Chicago Theatre

The Chicago Theatre, the city's legendary marquee

With its great illuminated marquee, the Chicago Theatre is one of the most recognisable symbols of the city. This emblematic performance hall opened in 1921, in a lavish style that would inspire the great American cinemas. The Chicago audio-guided tour stops here to evoke the golden age of show palaces.

A performance hall from 1921

Inaugurated in 1921 by the operators Balaban and Katz, the Chicago Theatre was one of the city's first great show palaces. Its lavish, almost baroque architecture set the tone for the sumptuous cinemas that would flourish in the United States. Its marquee and vertical sign, bearing the city's name, have become an iconic image of Chicago.

What to see

The exterior, dominated by the famous marquee and sign, is in itself an attraction and a must for Chicago photos. Inside, the hall unfolds an opulent decor, inherited from the great palaces of the 1920s. The theatre still hosts concerts and shows, and the finest way to discover it remains to attend a performance.

Practical information

The Chicago Theatre lies in the Loop, in the centre of Chicago, reachable on foot and by metro. The sign and the façade can be freely admired from the street; access to the hall is during performances, whose programme varies through the year. Tours of the building are sometimes offered; it is best to enquire before coming.

When did the Chicago Theatre open?

It opened in 1921, under the operators Balaban and Katz, as one of the city's first great show palaces.

What is there to see at the Chicago Theatre?

Its famous illuminated marquee and sign, an iconic image of the city, as well as its opulent interior decor, to be discovered during a show or a tour.