Theater
- Steppenwolf ensemble member Gary Cole returns to the Chicago stage for the first time in 25 years to join fellow ensemble members (Audrey Francis, Tim Hopper and director Amy Morton) in a production of “Catch as Catch Can,” Mia Chung’s play in which three actors take on six roles in a story about a prodigal son who returns and sets off a spiraling crisis for two families. Sarah Charipar is also in the cast. From June 4-July 12 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $20-$120. Visit steppenwolf.org.
- “Leopoldstadt” is late playwright Tom Stoppard’s final work, an epic masterpiece that follows a Jewish family as its members brave the darkest and most consequential chapters of the 20th century. Featuring a 29-member cast, it’s the largest production in Writers Theatre history. Carey Perloff, a frequent Stoppard collaborator, directs. From June 4-July 19 at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct., Glencoe. Tickets: $55-$125. Visit writerstheatre.org.
- Kevin Douglas’ new romantic-comedy-meets-horror story, “Untitled Vampire Play,” explores love, commitment, codependency and, of course, vampires. Devon DeMayo directs. From June 4-July 12 at Lookingglass Theatre, Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St. Tickets: $33+. Visit lookingglasstheatre.org.
- Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein’s Tony Award-winning musical “Kinky Boots” follows the story of a shoe factory owner, trying to save his business, who finds inspiration in Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. From June 9-21 at Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. Tickets: $49-$126. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
- In the musical comedy, “Nunsense,” the nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken stage a variety show fundraiser filled with musical numbers and comedy. E. Faye Butler directs. From June 10-Aug. 2 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Tickets: $85-$150. Visit drurylanetheatre.com.
- “Two Out of Three Falls” is Bill Daniel’s drama about a daughter seeking to avenge her wrestling legend father’s murder. Ashley Yates directs. From June 4-July 18 at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St. Tickets: $30. Visit thefactorytheater.com.
- “Smiley,” a queer romantic comedy by Spanish playwright Guillem Clua, revolves around a love story between two men who meet because of a misdirected voicemail. Jack Dugan Carpenter directs. From June 5-21 at Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson Ave. Tickets: $30. Visit openspacearts.org.
- Jason Robert Brown’s musical, “The Last Five Years,” follows a romantic relationship over half a decade as a couple falls in and out of love. Christina Ramirez directs. From June 5-July 5 at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Rd., Glenview. Tickets: $55. Visit oillamptheater.org.
- “Champions of Magic” features stunning original illusions and cutting-edge visual effects in a fast-paced, interactive experience for the whole family. From June 6-July 5 at Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $69.50+. Visit championsofmagictour.com.
- Chicago City Opera presents “Der Rosenkavalier,” Richard Strauss’ comic opera now set in a 1980s American yachting community. Rose Freeman directs. At 7 p.m. June 5 at DANK Haus, 4740 N. Western Ave., and 7 p.m. June 7 at Fulton Street Collective, 1821 W. Hubbard St., Unit 307. Tickets: $30-$100. Visit chicagocityopera.com.
Dance
- The Joffrey Ballet concludes its season with the Chicago premiere of “Eugene Onegin,” Yuri Possokhov’s exploration of love, loss and redemption inspired by Alexander Pushkin’s poetic novel. Features an original score by Ilya Demutsky. From June 4-14 Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr. Tickets: $46+. Visit joffrey.org.
Music
- Chicago Blues Festival returns to Millennium Park (Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street) June 5-7 with a stellar lineup including Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band, Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Freddie Dixon Blues Band, Ruthie Foster and many more. There’s also a salute to Alligator Records’ 55th anniversary with Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Toronzo Cannon, Nick Moss and Tinsley Ellis. (Opening night concert June 4 at the Ramova Theatre is sold out.) Admission is free. For a complete schedule, visit chicagobluesfest.us.
- Grant Park Music Festival begins its 10-week season at 6:30 p.m. June 10 with performances of works by Joan Tower (“Made in America”), Leonard Bernstein (Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story”) and Samuel Barber (Symphony No. 1). Giancarlo Guerrero conducts. At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and 7:30 p.m. Saturday through Aug. 15 in Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. Admission is free. Visit gpmf.org.
- Beyond Wonderland is an “Alice in Wonderland”-themed electronic dance festival. Featured are more than 60 artists including Zedd, Zeds Dead, Tiesto, Excision, DJ Snake and more. At 1 p.m. June 6-7 at Huntington Bank Pavilion, 1300 S. Linn White Dr. Tickets: $129+. Visit beyondwonderland.com.
- Chris Thile is known as a founding member of Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers, both of which take bluegrass music to new heights. But the Grammy-winning mandolinist also dabbles in other genres. He joins the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for a performance of his composition “ATTENTION! A narrative song cycle for extroverted mandolinist and orchestra” along with pieces by Barber, Shaw and Copland. At 7:30 p.m. June 8 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $45+. Visit cso.org.
- Enjoy an evening of Colombian, Mexican and Latin American music and culture plus a dance party with the cumbia sounds of Fuego de Cumbia and Mexican-American singer Rosalba Valdez. At 8:30 p.m. June 6 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. Tickets: $20, $25. Visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Museums and galleries
- “From Memory to Movement: Emmett at 85” is a group art exhibition commemorating what would have been the 85th birthday of Emmett Till. Curated by Raymond A. Thomas, creative director of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute, it brings together a roster of Black Chicago-based contemporary artists whose works reflect on memory, grief, resistance, identity and liberation. From June 5-July 25 at Blanc Gallery, 4445 S. Martin Luther King Dr. Admission is free. RSVP to June 5 opening night reception at eventbrite.com. Visit blancchicago.com.
- American Writers Museum and the Chicago Public Library present the third annual American Writers Festival, which has expanded to two days and is filled with author conversations, book signings, children’s storytime, literary crafts, writing workshops and more. Among the authors are Chicago journalist Bill Kurtis, Chicago poet laureate Mayda del Valle, Lauren Groff, Susan Orlean, Daniel Kraus (won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his novel “Angel Down”), Eve. L. Ewing, Maggie Smith and many more. From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 6 at American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave. and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 7 at Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St. Admission is free. Visit americanwritersmuseum.org.
Movies
- The 37th Festival of Films from Iran honors Iranian filmmaker Bahram Beyzaie with screenings of several of his films including the opening night film 1979’s “The Ballad of Tara” with actress Mojdeh Shamsaie in attendance. Additional screenings feature contemporary films by Iranian and Iranian-diaspora filmmakers including Shahram Mokri’s “Black Rabbit White Rabbit,” Farnoosh Samadi’s “Between Dreams and Hope” and more. From June 5-11 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. Tickets: $15.50. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.
- African Diaspora International Film Festival screens 14 films from across Africa, the Americas and Europe. Among the films are local filmmaker Sharyon Culberson’s “Daughters,” Eden Marryshow’s “Can You Stand the Rain?,” Olivia Lichtenstein’s “Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don’t Know Me,” Maryse Legagneur’s “The Last Meal,” Johanné Gómez Terrero’s “Sugar Island” and more. From June 5-7 at Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. Tickets: $10-$25, festival passes $30-$70. Visit facets.org.
Family fun
- “No Grown-Ups Allowed” is an interactive sketch and improv comedy show for the whole family featuring songs and sketches created for young audiences. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays from June 6-Aug. 29 at The Second City, 230 W. North Ave. Tickets: $29. Visit secondcity.com.
- Chicago Public Library presents Summer Kickoff, a day full of activities, giveaways and family-friendly experiences at three Chicago libraries. Plus reading fans can sign up for summer reading challenges. From 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 6 at three regional library branches: Legler (115 S. Pulaski Rd.), Woodson (9525 S. Halsted St.) and Sulzer (4455 N. Lincoln Ave.). Admission is free. To RSVP, visit chi.gov/summeratcpl.
- The Netflix children’s series comes to magical life with Gabby’s Dollhouse Fairylandia Tour. Includes garden-themed crafts, activity stations, a scavenger hunt and more. From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 6-7 at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Ill. 53, Lisle. Fairylandia activities included with general admission: $23, $17 children 4-17, 3 and under free. Reserve a timed-entry slot at mortonarb.org.
Festival fun
- 57th Street Art Fair is a showcase of nearly 200 artists with works in textiles, ceramics, wood, jewelry and more. Plus live music, food trucks and children’s activities. From 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 6 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 7 on 57th Street from Woodlawn Avenue to Kenwood Avenue. Admission is free. Visit 57thstreetartfair.org.
- BBQ masters return to Ribfest Chicago to compete for the title “Best Ribs” and “People’s Choice.” Plus there’s live music, a whiskey/bourbon tasting and children’s activities. From 4-10 p.m. June 5, noon-10 p.m. June 6-7 on Lincoln Avenue from Irving Park Road to Berteau Avenue. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit ribfest-chicago.com.
- Lincoln Park Greek Fest celebrates Greek culture with food, music, dancing, cultural performances and more. From 5-11 p.m. June 5, noon-11 p.m. June 6 and noon-10 p.m. June 7 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2710 N. Sheffield Ave. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit lincolnparkgreekfest.com.