TWICE World Tour at United Center & 4 More Chicago Plans This Week

TWICE at United Center, a Steppenwolf premiere, Florence + The Machine, the Other Art Fair, and the best comedy in the city — your week ahead in Chicago.

By Raj Singh · Published April 6, 2026.

Easter is behind us and the real spring calendar is kicking in. This week has a K-pop arena show, a Steppenwolf world premiere, one of the best art fairs in the city, and Florence Welch bringing the drama to Rosemont. Here are five picks across the week — from tonight through Friday — so you can actually plan ahead instead of scrambling at 5pm on Thursday.

MONDAY, APRIL 6

TWICE World Tour at United Center

One of the biggest K-pop groups on the planet is playing the United Center tonight, and if you're anywhere near the West Loop you're going to feel it. TWICE has been selling out arenas globally on this tour and Chicago is no exception — the energy from ONCE (their fanbase) is genuinely electric. Even if you're not deep into K-pop, this is a spectacle worth seeing: choreography, production, light sticks synced across 20,000 people.

United Center is at Madison and Damen. If you're driving, the lots fill up fast for shows this size — take the CTA to Illinois Medical District (Blue Line) and walk. The venue's got a 4.7 Google rating and honestly the sight lines are solid from almost anywhere. Grab dinner at Fontano's Subs on West Taylor before — their Italian beef is cash-only old-school Chicago.

Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm. It's 47 degrees and overcast with a 33% rain chance — bring a light rain layer for the walk from the train. Tickets might still be available resale but expect to pay up.

Best of The Second City

If you want something more low-key tonight, The Second City's "Best Of" revue is the perfect Sunday move. It's a greatest-hits show pulling from decades of sketch comedy — the writing is sharp, the improv segments are genuinely unpredictable, and you're watching it in the room where Tina Fey, Bill Murray, and Steve Carell all started. The Second City runs at 4.6 stars and this particular show is designed for people who haven't been before.

You're in Old Town at 1616 N Wells — great neighborhood for a pre-show walk. Hit Twin Anchors down the block for ribs (one of Frank Sinatra's Chicago spots, not a tourist trap despite the history) or Adobo Grill for upscale Mexican. The venue is intimate — maybe 300 seats — so every seat feels close.

7pm showtime. Tickets around $30-50. Book ahead online — walk-ups sometimes work but not guaranteed on weekends.

WEDNESDAY

WINDFALL — World Premiere at Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf is arguably the most important theater company in America, and they're premiering a brand new play this week. WINDFALL opens Wednesday night — a world premiere, meaning you're seeing something no audience on earth has seen before. Steppenwolf holds a 4.8 Google rating and their track record for bold, unflinching new work speaks for itself (August: Osage County, True West, Balm in Gilead all started here).

The theater is at 1650 N Halsted in Lincoln Park. This is a neighborhood that's easy to make a night of — grab dinner at Boka on North Halsted (upscale but not stuffy, great cocktails) or keep it casual at the Wiener's Circle if you want to be yelled at while ordering a char dog. Wednesday's forecast is looking like 61 degrees, easily the warmest day this week — might be worth walking the neighborhood before the show.

7:30pm curtain on Wednesday April 9. Previews are often the best value — check their site for pricing. This one will run for weeks but opening week energy is unmatched.

THURSDAY

The Other Art Fair at Artifact Events

If you've been meaning to start an art collection but galleries make you feel like you need a permission slip, The Other Art Fair is your entry point. It's designed to be the opposite of stuffy — artists show and sell their own work directly, prices range from accessible to investment-worthy, and the vibe is more lively market than hushed museum. Artifact Events (★4.7) in Ravenswood is the perfect venue for it, all exposed brick and industrial charm.

Ravenswood is a sneaky-great neighborhood for food. Hit Band of Bohemia before the fair (brewpub with Michelin-caliber food, seriously) or Luella's Southern Kitchen for fried chicken and biscuits that'll wreck your diet. The fair runs Thursday through Sunday so you have flexibility, but Thursday evening opening night usually has the most energy and first dibs on the art.

Opens 6pm Thursday April 10 at Artifact Events, 4325 N Ravenswood Ave. Tickets around $15-20 advance.

FRIDAY

Florence + The Machine at Allstate Arena

Florence Welch doesn't do concerts — she does communions. The Everybody Scream Tour has been getting rave reviews and Friday night she brings it to Allstate Arena in Rosemont. If you've seen her before, you know: she kicks off her shoes, runs barefoot across the stage, and somehow makes 15,000 people feel like they're in a cathedral. Dog Days Are Over live is a genuine life experience.

Allstate Arena is out in Rosemont (★4.4) — take the Blue Line to Rosemont and the shuttle, or drive and accept the parking situation. For dinner before, Rosemont's restaurant row on Balmoral has Osteria La Madia for solid Italian or Frankie's if you want deep-dish and don't want to fight tourists downtown. The arena sound is better than it used to be after the renovations.

Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7:30pm Friday April 10. Tickets still available as of today but this will sell out — don't sleep on it.