Literary-art Events in Chicago

Check out happening literary-art events all around Chicago, IL

The Notebook - The Musical at Nederlander Theatre Chicago

 Tue, 04 Aug at 07:00 pm Nederlander Theatre Chicago

Abby Govindan: Pushing 30 Comedy Hour

 Sun, 31 May at 08:00 pm The Lincoln Lodge USD 30

22nd Annual Cavalcade of Authors - Printers Row Lit Fest Chicago

 Fri, 11 Sep at 07:00 pm SpringHill Suites Chicago Chinatown USD 0 to 266

American Writers Festival - American Writers Museum

 Sat, 06 Jun at 10:00 am American Writers Museum Free

The Chicago Renaissance Ball

 Sat, 01 Aug at 04:00 pm Stan Mansion

Authors on Tap: Cory Doctorow and Rick Perlstein

 Fri, 26 Jun at 07:00 pm Exile in Bookville Free

American Writers Festival Day 1 -- American Writers Museum

 Sat, 06 Jun at 10:00 am American Writers Museum, North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA

Daily Stoic Live | Onstage with Ryan Holiday

 Wed, 19 Aug at 07:00 pm Gateway Theater at Copernicus Center USD 57 to 273

Buy You, The World: a short film fundraiser

 Thu, 28 May at 07:00 pm Dorothy USD 18

Raks Geek: Pride Edition

 Fri, 12 Jun at 07:00 pm The Newport Theater USD 33 to 43

Black & Bronze: A Bronzeville Music Fest

 Sat, 29 Aug at 01:00 pm Armstrong (Lillian Hardin) Park USD 0 to 55

Kasaun Wilson LIVE in Chicago - 8/30/26

 Sun, 30 Aug at 07:00 pm The Lincoln Lodge USD 18

The Poetry Brothel Chicago: LIFE IS A CABARET

 Fri, 12 Jun at 08:00 pm Chicago Theater Works USD 50

American Writers Festival Day 2 -- Harold Washington Library Center

 Sun, 07 Jun at 10:00 am Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago Public Library

The Black Imagination Abroad Conversations with Artists Across the Diaspora

 Fri, 05 Jun at 06:30 pm DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center Free

The Moth Storyslam

 Sun, 10 May at 06:00 pm Heath Mainstage At The Den Theatre

24th ann. SOS Ball

 Sat, 31 Oct at 05:00 pm Chicago, Illinois, USA

Steven W. Thrasher and Adam H. Johnson

 Thu, 21 May at 07:00 pm Pilsen Community Books USD 0 to 36

Chicago Youth Poet Laureate Ceremony

 Thu, 28 May at 07:00 pm Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago Public Library Free

Lev Fer ONE NIGHT ONLY at The Lincoln Lodge 10/29/26

 Thu, 29 Oct at 07:00 pm The Lincoln Lodge USD 30

PO JAM's: Poetic JustUs

 Sat, 30 May at 08:00 pm 950 W Fulton Market Free

Offsite at Haymarket House: Tillie Walden

 Thu, 04 Jun at 07:00 pm Haymarket House USD 6

Role Call : June 2026

 Wed, 03 Jun at 07:00 pm Center on Halsted Free

D-Composed and Poetry Foundation Present: Love Is...

 Thu, 04 Jun at 07:00 pm The Land School Free

IN PERSON: Mayda del Valle with Adrian Matejka

 Tue, 02 Jun at 06:00 pm The Arts Club of Chicago USD 8 to 26

Book Event: Break the System by Susila Gurusami

 Wed, 10 Jun at 06:30 pm Women & Children First Free

Love Under the Influence: A Conversation about Love & Culture

 Tue, 19 May at 06:00 pm Casa Ilumina Free

Forever Fly Vintage Market

 Sat, 06 Jun at 12:00 pm L1 Retail Store Free

Blatant Gold 2026

 Tue, 09 Jun at 06:00 pm Haymarket House Free

Benny Feldman's Butterfly Pavilion - 8/20/26

 Thu, 20 Aug at 07:00 pm The Lincoln Lodge USD 24

Press Play: a queer listening party

 Wed, 03 Jun at 07:00 pm Dorothy USD 15

Poetry Reading: Orange by Noel Quiñones

 Thu, 18 Jun at 07:00 pm Women & Children First Free

M**der & Mocktails: A Killer Conversation with Mystery Authors

 Wed, 17 Jun at 07:30 pm Partners in Crime Bookshop Free

Coming out of the Psychedelic Closet

 Sat, 13 Jun at 02:00 pm Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch, Chicago Public Library Free

PO JAM's: Poetic JustUs

 Sat, 27 Jun at 08:00 pm 950 W Fulton Market Free

Creative Minds, Wealthy Futures 2026

 Sat, 27 Jun at 05:00 pm SZNL Chicago LLC USD 0 to 34

Jared Freid "Walking Red Flag" Book Launch and Signing

 Fri, 12 Jun at 07:00 pm Everybody's Coffee USD 49

Pink Floyd Concert in the Dark with Award Winning Violinist WAITLIST SHOW

 Sat, 18 Jul at 07:00 pm Secret Location in Chicago USD 0 to 322

Radiohead Concert in the Dark w Live Strings WAITLIST SHOW – DATE PENDING

 Sat, 06 Jun at 07:00 pm Secret Location in Chicago USD 0 to 322

July Free Day at the American Writers Museum

 Sun, 19 Jul at 10:00 am American Writers Museum Free

Guardians of the Earth and Sky at Jackson Park

 Sun, 26 Jul at 02:00 pm Garden of the Phoenix Free

A Conversation with Nick Cutter!

 Thu, 21 May at 07:00 pm Seminary Co-op Bookstores USD 0 to 40

Listening Hours: Jessie Montgomery

 Wed, 20 May at 06:30 pm The Land School Free

Yelp Community Event: Roses & Romance at Partners in Crime Bookshop

 Tue, 19 May at 05:30 pm Partners in Crime Bookshop Free

Re/Generation Studio - Reading of Le Switch by Phillip Dawkins

 Sat, 23 May at 11:00 am Goodman Theatre Free

2026 Writing Workshop of Chicago

 Sat, 20 Jun at 09:00 am Congress Plaza Hotel

L’Orfeo

 Thu, 24 Sep at 07:00 pm Jarvis Opera Hall at Depaul University School of Music

Talk & Book Signing | Petra R. Rivera-Rideau and Vanessa Díaz with Bad Bunny Collaborators

 Sat, 08 Aug at 02:00 pm 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, United States, Illinois 60611

Katie Ernst Solo + Mai Sugimoto/LeRoy Bach Duo

 Fri, 29 May at 08:00 pm Stola Contemporary Art Free

The Podcast Summit Tour featuring David Shands

 Thu, 28 May at 05:30 pm Chicago Theater Works USD 0 to 234

Erin O’Brien "Dig In!" Cookbook signing

 Thu, 28 May at 06:30 pm The Book Cellar USD 42

Golden Hour Featuring Jade Maze and Brother John Kattke

 Wed, 27 May at 05:00 pm Epiphany Center for the Arts Free

Authors on Tap: Lydi Conklin and Jessamine Chan with JP Soleheim

 Fri, 05 Jun at 07:00 pm Exile in Bookville Free

BrooksDay 2026

 Sun, 07 Jun at 12:00 pm Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago Public Library Free

Chicago Startups, Investors, Professionals: Pitch & Networking Event

 Tue, 02 Jun at 07:00 pm Rye Deli + Drink USD 10 to 39

Movie Night in Chicago! 'Under the Lights' Special, Advance Screening

 Tue, 23 Jun at 06:00 pm Davis Theater USD 18

Conor Janda Runs An Hour

 Wed, 29 Jul at 08:00 pm The Lincoln Lodge USD 30

Esteem Awards 2026

 Sat, 18 Jul at 01:00 pm 3349 N Halsted St Free

Family Day: Zooming in and Zine-ing Out: What Does Science Mean to You?

 Sat, 13 Jun at 10:00 am Smart Museum of Art Free

5th Annual Words of Wonder Literary Festival

 Sat, 25 Jul at 11:00 am Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center Free

Lectures on Tap - "The Complex Masculinity in HBO’s Game of Thrones"

 Wed, 27 May at 06:30 pm Lake View USD 39

I Am Creative Mixer - Chicago

 Sat, 23 May at 05:00 pm Da Book Joint USD 0 to 18

Get Lit: Summer Book Fair

 Tue, 11 Aug at 05:30 pm American Writers Museum USD 7 to 29

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE/WHERE YOU'LL FIND US: A Celebration of Queer Spaces

 Thu, 04 Jun at 07:00 pm Dorothy Free

The Lesbian Bar Chronicles: Book Launch Party & Community Story Share

 Mon, 15 Jun at 07:00 pm Dorothy USD 0 to 31

Authors on Tap: Ben Fountain and Camille Bordas

 Mon, 15 Jun at 07:00 pm Exile in Bookville Free

Shamicka Toney Book Signing & Talk

 Sat, 30 May at 12:00 pm Da Book Joint USD 22 to 38

The State of Equity: Justice in Motion

 Fri, 18 Sep at 05:30 pm Marriott Marquis Chicago USD 25 to 1,500

Let's Talk About Art: Love Is…

 Thu, 04 Jun at 07:00 pm The Land School Free

Sweet Reads: A Book & Cookie Social

 Sat, 23 May at 01:00 pm Muse Coffee Studio USD 34 to 39

New Growth

 Sat, 23 May at 07:00 pm Public Works Gallery USD 14 to 31

2026 Prism Photo Workshop

 Sat, 23 May at 10:00 am Columbia College Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave., 1st Floor, Chicago, IL, USA Free

Poetry Reading: Bloodroom by Kay E. Bancroft

 Fri, 26 Jun at 07:00 pm Women & Children First Free

An Evening with Charlie Lewis Jr.

 Wed, 03 Jun at 07:00 pm Da Book Joint USD 0 to 38

Definition Theatre: "keerah" by Netta Walker

 Fri, 29 May at 07:30 pm Definition Theatre USD 29 to 45

The Art of Wagashi – Hydrangea Nerikiri Workshop

 Sat, 06 Jun at 03:30 pm Japanese Culture Center USD 74

Read & Run Chicago Turns 5: A Chicago Cookbook Potluck

 Wed, 03 Jun at 06:00 pm Fabrik Chicago USD 0 to 18

Rest Camp Chicago-A Day Retreat Fundraiser for Tired Grown Ups

 Sat, 30 May at 10:30 am Zen Yoga Garage USD 0 to 258

An Afternoon with Elle Wright In Conversation with Aja

 Sat, 27 Jun at 03:00 pm Da Book Joint USD 3 to 22

June: Three Avenues Open Mic Night

 Sat, 27 Jun at 07:30 pm 3009 N Southport Ave Free

Chrono Trigger at Auditorium Theatre Chicago

 Wed, 14 Oct at 08:00 pm Auditorium Theatre Chicago

Book Event: Ugly: A Letter to My Daughter by Stephanie Fairyington

 Thu, 21 May at 07:00 pm Women & Children First Free

An Evening with Catherine Adel West

 Thu, 11 Jun at 06:00 pm Da Book Joint USD 3 to 22

Book Event: Earth 7 by Deb Olin Unferth

 Tue, 23 Jun at 07:00 pm Women & Children First Free

Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Ed Roberson

 Thu, 18 Jun at 06:00 pm Poetry Foundation Free

Body Politic (and Friends): A Night of Medical Misadventures

 Thu, 11 Jun at 07:00 pm International Museum of Surgical Science USD 0 to 18

Talk Yo Ish Variety Show

 Fri, 12 Jun at 08:00 pm The Crib Comedy Playspace Free

Big Cheese Poetry Slam May 2026

 Tue, 26 May at 06:30 pm Zhou B Art Center USD 10 to 20

The Englewood Bookfest

 Sat, 20 Jun at 11:00 am 6234 S Wolcott Ave Free

Black Writers Weekend - Chicago

 Sat, 23 May at 02:00 pm 6900 S Stony Island Ave USD 29 to 51

May Book Club, Blind Date With a Book & Poetry Workshop: How to Read a Book

 Fri, 29 May at 07:30 pm Burning Bush Brewery USD 18 to 24

Book Event: The Maidenheads by Benny B. Peterson

 Wed, 17 Jun at 07:00 pm Women & Children First Free

Dorothy's Silent Book Club!

 Sun, 12 Apr at 06:00 pm Dorothy Free

Verses & Voices: Chicago Book Tour Stop

 Sat, 11 Jul at 04:00 pm kibbitznest books, brews & blarney Free

Natural Hair Fest® Returns & Strengthens Natural Hair Movement in Chicago

 Sun, 28 Jun at 10:00 am Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North USD 32 to 301

Sildanza Fiesta Fund

 Sat, 30 May at 07:30 pm TQ Experience Event Space USD 0 to 66

Spawning Season: An Experiment in Queer Parenthood by Joseph Osmundson

 Thu, 11 Jun at 07:00 pm Women & Children First Free

Skald

 Sat, 11 Jul at 08:00 pm Reggies Rock Club

Unheard Voices of Care Lecture Series: Ghosts and Monsters

 Thu, 21 May at 06:00 pm International Museum of Surgical Science Free

The 2nd Annual Catch- 22 Resource Venue

 Sat, 08 Aug at 10:30 am Ridge Park Fieldhouse (off 96th & Longwood Ave) Free