Planning an event that requires the largest event space in Chicago? Here’s a look at 10 venues with the biggest capacity: hotel ballrooms, convention centers, banquet halls, clubs, auditoriums, conference rooms, and more. We’ve included total square footage and maximum capacity to help you choose the best big space for your super-sized event.
9. Union Station
The 20,000-square-foot Great hall at Union Station was completed in the 1920s. The Beaux Arts space has Corinthian columns, pink marble floors, and a barrel-vaulted atrium ceiling. The space can host seated dinners for 1,500 and receptions for 2,500.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
1. The Skyline Ballroom at McCormick Place
On the third floor of McCormick Place West, the Skyline Ballroom is is known as Chicago's largest. At 100,000 square feet, the room has a banquet capacity of 5,500 guests. Savor Chicago handles food and beverage for functions in the space.
Photo: Courtesy of McCormick Place
2. Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is known as the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere. In the center of the Hyde Park space, the main floor, rotunda, and balcony are connected and provide direct access to exhibits including "Science Storms," "The Great Train Story," and "You! The Experience." With 233,852 square feet of space, the area can host receptions for 5,000 guests.
Photo: JB Spector/Museum of Science and Industry
3. Cinespace Chicago Film Studios
A subsidiary of the Toronto-based company Cinespace, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios houses soundproof stages, production offices, on-site dining areas, a prop and decor rental facility, and a fully functioning studio. The venue's largest stage, which can host private events, is 100,000 square feet and can seat 2,000 guests for dinner or hold receptions for 5,000. The space has an on-site event planner and caterer.
Photo: Balloggphoto.com
4. Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
The Sheraton Chicago ballroom at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers is billed as the largest hotel ballroom in the Midwest. The 40,000-square-foot space can host banquets for 3,160 and receptions for 4,600 guests.
Photo: Courtesy of Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
5. Aragon Ballroom
In Uptown, Aragon Ballroom was completed in the 1920s. Designed to evoke the courtyard of a Spanish palace, the space is decked with mosaic tiles, palm trees, and glowing stars embedded in the ceiling. In its 20,000-square-foot central space, the venue can host gatherings for 4,800 guests.
Photo: Courtesy of Groupon
6. The Hyatt Regency Chicago
The sprawling Hyatt Regency Chicago's Grand ballroom is 24,282 square feet. The room can host banquets for 2,280 and receptions for 3,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Chicago
7. Hilton Chicago
Overlooking Grant Park and just a few minutes from McCormick Place, the sprawling Hilton Chicago has ample space for large-scale meetings and events. Its biggest ballroom is the International, which is 21,996 square feet. The chandelier-lit space can host receptions for 3,000 and dinners for 2,000 guests.
Photo: Courtesy of Global Adrenaline
8. The Field Museum
With a wraparound balcony overlooking the main floor, Stanley Field Hall at The Field Museum is 300 feet long by 75 feet wide. The space can hold seated dinners for 1,500 guests and cocktail receptions for 7,500.With sky-lit vaulted ceilings, columns, and marble furnishings, the hall houses the famous Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil "Sue" as well as totem poles and stuffed elephants.
Photo: Foosology
10. The Merchandise Mart
Known as the world's largest commercial building, The Merchandise Mart spans two city blocks. The largest event space within the venue is the North lobby. At 9,700 square feet, the space can host cocktail receptions for 1,200 and seated dinners for 580.
Photo: Courtesy of The Merchandise Mart
