Осінь, то єдина пора року, яка завжди настає вчасно. Частенько навіть трохи швидше, ніж потрібно. У повітрі літають павутинки “бабиного літа”, ранки пахнуть осінніми приморозками, хризантемами і прілим листям.

Проте, в Чикаго все ще сонячна і тепла погода. Саме така, яка потрібна для фестивалів, виставок, концертів під відкритим небом та подорожей.

Саме для вас, дорогі друзі, ми вибрали найцікавіші “осінні” події Чикаго. Виходимо з дому,спілкуємося з незнайомими людьми, відкриваємо для себе невідомий Чикаго.

SEPTEMBER 2016

Enjoy the best Chicago events, festivals, and things to do with this calendar of events.

Opera in the park

September 9, 2016

Spectacular singing and orchestral music await at Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium Park, which is preceded by an Air Force Band concert. Free.

Wine festival

September 9 – 10, 2016

Sample from more than 300 wines at the outdoor Windy City Wine Festival near Buckingham Fountain. 

German festival & parade

September 9 – 11, 2016

Chicago German-American Fest has German music, culture, beer, and food at Lincoln Square. The Von Steuben Parade starts 2 p.m. Sat. at 4000 N Lincoln Ave. Free.

Mexican independence festival

September 9 – 11, 2016

Thousands attend Festival de La Villita for authentic Mexican cuisine, music, artisans, carnival rides, and family entertainment on W 26th St. at Kostner. Free.

 Boat parade

September 10, 2016

Venetian Night is a parade of illuminated boats with Broadway musical themes set to music and followed by fireworks at Navy Pier’s south dock. Free.

Hungarian festival

September 10, 2016

Eat traditional dishes like goulash, hear folk music, watch dancers, play games, and see films about Hungary at Taste of Hungary in Norridge.

Ukrainian festival

September 10 – 11, 2016

Ukrainian Village Fest offers folk dance, music, food (potato pancakes, borsch, pierogies, kabobs, blintzes), beer, wine, and a kids’ area at Superior St. & Oakley. 

Rock out with Bryan Adams

September 15, 2016 (8 p.m.)

Bryan Adams plays classics like “Summer of ‘69” and “Heaven” plus new songs at FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island. Discount tickets $25 to $45. 

Oak Park “Oaktoberfest”

September 16 – 17, 2016

Enjoy music, craft beer, wine, pulled pork sandwiches, corn on the cob, bratwurst, and a kids’ root beer garden at Oaktoberfest in Oak Park. Free entry. 

Rock festival

September 16 – 18, 2016

Riot Fest is a huge outdoor punk, rock and alternative music festival plus carnival at Douglas Park.

Englewood Jazz Festival

September 17, 2016

Englewood Jazz Festival features six performances plus awards at Hamilton Park Cultural Center. Free.

 Hamburger party

September 23, 2016 (6 to 9 p.m.)

Eat gourmet hamburgers with beer, wine, and spirits when top chefs compete at Hamburger Hop on the rooftop of Harris Theater. Also see 9 p.m. after party. 

Museum party

September 23, 2016

Mix and mingle, visit the bar, eat appetizers, hear DJ music, and see a show at After Dark in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago for age 21+. 

Dutch festival

September 24, 2016

The Elim Dutch Festival features Dutch food, dance, music, and vendors, plus a kids’ carnival, petting zoo, magic show, and face painting at Elim Christian Services in Palos Heights. Free entry.

Half marathon & 5K

September 25, 2016

The Chicago Half Marathon begins at Jackson Park and goes along the scenic lakeshore. Free to watch.

Oktoberfest in Naperville

September 30 – Oct. 1, 2016

Enjoy live music from classic German to classic rock, German beer and food, and family-friendly activities on Saturday at Oktoberfest. 

Odd bike show

September 30 – Oct. 2, 2016

See recumbent, folding, tandem, and even electric bicycles and test ride them (age 16+ with a helmet) at Chicago Unconventional Bicycle Expo, which also includes seminars at Tinley Park Convention Center.

Haunted house at Rosemont

September 30 – Nov. 5, 2016

Disturbia: Screams in the Park is a 35-room nightmare at MB Financial Park at Rosemont. See sched

OCTOBER 2016

 Circus in the park

October 1 – 16, 2016

Midnight Circus in the Parks is a series of daytime shows on weekends at eight parks, which is perfect for families. 

Aurora haunted house

October 1 – 31, 2016 (starts Sept. 23)

A ticket to Basement of the Dead [website has sound] also includes the 3D flashlight haunt. See schedule.

Haunted house at Rosemont

Oct. 1 – Nov. 5, 2016 (begins Sept. 30)

Disturbia: Screams in the Park is a 35-room nightmare at MB Financial Park at Rosemont. See hours. 

Young Frankenstein the musical

October 1 – Nov. 6, 2016 (begins Sept. 28)

Young Frankenstein is a live musical by Mel Brooks that spoofs the horror-film genre at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights. Discount tickets $19. 

Contemporary ballet

October 7 – 8, 2016

Ballet 5:8 performs five works by two choreographers at Ruth Page Center for the Arts. Discount tickets $13.

Marathon & fitness expo

October 7 – 9, 2016

The free Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo is Friday and Saturday at McCormick Place. The Chicago Marathon begins and ends Sunday in Grant Park, with a post-race party in Butler Field. 

Adventure day at Northerly Island

October 8, 2016 (12 to 4 p.m.)

Enjoy arts and crafts, storytelling, a nature hike, and kayaking at Fall Adventure Day, which has outdoor education on the lakefront at Northerly Island. Free. 

Columbus Day Parade

October 10, 2016 (12:30 p.m.)

The Columbus Day Parade celebrates the historic voyage of Christopher Columbus to America and Italian-American culture on State Street from Wacker to Van Buren. Free. 

Cinderella ballet

October 13 – 23, 2016

Joffrey Ballet presents a bold contemporary version of Romeo & Juliet, the timeless story of star-crossed lovers at Auditorium Theatre. Discount tickets $60. 

Film festival

October 13 – 27, 2016

The Chicago International Film Festival features more than 100 short and full-length films from 50 countries, free panel discussions, and an opening night gala. Films show at the AMC River East 21. 

Beer festival

October 14, 2016 (7 p.m.)

Festiv-Ale offers fine Midwest beers, excellent food, music, and a silent auction for charity at Revel Fulton Market..

Wine tasting

October 14 – 15, 2016

Choose from 250 wines to taste at Wine Riot at Venue One, and track your favorites on the free mobile app. Repeats March. 

Architectural open house

October 15 – 16, 2016

Get a rare behind-the-scenes look at 200 of the city’s finest buildings during Open House Chicago. Free. 

Halloween festival

October 20 – 23, 2016 (6 to 10 p.m.)

Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe is full of spooky sights and fun activities for children and adults during Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns (formerly HallowFest). Buy tickets early. 

Halloween festival & parade

October 22, 2016 (2 to 8 p.m.)

Halloween Gathering includes a daytime festival at Millennium Park and Sir George Solti Garden 2 to 5 p.m., and a parade on Columbus Drive from Balbo to Monroe 6 to 8 p.m. Free. 

Boo at the Zoo

October 22-23 and 29-30, 2016

Boo at the Zoo has games and activities for kids, a hayride, and a costume parade at 1 p.m. at the Brookfield Zoo. 

Halloween party – opera house

October 28, 2016 (8 p.m.)

A Night at the Opera House includes DJ music, an open bar, and appetizers at the Civic Opera House. Costumes welcome. 

Ghost stories

October 28, 2016

The award-winning Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival features ghost stories, macabre fables, and creepy tales at Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. 

Halloween party – Congress Plaza

October 29, 2016 (9 p.m.)

Haunted Halloween Ball is a giant costume party with “celebrity DJs playing house & top 40 hits” at the Congress Plaza Hotel for age 21+. 

Halloween party – Navy Pier

October 29, 2016

Join 3,000 revelers age 21+ at The Haunted Halloween Ball in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier, which also includes access to the Saints & Sinners Halloween at Lakeview Terrace.

Halloween at the zoo

October 29, 2016

Kids can wear costumes, trick-or-treat, hear music, make crafts, and see a haunted house at Spooky Zoo Spectacular at Lincoln Park Zoo. Free.

Halloween parade

October 31, 2016 (4 p.m.)

Register and wear a Halloween costume to join the Northalsted Halloween Parade, or watch from the sidewalk on Halsted Street from Belmont to Addison. Free. Schedule.

Halloween carnival

October 31, 2016 (6 to 9 p.m.)

Kids will enjoy hayrides, crafts, carnival games, entertainment, and trick-or-treating at Halloween Boonanza in Schaumburg. 

Halloween dance party

October 2016 (undated)

Nocturna All Hallow’s Eve Ball by American Gothic Productions has DJ dance music (goth, industrial, post-punk, deathrock, ethereal, ebm, new wave, darkwave, dark indie), performances, and a costume contest for age 18+ at Metro Chicago on N. Clark.

Free Halloween movies

October 2016 (undated)

Scare Fest shows scary movies at 9:30 p.m. (with cocktails for sale) plus family-friendly movies Halloween Day at The New 400 Theaters. Free.

NOVEMBER 2016 

Aquarium show

November 4 – 6, 2016

Visit the shark encounter, take a fish seminar, shop the vendors, and get tickets for a Saturday dinner at Aquatic Experience at Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg. 

Comedy film festival

November 11 – 12, 2016 (reception Nov. 10)

See funny feature films, short films, and student films at Chicago Comedy Film Festival at The New 400 Theaters. Opening reception Friday, after-party Saturday. 

Magic show

November 11 – 16, 2016 (from Sept.)

The Magic Parlour is an evening of close-up magic by an award-winning magician in the beautiful Palmer House Hilton Hotel. Discount tickets $49. 

A Charlie Brown Christmas

November 11, 2016 – Jan. 8, 2017

Kids ages 3 to 13 will enjoy watching Peanuts cartoon characters on stage during A Charlie Brown Christmas at Broadway Playhouse.

Discount tickets $17 to $37.

Japanese festival

November 12, 2016 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

JASC Holiday Delight celebrates Kodomo Matsuri with Japanese food, classical dance, Taiko drumming, Ikebana flower arranging, Santa, and a craft sale at Japanese American Service Committee. Free. 

Holidays around the world

November 17, 2016 – Jan. 8, 2017

See trees decorated to represent many cultures plus weekend ethnic song-and-dance performances during Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at the Museum of Science & Industry. Closed Nov. 24 & Dec. 25.

Horror convention

November 18 – 20, 2016

Days of the Dead includes live music, a monster ball, panels, celebrity signings, contests, and after parties, at Chicago Marriott Schaumburg.

 Christmas market

November 18 – Dec. 24, 2016

Christkindlmarket is an open-air European holiday market on Daley Plaza featuring traditional art, handmade gifts, German foods, choirs, and carolers. Free. 

Christmas lights – arboretum

November 18, 2016 – Jan. 2, 2017

See colorful tree lights and interactive laser lights on a one-mile walk at Illumination, and then warm up at the fire pit at the Morton Arboretum. Closed dates for 2016: Nov. 21, 24, 28 and Dec. 5, 12, 24, 25.

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

November 19, 2016

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival begins midday with family events at Lights Festival Lane in Pioneer Court. The Tree-Lighting Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. and runs down Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker Drive, ending with fireworks. All free.

Muscle car show

November 19 – 20, 2016

Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals is an indoor showcase of 500 high-horsepower cars that includes “unveilings” and events for kids at the Rosemont convention center. 

Christmas tree lighting

November 22, 2016

The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony begins with a music program at 5:30 p.m. in Millennium Park. 

Thanksgiving Parade

November 24, 2016

The Thanksgiving Parade features giant balloons, floats, and marching bands that go north on State Street from Congress to Randolph. Free. 

Free day at the arboretum

November 24, 2016

Enjoy Free Admission on Thanksgiving Day at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. (Buildings are closed.) 

Magic show

November 25 – 26, 2016

Ivan Amodei involves the audience in his entertaining 90-minute magic show Intimate Illusions, with live cello accompaniment at the Ritz-Carlton. Discount tickets $36 at Goldstar and LivingSocial. 

Christmas lights – Lincoln Park Zoo

November 25, 2016 – Jan. 1, 2017

ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo features millions of holiday lights, ice carvings, music, carousel and train rides, food, and gift shopping (plus photos with Santa some days). Free entry. Open Nov. 25-27; Dec. 2-4, 9-23, 26-31; Jan. 1.

Holiday trains – Botanic garden

November 25, 2016 – Jan. 2, 2017

Wonderland Express features trains running through an indoor garden past miniature buildings at Chicago Botanic Garden. See events schedule. Closed Dec. 25. 

Holiday trains – Lincoln Park

November 2016 (undated)

Model trains wind their way through a miniature village among poinsettias during the Winter Flower & Train Show at Lincoln Park Conservatory. Free.

 Women in jazz

November 2016 (undated)

Hear rising stars perform at the Women in Jazz Festival at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston.

 Ballet-free Nutcracker

November 2016 (undated)

Clara struggles to save Christmas in the imaginative, family-friendly version of The Nutcracker onstage at the Chopin Theatre.