Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel
Immerse yourself in large-scale inflatable contemporary art installations featuring tactile, interactive multi-sensory works.
artimmersiveexhibition
For friend groupsThings to do in Chicago, IL with friends
What's on in Chicago, IL this week — the spots locals are packing, buzzy restaurants, and weekend plans worth texting the group chat about.
11 hand-picked things to do in Chicago, IL right now · 7 with confirmed dates
Photo: Ozzie Stern / Unsplash
How we pick spots for a group
- Buzzy, higher-energy rooms that take a crowd
- What's on right now over evergreen tourist stops
- Bookable tables and shared plates a group can split
🌆 Happening Today
Events and things to do tonight in Chicago
PATIO JAZZ w/ HENRY CARPENDER!
Catch live neighborhood jazz on a crisp early autumn Wednesday evening on the iconic suburban-adjacent patio.
musicjazzoutdoor
Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Midweek night baseball under the classic fading twilight at the Friendly Confines as September pennant races heat up.
sportsbaseballnight-out
Plan a friends trip to Chicago, IL
Tell us who's going and WonderKit drafts three Chicago, IL trip ideas in about a minute — free, and you see them before creating an account.
🍽️ Eat & Drink
Buzzy spots, seasonal menus, and local tables
Sepia
Settle into a gorgeous art-mural-lined interior for contemporary American tasting plates that highlight crisp autumn root vegetables and local game.
americanfine-diningwest-loop
Mott St
Share internationally inspired small plates like miso-glazed wings and pork belly dumplings on a lively, cozy neighborhood corner.
asian-fusionbuzzydinner
🍁 This Weekend in Chicago, IL
Top picks for the upcoming weekend around town
Chicago Jazz Festival at Millennium Park
Four days of world-class performances celebrating rich jazz traditions with legendary names and modern masters on open-air downtown stages.
musicfestivalfree
ARC Music Festival
Global house and electronic music tastemakers converge in Union Park for Chicago's premier celebration of its native dance music heritage.
musicelectronicfestival
Creepy Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady
A 90-minute evening river cruise pairing iconic architectural storytelling with spooky local legends, ghost sightings, and mob history.
tourhistoryriver
✨ New & Notable
Limited-time experiences and fresh cultural highlights
The Best of The Second City
Freshly updated sketch comedy, classic satirical vault pieces, and lightning-fast improvisation from the legendary comedy incubator.
comedytheaterimprov
🚗 Quick Escape
Mini-trip ideas within a 2-3 hour drive of Chicago
Starved Rock State Park & Oglesby Getaway
Escape the city grid for towering sandstone canyons, crisp wooded trails, and scenic overlooks along the Illinois River just a 90-minute drive southwest.
naturehikingweekend-trip
Saugatuck & Douglas Art Coast Weekend
Cross the lake into Michigan's premier art dunes community for coastal views, boutique gallery hopping, and cozy harbor-town cafes within a 2.5-hour drive.
coastalart-towngetaway
Ready-made Chicago, IL itineraries
Day-by-day plans for Chicago, IL, written out in full and built from real local spots — start from one instead of a blank page.
Frequently asked
What are the best things to do in Chicago, IL with friends?
Group-friendly highlights in Chicago, IL right now include Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel, PATIO JAZZ w/ HENRY CARPENDER!, and Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers. WonderKit updates this guide daily so plans stay current.
Where do locals go out in Chicago, IL?
The "Eat & Drink" section above lists buzzy restaurants and bars in Chicago, IL — the spots locals are actually packing this week.
Where's the best nightlife in Chicago, IL?
Check the sections above for current events, buzzy bars, and weekend plans in Chicago, IL worth texting the group chat about.
Plan a friends trip to Chicago, IL
Tell us who's going and WonderKit drafts three Chicago, IL trip ideas in about a minute — free, and you see them before creating an account.