining dance, live music, animation, and costume and lighting design. Performances take place Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m.
Nichols Hall, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Tickets here
July 24th, 2025, Thursday, 07:00 – 09:00 p.m
Elmhurst Art Museum
Film Screening: A Collection of Short Films from the Chicago Film Archives Media Mixer Series
Elmhurst Art Museum in partnership with the Chicago Film Archives (CFA) presents an evening screening of selected short films from the Chicago Film Archives Media Mixers series. This project pairs visual and sound artists who collaborate to make new video work using archival footage from the CFA collection. The evening includes light bites, beverages, and an opportunity to view the summer exhibitions.
Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Avenue, Elmhurst
Tickets here
July 25th – 27th, 2025, Friday – Sunday
The Seldoms and the Chicago Botanic Garden
Superbloom
The Seldoms, which presents multidisciplinary performances exploring complex issues, collaborates with the Chicago Botanic Garden to present the Chicago North Shore premiere of Superbloom, an evening-length work combining dance, live music, animation, and costume and lighting design. Performances take place Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m. The Seldoms Founding Artistic Director and choreographer Carrie Hanson describes Superbloom, a work for five dancers, as “a multimedia performance about radical beauty, wildness and wildflowers, and the resilience and fragility of the natural world. The work aims for splendor as a mirror of the sublime beauty of the natural world and an antidote to grief felt in the Anthropocene epoch (our current geological age, in which human activity has been the dominant influence on the environment).
Nichols Hall, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Tickets here
August
August 16th, 2025, Saturday, 06:00 p.m
The Auditorium
Dance for Life 2025
Dance For Life returns to The Auditorium for another evening filled with unforgettable performances from new and returning dance companies, including numerous choreographers, artists, and designers! Join us for this one-of-a-kind annual celebration supporting the Chicago Dance Health Fund.
The Auditorium, 50 East Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago
Tickets here
September
September 12th, 2025, Friday, 07:00 p.m
The Auditorium
Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán with special guest Lupita Infante
The world-renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan is bringing their 2025 El Legado tour to The Auditorium! Known as ‘el mejor mariachi del mundo’ (the greatest mariachi in the world), this concert is guaranteed to be a night to remember.
The Auditorium, 50 East Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago
Tickets here
October
October 03rd, 2025, Friday, 07:30 p.m
The Auditorium
“The Witcher in Concert”
The Witcher in Concert is a live music experience featuring a timeless soundtrack from “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” by CD PROJEKT RED. The concert series was created to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the critically acclaimed video game, which follows the story of Geralt of Rivia as he embarks on a quest to find his adopted daughter, Ciri. Each performance is brought to life by an ensemble of 14 musicians handpicked by the score’s co-composer, including select members of Polish folk metal band Percival Schuttenbach.
The Auditorium, 50 East Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago
Tickets here or at 312.341.2300
November
November 05th, 2025, Wednesday, 07:00 p.m
The Auditorium
Boz Scaggs – Rhythm Review 2025
We can’t wait to welcome American singer, songwriter and guitarist Boz Scaggs to The Auditorium! An early bandmate of Steve Miller in The Ardells and the Steve Miller Band, he kicked off his solo career in 1969 and has since produced several hit singles and platinum-certified albums. Don’t miss out on this electrifying performance!
The Auditorium, 50 East Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago
Pre-sale tickets here
November 07th, 2025, Friday, 06:30 p.m
Pilot Light
Feed Your Mind Gala
More details to come!
Rockwell on the River, 3057 North Rockwell Street, Chicago
November 15th, 2025, Saturday, 05:30 – 11:30 p.m
Hyde Park Art Center
Hyde Park Art Center Gala 2025
Honorees: Amanda Williams and Esther Grimm. Co-chairs: Christy MacLear and Mirja Spooner Haffner.
Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 South Cornell, Chicago
Tickets here
December
TBD
