Top tickets in Chicago

Chicago excels in entertainment, boasting around 200 theaters throughout the city. It's the birthplace of improv comedy, still thriving on iconic stages. The dramatic arts are equally celebrated, with many shows making their way to Broadway.

Looking for the best performances in town? Keep reading for our favorite theater recommendations in Chicago. A helpful tip: check out Hot Tix for discounted tickets at various theaters across the city. 

Experience the excitement at Steppenwolf Theatre

Steppenwolf Theatre is Chicago’s premier venue, showcasing thought-provoking plays by its Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble, featuring stars like John Malkovich, Tracy Letts, Gary Sinise, and Laurie Metcalf. Performances are held in the main Downstairs Theater, the intimate in-the-round Ensemble Theater (where every seat is within 20 feet of the stage), and the cabaret-style 1700 Theater, which highlights emerging talent. After the show, relax in Steppenwolf’s inviting café, where you might share a drink with the cast.

Tips for securing a ticket: It's recommended to book tickets for Steppenwolf Theatre online a few weeks ahead. However, a limited number of $20 tickets are available for same-day performances; call the box office (312-335-1650) right at noon for a chance. On Tuesdays, pay-what-you-can tickets are available by phone only.

Enjoy a spectacular Broadway show in the Theater District

Glamorous touring productions take residence in the downtown Theater District, where historic, neon-lit theaters surround State and Randolph Streets. The grand, seven-story Chicago Theatre is the highlight of the area. Cadillac Palace Theatre, inspired by the Palace of Versailles, and Nederlander Theatre, featuring stunning East Asian architectural details, are must-visit venues for shows like Back to the Future: The Musical and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. 

How to secure your ticket: Broadway in Chicago manages ticket sales for all theaters except the Chicago Theatre. Purchase online or save about $10 per ticket by buying directly at the box office (hours vary by theater, so verify before you go). Same-day tickets are frequently available, particularly for shows on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Enjoy a night of laughter at Second City

Second City is the landmark comedy venue that popularized improv and launched countless stars. Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and others refined their humor through nightly performances here. The sophisticated Mainstage, e.t.c. Theater, and UP Comedy Club feature the funniest and most polished troupes delivering sharp sketches on politics and pop culture. Smaller stages also showcase emerging talents.

How to get your ticket: Purchase tickets through the Second City website. Popular weekend shows on the Mainstage tend to sell out weeks in advance. Late-night and midweek performances can usually be reserved a few days ahead and are often less expensive.

Experience 30 plays in just 60 minutes at the Neo-Futurist Theater

The intimate Neo-Futurist Theater is famous for its hilarious and unconventional show The Infinite Wrench. The diverse young troupe writes and performs their own short plays, varying from bold and humorous to poignant and risqué. As the clock ticks, actors hastily try to perform the lineup, creating an increasingly frantic atmosphere as the deadline looms.

How to secure your ticket: Purchase tickets for the Neo-Futurist Theater online a few days in advance. Performances occur Friday and Saturday at 10:30pm and Sundays at 7pm. Seating is first-come, first-served, so it’s best to arrive when the doors open 30 minutes before the show starts. 

Experience astonishing illusions at the Chicago Magic Lounge

Discover the hidden entrance to the Chicago Magic Lounge behind a wall of washing machines, where you can witness astonishing magic every night. During The Signature Show, magicians perform at your cabaret-style table, followed by an hour-long stage show filled with mind-reading, levitation, and vanishing acts.

How to obtain a ticket: This intimate venue often reaches capacity. Book Chicago Magic Lounge tickets online two weeks in advance for peak weekend shows, and one week in advance for late-night and midweek performances. If you miss out, enjoy a drink at the 1930s-style bar where a magician wanders among guests (no ticket needed).

Step into the fun at Sideshow Gelato

Inside this ice cream shop, fire-eaters, sword swallowers, magicians, and jugglers take to the stage. Kids' shows happen on Saturday afternoons featuring an illusionist who nails a pie plate into his head. Evening cabaret performances blend storytelling, dance, and stunts, while unique one-night-only shows introduce acts like a giant, man-eating chicken.

How to get a ticket: Visit Sideshow Gelato’s website for the performance lineup and book your tickets a few days ahead. Seating is first-come, first served, and walk-up tickets are often available. All shows operate on a pay-what-you-want basis.  

Join the action at iO Theater

iO Theater stands as a vibrant hub for improv comedy, where performers spontaneously create shows based on audience suggestions. Experience this firsthand with the Improvised Shakespeare Company, which delivers zany plays in Elizabethan verse, and the Improvised Jane Austen troupe, where actors riff on Regency-era themes.

How to get a ticket: Purchase tickets through iO’s website a day or two in advance. Compared to Second City, iO offers more affordable and accessible seating options.

Catch comedy and fringe performances at the Den Theatre

If you’re intrigued by Saw: The Musical (a playful parody of the popular horror film), a queer rendition of Glengarry Glen Ross, or a raucous storytelling event, the Den Theatre is the place to be. This trendy venue in Wicker Park also showcases notable stand-up comedians on its main stage, while four smaller stages host fringe productions.

How to get a ticket: Secure tickets for the Den Theatre a few days ahead of time (earlier for popular comedians). Some stand-up shows may also have a two-drink minimum requirement.

Discover an unconventional performance at Chopin Theatre

Chopin Theatre exemplifies Chicago’s vibrant storefront theater scene. Housed in a charming 1918 building, it showcases an array of quirky, thought-provoking plays, concerts, and literary events. The venue hosts everything from puppet festivals and Polish jazz performances to campy original productions centered on Scooby Doo.

How to get a ticket: Purchase tickets through the Chopin Theatre website. The timing may vary by event, but it’s advisable to secure your tickets at least a few days in advance.

Experience the rhythm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance

Whether it's Indian classical violin performances or hip hop dance shows, this underground venue next to Millennium Park is always buzzing with excitement. Over 30 innovative performing arts groups, including the Chicago Opera Theater, Ballet Chicago, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, make the Harris Theater their home.

How to get a ticket: Purchase tickets through the Harris Theater’s website. While some performances, like those by the Chicago Philharmonic, sell out months ahead, others may have tickets available on the same day.