Find your night on the south side.
Festivals, food, music, and markets across Pilsen, Little Village, Chinatown, Bronzeville and beyond — then plan the whole day around it.
What's happening
Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm Fall Fest
Bengtson's runs its fall season daily from early September into November on its Homer Glen farm. General admission covers the farm's rides and attractions, including a petting zoo, hayrides, playgrounds and a haunted barn. Parking is free.
13th Floor Haunted House Chicago
A large haunted house near O'Hare with two 2026 attractions: Black Hollow Institute, a medical facility overrun by escaped test subjects, and Woman in White, a manor tied to dark family rituals. Pricing changes by night.
Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos
The museum's 40th annual Día de Muertos exhibition looks back through its Permanent Collection to trace how the tradition, and the museum itself, have evolved. It explores the holiday's Mesoamerican and Catholic roots and honors Chicano Studies pioneer Dr. Gilberto Cárdenas. A courtyard installation features youth-created art and a community ofrenda where visitors can add tributes to loved ones.
Block Play
Morning block-building playtime for little ones and their grown-ups at the Daley branch in Bridgeport.
Chinatown Tween Takeover
After-school hangout time for tweens at the Chinatown branch. Free, drop in.
LEGO at the Library
Free LEGO building time for kids at the Chinatown branch. No registration needed.
OBOC Young Readers Club: The Lion of Mars
The kids' side of One Book, One Chicago: a book club on Jennifer L. Holm's The Lion of Mars at the Beverly branch.
The Artist’s Studio at the Library (Obama Presidential Center)
Open art-making time for all ages at the library branch inside the Obama Presidential Center.
Sculpt Like Hunt and Perkins
A hands-on sculpture workshop for grown-ups and kids at the Beverly branch. Free; very few spots were left as of early October.
Korean Book Discussion: 궤도
A Korean-language book discussion of 궤도 at the Little Village branch. Free; register ahead.
OBOC Young Readers Club: The Lion of Mars
The kids' One Book, One Chicago club at the West Lawn branch, reading The Lion of Mars.
Sensory STEAM with the Forest Preserves
Hands-on, nature-themed science play for young kids, led with the Forest Preserves at the Beverly branch.
The Physics of Project Hail Mary
How much of Project Hail Mary's science holds up? A One Book, One Chicago talk on the physics behind Andy Weir's novel at the Garfield Ridge branch. Free; register ahead.
312 Comedy Festival
Eleven days of big-name stand-up across Chicago, including Joey Diaz, Bert Kreischer, Nikki Glaser, Michelle Wolf and a phone-free Ali Siddiq show at Wintrust Arena in the South Loop.
KATSEYE: The Wildworld Tour
Global girl group KATSEYE brings The Wildworld Tour to the United Center.
Día de los Muertos at Marquette Park
A free Friday-evening Día de los Muertos celebration at Marquette Park with live music, Aztec dance, creative workshops, vendors and community resource booths.
Hoop Dancing with Starr Chief Eagle
Lakota artist Starr Chief Eagle shares Lakota language, art and culture through a hoop dance performance, with audience volunteers invited to join in. Free, all ages.
Dozin’ with the Dinos
An overnight at the Field Museum for kids 6–12 and their adults: sleep in the galleries, explore after hours, then breakfast and museum admission the next day. Premium packages are sold out.
Camylio at Ramova Loft
Camylio plays the intimate Loft room upstairs at Ramova.
Craig Taborn Trio
Pianist Craig Taborn, UChicago Presents' ensemble-in-residence this season, leads his trio in immersive, jazz-rooted music at the Logan Center. Tickets from $14, free for youth.
Kaskade: ORIGIN Tour
Dance-music headliner Kaskade brings his ORIGIN tour to Radius, the multi-room club on Cermak Road.
Tree Lighting & Cultural Festival at Griffin MSI
Griffin MSI opens its holiday season in Hyde Park: the four-story Grand Tree is lit, more than 50 trees honor countries and cultures from around the world, and local cultural groups perform all day. Included with general admission.
Holiday Hot Chocolate 1-Mile Run at West Lawn Park
A free, holiday-themed one-mile fun run at West Lawn Park for runners 6 and up, any skill level. Register in advance through the Park District.
Game On: Board Game Play
Saturday-morning open board-game play for teens and adults at the Chinatown branch. Free, drop in.
Field Adventures
A family morning program at the West Lawn branch for kids ages 3–13 and their grown-ups. Free; register ahead.
Chicago Poet Laureate Mayda del Valle: eL Cien Poetry Workshop
Chicago's Poet Laureate Mayda del Valle leads a free poetry-writing workshop at the Little Village branch. Spots are limited; register ahead.
Día de Muertos: Love Never Dies Ball
The National Museum of Mexican Art's Día de Muertos fundraiser in Pilsen: food from Chicago restaurants, cocktails, a silent auction, open galleries, and live music and a DJ until 10. 21+.
Chicago Jazz Philharmonic & Orbert Davis: Sketches of Spain Revisited
Orbert Davis and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic reimagine Miles Davis and Gil Evans' 1960 classic Sketches of Spain, with two new pieces that bring in African and Middle Eastern instruments.
Dave Matthews Band: Fall Tour 2026
Dave Matthews Band plays the United Center on a short six-city fall tour.
Jodeci: Forever My Lady 35th Anniversary Tour
R&B legends Jodeci celebrate 35 years of Forever My Lady at the Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place.
Caspa & Distinct Motive at Ramova
Dubstep pioneer Caspa and Distinct Motive bring a night of bass music to Ramova’s main theatre.
Carl Cox at Radius
Techno and house legend Carl Cox plays Radius, with Toman and Kidoo in support.
CHAnon Presents: Hidden Gems of Little Village
A weekly creative support circle for artists, writers, storytellers and makers at the Little Village branch, meeting Sunday afternoons through November. Free, drop in.
CelloGayageum
Cellist Sol Daniel Kim and gayageum player Dayoung Yoon blend Western classical music with Korean traditional music, playing original pieces built on Korean folk melodies. A Sunday matinee at the Logan Center.
Chicago’s First Responder Yoga at Ridge Park
A free vinyasa-style yoga class at Ridge Park for first responders and their adult family members. Bring a mat; register through the Park District.
Family Fall Fest
A carnival-style family evening at the Kelly branch: ring toss, beanbag toss and other games, plus hot dogs, popcorn, hot chocolate and fall treats. Free.
Star Trek: Deviations: Threads of Destiny Comic Book Event
A comic book event for the Star Trek: Deviations series at the library branch inside the Obama Presidential Center. Registration is already full.
Bridgeport Knitting Circle
An open knitting circle at the Daley branch in Bridgeport. Everyone is welcome; bring a project.
Daley Bridgeport Library Writing Club
A writing club for adults at the Daley branch in Bridgeport. Free, no registration.
Bilingual Story Time
English-and-Spanish stories, songs and rhymes for little ones at the Little Village branch. Drop in.
The Artist’s Studio at the Library (Obama Presidential Center)
Open art-making time for all ages at the library branch inside the Obama Presidential Center.
Homeschool Family Meet Up
Homeschool families meet at the Garfield Ridge branch: games and activities for kids while caregivers swap resources.
Future Folk Festival at Douglass Park
A free family evening of folk-rooted music from the Old Town School of Folk Music at Douglass Park, with Eva Supreme's Hymns Reimagined, PRAISE MOTHER SQUAD and Duane Powell.
Yoga for Adults / Yoga para Adultos
A bilingual morning yoga class for adults at the West Lawn branch. Free; register ahead.
Saturday Story Time
Stories, songs and rhymes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at the Daley branch in Bridgeport.
International Games Day Mini Gaming Convention
A day-long mini gaming convention at the Clearing branch for International Games Day, open to every age from preschool up. Free.
Kelly Kouture Community Closet
Free, gently used clothing for anyone who needs it at the Kelly branch, first come, first served, from a regularly restocked selection.
Kids Assemble
A Saturday-morning kids' program at the Beverly branch. Free; register ahead.
Self-Care Saturday: Wellness and Yoga with Melody Farmer
A gentle yoga and wellness hour at the South Chicago branch: stretches, poses and breathing for any age or fitness level.
Skilled Trades Exploration Fair
A skilled trades exploration fair for teens and adults at the Chinatown branch. Free, drop in.
Crocheting Circle
A crochet circle for adults at the Beverly branch. Only a few spots were left in early October; register by Nov 12.
Pedro Sampaio at Ramova
Brazilian DJ and producer Pedro Sampaio brings his funk carioca dance party to Ramova.
CHAnon Presents: Hidden Gems of Little Village
A weekly creative support circle for artists, writers, storytellers and makers at the Little Village branch, meeting Sunday afternoons through November. Free, drop in.
Family Fun
Drop-in family time at the McKinley Park branch: simple STEM or craft projects, building sets, puzzles and coloring for kids 3–13.
The Artist’s Studio at the Library
An after-school art session for kids and tweens at the Greater Grand Crossing branch. Free; registration is open.
Pajama Story Time
An evening story time at the Daley branch in Bridgeport. Come in pajamas.
Reel Queer Film Screening: Neptune Frost (2021)
An Intersex Day of Solidarity screening of the 2021 film Neptune Frost at the Little Village branch. Free; register ahead.
Light of Christmas Drive-Thru at Rate Field
A drive-through Christmas light show in the White Sox parking lot, with displays synced to holiday music. Nightly 5–9 PM through Jan 3.
Christkindlmarket Chicago at Daley Plaza
Chicago's German-style Christmas market returns to Daley Plaza for its 30th season, Nov 20 through Christmas Eve, with German food and drink, handmade gifts and holiday vendors. Free to walk in.
Millennium Park Holiday Market
More than 40 local vendors set up along Millennium Park's North Promenade for tree-lighting weekend, Nov 20–22.
Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The city lights its official Christmas tree in Millennium Park on Friday, Nov 20. The celebration starts at 4 PM, the ceremony at 6, and the tree goes on around 6:30. Christkindlmarket and the Millennium Park Holiday Market open the same weekend.
PROSPA presents Prophecy at Radius
UK duo PROSPA bring their Prophecy rave to Radius, 10 PM to 3 AM.
Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
The 35th Magnificent Mile Lights Festival: a daytime festival lane, then a 5:30 PM parade with Mickey and Minnie, floats, marching bands and giant balloons down Michigan Avenue, and fireworks over the river at 7:30.
Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker Suite
Chicago's longest-running Nutcracker tradition, in a family-friendly version that runs under an hour. Two shows at the Beverly Arts Center.
CHAnon Presents: Hidden Gems of Little Village
A weekly creative support circle for artists, writers, storytellers and makers at the Little Village branch, meeting Sunday afternoons through November. Free, drop in.
Film Screening: Sugarcane (2024)
A free screening of the 2024 documentary Sugarcane at the Chinatown branch.
92nd Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
Giant balloons, marching bands, floats and performers fill State Street on Thanksgiving morning for the 92nd Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. Free to watch from the curb, or catch it on CBS Chicago.
Life Time Turkey Trot Chicago 5K, 8K & Kids Race
The 48th Chicago Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning in Lincoln Park: a 5K, an 8K and a kids' race, all starting at 9 AM. Proceeds benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Tchami at Ramova (Black Friday)
French house producer Tchami plays Ramova the night after Thanksgiving.
Chinatown Cultural Reads: My Dear You by Rachel Khong
The Chinatown branch's book club discusses Rachel Khong's My Dear You. Free; register ahead.
CHAnon Presents: Hidden Gems of Little Village
A weekly creative support circle for artists, writers, storytellers and makers at the Little Village branch, meeting Sunday afternoons through November. Free, drop in.
Family Fun: Shrinky Dink Keychain
Drop-in family time at the McKinley Park branch: simple STEM or craft projects, building sets, puzzles and coloring for kids 3–13.
Christmas Cards for Hospitalized Kids
Kids make holiday cards to send to children spending the season in the hospital. Free; register ahead.
3D Paper Wreath
A holiday paper-craft session where kids build a 3D wreath to take home. Free; register ahead.
Red & Green Magic Show with Pocket Circus
A holiday magic show from Pocket Circus at the Scottsdale branch. Free.
UV Resin Christmas Ornaments
Tweens and teens make their own resin Christmas ornaments. Free; register ahead.
Tween & Teen Christmas Ornament Decorating
Drop in and decorate Christmas ornaments at the Chicago Lawn branch. Free.
La Villita Navideña
The Little Village Chamber's holiday party on 26th Street, with Santa, music, piñatas, food, gifts and sports mascots. Sponsors send families home with new toys, food baskets and coats.
Cookie Decorating Contest
A holiday cookie decorating contest for kids at the Scottsdale branch. Free.
Bears vs. Jaguars at Soldier Field
The Bears host the Jacksonville Jaguars at Soldier Field in Week 13, with a noon kickoff.
Winter Story Time
Winter stories, songs and play for babies and toddlers with their caregivers. Free.
Trivia Night at Canaryville: Happy Holidays
Holiday-themed trivia night for adults at the Canaryville branch. Free.
3D Paper Snowflake
Kids fold and build a 3D paper snowflake to take home. Free; register ahead.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
The Grinch musical's Chicago holiday run at the Nederlander Theatre, Dec 9–27. An 85-minute family show with no intermission.
Naughty or Nice (21+) at Griffin MSI
An adults-only, after-hours night in Christmas Around the World, with festive drinks, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch, trivia and free garage parking.
BOLO THE DJ at Ramova
BOLO THE DJ headlines a Friday late show at Ramova.
Santa & S’mores at Commercial Club
A free winter gathering at Commercial Park with music, holiday crafts, hot cocoa and s’mores, ending with photos with Santa. No pets.
Holiday Concert featuring Francisco Romero
A free holiday concert with Francisco Romero at the Archer Heights branch.
Jkyl & Hyde at Ramova
Bass duo Jkyl & Hyde bring a Saturday night show to Ramova.
Winter Story Time
Winter stories, songs and play for babies and toddlers with their caregivers. Free.
Crafting the Archives: Talavera Holiday Ornaments
Paint holiday ornaments inspired by Mexican Talavera pottery at the Gage Park branch. Free; register ahead.
Renegade Craft Fair: Chicago Winter Market
Three days of holiday shopping from 200+ independent makers at the Bridgeport Art Center, starting with a Friday night market.
Naughty or Nice: All Ages Edition at Griffin MSI
An all-ages evening at the museum’s holiday exhibit, with face painting, a Santa meet-and-greet and holiday activities.
Winter Break Kids Club
Winter-break games, crafts and activities for kids at the Vodak-East Side branch. Free, drop in.
Slime for the Holidays
Kids make holiday slime at the Chicago Bee branch during winter break. Free.
Bears vs. Packers on Christmas Day
The Bears host Green Bay at Soldier Field on Christmas Day, their first Christmas game since 2011. Noon kickoff on Netflix.
Winter Break Kids Club
Winter-break games, crafts and activities for kids at the Vodak-East Side branch. Free, drop in.
Winter Break Kids Club
Winter-break games, crafts and activities for kids at the Vodak-East Side branch. Free, drop in.
New Year’s Eve at Toro Chicago
A 21+ New Year’s Eve at Toro inside the Fairmont: dinner with a glass of bubbles, then a DJ, light bites and a champagne toast at midnight.
Wendella New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise
Ring in 2027 on the Chicago River. A 90-minute Wendella cruise heads to a viewing spot before the midnight fireworks. $50 for adults and kids.