# Chicago's 24 Sept 17-23 Events

> Chicago Live Festival, theater shows, and music events highlight the city's cultural scene this week
- Title: Chicago's 24 Sept 17-23 Events · Chicago Sun-Times | Shortify
- Summary: Chicago Live Festival, theater shows, and music events highlight the city's cultural scene this week Chicago offers diverse arts and entertainment options…
- Keywords: chicago, september, theater, music, festival, navypier, steppenwolf, joffreyballet, reelingfilmfest, englewoodjazzfestival, victortheatre, monsterr jam
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/things-to-do/2026/09/16/24-things-to-do-in-chicago-sept-17-23
- Published: 2026-09-16T22:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: chicago, september, theater, music, festival, navypier, steppenwolf, joffreyballet, reelingfilmfest, englewoodjazzfestival, victortheatre, monsterr jam
## Topdog/Underdog at Steppenwolf
Glenn Davis and Namir Smallwood star in Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer-winning drama about brothers Lincoln and Booth from Sept 17-Nov 1 at Steppenwolf Theatre

> Topdog/Underdog is Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about brothers Lincoln and Booth
## Chicago Live Festival
Over 100 artists perform at Navy Pier Sept 19-20 with Grammy winner Common headlining

> Chicago Live Festival brings together more than 100 of the city's artists and performing arts organizations across five stages
## Joffrey Ballet's Liliom
Joffrey Ballet premieres John Neumeier's narrative ballet inspired by Ferenc Molnár's 1909 play at Lyric Opera House Sept 17-27

> Joffrey Company Artists Victoria Jaiani and Jose Pablo Castro Cuevas star in Liliom
## Reeling Film Festival
Cannes-winning film La Bola Negra opens the Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival Sept 17-27

> Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival includes Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi's Cannes winning La Bola Negra
## Englewood Jazz Festival
Free jazz performances at Hamilton Park Cultural Center Sept 17-19 featuring Julius Tucker and more

> The 27th annual Englewood Jazz Festival includes performances by Julius Tucker and more
## Gary Clark Jr. at Vic Theatre
Grammy-winning Gary Clark Jr. performs blues-rock at Vic Theatre Sept 18 with Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon opening

> Gary Clark Jr. will perform Sept 18 at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave.
## Somi's New Album
Somi performs at Space in Evanston Sept 18 with her new album What Does It Take to Bloom? on tour

> Somi has a new album What Does It Take to Bloom featuring her exploration of self discovery
## Twin Peaks Screening
Full Twin Peaks series screened at Music Box Theatre Sept 18-22 with special features

> The entire David Lynch and Mark Frost series will be screened over four days
## Jill Mulleady Exhibit
Jill Mulleady's first major museum show at Art Institute of Chicago opens Sept 19

> Jill Mulleady: The Passenger is the artist's first solo show at a major museum
## Retro on Roscoe
Classic cars, vintage shopping and family games at Roscoe Street Sept 18-20

> Retro on Roscoe is a throwback extravaganza with music, classic cars, vintage shopping, family-friendly games
## World Dumpling Fest
Dumpling festival with music, dance and food at 2555 N. Ashland Ave. Sept 19-20

> The Chicago Cultural Alliance presents World Dumpling Fest celebrating diverse cultures throughout Chicago
## Monster Jam
Monster trucks and stunts at Allstate Arena Sept 18-20 with Grave Digger featured

> Monster Jam returns with monster trucks and world champion drivers for a weekend packed with stunts
## Chicago Underground Film Festival
Avant-garde films at Gene Siskel Film Center Sept 23-27

> Chicago Underground Film Festival presents groundbreaking, genre-defying and avant-garde films
## Lakeview East Festival
150+ artists showcase paintings, sculpture and photography on Broadway Sept 19-20

> Lakeview East Festival of the Arts showcases more than 150 juried artists featuring paintings, sculpture, photography
## Weezer's Gold Album
Weezer performs garage-rock at United Center Sept 22 with The Shins and Silversun Pickups

> After a series of concept albums, Weezer returns to what it does best on the new album Gold
## Summer's Last Dance
Summer music festival with Big Gigantic and others at Bridgeview Sept 19

> Summer's Last Dance is a celebration of summer with music on three stages featuring Big Gigantic
## Key takeaway

Chicago offers diverse arts and entertainment options from Sept 17-23 including theater, music, and festivals