Celebrate the scary season with a visit to Lincoln Park Zoo for trick or treating among the animals at the annual Spooky Zoo event on October 18, 2025. Stroll around the zoo and collect treats while supplies last. Kids can also enjoy interactive storytelling and live music on the Main Mall … [Read more...] about Free Lincoln Park Spooky Zoo
family friendly
Free Festival del Arte Popular at National Museum of Mexican Art
Start your holiday shopping early by checking out the masterful work of Mexican artisans at the annual Festival del Arte Popular at the National Museum of Mexican Art on October 10-19, 2025. Witness live demonstrations of intricate Mexican folk art and meet artists from all over Mexico at … [Read more...] about Free Festival del Arte Popular at National Museum of Mexican Art
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade
Head to State Street to celebrate Halloween as the "artist's holiday" with an evening of wonder and creativity at the Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade on October 18, 2025, in the Loop. Recognized as one of the top six Halloween events in the world, the tenth annual Arts in the Dark parade … [Read more...] about Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade
Oktoberfestiversary
Dovetail Brewery and Begyle Brewing serve up their annual fall street festival with Oktoberfestiversary on October 11-12, 2025. Enjoy brews, live music and food in the Ravenswood neighborhood. Sip on special tappings from Beglye and Dovetail while munching on sausages, lobster rolls and … [Read more...] about Oktoberfestiversary
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest
Enjoy Fall fun with apple-inspired food, drinks and artisan goods at the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest, October 3-5, 2025. Celebrate the new season with a bounty of edible goodness. Midwest farms will be serving up fresh apples and related dishes and local restaurants and food … [Read more...] about Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest
St. Benedict’s Oktoberfest
Get ready for the welcoming traditional German toasts of "Prost!" to echo throughout the courtyard during the 59th annual St. Benedict Oktoberfest on October 3-5, 2025. St. Benedict parish celebrates its German roots with a family-friendly fest that includes German food and … [Read more...] about St. Benedict’s Oktoberfest
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop Up
Wander through pumpkin patches and corn mazes while you enjoy the season at Chicago's largest fall festival, Jack's Pumpkin Pop Up, located near Goose Island, from September 18 to November 2, 2025. The large number of all-ages festivities make Jack's one of the most popular fall excursions. … [Read more...] about Jack’s Pumpkin Pop Up
Free Sundays on State
State Street, that great street, will be closed to traffic and open for an interactive, fun-filled block party in the heart of the Loop. Sundays on State is scheduled this summer for September 7 and October 5, 2025. From 11 to 6 pm on the designated Sundays, State Street between Lake and … [Read more...] about Free Sundays on State
Free Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest
Celebrate the joys of autumn in the fun-filled setting of Lincoln Park Zoo during the ninth annual Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest, September 26-October 26, 2025. Step into the vibrant world of pumpkins, harvest mazes and fall photo ops during this family-friendly event. Admission to the zoo is … [Read more...] about Free Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest
German-American Oktoberfest
Celebrate German heritage in all its forms, including dance, music, and food at the annual German-American Oktoberfest on September 5--7,2025, in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. The opening ceremony kicks off at 8 pm on September 5. Commemorating 100 years of German traditions, the German … [Read more...] about German-American Oktoberfest
Art on the Mart
Stroll through the Riverwalk for views of one of the world's largest digital art platforms. ART on THE MART displays contemporary art projections across the 2.5-acre facade of THE MART. The fall show features artists from Arts of Life on Thursdays and Fridays from September 11- October 5, 2025 … [Read more...] about Art on the Mart
Free Thirsty Ears Classical Music Fest
Enjoy the beautiful melodies, cultural traditions and welcoming community of Chicago's only classical music festival, the Thirsty Ears Festival on August 23-24, 2025. The 10th annual event supplies two days of classical music, food vendors, craft beer and kids' activities in the … [Read more...] about Free Thirsty Ears Classical Music Fest
