1. Expo Chicago
#1 Art & Architecture Event (up from #2)
This year, the fair aligned with several large-scale art events around the city creating extra buzz. The international exposition of contemporary and modern art marked its seventh year in 2018. Held at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, the event featured around 135 exhibitors from 27 countries and 63 cities worldwide. Sponsored by Northern Trust, it is the leading global platform for international exhibitors in the Midwest. Next: September 19–22, 2019
This year, the fair aligned with several large-scale art events around the city creating extra buzz. The international exposition of contemporary and modern art marked its seventh year in 2018. Held at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, the event featured around 135 exhibitors from 27 countries and 63 cities worldwide. Sponsored by Northern Trust, it is the leading global platform for international exhibitors in the Midwest. Next: September 19–22, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Expo Chicago
2. NeoCon
#2 Art & Architecture Event
The leading platform for commercial design rang in its 50th anniversary with dynamic installations, activations, and plenty of interactive exhibits. The show added 100 innovative seventh-floor exhibitors and 10 new permanent showrooms. However, the event took a tragic turn when a woman fell from a swing installed in a showroom on the Merchandise Mart’s third floor and later died, prompting criticisms of the event’s safety practices. Next: June 10-12, 2019
The leading platform for commercial design rang in its 50th anniversary with dynamic installations, activations, and plenty of interactive exhibits. The show added 100 innovative seventh-floor exhibitors and 10 new permanent showrooms. However, the event took a tragic turn when a woman fell from a swing installed in a showroom on the Merchandise Mart’s third floor and later died, prompting criticisms of the event’s safety practices. Next: June 10-12, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of NeoCon
3. SOFA
#4 Art & Architecture Event
The Sculpture, Objects, and Functional Art and Design event exhibits the best in mediums, including ceramics, glass, fiber, and jewelry. The fair displays gallery-presented art and returned to Navy Pier’s Festival Hall for its 24th year. In 2017, 40,000 attended, an increase from 32,000 in 2016, with 80 new and returning galleries. Next: November 1-4, 2018
The Sculpture, Objects, and Functional Art and Design event exhibits the best in mediums, including ceramics, glass, fiber, and jewelry. The fair displays gallery-presented art and returned to Navy Pier’s Festival Hall for its 24th year. In 2017, 40,000 attended, an increase from 32,000 in 2016, with 80 new and returning galleries. Next: November 1-4, 2018
Photo: Heather Ahrens
4. Old Town Art Fair
#5 Art & Architecture Event
Set in the Triangle Historic District in Old Town, about 30,000 art lovers came out to enjoy some 250 hand-selected artists from across the U.S. and Canada. Attendees took part in a garden walk, live music, food, and a Children’s Corner. Next: June 8-9, 2019
Set in the Triangle Historic District in Old Town, about 30,000 art lovers came out to enjoy some 250 hand-selected artists from across the U.S. and Canada. Attendees took part in a garden walk, live music, food, and a Children’s Corner. Next: June 8-9, 2019
Photo: Lydia Hoover
5. 57th Street Art Fair
#6 Art & Architecture Event
Billed as the Midwest’s oldest juried art fair, the 71st annual street event returned to the Hyde Park neighborhood. The work of some 200 exhibitors is featured in everything from fine art to crafts, attracting around 20,000 visitors. Next: June 2019
Billed as the Midwest’s oldest juried art fair, the 71st annual street event returned to the Hyde Park neighborhood. The work of some 200 exhibitors is featured in everything from fine art to crafts, attracting around 20,000 visitors. Next: June 2019
Photo: Courtesy of 57th Street Art Fair
6. Design Chicago
#7 Art & Architecture Event
Hosted by the Design Center at the Merchandise Mart and LuxeHome, the two-day event is noted for being the Midwest’s largest trade-only conference. The event typically draws some 2,500 industry professionals in careers from interior design to architecture with more than 120 showrooms spread over 600,000 square feet. Next: Fall 2019
Hosted by the Design Center at the Merchandise Mart and LuxeHome, the two-day event is noted for being the Midwest’s largest trade-only conference. The event typically draws some 2,500 industry professionals in careers from interior design to architecture with more than 120 showrooms spread over 600,000 square feet. Next: Fall 2019
Photo: Peggy VaGenius
7. AIA Chicago Designight
#8 Art & Architecture Event
The American Institute of Architects Chicago chapter hosts the event, which features cocktails, dinner, and an award presentation. This year, the 63rd annual event will be held at Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom and will welcome around 1,000 industry professionals to celebrate those in the architectural community. Next: October 26, 2018
The American Institute of Architects Chicago chapter hosts the event, which features cocktails, dinner, and an award presentation. This year, the 63rd annual event will be held at Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom and will welcome around 1,000 industry professionals to celebrate those in the architectural community. Next: October 26, 2018
Photo: Wittefini
8. International Interior Design Association's "Cool" Black Tie Gala
#9 Art & Architecture Event
The black-tie fete honors interior design pros in two prestigious competitions including the Interior Design Competition and the Will Ching Design Competition. In 2018, the gala moved to the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago. Next: June 9, 2019
The black-tie fete honors interior design pros in two prestigious competitions including the Interior Design Competition and the Will Ching Design Competition. In 2018, the gala moved to the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago. Next: June 9, 2019
Photo: Christopher Dilts
9. Hyde Park Art Center Gala
#10 Art & Architecture Event
The annual gala plays a crucial role in the Hyde Park Art Center, which supports artists throughout their careers. Guests experience Artist Interventions, as well as indulge in cocktails, dinner, and an after-party at the event that typically attracts some 500 notable supporters. Next: November 16, 2018
The annual gala plays a crucial role in the Hyde Park Art Center, which supports artists throughout their careers. Guests experience Artist Interventions, as well as indulge in cocktails, dinner, and an after-party at the event that typically attracts some 500 notable supporters. Next: November 16, 2018
Photo: Courtesy of Hyde Park Art Center
10. U.S. Green Building Council—Illinois Chapter's Limelight
#11 Art & Architecture Event
The chapter’s annual fund-raiser is all about celebrating leaders in the sustainability field. Held at Venue SIX10, the event honored its Emerald Winners—sustainability leaders from across Illinois—before a crowd of 450 guests. Guests also heard highlights about the Greenbuild Conference and Expo that will be held in Chicago in November. Next: May 2019
The chapter’s annual fund-raiser is all about celebrating leaders in the sustainability field. Held at Venue SIX10, the event honored its Emerald Winners—sustainability leaders from across Illinois—before a crowd of 450 guests. Guests also heard highlights about the Greenbuild Conference and Expo that will be held in Chicago in November. Next: May 2019
Photo: Mark Campbell
