A Third Annum Festival of Holes

“Join an unruly ensemble of archaeologists to excavate and celebrate the hole as a gathering point; that into which everything falls: black holes, boreholes, manholes, potholes, airholes, sinkholes, stink holes, wormholes, tone holes, keyholes, cunt holes, a-holes, mouth holes, hideyholes, holy holes, wholly holes, breath holes, holes in the head and in the body and in the earth, holes in humanity, holes as escape routes and connection points … a gap, a gape, a gasp, agape …” -Stacy Hardy, author, An Archaeology of Holes

A Festival of Holes 2026 brings together performance, film/video, comedy, installation, sound, publishing, poetry, and public conversation across two days at SITE/less. Throughout the weekend, several Holes Fest features will remain open:

Unpacked Mobile Gallery at SITE/less
Lauren Iacoponi — artist, Purple Gallery co-curator, and founder of Unpacked Mobile Gallery — will stage a special edition of Unpacked that docks with SITE/less during the festival.

Environmental Installations
The festival will feature installation work by architect and artist David Sundry, Iacoponi & Workman.

Performance
Active Investigation performances by Michael Workman, with Amanda Saucedo and ensemble will occur both days.

Bridge Books Releases
Bridge Books will release two new titles during the festival: Natasha Mijares’ Violent Wave, the first poetry title in Bridge Books’ new Allen imprint, and Ahmed Ozsever’s River, Red.

Membership Passes

Friday and Saturday evening admission is through Artists United Membership Passes. Artists United membership is open to everyone — artists, cultural workers, audiences, friends, supporters, and community members. You do not need to identify as an artist to attend.

Friday Evening Artists United Membership Pass: $25
Includes admission to the Friday, October 30, 6–9 PM program.

Saturday Afternoon Public Program Pass: $15
Includes admission to the Saturday, October 31, noon–4 PM public program. This pass does not include Artists United membership access.

Saturday Evening Artists United Membership Pass: $25
Includes admission to the Saturday, October 31, 6–9 PM program.

All-In Weekend Artists United Membership Pass: $50
Includes admission to both evening programs and the Saturday afternoon public program, along with Artists United membership access for the festival weekend.

Membership pass purchases support Artists United, Bridge’s artist-service initiative supporting Chicago’s freelance creative workforce through public programming, resource-sharing, advocacy, and artist support. You can choose to make your purchase a subscription, and become a long-term supporter. There are also discounted subscription options to Bridge magazine and the Bridge Journal available only to attendees of the festival. Click here to learn more.

7:30pmComedy Program organized with HACC
A comedy section organized in partnership with HACC — Health Alliance for Chicago Comedians.

Standup comics: Jacob Crow, Jarrell Scott Barnes, Elizabeth Grossman & Kristi Durkin

Improv: Stir Friday Night!