Highlights include U.S. Constitution Series led by NPR’s Peter Sagal, Emmy Award-nominated Padma Lakshmi from Top Chef, racial historian and author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Chicago artist and activist Tonika Lewis Johnson
With Chicago neighborhood hub days in Bridgeport, April 18; Lakeview, May 9; and Evanston’s Northwestern University, May 17
Chicago Humanities proudly announces the full lineup for its Spring Festival 2026, with conversations ranging from the U.S. Constitution, social justice, healthcare, literature, food, poetry, architecture, and much more. This year’s Spring Festival spans March through June, and hinges on three major festival dates throughout Chicago, in addition to standalone presentations, all reflecting Chicago Humanities’ deep commitment to civic and civil dialogue, creative expression, and community-rooted programming.
Some noteworthy standalone programs include a U.S. Constitution Series guest curated and hosted by NPR Host of Chicago’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! programPeter Sagal, the renowned author Michael Pollan, iconic travel writer Rick Steves, the team behind the award-winning podcast NPR’s Planet Money, and beloved bestselling author Ann Patchett on her newest novel Whistler.
As part of its ongoing mission, Chicago Humanities brings programs to neighborhoods and venues across Chicagoland, with implemented neighborhood and campus tours of the rich history and architecture of these Chicago community gems. This spring, Chicago Humanities presents three full “festival days” of programming in Bridgeport, Lakeview and Evanston’s Northwestern University.
The Spring Festival’s Bridgeport Day on Saturday, April 18 includes an impressive list of programs around racial justice through the lens of geography: Chicago’s own Tonika Lewis Johnson – a Columbia College Chicago graduate who drives an illuminating conversation on housing and racial inequality in Chicago and across the country, as well as Mayor Brandon Johnson joining a conversation with international bestselling author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi discussing the baseless “great replacement theory” and the emerging dangers and harms of preventing demographic change. Conversations about art and literature will also take place on Bridgeport Day, including international bestselling author and Booker Prize winner Yann Martel discussing his newest work, Son of Nobody, and comic artist and Pulitzer Prize winner Art Spiegelman deep-diving into his masterpiece Maus and his career as one of the world’s most admired graphic novelists.
Lakeview Day takes place at the Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture on Saturday, May 9. Highlights include liberal political commentator David Axelrod and conservative New York Times columnist David French coming together to share why their differing politics don’t affect their shared existential fight for democratic norms and a liberal order. Padma Lakshmi, the Emmy Award-nominated host, producer, and bestselling author from Top Chef and the acclaimed Hulu series Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, joins to discuss her travels, experiences and new cookbook, Padma’s All American. Radiolab creator Jad Abumrad is joined in conversation with cartoonist, writer and educator Lynda Barry on why art matters now.
The final Spring Festival hub day will be held in Evanston at Northwestern University on Sunday, May 17. Chicago native Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, one of America’s leading doctors and health policy experts, joins to share simple, evidenced-based guidelines on health and wellness. Another Chicago favorite, ChefCurtis Duffy, whose Chicago restaurants Grace and Ever (a fictionalized version of which was featured in the second season of The Bear) have earned critical acclaim and multiple Michelin stars, speaks about his remarkable new memoir Fireproof. Northwestern Day continues with bestselling biographer Walter Isaacson analyzing one of the most famous passages in American history from The Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” Later, cult filmmaker and iconic self-proclaimed “Filth Elder” John Waters celebrates his acclaimed career and performs readings from the new reissue of his classic early screenplays.
This year’s Spring Festival brings our communities together for thoughtful conversations and meaningful opportunities to explore some of the most pressing civic and cultural issues shaping our world today,” said Co-Creative Director Lauren M. Pacheco. “From Bridgeport to Lakeview to Evanston, we’re engaging with and celebrating the neighborhoods that help define Chicago. We invite Chicagoans to join us to reflect, connect, and take part in conversations that challenge and inspire us to move toward a better future as a city.”
“On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the United States, we have organized a season of programs that address both the history of the country and political issues that continue to challenge us today,” said Co-Creative Director Michael Green. “Walter Isaacson analyzes excerpts from The Declaration of Independence and Peter Sagal hosts a series on the U.S. Constitution, while Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Jelani Cobb and others address social justice concerns facing our country.”
Tickets are on sale now on the Chicago Humanities website, as well as a full schedule of programming and more information: chicagohumanities.org.
Full Line-up for Spring Festival 2026
* = FREE Event for Chicago Humanities Members
March 24, 7pm
Bassist Melissa Auf der Maur at Three Top Lounge
April 11, 7:30pm
Best-selling author R.F. Kuang at First United Methodist Church
April 15, 7:30pm
James Beard Award-winning Michael Pollan at Francis W. Parker School
Bridgeport Day, Saturday, April 18
April 18, 10am
*Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta & Dr. Gregg Gonsalves on Rethinking Public Health in the Fentanyl Era (MacArthur Series) at Ramova Theatre Loft
April 18, 11am
Brick of Chicago Walking Tours: Bridgeport with Will Quam
April 18, 11:30 am
Photographer Sandra Steinbrecher: Reimagining The Salt Shed at Co-Prosperity
April 18, 11:30am
Bestselling author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi & Mayor Brandon Johnson at Ramova Theatre
April 18, 1:30pm
Life of Pi’s Yann Martel on his new novel at Ramova Theatre Loft
April 18, 1:30 & 4pm
Bridgeport Bus Tours with Shermann Dilla Thomas
April 18, 2pm
Letterpress printer, typographer Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. at Co-Prosperity
April 18, 3pm
Peace activists Aziz Abu Sarah & Maoz Inon at Ramova Theatre
April 18, 4:30pm
Andy Beta on the Transcendence of Alice Coltrane at Co-Prosperity
April 18, 5pm
Tonika Lewis Johnson, Amanda Williams & Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor on Housing Justice (MacArthur Series) at Ramova Loft
April 18, 7pm
Comic Artist Art Spiegelman at Ramova Theatre
April 18, 7pm
Chicago musician Charles Joseph Smith at Co-Prosperity
April 20, 7pm
Travel writer Rick Steves at Francis W. Parker School
April 23, 6:30pm
Bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez at Three Top Lounge
April 23, 7:30pm
NPR’s Planet Money at Athenaeum Center
May 3, 5:30pm
Bestselling author Joe Abercrombie at Francis W. Parker School
May 8, 7pm
Peter Sagal’s U.S. Constitution Sessions at Athenaeum Center
Lakeview Day, Saturday, May 9
May 9, 11am
*David Axelrod & David French in conversation at Athenaeum Center
May 9, 1:30pm
Peter Sagal’s U.S. Constitution Sessions at Athenaeum Center
May 9, 1:30pm
Historian Gregory Dreicer on Hidden Histories of Skyscrapers and Infrastructure at Athenaeum Center Black Box
May 9, 12:15 & 3pm
Brick of Chicago Walking Tours: Lakeview with Will Quam
May 9, 4pm
Acclaimed historian Jelani Cobb at Athenaeum Center Paradiso
May 9, 4pm
Emmy Award-nominated Padma Lakshmi from Top Chef at Athenaeum Center
May 9, 5pm
Brick of Chicago with Will Quam at Athenaeum Center Black Box
May 9, 6:30pm
Scholar of Critical Race Theory Kimberlé Crenshaw at Athenaeum Center Paradiso
May 9, 7pm
Radiolab creator Jad Abumrad & cartoonist Lynda Barry at Athenaeum Center
Northwestern Day, Sunday, May 17
May 17, 11am
*Historian Mary Beard at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall
May 17, 11am
Bestselling authorGriffin McElroy at Norris Center Louis Room
May 17, 11am
Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel on the Wellness Industrial Complex at Norris Center McCormick Auditorium
May 17, 11am
Chicago Chef Curtis Duffy at Block Museum of Art
May 17, 1:30pm
Congresswoman Lauren Underwood at Norris Center Louis Room
May 17, 2pm
Three great-nieces of Frida Kahlo at Block Museum of Art
May 17, 2pm
Bestselling biographer Walter Isaacson at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall
May 17, 4pm
Peter Sagal’s U.S. Constitution Sessions at Norris Center Louis Room
May 17, 5pm
Filmmaker John Waters at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall
May 17, 7pm
Northwestern graduate and bestselling author Veronica Roth at Norris Center Louis Room
May 20, 6:30pm
Culture therapist Megan O’Grady at Three Top Lounge
June 9, 7:30pm
Bestselling author Matt Haig at Athenaeum Center
June 10, 7pm
Pulitzer Prize finalist writer Dave Eggers at Old Town School of Folk Music
June 11, 5:30pm
Jazz pianist Marilyn Crispell at Art Institute of Chicago – Griffin Court
June 28, 6pm
Bestselling author Ann Patchett at Athenaeum Center
About Chicago Humanities
For more than 30 years, Chicago Humanities has been presenting live events that bring the world to Chicago, while elevating Chicago on behalf of the people who call it home. Centered on culture, creativity, and connection, these experiences expose audiences to the most provocative thinkers—both established and emerging—while celebrating new perspectives and ways of thinking. Chicago Humanities remains one of Chicago’s most vibrant civic institutions. Chicagohumanities.org.
