Things to do in Black Chicago
Last update: 1.14.26 at 6:33 pm - Events will be updated regularly.
Company (if different from venue) | Event + Ticket hyperlink | Venue
Black News
On January 19, experience the opening of the Museum of Science and Industry's:
👢 Crafting Character: The Costumes of Paul Tazewell
Reel: Who is Paul Tazewell by Social Life Chicago
🎨 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition (Our reel from last year)
🎥 Submissions are now open for 2026 Black & Brown Femme Film Festival
🍽️ 19th Annual Chicago Restaurant Week from Friday, January 23 through Sunday, February 8
Experiences to Book in Advance
FEVER Experiences
🎻🕯️ Candlelight Concerts: A Tribute to Drake
🎻🕯️Candlelight Concerts: Neo-Soul Favorites
🎺 The JAZZ Show: A Tribute to Soul
🔢🎉 Bingo Loco: The Ultimate Bingo Party
🍽️🚢 Dinner Cruise on the Chicago River
🖤 Black History & Black Love: A Reality Dating Show Experience! | Virtue Restaurant
🥁 Feb 1: Drumline Live | Auditorium Theatre
🧊 Jan 15 - 17: Don’t miss the Bears ice sculpture on River Park.
😂 Jan 23: Comedian Martin Lawrence | Hard Rock Live (Rockford, IL)
🥃 Jan 24: 2026 Chicago Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival (Prices Going Up) | King's Chicago
💲 Mar 12 (high demand): The Price is Right | Hard Rock Live (Rockford, IL)
Multiple Dates
🍕 Recess Weekly Game Night Schedule | Recess Chicago
🎈 Now - Apr 6: Balloon Museum - EmotionAir: Art You Can Feel | The Fields Studios - Gate 1
🎶 Jan 12 - Jan 14: Chrisette Michele Live | City Winery (West Loop)
😂 Jan 15 - Jan 18: Comedian DeRay Davis (from Chicago) | Improv Chicago (Schaumburg)
😂 Jan 30 - Feb 1: Funny Marco | Improv Chicago (Schaumburg)
🎭 Jan 30 - Feb 1: Short Shakespeare! Hamlet | Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier
Tue, Jan 13
🍽️ Taco Tuesday $1 tacos (4p - 6p) | Chalet Chicago
🎉 WTM "What's the Move?" | Blind Barber Chicago
Wed, Jan 14
😂 Da Funny People #1 Open Mic Comedy Show (every Wednesday) | The Bar 10 Doors
😂 Wednesday Night Stand Up (free) | Comedy Laugh Factory
🖊️🌍 Too Creative HQ | Bloom Residency Grant Party | The Blk.Room
🎉 I Live for Wednesdays After Work | Hue Chicago
Thu, Jan 15
😂 Comedian Mark Curry | City Winery Chicago
😂 Comedian DeRay Davis (check "Multiple Dates") | Improv Chicago (Schaumburg)
🎉 Friday, Jr. (every Thursday) | Signature (South Loop)
🎉 Dry January Jams | Blind Barber
Fri, Jan 16
📚🌍 Vibe Check: The Vision - Reset Vision Board Night | Da Book Joint at Pen & Paper
😂 Comedian Joe Torry | City Winery Chicago
🍽️🎉 VELVET: An Elevated Dinner + Vibes Experience | ETC Chicago
🎉 Rubes | Frequency Fridays (every Friday) | Hue
🎉 Ramova x TNK Present: femdot. (rapper) f/ Colours | You Just Had to be There | Ramova Theater
🎉 The Mostly R&B Rooftop Party | Reserv Chicago
🎉 Late Check In | Never Have I Ever
🎉 No Stress 2026 | Three Top Lounge
🎉 Afrobeats Friday | Masada Chicago
🎉 Afro Fusion South Loop | Bassline
Sat, Jan 17
🎨🛍️ Silverroom x Connect Gallery | Sade Day f/ Artist Roger J Carter (free) | Connect Gallery
🍽️ Food Influencer Night | Nafsi Chicago
🎶 Black Alphabet | Manasseh Live f/ Special Guests Melvin Knight + BSA Gold | Epiphany Center for the Arts
🎉 Aint It Fun Social Club | Late Night Ice Skating | Midway Plaisance Ice Skating Rink
🎉 Win6 Events | MLK Weekend Day Party | ROOF on theWit
🎉 Freemind Global | After Dark | Never Have I Ever
🎉 Slow Jams | Expat
🎉 Krave Hospitality | Day Play Social | Hue Chicago
🎉 Afrotrak | Love Jones R&B (MLK Weekend) | The Duplex
🎉 Afrobeats Saturday | Masada Chicago
🎉 We Love Afro Fusion | Le Nocturne Chicago
Sun, Jan 18
📚 Leilani’s After the Burn Guided Journal Session | Da Book Joint
🍽️ Brunch on Sunday | ETC Chicago
🏋🏾 Sunday Sweat Club (Co-ed workouts) | Hi Fi Fitness Chicago
🎳 Golden Hour | Sunday Funday: Whirlyball (tickets) | Whirlyball Chicago
🌿 Hot Yoga on the Courts | Royal Palms Chicago
🍑 Wicker Park's Indoor Farmers Market | Royal Palms Chicago
🐻⬇️ Bears vs LA Rams Divisional Playoffs Watch Party | Copper Still Martini Bar
😂🎤 Drunk Karaoke | Riddle Comedy Club
🎉 Sounds of Chicago | Untitled Chicago
🎉 Frankie Knuckles Foundation (House Music) | Smart Bar Chicago
🎶🎫 Mike Sherm (Rap + Hip Hop) | House of Blues Chicago
Mon, Jan 19
👢 Crafting Character: The Costumes of Paul Tazewell | Museum of Science and Industry
🎨 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition (Our reel from last year) | Museum of Science and Industry
🎤🌍 The Garden | Open Mic | Borelli's Pizza
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