The best things to do in Chicago today

Navy Pier, in partnership with the Design Museum of Chicago and The Vintage House Show Collective, presents a new exhibit exploring the history of the home-grown artists, clubs and labels that have built House music. The exhibit will be open and free to the public during all Pier operating hours through the end of October.

Sony Pictures Entertainment has brought its first immersive entertainment destination to Oakbrook Center, inviting guests to enter the worlds of popular franchises like Uncharted, Ghostbusters, Jumanji, Bad Boys, Zombieland and more. The 45,000-square-foot space is home to a variety of activities, ranging from escape rooms to virtual reality and racing simulators to bumper cars. When you need to refuel, drop into the Commissary Restaurant for a full menu of food, desserts and cocktails. Entry to Wonderverse is free, with attractions priced separately.

The largest and most immersive touring Titanic exhibition comes to Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie. Visitors will experience a narrative journey that brings to light the fates of the passengers and crew aboard the famous ship. Marvel at hundreds of artifacts that survived the sinking, plus props and costumes featured in James Cameron’s blockbuster film Titanic. Music from the era will play as patrons walk through detailed recreations of the ship’s interiors, including the grand staircase, while the Discovery Gallery will simulate what discovery teams saw during dives to the Titanic’s wreckage site.

Curious Theatre Branch's Rhinoceros Theatre Festival, which bills itself as Chicago's longest-running fringe festival, returns for its 35th outing with a slate of new theater, music performances, art and more. Visit rhinofest.com for the complete schedule.

From June through September this year, dozens of movies will screen in parks all over Chicago as part of the city's annual Movies in the Parks program. From recent blockbusters like Barbie and Wonka to classics like The Princess Bride and Space Jam, you're sure to find good something to watch (for free!) beneath the stars this summer. Screenings typically begin at 8:30pm, or dusk, each evening. Take a look at the full list of movies and participating parks.

The JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival returns this year with in-person screenings for the first time since the pandemic. The new lineup features 23 documentaries, dramas and comedies from around the world that explore Jewish identity and experience. Spread across three weeks, the showings will take place at Wayfarer in Highland Park, The Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago and Landmark Century Centre in Chicago, alongside a special premiere of 999: The Forgotten Girls at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie.

Based on the family-favorite board game, this immersive and interactive experience puts guests into the roles of beloved CLUE characters as they try to solve the murder of estate owner Boden "Boddy" Black. The mystery starts at Block 37, where detectives are greeted by the Butler before being sent on their way to gather clues from popular Chicago sites and shops. You’ll be tasked with finding long-lost antiques and figuring out who did it, where and with what.

The Museum of Science and Industry debuts a new exhibit dedicated to the science and technology behind the world’s longest-running film franchise, James Bond. Fans can check out 13 vehicles and over 90 additional artifacts, including the prototype jetpack used in Thunderball, an MI6 Retina Scanner from GoldenEye and the Parahawk snowmobile hybrid from The World Is Not Enough. You’ll also be able to step into a lab space inspired by “Q” and test your skills developing the perfect vehicle for spy activities, designing stunts and more.

Bye Bye Liver combines two robust Chicago traditions: comedy and heavy drinking. The show opened over a decade ago for a three-week run, then kept getting extended. A cast of four to six performers portray characters at the fictional "Franks Bar," telling stories that explore the city's robust drinking culture. Each show incorporates interactive audience drinking games, allowing you to sip a cocktail or beer while taking cues from the cast. And if you're up for a nightcap after the performance, you can stick around for the official after party and mingle with the cast.

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition makes its way to Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, giving fans an opportunity to step into the world of the hit series. The immersive experience showcases the elaborate sets, detailed costumes and luxurious jewelry of Downton Abbey’s high society inhabitants, and transport visitors to the grand home of the Crawleys and those who served them. From Mrs. Patmore’s hectic kitchen and Carson’s office to the family’s glamorous dining room, the exhibition provides a fascinating look into the post-Edwardian period.

Every year, residents of Rogers Park and folks from throughout the city gather to paint sections of a 600-foot-long wall located by the lake near Loyola Beach. The Artists of the Wall Festival has been taking place since 1993, when neighbors banded together to cover up graffiti on the wall. As usual, there will be live music and plenty of activities for kids. You'll have to register for a spot to paint, but viewing is free.

Late-night funnyman Seth Meyers comes to town for an evening of standup comedy at the Vic Theatre. You’ll have two opportunities to catch him on June 14: 7pm and 9:30pm.

The 21st annual African Diaspora Film Festival showcases a selection of international films that explore the experiences of people of color from all over the world. This year's lineup opens with White Like the Moon and Negrita, films centered on identity and race issues within Latino communities. Also featured is historical documentary Walter Rodney, What They Don’t Want You to Know and 2023 Cannes Official Selection Nome, a drama that portrays Guinea-Bissau's intense struggle for independence and the post-independence nation building process. Visit the festival's website for the complete schedule.