The Obama Presidential Center Officially Opens

Chicago’s long-standing commitment to public art, ART ON THE MART brings cutting-edge video mapping techniques to Chicago’s Riverwalk, displaying projections of contemporary art across the 2.5-acre façade of THE MART, the largest privately held commercial building in the United States, internationally recognized as a global innovator in culture, design, and technology. Art  on The Mart runs NOW thru December 30.  Enjoy the show 4 nights a week, 1/2 hour per night Thursdays through Sundays.  

It's official, Hello Kitty Cafe will have a permanent home in Chicago.  The new cafe will be located at 85 E. Wacker on the Magnificent Mile in Downtown Chicago. The new permanent café will include a massive immersive storefront where fans can interact with Kitty and buy their favorite products from this beloved character and her colorful group of friends. Excited Kitty fans across in Chicago and across the world can expect a wonderful Hello Kitty-themed experience at the new venue.

All roads for comic book, television, movie, anime, and gaming enthusiasts will lead to Fan Expo Chicago, August 14th-16th at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. 

FAN EXPO Chicago is a place to celebrate all things pop culture. Get an autograph or a photo with your favorite stars then get the inside scoop about your favorite movies and TV shows at our celebrity panels or take photos with popular costumed characters! 

Appearing for the first time, Fan Expo Chicago welcomes Kurt Russell, and his Backdraft co-star, William Baldwin, Mel Gibson, and his Lethal Weapons co-star, Danny Glover. Also scheduled, Young Sheldon cast members Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Reagan Revard, Lord of The Rings stars Elijah Woods, Sean Austin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan, William Shatner, Paul Shore,  Chicago's very own, Mr. T and many more. 

The UltimateTV will be on-site at Fan Expo Chicago and hope to see you there. For updated programing and ticket information, visit https://fanexpohq.com 

Chicago TARDIS, the Midwest's largest Doctor Who event, celebrates its 26th year of bringing together fans every Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate the world's longest-running science fiction television show.

Organized by fans of Doctor Who, for fans of Doctor Who, Chicago TARDIS has dozens of volunteers that work hard to put the convention together each year.  Chicago Tardis 2025 will be held November 28th-30th at The Westin Hotel in Lombard (across the parking lot from Yorktown Mall).  Celebrity guests scheduled to appear include The Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccelston, The Fugitive Doctor, Jo Martin, and original cast member, Carole Ann Ford.  Enjoy on-screen and behind-the-scenes guests, costume contest and parade, panels, workshops, tabletop gaming, programming and meet and greets with guests, children's programming, and so much more! 

While the reality game show, Beast Games Season 2: Strong vs. Smart continues on Prime Video, fans can now participate in a real-world MrBeast experience. Beginning January 13th, 2.5 million real fortune cookies served at restaurants and in takeout orders across the U.S. will carry “Beast Games” messages, with 24,000 rare, limited-edition fortunes written personally by MrBeast randomly distributed among them. What a treat!  

The UltimateTV and Illinois diners are part of a first-of-its-kind nationwide initiative that turns a traditional dining ritual into a real-world game, with YouTube personality MrBeast partnering with OpenFortune to transform fortune cookies into a chance-based extension of Beast Games.  

“Fortune cookies are one of the few moments people still slow down for, read out loud, and share,” states Shawn Porat, Co-Founder of OpenFortune, a company that produces fortune cookies at restaurant scale. “What MrBeast saw immediately is that this ritual already behaves like a game. There’s anticipation, chance, and meaning built into it.”  

Experience the excitement of Beast Games Seston 2: Strong vs Smart today, just stop by your favorite Chinese, Thai or Asian restaurant or look in your take order, and crack open a fortune cookie.  It could contain a Limited-Edition Message written from MrBeast himself.  Good Luck!

The 118th Edition of The Chicago Auto Show returns to McCormick Place, Saturday, February 7th through Monday, February 16th. This annual event is a must-visit for car enthusiasts and families alike. The 2026 Chicago Auto Show promises a more immersive experience with the debut of Chi-Town Alley, a vibrant showcase of Chicago’s car culture. 

Popular events like the Miles Per Hour Run, Automotive Career Day and Friday Night Flights return, along with expanded specialty exhibits such as Overlanding Chicago and the Family Zone, reinforcing the show’s commitment to a dynamic, hands-on experience. 

Attendees can also explore the latest automotive innovations, meet their favorite celebrities and much more. In partnership with A Girls Guide to Cars, the show will also feature the What Drives Her networking event, celebrating female leadership in the automotive industry.  

Join The UltimateTV at The Chicago Auto Show to witness the awards presentation that honors outstanding women making significant contributions to the field.  For updated The Chicago Auto Show information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.chicagoautoshow.com