Three simple words. An emphasis on “we.” A declaration of who we are, and a question of who we might become. The future has never belonged to one person, one institution, or one generation. It has always been shaped by people willing to imagine something better — and courageous enough to build it.
This year, TEDxChicago brings together thinkers, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers united by a shared belief: that progress is possible, belonging matters, and the systems shaping our lives are not inevitable. They were built by people, and therefore can be redesigned by people. From Chicago, a city shaped by bold ideas, resilience, and reinvention, we invite the world to move from spectatorship to participation, from cynicism to possibility.
Because the future is not something we inherit.
It is something we create, together.
The Day
Venue Details & Schedule
Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Millennium Park
205 East Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601
The Experience
Every Ticket Is All-Inclusive
- EAT: Hosted snacks, desserts, and catered appetizers
- DRINK: Hosted drinks, including beer, wine, coffee, and tea
- THE STAGE: The intimate and exciting onstage experience, including 9 professionally coached TEDxChicago talks and 5 exhilarating live performances
- THE EXPERIENCE: Immersive pop-up art galleries, engagements, and dynamic performances throughout the Harris Theater lobby spaces
Note: All tickets, no matter the “Round” or experience tier, offer the full experience, including both speaker and performance sessions.
The Schedule
Saturday, October 3rd @ Harris Theater
- 10:00 AM Doors Open & Registration
- 11:00 AM Session 1 — Begin Withinwater riot · Derek Lee McPhatter · Pat Tomasulo · Dr. Jessica Schleider · Gita Pullapilly · Joel Styzens
- 12:30 PM Lunch
- 1:45 PM Session 2 — Between UsLawrence “Binkey” Tolefree · Jessie Fuentes · Manuela Zoninsein · ChromaFlow · Jeffery Beckham Jr. · Thackston Lundy · Dr. Omar Lateef · Zion Ali
- 3:45 PM Intermission
- 5:00 PM Session 3 — What We BuildCécile Chazot · Dr. Tamar Gefen · ChromaFlow · Clarissa Flores · Joshua Doss · Dr. Susan Stokes · Leo High School Choir
- 6:30 PM Event Close
The Voices
Speakers
The Stage
Performers
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is TEDxChicago 2026 held?
At the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 East Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601 — in Millennium Park. Doors open at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with registration and coat check on Lobby Level 5.
How do I find my way around the venue?
The experience spans all four Harris Theater lobby levels: registration, coat check, and parking validation on Level 5; food, activations, and art on Levels 3 and 2 (plus the Vinyl Listening Lounge and balcony seating on 2); and orchestra seating, art, and food on Level 1. Questions on the day? Look for a TEDxCHI volunteer.
What is the schedule for the day?
Doors open at 10:00 AM. Session 1 (Begin Within) runs 11:00 AM–12:30 PM, followed by lunch; Session 2 (Between Us) runs 1:45–3:45 PM, followed by an intermission; Session 3 (What We Build) runs 5:00–6:30 PM, closing with the Leo High School Choir. Between sessions, explore food, art, and activations across all four lobby levels.
What is included with my ticket?
Every ticket is all-inclusive: hosted snacks, desserts, and catered appetizers; hosted drinks including beer, wine, coffee, and tea; all 9 TEDxChicago talks and 5 live performances; and the immersive pop-up galleries and activations throughout the Harris Theater lobbies. All ticket tiers receive the full experience.
How do I get tickets?
Tickets are available online at our official ticketing page. Patrons purchasing on or after September 23 will be recognized during the on-stage program.
Will the talks be available online?
Yes — every TEDxChicago talk is professionally filmed and published to the TEDx Talks channel after the event. Follow TEDxChicago on social media for release announcements.
Where do I park, and is transit nearby?
The Harris Theater sits above the Millennium Park garages, and parking validation is available at registration on Lobby Level 5. The theater is also steps from CTA Loop stations and Metra’s Millennium Station.
Is the venue accessible?
Yes. The Harris Theater is wheelchair accessible, with a full-service elevator serving all lobby levels. For accommodation requests, contact the TEDxChicago team ahead of the event, or ask any TEDxCHI volunteer on the day.
Is anything happening after the main event?
Two things: the exclusive Chicago screening of Who’s the We? at 8:00 PM on October 3 at Pitch & Pour Supper Club (free; badge holders get priority entrance), and the TEDxChicago Salon: Redesigning the System with CannonDesign on October 8. Details in the Beyond the Stage section above.
How do I contact TEDxChicago?
Reach the team any time through the contact page. At the event, look for a TEDxCHI volunteer — they’ll point you in the right direction.
The Event
Saturday,
October 3rd,
2026
Doors open at 10:00am. TEDxChicago We The People Session 1 begins at 11:00am, with the final session (Session 3) starting at 5:00pm and the event coming to a close at 6:30pm.
Your ticket includes all sessions. Registration is open prior to all sessions. Attendees are highly encouraged to attend all three TEDxChicago: We The People sessions.
Get Tickets
Join Us
Membership Tiers
Patrons
For individual access to exclusive experiences, premium seating, and opportunities before, during and after the main event.
Learn MoreYoung & Amazing
For donors and youth orgs looking to support young people (and chaperones) who wish to attend the main event.
Learn MoreXChange
For small-team access to the main event with extra professional community experiences and exclusive benefits.
Learn MoreThe Gallery
Visual Artists
Immersive pop-up galleries and new work created for We The People, on view throughout the Harris Theater lobby spaces.
Blake Jones
Fine Art, Muralist & Digital
@blake_jones
Delisha McKinney
Conceptual & Multidisciplinary Artist
@delisha_____
Ellie Pritts
New Media Artist
@elliepritts
Everett Reynolds
Visual Artist & Muralist
@everettreynolds27
TJ Kiser
Artist & Muralist
@cookiesandartThe Support
Our 2026 Partners
TEDxChicago wouldn’t be what it is without the support of our amazing partners, who share a vision of amplifying ideas while being of Chicago and for the world.
Lead Partner
Beacon Partners
Campfire Partners
Torchlight Partners
Flame Partners
Experience Collaborators
The Taste
Food & Beverage
Cadinho Bakery & Café
Family-owned, Portuguese-inspired bakery in McKinley Park, known for its pastel de nata.
@cadinhobakeryOutside the Box Catering
“Soul food and food for the soul” from Chef Tameka “Meka” Jones.
@otbchicagoMoor’s Brewing Company
Black-owned Chicago craft beer, celebrating community and culture with every pour.
@moorsbeerMeta H2O
Premium alkaline spring water on a mission to expand access to quality hydration.
@meta.h2oincBronzeville Winery
South Side destination for food, wine, art, and community — caterer of our VIP Reception.
@bronzevillewineryOld Irving Brewing Co.
Award-winning brewery and home of Beezer, the gold medal–winning Hazy IPA.
@oldirvingbrewingChicago French Press
Black woman–owned coffee & tea, turning everyday moments into memorable experiences.
@chicagofrenchpressMahari
Hyde Park flavors of the African Diaspora — Best Neighborhood Restaurant, 2026 Jean Banchet Awards.
@mahari_restaurantBeyond the Stage
We The People, After Hours
Who’s the We? — Exclusive Chicago Screening
Saturday, October 3 · 8:00 PM · Pitch & Pour Supper Club, 1239 W Lake St
After the trailer on the TEDxChicago stage, continue the story that same night with the only Chicago screening of Who’s the We? — a documentary exploring immigration, belonging, and the question at its heart: who belongs in “We the People”? Free and open to all; badge holders receive priority entrance.
TEDxChicago Salon: Redesigning the System
Thursday, October 8 · 12:00–2:00 PM · 1 E. Wacker Dr., 2nd Floor
In partnership with CannonDesign, continue the We The People conversation with a panel and interactive workshop exploring the assumptions embedded in the systems around us — and how we might redesign them to create new possibilities for people and communities.
Be Part of It
Get Involved
Proudly a 100% volunteer-led and operated nonprofit organization.
Our volunteers help build the community in Chicago, whether as Core team members who collaboratively create everything from the ground up for the event, or as day-of volunteers who help ensure the best possible experience for all attendees and those involved in making it happen.
Become a Volunteer