Chicago: The Only U.S. City to Make the World’s Top 20 Cultural Capitals—and We Know Why

When a new list ranking the top 20 cities in the world for culture was released, one entry stood out—not just for its high position, but for its geography. Chicago ranked #7 in the world for culture and was the only city in the United States to make the cut. That’s right—no New York, no Los Angeles, no San Francisco. Just Chicago. And those of us who live here—or have roots here—aren’t surprised one bit.

Why Chicago Made the List

The list—compiled by Timeout—measured cities based on their live music scenes, museums, nightlife, theater, festivals, street life, and cultural affordability. Chicago scored high across all of these. From the historic stages of the Goodman and the Lyric Opera to legendary music venues like The Green Mill and The Promontory, the city is alive with artistry. The cities that made the list—places like Paris, Kyoto, Florence, and Istanbul—are world-renowned for centuries of artistic heritage, music, architecture, and intellectual legacy. Yet, Chicago stands shoulder to shoulder with these global icons, and it didn’t take 500 years to get there.

Chicago’s cultural clout comes from its raw creativity, resilience, and revolutionary spirit. It's a city where blues was born, house music was raised, gospel thrives, and stepping is a language of love. It’s the hometown of literary giants, culinary innovators, trailblazing artists, and civil rights warriors.

But most importantly: Chicago is a cultural capital because of Black Chicago.

From Bronzeville’s jazz legacy and the groundbreaking work of the Chicago Black Renaissance, to the enduring impact of our artists, entrepreneurs, activists, and educators—Black culture has shaped Chicago into the cultural powerhouse it is today.

You can’t walk through Chicago without seeing the fingerprints of our community:

• The art of Hebru Brantley and Theaster Gates
  
  
• The poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks and the voice of Mahalia Jackson
  
  
• The music of Sam Cooke, Chaka Khan, Kanye West, and Chance the Rapper
  
  
• The influence of Barack and Michelle Obama, whose work began right here in our neighborhoods
  
  

Our churches, block clubs, dance troupes, drill teams, soul food kitchens, fashion trends, barber shops, book clubs, and even our slang—all contribute to a living, breathing culture that isn’t just consumed, it’s created and passed down with purpose.

A Global City with a Local Heart

What makes Chicago so unique is how accessible this culture is. In many of the cities that ranked alongside it—London, Rome, Kyoto—culture is often curated for tourists. In Chicago, **it’s on the street corner, in the park, on the stage and walls of our community.

It says that while we may not have castles, we have soul. We may not have centuries-old opera houses, but we have living legends. Our culture is raw, real, and rising—and deeply rooted in community. It’s resilient in the face of challenges and beautiful in its imperfections.

This recognition isn’t just about accolades. It’s about what makes us proud to call Chicago home. The neighborhoods that build us, the events that bring us together, the food that tells our stories, and the art that speaks our truth.

So yes, Chicago is among the world’s top cities for culture. And if you ask us, it belongs even higher on that list. Read the TimeOut, “World’s Best Cities for Culture” article here.