📍 What's Happening Chicago

Community in Chicago

Upcoming community events around Chicago.

Saturday, October 17

ClarkeToberfest: A Weekend of Fall Festivities at the Harley Clarke Mansion

Sat, Oct 17 · 3 PM–10 PM · The Harley Clarke Mansion, 2603 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL

Clarketoberfest at the Harley Clarke Mansion Oct. 16–18 brings three days of FREE fall fun, beer, food by Hatchet Burger, dancing, family festivities, and live music – including kid-favorite Jeanie B!

Free

Sunday, October 18

ClarkeToberfest: A Weekend of Fall Festivities at the Harley Clarke Mansion

Sun, Oct 18 · 12 PM–7 PM · The Harley Clarke Mansion, 2603 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL

Clarketoberfest at the Harley Clarke Mansion Oct. 16–18 brings three days of FREE fall fun, beer, food by Hatchet Burger, dancing, family festivities, and live music – including kid-favorite Jeanie B!

Free

Fashion Film Festival Chicago

Sun, Oct 18 · 3 PM–5 PM · Evanston Art Center, 1717 Central St, Evanston

STORIES WE WEAR: FASHION AS VISUAL NARRATIVE Join the Fashion Film Festival Chicago and the Evanston Art Center for an afternoon celebrating fashion as a powerful language of visual storytelling.

Free

Monday, October 19

Tuesday, October 20

Book Club Celebration

Tue, Oct 20 · 5 PM–7 PM · Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street, Chicago

Gather up your book club and come down to Harold Washington Library Center’s Winter Garden for a celebration of reading and the joy of discussing books with others!

Price: see link

Wednesday, October 21

Thursday, October 22

Natan Badalov presents: Community Service – A Comedy Show

Thu, Oct 22 · 7:30 PM–9 PM · Red Room Comedy Club, 7442 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL

In his new show, Natan Badalov (Netflix, New York Comedy Festival) explores growing up Bukharian in New York and American Jewish life.

$29.21

Friday, October 23

Saturday, October 24

Spooktacular: Lincoln Avenue

Sat, Oct 24 · 1 PM–4 PM · Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, between Wrightwood and Webster, Chicago

Get ready for two days of trick-or-treating fun in Lincoln Park!

Free

Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade

Sat, Oct 24 · 6 PM–8 PM · Columbus Dr./Balbo Dr., 700 S. Columbus Dr., Chicago

LUMA8 proudly announces the 12 th Annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade , a family-friendly event featuring unique floats, spectacle puppets, and all forms of creative performance on Saturday, October 24, from 6-8…

Free

Sunday, October 25

BOO-seum Bash

Sun, Oct 25 · 10 AM–1 PM · Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago, IL

Trick or Treat! It’s time to have some merry mischief at the museum!

Price: see link

Spooktacular: Clark Street

Sun, Oct 25 · 1 PM–4 PM · Clark Street, Clark Street, between Armitage and Diversey and Diversey from Orchard to Lakeview, Chicago

Get ready for two days of trick-or-treating fun in Lincoln Park!

Price: see link

Monday, October 26

Tuesday, October 27

Wednesday, October 28

Thursday, October 29

Friday, October 30

Sanctum Dark Music Festival 2026

Fri, Oct 30 · 7 PM–11:30 PM · Thalia Hall, main stage is located at 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, Chicago

The Sanctum Dark Music Festival returns to Chicago for Halloween weekend on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 2026.

Price: see link

Saturday, October 31

Sanctum Dark Music Festival 2026

Sat, Oct 31 · 7 PM–11:30 PM · Thalia Hall, main stage is located at 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, Chicago

The Sanctum Dark Music Festival returns to Chicago for Halloween weekend on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 2026.

Price: see link

Terror in the Tropics: Midnight in Mexico

Sat, Oct 31 – Sun, Nov 1 · Salon 61, 61 W Hubbard St, Chicago

This Halloween, Three Dots and a Dash is taking over Salon 61 for Terror in the Tropics: Midnight in Mexico, a one-night-only celebration of Mexico’s cocktail scene.

$99

Sunday, November 1

Fashion Film Festival Chicago

Sun, Nov 1 · 12 PM–4 PM · Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL

Stories We Wear: Fashion as Visual Narrative Join Fashion Film Festival Chicago and the Chicago History Museum for an afternoon exploring fashion as a powerful language of visual storytelling.

$15

Día de los Muertos at Navy Pier

Sun, Nov 1 · 1 PM–10 PM · Navy Pier, Chicago

Join us at Navy Pier on Saturday, November 1 for Día de los Muertos, featuring art, cultural experiences and activities celebrating this meaningful tradition.

Free

Monday, November 2

Tuesday, November 3

Wednesday, November 4

Thursday, November 5

Friday, November 6

Saturday, November 7

Sunday, November 8

Monday, November 9

Tuesday, November 10

Wednesday, November 11

Thursday, November 12

Friday, November 13

Saturday, November 14

Community Day: IAM a collector

Sat, Nov 14 · 11 AM–6 PM · Intuit Art Museum, 756 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago

Discover together through all-ages activities as you explore the Museum, learn about the art on view, and make your own unique artwork.

Free

City Civics Day 2026

Sat, Nov 14 · 11 AM–4 PM · Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St, Chicago

Chicagoans can learn how to become more involved in creating positive change in their communities by attending City Civics Day, a free, day-long educational event focused on public engagement with local government.

Free

Sunday, November 15

Monday, November 16

Tuesday, November 17

Wednesday, November 18

Mountainfilm on Tour Chicago at Thalia Hall

Wed, Nov 18 · 5:30 PM–10 PM · Thalia Hall, main stage is located at 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, Chicago

Mountainfilm on Tour comes to Thalia Hall on Wednesday, November 18.

$30 – $60

Thursday, November 19

Friday, November 20