What to do in Chicago this weekend. September 14 – 16
Turkish fest
September 14 – 15, 2018
Experience the art, music, dance, and cuisine of Turkey at the free Chicago Turkish Festival at Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington Street. Free entry.
Oak Park “Oaktoberfest”
September 14 – 15, 2018
Enjoy live music, craft beer, wine, local restaurant food, and a kids’ root beer garden (Sat. noon to 5 p.m.) at Oaktoberfest in Oak Park. Bring cash. Free.
Fulton Market Harvest Fest
September 14 – 16, 2018
Fulton Market Harvest Fest promises “cooking demos, live music, booths from the city’s best restaurants, and family friendly fun” on W. Fulton Market (from Halsted to Peoria). Children age 10 and younger are free.
Rock festival
September 14 – 16, 2018
Riot Fest is a huge outdoor punk, rock, and alternative music festival on multiple stages at Douglas Park for all ages. See the event map for food vendors, bars, and carnival rides. Gates open at 11 a.m.
Ravinia music festival
September 14 – 16, 2018
See nationally known performers at Ravinia Festival, billed as America’s oldest outdoor music festival at Ravinia Park in Highland Park.
World Music Festival
September 14 – 23, 2018
World Music Festival Chicago features artists and ensembles from all over the world. No shows on Monday & Tuesday. Free.
Oktoberfest in Glendale Heights
September 14 – 23, 2018
Glendale Heights Oktoberfest promises good music, a great beer selection, authentic German food, and friendly service at Camera Park in Glendale Heights.
Tootsie the musical
September 14 – Oct. 14, 2018
Actor Santino Fontana plays Tootsie in the funny Broadway musical about an actor who impersonates a woman to get a job, at Cadillac Palace Theatre.
Circus in the park
September 14 – Oct. 21, 2018
Midnight Circus in the Parks is a series of shows at nine parks, which is perfect for families.
Frankenstein
September 14 – Oct. 28, 2018
Written by a woman 200 years ago, Frankenstein features a creature assembled from body parts at Lifeline Theatre. In this new version, the creator is a woman grappling with the demons of grief and denial.
Halloween farm
September 14 – Oct. 30, 2018
The Haunted Barn at Bengtson’s Pumpkin Fest in Homer Glen is fine for mature kids. The Fun Barn will entertain even the youngest children. Also enjoy kids’ rides, pig races, a pumpkin chucker, and a petting zoo. Closed Sept. 17 to 20.
Beer festival
September 15, 2018 (4 to 8 p.m.)
Independence Park Beer Fest features local craft beer, food trucks, and live music for age 21+.
Englewood Jazz Festival
September 15, 2018 (noon to 6 p.m.)
Englewood Jazz Festival features 7 performances plus awards in Hamilton Park (auditorium if it rains). Free.
Mexican parades
September 15 – 16, 2018
Celebrate Mexico’s separation from Spain at these Mexican Independence Day parades, with colorful floats, mariachi bands, and street dancing. Free.
Sept. 15 (noon) – Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade on 18th Street (Newberry St. to Wolcott)
Sept. 16 (1 p.m.) – South Chicago Mexican Independence Day Parade on Commercial Avenue (87th Street to 100th)
Taco festival
September 15 – 16, 2018
Try tacos from a dozen restaurants and vote for the best, drink beer, hear live music on two stages, visit the kids’ area, and watch Mexican wrestlers at Lakeview Taco Fest on Southport Avenue (from Addison to Roscoe). Donation $10.
Pizza and wings tasting
September 16, 2018 (12 to 4 p.m.)
A ticket to the first Pizza + WingFest gets you food samples and three drink tickets at Concord FiftyFive for age 21+.
Butterfly festival
September 16, 2018
The Monarch Butterfly Festival has a butterfly tent, live animals, an arts & crafts fair, children’s activities, and food vendors at Lake Katherine Nature Center in Palos Heights.
Free science museum
September 16 – 30, 2018 (Sunday to Wednesday)
Show Illinois ID to enter the Museum of Science and Industry free during Free Days. The museum is not free on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
