US Ongoing

Humanities Festival

Name: Humanities Festival
Start: 2026-09-14
End: 2026-11-14
Location: Chicago

The Chicago Humanities Festival 2026 fall season runs from September 14 through November 14, offering a series of intellectual and cultural programs across the city. The event features a diverse lineup of talks, musical performances, and walking tours, organized into specific neighborhood-themed days in Pilsen, Hyde Park, and at Northwestern University.

Date: Sep 14 - Nov 14, 2026
Location: Chicago
Status: Ongoing

+ Add ICS

Event summary

Highlights

Opening night performance by Susanna Hoffs
Pilsen Day featuring Emily St. John Mandel and Marlon James
Peter Sagal’s ongoing U.S. Constitution Sessions
Northwestern Day with Eric Idle and Jeff Garlin

The 2026 fall season of the Humanities Festival kicks off on September 14 at the Old Town School of Folk Music with singer-songwriter Susanna Hoffs. The festival is structured around several concentrated 'days' in different Chicago locations: Pilsen Day on September 26 at Thalia Hall, Northwestern Day on October 4 in Evanston, and Hyde Park Day on November 7 at the University of Chicago. These events bring together scholars, artists, and journalists to discuss topics ranging from the U.S. Constitution and midterm election politics to Chicano pop music and gender studies.

Notable participants in the 2026 lineup include authors Barbara Kingsolver, Emily St. John Mandel, and Marlon James, as well as media personalities like Ira Glass and David Axelrod. The program also features cultural icons such as Eric Idle, Kyle MacLachlan, and Jeff Garlin. Performances range from meditative harp music at Rockefeller Chapel to a percussion and electronic music collaboration at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The season concludes on November 14 with a special appearance by members of the 'Twin Peaks' cast.

Practical details

Before attending

Check the sources below for current opening times, admission prices and registration requirements. A date range does not mean the event runs continuously or that admission is free.