Navy Pier

The Midwest’s number-one attraction is the place in Chicago for lakefront fun. Take an exhilarating ride on the sky-high Ferris wheel, board a sightseeing or dinner cruise boat, and see a live performance at the outdoor Skyline Stage or acclaimed Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Dine at one of Navy Pier’s many boardwalk restaurants and browse the unique shops and stands (a great place to pick up a souvenir).

CITY: Chicago

Buddy Guy's Legends

Owned by legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy, Legends exemplifies and electrifies the best of Chicago blues, seven nights a week. Here you’ll find an amazing collection of blues memorabilia, a great Cajun menu and maybe even Buddy himself on stage.

CITY: Chicago

Blue Chicago

Blue Chicago is located near Ontario street’s restaurant row. Chicago's best blues artist star in this safe and friendly club. It is popular with blues fans all over the world. The low cover charge is good for admission to both Blue Chicago locations.

CITY: Chicago

Chicago Music Tour

Chicago Music Tour, Inc. specializes in guided bus tours of Chicago music history, including jazz, rock, blues, classical & soul. Tours feature a soundtrack of songs for each sight or stop. Open since 2011, the tours have received widespread acclaim. Tours include the Chicago Bound Blues Tour, Chicago Rocks 1980-2005, The Chicago Music Tour, Raised in Chicago Jazz Tour, Michigan Avenue Serenade Soul Tour, & Chicago Rock Stars tour. Tours run on weekends, but are available for private events.

CITY: Chicago

Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail features 12 award-winning wineries located along a 25-mile scenic drive along highway 127 and highway 51 in the Shawnee National Forest. Along the way have a picnic, go on a hike, visit a shop, and stay in a cozy B&B or cabin. Many of the wineries host special events throughout the summer and fall.

CITY: Carbondale

The Signature Room at the 95th

Enchanted dining experiences await guests at this contemporary American restaurant. Located atop the John Hancock Center, it offers the best view of the city of Chicago. Live jazz, elegant dark wood and marble tiled artdeco interior compliments the mood.

CITY: Chicago

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

The world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) performs at the grand Symphony Center on Michigan Avenue in the Loop. The CSO is led by Music Director Riccardo Muti, and often collaborates with some of the biggest names in classical music. In the summer, the CSO takes up residence at the outdoor Ravinia Festival in north suburban Highland Park. Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg as photographer for CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

CITY: Chicago

Peoria Civic Center

Downstate Illinois' largest center is a four-building complex with a 12,000-seat arena. With 110,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 2,200-seat theater, a ball-room seating 1,500 for banquets and 16 meeting rooms this venue can house it all. As the premier entertainment facility in downstate Illinois, the Civic Center plays host to a variety of concerts, family shows, sporting events and Broadway Theater Series each year.

CITY: Peoria

Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The historic landmark Auditorium Theatre, an architectural masterpiece designed by Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, opened in 1889. The Auditorium, which regularly hosts live performances, is renowned for its amazing acoustics.

CITY: Chicago

Martini's on Water

Visit Martini's to enjoy one or more delicious concoctions from the expansive beverage menu. The selection includes key lime pie, bloody Mary, cheesecake, and cinnamon apple. Martini's offers outdoor seating on the patio, which has magnificent views of the river. Live entertainment and Monday specials are sure to make your visit memorable.

CITY: Peoria

Grant Park

Proudly referred to as Chicago's "Front yard," Grant Park is a public park, 319 acres located in Chicago’s central business district in the Loop Community area. Grant Park’s most notable features include Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, The Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum Campus. Named for United States President and Civil War General, Ulysses S. Grant, Grant Park was developed as one of Chicago's first parks and expanded through land reclamation.

CITY: Chicago

Blue Man Group

The Blue Man Group features three enigmatic bald and blue characters who take the audience through a multi-sensory experience that combines theatre, percussive music, art, science and vaudeville into a form of entertainment that is like nothing else.

CITY: Chicago

Alton Riverfront Amphitheater

The 4,000 seat Alton Riverfront Amphitheater hosts a variety of events from community festivals to live concerts throughout the summer months. With the Mighty Mississippi River as a backdrop, bring your blanket and spread out for an evening under the stars. Check out our website for a list of upcoming events.

CITY: Alton

Tommy Gun's Garage

Enter through the back door under the L train tracks, give the password and experience Chicago during the Roaring '20s. Enjoy dinner and an interactive musical comedy revue with gangsters and flappers.

CITY: Chicago

Kingston Mines

A Chicago blues institution that encourages its patrons to "hear the blues, drink booze and talk loud." Kingston Mines is a prime site for viewing celebrities out for a night on the town with more than 40 years in the business.

CITY: Chicago

The Alamo

Blues on Monday.

CITY: Springfield

Kryptonite

A downtown bar made for socializing featuring jazz, folk, light rock and a variety of music. The upper mezzanine offers comfortable lounge seating and the club features wine and gourmet pizza.

CITY: Rockford

Back Room - Chicago

Intimate, upscale atmosphere - Chicago's finest live entertainment venue. The Back Room entertains Chicago with live band music 7 nights a week, two shows a night! They also offer a light food menu, dancing, late night music on the weekends, and top notch service. For over 45 years The Back Room has been the place to go if you are looking for an incredible evening of live music. Guests enter down a long brick alleyway where they are greeted by our host and led into our Showcase Lounge. Our host can accommodate groups of all sizes at our lounge tables or if you’d prefer to be up and dancing you can find a spot at the bar. Every night you can expect the very best in Jazz along with an incredible mix of Motown; R&B; Funk; Adult Contemporary and some down home Chicago Blues! All of your favorite music under one roof, performed live 7 nights a week in an intimate upscale atmosphere that guarantees an unforgettable night. If you’re looking for a fun, lively venue for late night dancing head to the Back Room after 1am on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays when the music continues with your favorite Top 40 and hip hop classics! There’s no reason the party has to stop when the bands do!

CITY: Chicago

B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted

Chicago's oldest blues bar with live blues seven nights a week. A favorite of tourists and locals, you see blues as it's meant to be heard: up close and personal.

CITY: Chicago

Aragon Entertainment Center

Built in 1926, this historic ballroom quickly became Chicago's premier place for world-renowned live entertainment. Its unique architecture, design and ambiance have made it a multiuse facility that often hosts live concerts.

CITY: Chicago

Miss Kitty's Grape Escape

Located in the heart of downtown Galena, this is a great place to relax and unwind. Enjoy wine, specialty martinis and craft beers. Live music on Fridays and Saturdays, Bloody Mary bar Saturdays and Quiz Show Sundays. Gourmet apps until 1 a.m.

CITY: Galena

Egyptian Theatre

The Egyptian Theatre hosts film festivals, special movie screenings, and live entertainment events. This theatre is a 1929, fully restored Egyptian Art Deco movie palace and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Egyptian is also available for rentals, tours, weddings, graduations, parties and receptions. Capacity: 1,419 Raised stage with dressing room below; balcony and lobby space.

CITY: DeKalb

The Pour House

Nightlife bar with welcoming atmosphere for all and good quality food for lunch and dinner - try us!

CITY: Decatur

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center

Since 1884, the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC) has been offering exciting, personal, interactive music experiences to the northern Illinois area. MPAC presents several exciting concert series with local, national and internationally-renowned performers, from genres including classical, jazz, folk and Broadway.

CITY: Rockford

Marion Cultural and Civic Center

The Marion Cultural and Civic Center serves Southern Illinois as an outlet for cultural and artistic opportunities of all types. MCCC is a 1094 seat performing arts center located in the historic town square of Marion, IL. In addition to providing a state-of-the-art theatrical facility at a low rental cost, MCCC also provides a portion of the lobby to display paintings and artwork from Southern Illinois artists.

CITY: Marion

Scandals Nightclub

This gay and lesbian show bar features drag shows, comedians, and dancing Wednesday through Saturday nights.

CITY: Springfield

Maneuvers

A Joliet staple for more than 30 years, this LGBT bar features dancing to live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, Maneuvers Diva’s Den drag shows and live entertainment.

CITY: Joliet

Joe's Be-Bop Cafe and Jazz Emporium

Food and live jazz share equal billing here. Casual, southern-style menu. Live jazz seven nights a week. Jazz orients sounds from swing to down-home blues. Latin jazz to mobtime.

CITY: Chicago

Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts

Built in 1922 to house the original American Passion Play, the former Scottish Rite Temple is the centerpiece of downtown Bloomington's Cultural District. The Performing Arts Center has a 1,200-seat theater and 1,000-person ballroom.

CITY: Bloomington

Allstate Arena

This facility is home field to DePaul basketball, Chicago Wolves hockey and the Chicago Rush arena football. With a wide variety of events each year, the Allstate Arena is a place where everyone can enjoy quality family shows, riveting sports and mesmerizing musical performances.

CITY: Rosemont

Rockford Symphony Orchestra

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra has been serving Northern Illinois for more than 75 years and has a strong tradition of presenting classical and contemporary orchestral music of the highest caliber in Rockford's beautiful and awe-inspiring Coronado Theatre. Nationally known guest artists frequently serve as soloists for RSO concerts, adding tremendous variety and diversity to each season. In addition to a wonderful array of Classics and Pops Concerts, each season the Rockford Symphony also presents The Nutcracker in collaboration with the Rockford Dance Company. The Rockford Symphony Orchestra also brings the joy of music to thousands of students each year through its comprehensive educational programming, including Youth Concerts and the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra. In 2007, the RSO was named the Illinois Orchestra of the Year.

CITY: Rockford

Ravinia Festival

Ravinia Festival is the oldest outdoor music festival in North America and is lauded for presenting world-class music in an inviting, natural environment. The festival attracts over 600,000 listeners to some 120 to 150 events that span all genres including classical, chamber music, jazz, pop, world, music theater, dance and kids programming every summer from June to September. Events are hosted in an open-air pavilion that seats 3,200 plus lawn; the 450-seat Bennett, Gordon Hall; and the Martin Theatre, an 850-seat prairie-style building that stands as the only building from the park's original 1904 construction.

CITY: Highland Park

Old Town School of Folk Music

The Old Town School of Folk Music provides a wide range of music, dance, theater, and visual arts courses to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whatever one's interest, the Old Town School provides broad access to more than 700 accredited class offerings, private lessons, and workshops that span an array of artistic genres.The school features a main stage where concerts are held year round, along with a great shop that sells music and instruments.

CITY: Chicago

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra

The 75-member orchestra is the largest performing arts organization in the Chicago Southland providing professional, orchestral music of beauty and excellence. The IPO performs at Lincoln-Way North High School,19900 South Harlem Avenue, Frankfort and Lincoln-Way East High School, 201 Colorado Avenue, Frankfort.

CITY: Park Forest

Norris Cultural Arts Center, Theatre & Art Gallery

A 1,000 seat live theatre providing family entertainment for more than 20 years. Season tickets are available. Call for gallery hours and reservations.

CITY: St. Charles

Boomerang Bar & Grill

This laid back local bar has pool tables, great food and no cover charge except when bands play.

CITY: Urbana

Light Opera Works

Light Opera Works presents a season of professional musical theater with full orchestra at Cahn Auditorium.

CITY: Evanston

Dvorak Concert Hall

This hall offers a wide variety of recitals and concerts year round, and is home to the renowned Eastern Illinois University Symphony Orchestra.

CITY: Charleston

Lyric Opera Of Chicago

Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the world’s great opera companies. It is renowned internationally for its artistic excellence and financial strength. Founded in 1954, since its earliest years Lyric has distinguished itself by presenting the finest international singers, directors, and designers in classic and less-familiar operatic repertoire and in world-premiere productions. Opera performances are from September through March.

CITY: Chicago

Sangamon Auditorium - University of Illinois Springfield

The auditorium presents a broad range of music, theater and dance performances.

CITY: Springfield

James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County

Presents the finest entertainers in the industry. Bold expressions of music, theatre, dance and variety acts. Featuring professional touring concerts as well as college music, theatre and dance presentations.

CITY: Grayslake

Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus

More than 150 singers make up this chorus that presents choral, cabaret and musical theater all rolled into one. The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus performs at various venues and special events throughout the city.

CITY: Chicago

Hoogland Center for the Arts

Home to many of Springfield's local arts orgnizations, Hoogland Center for the Arts has numerous local theatrical productions and gallery exhibits throughout the year. The venue also draws touring musical acts from all over the country.

CITY: Springfield

York Theatre

Enjoy first run films in a renovated 1924 Spanish-style movie theater with five auditoriums all equipped with Dolby digital sound. Baby Barton Pipe Organ is played on Friday and Saturday nights.

CITY: Elmhurst

Athenaeum Theatre

The Athenaeum hosts theatrical and dance performances throughout the year.

CITY: Chicago

Summer Wood Amphitheatre

Outdoor performances by nationally known, Christian-oriented artists at the largest outdoor Christian amphitheater in the Midwest. Family-oriented environment with children's programs, free admission to most events, and sign language interpretation.

CITY: Rockford

BlueLine Night Club

There's great bands and sophisticated atmosphere at the BlueLine Night Club in Downtown Bloomington!

CITY: Bloomington

Edman Memorial Chapel - Wheaton College

This large auditorium, seating more than 2400 people, is the site of campus chapels, concerts, commencements, and various community-related events such as the Artist Series.

CITY: Wheaton

Peoria Symphony Orchestra

Professional symphony orchestra performing 7 classical concerts per season and various pops and youth performances.

CITY: Peoria

Green Mill

This Art Deco-style jazz club in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood has a storied speakeasy past from the days of prohibition. Sit back and listen to some of the best jazz and cabaret music in the city at this elegant club that served as one of the locations for the hit film, High Fidelity. The Green Mill was patterned after Clark Monroe's Uptown House in Harlem (as it was during the 40's). Uniquely comfortable to all audiences, the magic of the Mill is that the audience co-mingles in its mutual respect for the music.

CITY: Chicago

Fox Valley Symphony

Top-notch pop, classical and family performances are presented under the guidance of Maestro Fusao Kajima.

CITY: Aurora

Chicago Opera Theater

This opera company specializes in a unique repertoire that focuses on works from the 17th, 18th and 20th centuries, performed beautifully in a small venue.

CITY: Chicago

Howlin on Water...Dueling Pianos at the Waterhouse

The Waterhouse is a reception, rental and performance facility located in downtown Peoria along the beautiful Illinois River. Get crazy every Friday night at this hilariously entertaining show.

CITY: Peoria

Sandwich City Hall and Opera House

On August 20, 1878, 25 years after Sandwich first became a town, a contract was signed for construction of the Sandwich City Hall and Opera House. An allotment of $10,000 was given for the project, with the stipulation that it must be completed by the end of the year. The building was finished on time, but there was a cost overrun of $2,000 After much time, money and energy by volunteers to restore and renovate the City Hall and Opera House, a grand re-opening was held on April 12, 1986. Once again the building functions as a community oriented facility, bringing community theatre, lectures, recitals, style shows, weddings and a wide variety of outstanding performers, ranging from country to classical, to its stage.

CITY: Sandwich

College of DuPage McAninch Arts Center

The McAninch Arts Center is home to five resident professional ensembles: Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, DuPage Opera Theatre, Arts Center Jazz Ensemble, New Classic Singers and New Philharmonic.

CITY: Glen Ellyn

Peoria Area Civic Chorale

A volunteer chorale group of around 100 singing members, PACC performs two concert series annually, May and December.

CITY: Peoria

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

Architect Frank Gehry designed this spectacular outdoor concert venue in Millennium Park that is home to the Grant Park Music Festival, along with other free concerts and events.

CITY: Chicago

Rockford Dance Company

Established in 1972, Rockford Dance Company pursues excellence in the art of dance through performance, education and outreach. A full season of dance is performed by company members, guest artist from around the world, and students from RDC’s school of dance. This ballet school also offers classes in modern, jazz, and tap and a recreational division full of many other unique dance genres.

CITY: Rockford

Howl at the Moon

It's a singing, clapping, stomping, dance on the piano, rock 'n' roll show. It's part concert, part piano bar and all centered around audience participation.

CITY: Chicago

Sears Centre Arena

A new 11,000 seat arena located in Hoffman Estates featuring world-class entertainment including concerts, family shows, and sporting events. Home of the Chicago Slaughter Indoor Football (IFL) and Chicago KICK Indoor Soccer (MISL).

CITY: Hoffman Estates

John Phillip Sousa Library and Museum

John Phillip Sousa's personal band music library, willed to the University of Illinois, is on display along with period band uniforms and musical instruments. Relive a time forgotten, when the sounds of marching band music filled a town on a lazy Sunday afternoon, when you step into this museum homoring a true "music man." FREE

CITY: Champaign

Decatur Civic Center

The Decatur Civic Center hosts trade shows, concerts, expos and more.

CITY: Decatur

Mexican Folklore Dance Company of Chicago

As Chicago's oldest Mexican dance institution, MFDC has received countless recognitions and awards, performed for three presidents and represented Mexico in the 1994 USA World Cup opening ceremony, as well as numerous national television performances, most recently at the 2009 Latin Grammy Awards. MFDC's performances reflect Mexico's rich history which shapes its traditional arts, culture, and values. The historical periods revealed in the dances include pre-Columbian indigenous times, the Spanish Colonial Period, the Struggle for Independence and the 1910 Mexican Revolution.

CITY: Chicago

Illinois Symphony Orchestra

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra performs diverse concerts for the communities of Springfield and Bloomington-Normal. Single tickets or affordable subscription packages are available.

CITY: Bloomington

Main Street Jazz & Blues

Join the group at this small intimate club featuring performers from St. Louis and the local area.

CITY: Belleville

Big Shot Piano Lounge & Restaurant

Big Shot is an upscale Restaurant & Piano Bar. A cozy place to meet, eat, and drink while listening and interacting with talented musicians. From the warm atmosphere to the variety of enticing menu items, this intimate spot will showcase live talent every night. The extremely friendly restaurant will invite its patrons to participate and sing along with new songs performed by talented professionals. This will definitely be a place to start and end an evening.

CITY: Arlington Heights

Beverly Art Center

Located in Chicago's historic Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood, the Beverly Art Center is a multidisciplinary, cultural center offering classes in art, music, dance, and theater. Offers rotating exhibitions of contemporary art and performing art.

CITY: Chicago

Diversey River Bowl

Diversey River Bowl features a phenomenal light show, great sound system, video arcade and bowling fun. Open lanes every night.

CITY: Chicago

Beer Barrel Pub

Must be 21

CITY: Godfrey

Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago

The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago is the city's leading presenter of contemporary dance, showcasing artists of regional, national and international acclaim.

CITY: Chicago

Music of the Baroque

Music of the Baroque performs classical pieces in venues around Chicago.

CITY: Chicago

Greenbelt Cultural Center

Nestled within the native landscape of Greenbelt Forest Preserve, the Center and its outdoor amphitheater can be rented for meetings, conferences, classes, weddings, showers, receptions or family reunions.

CITY: North Chicago

Citadel Theatre

Citadel Theatre is dedicated to producing inspiring theatre by bringing together gifted professionals from all the theatrical disciplines to create exciting, compelling work of the highest caliber.

CITY: Lake Forest