DateBook
Galas, concerts, lectures, and celebrations — the essential guide to Chicago’s social season
Concert 4 of the 2025–26 Season
The Orion Ensemble welcomes back frequent guest musicians Stephen Boe, viola, and Mathias Tacke, violin, for the final concert program of its 33rd season, which features works from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
Concert 4 of the 2025–26 Season
The Orion Ensemble welcomes back frequent guest musicians Stephen Boe, viola, and Mathias Tacke, violin, for the final concert program of its 33rd season, which features works from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
Tapestry: Weaving Equity for Arts Education
Ingenuity presents Tapestry: Weaving Equity for Arts Education — a celebration of Ingenuity’s annual achievements in driving systems-level change for Chicago’s arts education ecosystem. In partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), arts educators, local arts organizations, and arts education investors, the event celebrates transforming arts education for 325,305 K–12 CPS students and 651 schools.
2026 Dream Builders Dinner: Magic in Motion
Join us for a magical evening at the Bridgeport Art Center. Together, we can all be dream builders, and help raise more than $850,000 to support children and families across Northeast Illinois. Throughout the event, you’ll connect with dozens of vivid, personal quotes shared by participants – real, tangible encounters with the dreams and futures they want for themselves and their families. The evening includes STEM learning and magical tricks with after-school participants from Ruggles Elementary. Three changemakers will be honored: Francia Harrington, Sylvia Puente, and Caleb Cares Foundation.
Biarritz: Le Bal
Inspired by the luminous allure of the “Pearl of the Basque Coast,” this year’s gala pays homage to the harmonious dialogue between the untamed majesty of the Atlantic and the graceful refinement of French artistry. More than an evening of celebration, it is an immersive odyssey through the three great pillars of French distinction: Haute Couture, Haute Gastronomie, and Grand Art. Guests are invited to a Grand Soirée, where the excellence of French savoir-faire converges with the timeless spirit of Biarritz.
Concert 4 of the 2025–26 Season
The Orion Ensemble welcomes back frequent guest musicians Stephen Boe, viola, and Mathias Tacke, violin, for the final concert program of its 33rd season, which features works from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
26th Annual Spirit of Design
Designs for Dignity (D4D) hosts its 26th annual fundraising event, Spirit of Design. D4D is dedicated to transforming nonprofit environments through pro bono design services and donated resources. Spirit of Design promises an engaging, high-energy evening featuring curated bites, craft cocktails, a live auction, raffle prizes, and lively entertainment. Proceeds directly support the renovation and enhancement of nonprofit spaces across the Chicagoland area. D4D’s 2026 grant recipients include Housing Opportunity Development Corporation, Cicero Family Service, Gateway to Learning, Lawrence Hall, Beds Plus, Impact Behavioral Health, Side Street Studios, The Harbour, and Intonation.
Hoppin’ JoJo’s Spring Fling
Hosted by Jewel-Osco’s fan-favorite mascot JoJo, this 21+ event is free to attend (via entry-to-win tickets) and blends live entertainment, interactive experiences, and a charitable giveback component. Guests can enter to win tickets now through May 8 at celebratewithjewelosco.com, with proceeds supporting Easterseals’ work across Chicagoland. Easterseals provides essential services, support, and resources for children and adults with disabilities, as well as early childhood education and family-centered programs.
50th Jubilee: Celebrating Ragdale’s 50th Anniversary
The evening includes an entertainment-filled cocktail party, seated dinners with an artist and an afterglow on the idyllic Ragdale campus.
95th Anniversary Gala
The Music Institute of Chicago hosts its 95th Anniversary Gala. Event highlights include the presentation of the prestigious Dushkin Award to the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Cultural Visionary Award for Chicago to Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra, and the Colburn Award for Teaching Excellence to Marta Aznavoorian.
National Rescue Dog Day Fundraising Social
Join us in celebrating National Rescue Dog Day with a special community-focused event honoring the incredible rescue dogs who have found their forever homes. This event highlights the power of adoption and the amazing work being done by rescue organizations. In partnership with Chicago Rescue Authority, guests will have the opportunity to meet adoptable dogs on site, learn more about the rescue process, and discover ways to support rescue efforts through fostering, volunteering, and adoption.
Summer Soirée: The Cabana Club
The Woman’s Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s annual fundraiser Summer Soirée is back to kick off the summer party season. The evening, themed The Cabana Club, will transport guests to the pink sand beaches of Harbour Island in the Bahamas. Under striped cabanas, the event will offer Goombay Smashes and upbeat calypso tunes. The festive party will raise critical funds to support the programs and services provided by Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Trusted — Concert World Premiere
Chicago Opera Theater (COT) closes its 2025/26 season with the concert premiere of a new opera Trusted — the seventh full-length opera developed through COT’s Vanguard Initiative. Composed by Aaron Israel Levin to a libretto by Marella Martin Koch, Trusted was developed over the course of Levin’s two year tenure as COT’s Vanguard Composer. Audiences were invited to view a piano-vocal workshop of the opera earlier this season; now they can see how the piece has developed in its fully orchestrated premiere.
Joffrey Celebration
Step into the spotlight at the Joffrey Celebration, where we raise a glass to 70 years of The Joffrey Ballet and 30 years of calling Chicago home. And we’re marking the milestone in a way only we know how: on the dance floor. The year is 1978 — the height of Disco. A mirror ball spins, lights pulse, and energy fills the room. For one unforgettable evening, join us at Studio Joffrey, a dazzling homage to disco’s golden age, where glamour met grit and self-expression ruled the night.
American Writers Festival
The American Writers Festival is a free literary event featuring in-depth conversations with diverse writers from across genres and backgrounds, all to celebrate the power of the written word. Children’s storytimes, photo booths, literary crafts and mini writing workshops get adults and kids into the written word, with books for sale and authors signing them!
Revel in Ruby: 40th Anniversary Gala
For 40 years, Chicago Shakespeare Theater has brought stories to life in Chicago and beyond: illuminating imaginations, welcoming new audiences, and inspiring generations of artists and students across our city. This season, we celebrate a momentous milestone: our ruby anniversary. Join us as we Revel in Ruby, an evening honoring four decades of powerful theater making and propelling CST into its bold future.
Pro Amateur Golf Championship & Dinner on the Bluff
The Founders’ Board of Lurie Children’s hosts the 66th annual event at Onwentsia Club, pairing 200 amateur golfers with professionals from 50 prestigious clubs across the country. The festivities kick off the night before with a summer dinner party, paddle raise and live auction at Shoreacres in Lake Bluff. Proceeds will benefit the Founders’ Board new $3.5M commitment to the Lurie Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
60th Annual Gala Evening
The Women’s Board is proud to host Ravinia’s Opening Night Gala, unveiling the newly renovated Hunter Pavilion for the first time to the public. Join us for a magical cocktail reception under the stars before enjoying piano prodigy Yunchan Lim perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop. Following the concert, guests will be wined and dined under the Gala tent with a gorgeous three-course meal, surprise performances, and a celebration fit for the new state-of-the-art Hunter Pavilion.
Beach Party
Set at Offshore Rooftop, 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.
38th Chicago Duo Piano Festival
The Music Institute of Chicago presents the 38th annual Chicago Duo Piano Festival featuring three concerts, a student recital, and a master class July 12–19. Called a “duo piano mecca” by Pioneer Press, the world-renowned Chicago Duo Piano Festival was founded in 1988 by Music Institute faculty members and Piano Duo in Residence Claire Aebersold Neiweem and Ralph Neiweem.
PAWS Chicago 5K Walk/Run for Their Lives
The PAWS Chicago 5K Walk/Run for Their Lives is Chicago’s largest dog-friendly charity event — a day of fun, dog agility courses, raffles, entertainment, treats, and more. Whether you plan to run, walk, or simply enjoy the comradery, you’ll be surrounded by a community of fellow animal lovers, all while raising critical funds to help pets in need.
60th Anniversary Celebration & “Designing Futures” Gala
Proceeds from the event will benefit CAC’s civic advocacy, trades apprenticeship program, learning and community engagement programs. More details to come!
70th Annual Gold Coast Fashion Show
Fashion and philanthropy merge as the Children’s Service Board celebrates the 70th annual Gold Coast Fashion Show. Cutting-edge fashion is presented in two fast-paced, live runway shows at a luncheon on September 17 at The Drake Hotel and an evening cocktail reception on September 24 at the Geraghty. Funds raised will benefit the Chicago Institute for Fetal Health at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Aces & Art: A Night of Luck and Giving
Elmhurst Art Museum presents an evening filled with style and a touch of casino-night fun — all in support of the museum’s exhibitions and education programs. The evening includes gaming tables featuring roulette, blackjack, craps, and more; complimentary cocktails & delicious bites; a DJ and dancing; and raffles and artful prizes. Whether you’re feeling lucky or just love a night out surrounded by creativity, this is the can’t-miss event of the season.
Fur Ball
The PAWS Chicago Fur Ball is Chicago’s premier pet-friendly black tie event! Set at the legendary Drake Hotel, this unique gala invites guests to dress their pets in four-legged formal wear and walk the red carpet for an exciting celebration to benefit PAWS Chicago. Guests will delight in the silent and live auctions with one-of-a-kind items, raffle, dancing, and dinner buffets. Lucky dogs in attendance will also be treated to an evening of indulgences — including a divine dinner served in crystal goblets at the special dog buffet.
Winter Wishes: Annual Holiday Cocktail Celebration
This festive celebration has become the official kick-off to Chicago’s holiday season. Guests gather to celebrate the holidays and help to make wishes come true for patients treated at Lurie Children’s. Proceeds benefit the Founders’ Board’s fundraising commitment to the Lurie Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
Allendale Youth Board Polar Plunge
Take the plunge in Lake Michigan, challenge yourself in the stair climbing competition, or cheer from the shore at Allendale Youth Board’s 2nd Annual Polar Plunge. Tickets are $25 and participants are encouraged to invite friends and family to sponsor their plunge or climb. All proceeds benefit Allendale in Lake Villa, a school and residence supporting the behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs of some of Illinois’s most vulnerable children.
75th Annual Children’s Research Fund Children’s Ball
The 2026 Children’s Ball is the signature fundraising event of the Children’s Research Fund at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. This black-tie gala brings together philanthropic leaders for an inspiring evening dedicated to advancing pediatric research. Funds raised support the Children’s Research Fund’s commitment to Advanced Therapeutics at the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, accelerating innovative treatments and transformative discoveries for children in Chicago and beyond.