A Cold Chicago Day With Blues Rooms and Covered Stages

4.8 (28)

Mon – Fri, 07:00 – 19:00

4120 W Diversey Ave

Nine sound stages occupy this 23-acre film and television campus in the former Marshall Field's warehouse. High-grid ceilings and silent HVAC systems support production work. Residential lofts, retail and dining share the grounds. For a holiday-week detour, check the external ticketing details for the specific hosted event or exhibition.

4.6 (774)

Tue – Thu, 16:00 – 00:00 (+1); Fri, 14:00 – 02:00 (+1); Sat, 12:00 – 03:00 (+1); Sun, 12:00 – 00:00 (+1)

4659 N Clark St

Carol's Pub brings live country bands and late-night karaoke to a spacious North Clark Street honky-tonk, with pub food and sports on game days. The venue has operated since 1972 and admits guests 21 and over. For a holiday-week stop, check the schedule first: Monday is closed, while Tuesday through Thursday opens at 4PM and Friday at 2PM.

4.9 (1,299)

Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 18:00; Sat, 11:00 – 17:00; Sun, 11:00 – 15:30

4450 N Clark St

Black Ensemble Theater is Jackie Taylor’s 170-seat Uptown venue for main-stage musicals, educational programs and community outreach. Productions rooted in African American history and culture, including the revue Men of Soul, pair legendary songs with the artists’ personal stories. The Clark Street box office is open Monday through Friday, 10AM to 6PM, and Saturday, 11AM to 5PM.

4.1 (1,425)

Wed – Fri, 16:00 – 00:00 (+1); Sat – Sun, 11:00 – 00:00 (+1)

1059 W Addison St

Across from Wrigley Field, Cubby Bear combines a spacious sports bar with an open music venue. Billiards and bar food give a holiday-week detour some daytime structure, while the schedule may bring live music or a DJ. It opens at 4PM Wednesday through Friday and 11AM Saturday and Sunday, so check the day before heading over.

4.7 (10,943)

Mon – Fri, 12:00 – 18:00

175 N State St

Opened in 1921, The Chicago Theatre is a Loop landmark with a vertical neon marquee, grandiose French Baroque architecture, a six-story lobby and majestic staircase. Guided tours can add historic backstage signatures left by past performers to an architecture-focused stop. For a weekday holiday-week detour, verify the listed hours: Monday through Friday, noon to 6PM.

4.6 (1,123)

Tue – Fri, 12:00 – 16:00

2936 N. Southport Ave.

Inside a historic 1911 building, the Athenaeum Center hosts performances and community arts in Chicago’s oldest continuously operating Off-Loop theatre. The intimate room has balconies and a nook-style concession area with beer, wine, snacks and soda. All ages are welcome, and an elevator is available. Check the performance schedule before planning a holiday-week visit.

4.8 (4,323)

Mon, 08:30 – 08:00 (+1); Tue – Wed, 09:00 – 08:00 (+1); Thu, Sun, 08:30 – 09:00 (+1); Fri, 08:30 – 09:30 (+1); Sat, 08:00 – 09:30 (+1)

112 E. Wacker Drive

Chicago's First Lady Cruises runs the official Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise from the Riverwalk at 112 E. Wacker Drive. Docents discuss more than 50 buildings while passengers choose the open-air upper deck or climate-controlled lower cabin with refreshments. The listed 2026 cruising season runs March 15 through November 22, so verify departures before adding it to a holiday-week plan.

4.7 (3,875)

Thu – Fri, 19:00 – 04:00 (+1); Sat, 19:00 – 05:00 (+1); Sun, 17:30 – 01:00 (+1)

2548 N. Halsted St.

Kingston Mines keeps live blues moving across two alternating stages in its rustic Lincoln Park club. Move between rooms as bands switch sets, then order barbecue or other pub grub. The venue is for guests 21 and over, with 15 USD admission. It opens Thursday through Sunday, with late hours that vary by day, so check the schedule before planning a holiday-week night.

4.6 (89,369)

Mon – Thu, Sun, 11:00 – 20:00; Fri – Sat, 11:00 – 22:00

600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

Navy Pier pairs a Lake Michigan stroll with shops, restaurants, boat cruises and a massive Ferris wheel. General entry is free, while cruises require tickets, and the pier’s skyline views give the holiday-week itinerary a clear waterfront stop. Check current attraction schedules before going, and account for expensive parking if you drive. Hours run 11AM to 8PM most days, until 10PM Friday and Saturday.

4.4 (2,909)

Mon – Fri, 12:00 – 18:00; Sat, 10:00 – 16:00

3145 N Sheffield Ave

Opened in 1912 as The Victoria Theater, the Vic Theatre grew from a vaudeville house into a Lakeview live music and entertainment anchor. For a holiday-week show, check the event’s age limit and ticket details first. The box office at 3145 N Sheffield Ave is open noon to 6PM weekdays and 10AM to 4PM Saturday, with reduced fees in person.