Women’s History Month in Chicago is all about celebrating women and their historical contributions to society and culture — but for me, it’s also deeply personal. So much of the community I’ve built in this city has been through women-led spaces, women-owned businesses.
This month is about showing up and celebrating the women shaping our city right now across music, business, food, art, wellness, and within the community.
From networking brunches and wine tastings to film screenings and markets, March offers incredible ways to celebrate.
This guide features the best Women’s History Month events in Chicago for 2026, plus a weekend itinerary for supporting women-owned businesses throughout the city.
Find a Women’s History Month Event
- Best Women’s History Networking & Community Events
- Food, Wine, & Nightlife Events
- Arts, Shopping, Cultural Events
- Ongoing Women’s History Month Events at Chicago Institutions
- A Weekend Guide to Women-Owned Businesses
- Final Thoughts on Women’s History Month in Chicago
Best Women’s History Networking & Community Events
International Women’s Night Out
March 2, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | Cleo’s, Lakeview
A women-only evening centered on wellness, stress, hormones, and honest conversation led by local female professionals. Tickets include bites, wine, optional ear acupuncture, and a curated goodie bag featuring women-owned brands.
The Black Female Perspective – 4th Powerful Edition
March 2, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | Private Location
Hosted by SIB’s Breakfast Club and Notel Private Co-Working, this celebration of Black excellence features cuisine from Black women–owned businesses, signature cocktails, and a dynamic panel of Chicago women breaking barriers across medicine, finance, education, journalism, and beyond.
Women Who Make Miracles Brunch 2026
March 11, 2026 | 11:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. | Vera Creative
A Women’s History Month brunch honoring women leaders who shaped The Miracle Center’s 30-year legacy. Includes buffet brunch from a women-owned caterer and guided table conversations focused on creativity and community impact.
EmpowHer:100 Successful Women at the Table
March 22, 2026 | 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
Hosted by W.I.N Women In Network, this leadership gathering celebrates accomplished women across industries with networking and shared stories.
Empower Women: IWC Women’s History Month Celebration
March 28, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | The Plant
Panels and networking spotlight women founders and leaders driving change in the cannabis industry.
Food, Wine, & Nightlife Events
Guided Listening Session: Solange’s When I Get Home
March 1, 2026 | 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. | Drip Collective
Okrika, DJ Mo Milli, and Hot Drip Sessions host a vinyl listening experience honoring the anniversary of Solange’s album at Drip Collective, a Black-owned coffee shop in the West Loop. Followed by a curated DJ set and reading room featuring Black and African women writers. Free admission; donations welcomed.
Iconic Women of Music Day Party
March 1, 2026 | 12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. | The Wild Hare & Singing Armadillo Frog Sanctuary
Kick off the month with a daytime celebration honoring legendary women in music, complete with DJ sets, signature drinks, and dance-floor energy.
Activating the Legacies of Invisible Giants
March 28, 2026 | 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. | Green Line Performing Arts Center
A screening of Invisible Giants honoring Black women who shaped Chicago’s cultural landscape, followed by hands-on creative experiences.
Wine Collective Tasting Featuring Regine Rousseau
March 30, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | Bronzeville Winery
A guided tasting featuring women-owned wines and wine educator Regine Rousseau in an intimate, educational setting.
Retro Revolution Dance Party: Celebrating Women Power
March 31, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | Moe’s Cantina – River North
Close out Women’s History Month with DJs, drag performances, women-led food stations, and retro-inspired celebration vibes.
Women’s Arts, Shopping, Cultural Events
Women in Dance Festival
March 7, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. | Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble
Eighteen women-led dance companies present original works in an immersive studio setting with a post-show mingle.
Women’s History Month Evening at Chicago History Museum
March 10, 2026 | 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. | Chicago History Museum
Presented in partnership with the International Women’s Forum, this behind-the-scenes evening includes access to Aquí en Chicago, a presentation from curator Dr. Elena Gonzales, and a reception celebrating the stories of remarkable women who shaped the city.
Viva La Mujer 2026 Chicago Market
March 22, 2026 | 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. | 1200 W 35th St
A curated shopping experience celebrating Womxn makers, artists, and entrepreneurs across Chicago. Expect jewelry, beauty, home goods, apparel, wellness services, financial experts, community builders, music, and food — all rooted in supporting local women-owned businesses. General admission is free, with optional VIP early access that includes a tote and raffle entry.
Splendor: A Women’s Celebration of History
March 28, 2026 | 4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | Chicago Theater Works
An intentional gathering celebrating women in music, hospitality, and entrepreneurship with live DJs, curated food, and community-centered energy.
International Women’s Day Market
March 28–29, 2026 | 11:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. | Artifact Events, 4325 N Ravenswood Ave
This free market celebrates women-owned businesses with pop-up shops featuring jewelry, beauty products, home goods, food, drinks, and more. A vibrant way to shop local while honoring Women’s History Month.
Ongoing Women’s History Month Events at Chicago Institutions
Looking for ongoing programming? Select dates in March include:
- Select event dates in March: Women’s History Month at City Colleges of Chicago
- Select event dates in March: Women’s History Month at the Chicago Public Library
- Select event dates in March: Women’s History Month with the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Need even more ongoing events and things to do in March during Women’s History Month? Check out the events calendar.
How to Spend a Weekend Supporting Women-Owned Businesses in Chicago
Chicago is filled with incredible female-led spaces that create community, opportunity, and connection year-round. I If you’re not sure where to start, here’s what an intentional Women’s History Month weekend in Chicago could look like.
- Friday: Start your evening in the West Loop with dinner at Girl & The Goat for bold, delicious, shareable plates with your best girlfriends. If you’re craving something cozy and comforting instead, grab a bowl of ramen from Monster Ramen, a woman-owned hotspot known for its rich beef broth and intimate dining experience. End the night with a nightcap at The Dandy Crown, a laid-back neighborhood bar with one of the best patios in the area.
- Saturday: Kick things off with a dance class with other women at Diva Dance. Then, breakfast at Dawn AM Eatery for a filling breakfast. Spend the afternoon shopping for teas, herbs, and wellness goods at Haji Healing Salon for a community-centered reset, then browse distinctive décor at Recycled Modern to support a local woman-owned boutique. In the evening, check the calendar at The Quarry Event Center for pop-ups, panels, or cultural programming, and wind down with dinner at Medici on 57th, a Hyde Park staple perfect for a relaxed but lively end to the day.
- Sunday: Start in Andersonville and wander the shelves at Women & Children First, one of the country’s most iconic feminist bookstores. Grab a slice or settle in for a full meal at First Slice Pie and Café, then pop into AlleyCat Comics, a woman-owned indie comic shop nearby that’s perfect for something unexpected. End the weekend with a show at Black Ensemble Theater, a Black-owned venue known for powerful, music-driven productions that celebrate culture and storytelling.
Final Thoughts on Women’s History Month in Chicago
Celebrating Women’s History Month in Chicago doesn’t have to be a one-time event.
Whether you attend a community panel, dance at a day party, shop at a women-owned boutique, or book dinner at a woman-owned restaurant, the best way to honor history is to support the women shaping the present actively.
If you can only attend one event this month, prioritize the one that aligns with how you want to show up — whether that’s networking, dancing, learning, or shopping local.
Share your thoughts! We would love to hear from you.