It's the weekend before Halloween and there are so many fun fall events ready to make this final full October weekend a blast! From concerts to movies, Halloween parades to pumpkin patches, there is something fantastic for everyone to do!
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
ART GALLERIES & SPECIAL EVENTS
- All Star Press is constantly putting up new prints for you to decorate your space with! RIGHT NOW they are showing Dead Presidents! Plus you can check out some of their prints from their Vertical Gallery collab, which you can purchase here!! There is also a virtual gallery featuring all the works!
- Chicago Gamespace is the perfect spot to check out the hairy present and future of the gaming realm!
- Rotofugi is the perfect nexus of art and toys! Head over to see what new pieces of art they have in stock and on display in their gallery space! Right Now they're showing Mystic Creepers New Works by Cherry Moth Cake & Monster Bloodbath
- WNDR Museum is an ever-evolving immersive art and technology experience designed to ignite your curiosity! See exhibits like the Light Floor, Try to Get Higher, and the Digital Gallery.
- Garfield Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens! See what current exhibits are on display now.
- Lincoln Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens
- Wonderverse takes popular franchises like Ghostbusters, Bad Boys, and more and puts them together in this immersive venue! Enjoy tons of activities including escape rooms, virtual reality games, racing simulators, and more! Plus there are plenty of themed food and drinks for you to try.
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!
- NOW - Nov. 2 Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up @ West Town
- NOW - Oct. 26 Night of 1,000 Jack-o-‘Lanterns @ Chicago Botanic Garden
- Oct. 24: Alchemist Chicago Vinyl Pop Up @ Village Dispensary
- Oct. 24: Adults Night Out: Howl-o-ween @ Lincoln Park Zoo
- Oct. 25: Zoo After Dark: Boos & Brews @ Brookfield Zoo
- Oct. 25: Nightmare on Chicago Street @ Elgin
- Oct. 25: BatFest @ Batavia
- Oct. 25: Wheaton Illinois Haunted Flea Market
- Oct. 26: Lincoln Scared @ Lincoln Square
- Oct. 26: Boo Bash @ Tinley Park
- Oct. 26: Meet Me on Milwaukee @ Wicker Park
- Oct. 26 Reads & Records @ Half Acre
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24-26 (& BEYOND)
The Neo-Futurists’ The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Friday and Saturday 10:30pm, Sunday 7pm, 16+
WHAT: Quick plays live and online!
SO WHAT: The Neo-Futurists' Infinite Wrench is an ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience.
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $15-20! The Infinite Wrench and more is also available over at their Patreon!h
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
38th Annual Streeterville Doggy and Kitty Halloween Party @ Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E Chicago Ave, 9am-11am
WHAT: "Cats and dogs living together, MASS HYSTERIA!" or just a good ole time with your pets!
NOW WHAT: Join MCA for the 38th annual Streeterville Dog (and Cat) Halloween Costume Party and Parade! Get your pets dressed up in their spookiest, funniest, and cutest costumes and celebrate the season with your furry friends! The Doggy Parade kicks off at 9:45 am and will be judged by 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins and Streeterville resident Maureen Schulman, who will award prizes to every pawtcipant.
NOW WHAT: There is a suggested $10 donation which goes to PAWS! Lake Shore Park.
Pumpkinfest @ Unity Park Logan Square, 2636 N Kimball Ave., 10am - 2pm
WHAT: Halloween fun for the whole family!
SO WHAT: This fantastic family event will feature tons of activities to keep everyone entertained this Halloween weekend! You'll get to enjoy a pumpkin patch, face painting, Día de Los Muertos crafts, a spooky photobooth, free popcorn/cider/candy, and a DJ playing some great music. And don't miss the Costume Parade!
NOW WHAT: It's free! Have some family friendly fun in the park!
Día de los Muertos Xicágo @ National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W 19th St, 3pm – 8pm, all ages
WHAT: A Day of the Dead event for your weekend
SO WHAT: Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the National Museum of Mexican Art as they transform the museum and surrounding outdoor area into a beautiful space to remember departed loved ones. Guests will enjoy ofrenda (altar) demonstrations, live musical performances, art activities, and more! Check out the lineup of performance below:
- 3:15 pm: CASA Lincoln Folkloric
- 3:30 pm: CASA Drexel Folkloric
- 4:15 pm: A Flor de Piel
- 5:15 pm: Trio Los Primos de Mexico6:15 pm: Laura Itandehui
- 7:15 pm: Ballet Folklórico Back of Yards
NOW WHAT: This event is free and open to the public and will take place rain or shine
5th Annual Upside Down Halloween Parade @ Washington Park, 5531 S. King Dr., Noon – 3pm, All Ages
WHAT: A magical parade!
SO WHAT: Taking place on Russell Drive in Washington Park, the Upside Down Halloween Parade will feature dance performances, circus acrobats, musical groups, sports mascots and more. Come in your best Halloween costume and enjoy a complimentary goody bag courtesy of sponsor World’s Finest Chocolate.
NOW WHAT: It’s free !
THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND
The 61st Chicago International Film Festival @ Various Theaters & Streaming straight to your home, various times
WHAT: An annual film tradition expanding moviegoers' tastes
SO WHAT: The 61st Chicago International Film Festival is here and ready to deliver quality filmmaking to Chicago! You'll get the chance to enjoy a stunning collection of feature-length films, shorts, and in-person celebrations over 12 days right here in Chicago! Check out our preview of the festival here!
NOW WHAT: You can check out their website for more details on this fantastic festival! You can also see their full schedule in their festival guide!
BOO! at the Zoo @ Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W 31st St, 10:00am – 6:00pm, All ages
WHAT: Add a little Halloween fun to your Zoo Trip!
SO WHAT: Brookfield Zoo turns into a Halloween wonderland during the spooky season with tons of fantastic activations! Everyday will feature the Zoo festively decorated, chance to enjoy Halloween-themed food and drink, and trick or treating in select retail locations! Weekends will feature extra trick-or-treating locations, FREE inflatables, a magician, and tons of thrilling surprises! Sundays will give attendees a chance to check out the Zoo Art Fair! Head over to their event page for all the ghoulish details!
NOW WHAT: Entry to the Zoo is $29.95 for adults, $24.95 for seniors, $20.95 for children 3-11, and children 2 and under are free!
Movies on the Big Screen and Home @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, various times
WHAT: A great way to support a great local movie theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre recently underwent some great renovations, and it's ready for all your movie needs with some excellent films like One Battle After Another, Crispin Hellion Glover Live Performance & New Feature Film, Bugonia , Mr. K, multiple movies as part of Music Box of Horrors: Dead and Loving It!, Heightened Scrutiny (Director Sam Feder in attendance for a post-film Q&A moderated by Lilly Wachowski and Mickey Mahoney), Eternity (Programmed and Presented by Chicago International Film Festival), midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Halloween Edition!, and so much more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theaters in the city!
Weekend Shows @ Lincoln Hall & Schubas, 2424 N Lincoln Ave & 3159 N Southport Ave, various times, 18+
WHAT: A full weekend of amazing shows at Schubas and Lincoln Hall!
SO WHAT: Lincoln Hall and Schubas are some of our favorite venues in the city and they always have something great going on. Check out what's going this weekend at these great venues
- 10/23 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM and SAM SELBY @ Schubas
- 10/23 - Madison McFerrin + m.e.h. @ Lincoln Hall
- 10/23 - Marielle Kraft + LEW @ Schubas
- 10/24 - The Fundamental Kink + Don Bloom + NVRMORE + Atta Guns + Drawing Class @ Schubas
- 10/24 -Abdul Hannan + Natasha Noorani + Shayan @ Lincoln Hall
- 10/25 - Meltt + Jaguar Sun @ Schubas
- 10/25 - Cusp Album Release Show + Tenci + Pictoria Vark @ Lincoln Hall
- 10/18 - Vintage Karaoke Night with The Brothers Sinatra @ Schubas
- 10/19 - Mr. Dave Baby Rave Halloween Edition + DJ Matt Roan @ Lincoln Hall
- 10/19 - Laundry Day The Time of Your Life Tour + WHATMORE @ Lincoln Hall
- 10/19- Juan Wauters + NIIKA@ Schubas
NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!
ChiTown Movies @ Pilsen Neighborhood, 2343 S. Throop St, Various Times, All Ages
WHAT: An old school experience for the modern age
SO WHAT: Take a trip back in time and head out to a drive-in movie with ChiTown Movies. Ever since the pandemic started and shut down traditional movie screening, a few pop-up drive-ins have arrived and ChiTown Movies has persevered, offering up modern movies in this retro setting. Check out their lineup at their website for showings this weekend and in the future!
- 10/23 Sinners 7pm
- 10/23 Nightmare on Elm Street 9:30pm
- 10/24 Hocus Pocus 7pm
- 10/24 Halloween (the 1978 Original!) 9pm
- 10/25 Superman (2025) 6:30pm
- 10/25 Halloween (the 1978 Original!) 9pm
- 10/25 The Exorcist 10:45pm
- 10/26 Hocus Pocus 6:30pm
- 10/26 Scream (The Original!) 9pm
Chicago Humanities: New Talks and Video Archives @ Various Locations & Chicago Humanities Festival YouTube channel, your favorite browser or YouTube app, any time you want some inspiration, All Ages
WHAT: Interesting conversations with interesting people!
SO WHAT: Chicago Humanities Festival always brings some of the best ideas to the surface with entertaining programming that captures your imagination. There's tons of talks going on this season, so head over to their website which is constantly updated with new talks. And be sure to check out their podcast Chicago Humanities Tapes, which features conversations with some of their best presenters and other great humanities-minded minds! Take a look at some of their upcoming events below:
- 11/5 Jill Lepore with Jenn White: We The People @ Francis W. Parker School
- 11/6 Kurt Vile and Terry Allen in Concert 06-Nov @ Old Town School of Folk Music - Maurer Concert Hall SOLD OUT
- 11/7 Kurt Vile and Terry Allen in Concert 07-Nov @ Old Town School of Folk Music - Maurer Concert Hall SOLD OUT
- 11/8 Margaret Atwood: Book of Lives @ Francis W. Parker School SOLD OUT
- 11/8 Kurt Vile and Terry Allen in Concert 08-Nov @ Old Town School of Folk Music - Maurer Concert Hall
- 11/11 Padma Lakshmi’s All American @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 11/12 GOOD THINGS: An Evening with Samin Nosrat @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture SOLD OUT
- 11/13 Salman Rushdie: The Eleventh Hour @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
Check out their talk "Edward Burns Shares a Pint with Chicago" below!
NOW WHAT: Head over to take a look at their past events here! You should also sign up for their email list to get updates on upcoming talks in 2025
University of Chicago Folk Festival @ Your favorite spot in your home, All Ages
WHAT: A fantastic folk festival
SO WHAT: University of Chicago Folk Festival might have come and gone but their digital presence is still around, making sure the wonderful music reaches as many people as possible! You can check out the past few years of performances on their Facebook page and their YouTube channel any time you want! This past year's performers included bohola – Jimmy Keane and Pat Broaders; Rhys Jones, Joseph Decosimo & Nokosee Fields; The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee; Nathan Gourley, Laura Feddersen, and Brian Miller; T'Monde; Izaki Metropoulos, Sophia Metropoulos Laouto & Geroge Lawler; Gabe Carter, and many more!
NOW WHAT: Head over to their Facebook page and their YouTube channel and enjoy the show! We highly encourage you to donate to help support this fantastic folk festival!
