The Marketplace of the Future & Chicago Climate Week Closing Celebration!

Experience a glimpse of what a thriving, climate-positive future could look like at Marketplace of the Future, a signature event of Chicago Climate Week 2026.

Taking over all 3 floors of our amazing venue host mHUB on Saturday, July 25 (12:00 PM - 9:00 PM), Marketplace of the Future will bring together innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, community organizations, educators, and changemakers for a day of interactive exhibits, workshops, conversations, plant-based food vendors, eco art, film screenings, a sustainable fashion show, DIY merch, networking, and discovery!

Whether you're passionate about climate action, curious about emerging solutions, exploring career opportunities, or simply looking for an inspiring way to spend the day, Marketplace of the Future is designed to showcase what's possible when innovation, community, and imagination come together. The event will culminate in the official Chicago Climate Week Closing Ceremony and Celebration, bringing the community together to reflect on the week and look ahead to the work still to come.

We are excited to announce our major program partners and sponsors, The Urban Canopy, Just Iced Tea and Lime!

The Urban Canopy - Pioneering the local food cycle to create a more sustainable and equitable food system in Chicago. Join their team and other speakers for a talk about reducing and harnessing food waste for the better at 6:00pm on our main stage (3rd floor)!

Eco.Logic's Eco.Art Extravaganza - Where creativity meets climate action. Browse and bid on one-of-a-kind pieces in the eco.art gallery and silent auction. Then join us on the main stage (3rd floor) at 4:00pm for a showcase exploring the role of art in the environmental movement!

Through sustainability-themed films and facilitated discussion — One Earth Film Festival educates, raises awareness, and inspires the adoption of solution-oriented sustainable actions, within the backdrop of centering stories, voices, and solutions for communities of color and other marginalized groups most disproportionately impacted by environmental issues and climate injustices. One Earth will be hosting a variety of climate action films with everything from kid-friendly shorts to powerful documentaries. Check out these screenings on the 1st floor throughout the full event!

Chicago Fashion Coalition connects designers, communities, and institutions to make fashion a driver of jobs, sustainability, culture, and innovation in Chicago. CFC is bringing circular fashion with local designers, garment care, repair, reuse, and scannable product stories. Guests can move through selected garments from Chicago designers, scan tags to uncover the maker story, materials, and care instructions, and experience a fashion show that lets the pieces speak in motion.

The activation treats clothing as more than something to consume. Each garment becomes a story, a system of care, and a pathway back into Chicago’s creative economy, pointing toward a fashion future that is more transparent, local, and circular. Join us for an exciting fashion show & presentation on the 2nd floor stage at 7:00pm!

The first 100 guests will receive a free helmet courtesy of Lime!

MARKETPLACE OF THE FUTURE PROGRAM

12 PM | All 3 floors of activities open! Exhibitor Hall, Film Screenings, Eco Art, Sustainable Merch, Speakers & more!

12-6:45 PM | Join our inspirational speakers and exhibiting orgs to learn how we can all be active participants in building our collective future!

7-8 PM | Sustainable Fashion Show presented by Chicago Fashion Coalition (2nd floor)

8-9 PM | DJ set to close out an amazing Chicago Climate Week! (2nd floor)

FIRST FLOOR​ | Art, Film, & Merch (12-7pm)

Eco.Art Extravaganza presented by eco.logic

Environmental Short Film Screenings presented by One Earth Film Festival, including the 3:50pm featured screening of FOOD2050 (80 mins) with an insightful panel discussion with local food systems orgs.

(1-6pm) Free on-demand screen printing - BYO T-shirt, tote bag, or other cotton item, or purchase a thrifted shirt on-site to have it custom printed with one of three Chicago Climate Week designs with remade in Chicago

Transform end-of-life textiles and clothing from the community into co-created "Trashy Tapestries" on LOOM360 with Nowhere Collective

SECOND FLOOR | Exhibitor Hall, Live Music, Food & Drinks & Fashion Show!

12-7 PM | Exhibitor Hall open with plant-based food vendors and drinks - see full exhibitor list below!

12:30-1 PM | Native Earth Honoring and Opening Performance by the unforgettable William Bulchholtz presented by EarthSTARS.earth

1-7 PM | Jam out to local jazz and blues musicians provided by Ally Entertainment!

1 PM and 5 PM | BYO candle making workshop hosted by Audrey's Common Scents (vessels included or BYO 2-4 oz vessels - think baby food jars or shot glasses! $15-20)

7-7:45 PM | Sustainable Fashion Show & Presentation by Chicago Fashion Coalition (2nd floor)

7:45-8 PM | Closing Remarks, Cheers & DANCE TIME

8-9 PM | DJ Nicholas closing us out for an amazing Chicago Climate Week!

Live Musicians generously provided by:

THIRD FLOOR | Speakers & Workshops

12-1:45 PM | Chicago Climate Week Hackathon - hosted by Climate Solutions Studio and UNA Chicago - Learn more here!

2-2:45 PM | Envisioning a Campus of Circularity - Presented by Re:Loop

3-3:45 PM | How to Spot Greenwashed Advertisements - Presented by The Climate Propagandist

4-4:45 PM | The Role of the Artist in the Climate Movement - Presented by Eco.logic

4-5 PM | LIFE REImagined— A Collective Action Game Using Doughnut Economics (Workshop) - Presented by Chicagoland Doughnut Economics Coalition (Game Room down the hall!)

5-5:45 PM | Growing Climate Solutions: How Biology Is Shaping a More Sustainable Future - Presented by ChiTownBio

6-6:45 PM | Turning the Tide on Food Waste: Simple Actions, Big Climate Impact - Presented by The Urban Canopy

EXHIBITOR HALL (2nd Floor)

Check out our amazing local orgs in our 2nd Floor Exhibitor Hall that would love to share more about their solutions and how you can get involved!

Abundant Housing IL | Audrey's Common Scents | Balodana | Chicago Donut Economics | Chicago Fashion Coalition | Chicago Environmentalists | Chicago Furniture Bank | ChiTownBio | Climate Solutions Studio | Conscious Planet | Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange | Eccodrone | Eco.Logic | Elevate | High Speed Rail Alliance | k.o ecolife - The POWCH! | Land Art Generator | NETenergy | Nowhere Collective | Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus | mutuall design | Mycocycle | PCs for People | Prudential | PsillyGirls | Reduce Waste Chicago | Remade in Chicago | Sili + Bells | The Climate Propagandist | WasteNot Compost

ITEMS WE'RE COLLECTING!

PCs for People | Desktop or laptop computers, Phones, TVs and monitors (no CRTs, No larger than 24" TV's), Computer accessories like keyboards, mice, or speakers, Printers, Hard drives and other computer parts, Power cords and cables, Servers and networking equipment. (2nd floor)

Reduce Waste Chicago | Old cell phones and prescription eye glasses (2nd floor)

remade in Chicago | BYO T-shirt, tote bag, or other cotton item to have it custom printed (1st floor from 1-6pm)

Audrey's Common Scents | BYO 2-4 oz vessels to make your own candle! (think baby food jars or shot glass size)

Plant-based meals (for additional purchase) provided by SteMartaen Vegan Catering, Logan Vegan and Popus Gourmet Popcorn. Refreshing drinks provided by our generous sponsors - Just Ice Tea, Revolution Brewing, Sketchbook Brewing and Apologue Liquors!

Reusable cups provided by Bold Reuse and reusable food ware, cutlery and decor provided by Eco Chic Events!

FAQS

Can I park, bike or transit there? Yes - mHUB has a large free parking lot and street parking nearby. We also chose this location for its very close proximity to the CTA Ashland Green Line Stop and nearby Divvy shared bike and scooter station. There is also bike parking onsite.

Is this event family-friendly? Absolutely! The earlier the kiddos are exposed to fun, uplifting climate solutions, the better! There will be fun games and interactive activities for all ages. Did we mention there's also ice cream?

What does my ticket include? Your $15 ticket includes access to all of the programming and a plethora of amazing exhibitors, speaking sessions, workshops, fashion show, live music and more! For an additional purchases, you can support our amazing local plant-based food & drink providers, workshop hosts and sustainable silk screening merch vendor!