Short Notes covers Chicago's live events scene editorially. This page points to some of the main external resources for planning events in Chicago.

Transport

The CTA trip planner (transitchicago.com) covers all CTA rail and bus routes. Metra's site (metrarail.com) covers commuter rail including the Union Pacific North line to Ravinia.

Event listings

Chicago-specific event listings are maintained by the Chicago Reader and Time Out Chicago. The city's main festival and venue sites maintain their own calendars. Short Notes is an editorial resource, not a comprehensive listings site.

Venue sites

United Center (unitedcenter.com), Wrigley Field (mlb.com/cubs), Ravinia Festival (ravinia.org), Chicago Theatre (thechicagotheatre.com), Auditorium Theatre (auditoriumtheatre.org), Allstate Arena (allstatearena.com). Check venue sites directly for current event listings, bag policy and transport notes.

Getting the Most from These Resources

Official sites are the best starting point, but they work best when you know what to look for. A few habits make planning a Chicago night out far smoother.

Check details close to the date

Start times, door times, support acts and even venues can change after tickets go on sale. Look again at the venue or promoter page a day or two before you go, and keep an eye on the email that came with your ticket. Outdoor events, including summer concerts at Ravinia and festivals in the city parks, may have weather notes that only appear in the final week.

Buy tickets from the source

Use the box office or the ticketing partner linked from the venue's own site wherever possible. Resale listings that appear high in search results are not always authorised, and prices can be far above face value. If a show has sold out, the venue page will usually say whether there is an official resale or waitlist option.

Plan the journey both ways

The CTA and Metra trip planners are useful for getting there, but the return trip matters just as much. Metra runs fewer trains late in the evening, and big events at the United Center or Wrigley Field can mean long queues at nearby stations. Check the last departure before you set off. If you plan to drive, look up parking on the venue site rather than relying on street parking near a stadium or arena.

Read the policies in advance

Bag size limits, re-entry rules, age restrictions and accessibility arrangements differ from venue to venue. Many larger venues now use mobile-only tickets and clear-bag policies, so it pays to read the FAQ page before you leave home.

For our own notes on individual venues and practical tips for planning a day or evening out, browse the venue guides or our planning section.