What to Do in Chicago This Weekend. September 20-23, 2018
We recommend the best events, festivals, and fun things to do in Chicago, Illinois.
Adult night at the planetarium
September 20, 2018 (6 to 10 p.m.)
Adler After Dark offers open access, science talks, planetarium shows, entertainment, and no-host bars at Adler Planetarium for age 21+. The September theme is the 1990s.
Arts party
September 20, 2018 (6 to 9 p.m.)
Held underneath the “L” tracks, Lightbash is “an immersive, energetic evening of art, technology and innovation…featuring music, interactive lights, glass-blowing demonstrations, hors d’oeuvres, and an open cocktail bar” outside Ignite Glass Studio.
World Music Festival
September 20 – 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 20 – 23, 2018
Glendale Heights Oktoberfest promises good music, a great beer selection, authentic German food, and friendly service at Camera Park in Glendale Heights.
Two VIP tickets for $99 (save $61)
Tootsie the musical
September 20 – 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.
Craft expo
September 21 – 23, 2018 (preview Sept. 20)
See 140 artisans exhibiting one-of-a-kind museum quality work at American Craft Exposition at Chicago Botanic Garden.
Cole Porter musical
September 21 – Oct. 7, 2018
Kiss Me, Kate is a Tony-winning musical comedy with madcap antics as a husband and wife try to stage a play, at Big Noise Theatre at Prairie Lakes in Des Plaines.
Comedy
September 21 – Oct. 13, 2018 (11 p.m.)
Second City’s Late Night Improv delivers an hour of improvised comedy with plenty of audience interaction at Up Comedy Club.
Circus in the park
September 21 – Oct. 21, 2018
Midnight Circus in the Parks is a series of shows at nine parks, which is perfect for families.
Frankenstein
September 21 – Oct. 28, 2018
10.2 miles north
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 21 – 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.
Exciting short plays
September 21 – Dec. 2, 2018
You may be entertained, surprised, and shocked, but never bored watching The Infinite Wrench, a daring production of two-minute plays at The Neo-Futurists.
Free museum day
September 22, 2018
Statewide
Get a free ticket that allows two people to visit one of the many museums participating in Museum Day Live.
Festival of young artists
September 22, 2018 (11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
YAS Fest (Youth Arts Showcase) offers a wide range of performances, exhibitions, and hands-on activities at Millennium Park, Chicago Cultural Center (first floor south), and Art Institute of Chicago (modern wing). Free.
Beer tasting
September 22, 2018 (4 p.m., VIP 3 p.m.)
A ticket to BeerHoptacular gets you 20 tickets to sample some of the 150 American craft beers, live music, food for sale, and a home-brew competition at Vertiport Chicago for age 21+.
Dutch festival
September 22, 2018
Elim Dutch Festival features Dutch food, dance, music, and vendors, plus a kids’ carnival, petting zoo, and train rides at Elim Christian Services in Palos Heights. Free admission.
Cask beer festival
September 22, 2018 (3 p.m., VIP 2 p.m.)
Naperville Firkin Fest pours 30 beers that are unfiltered, unpasteurized, naturally carbonated in the cask and served at cellar temperature, along with craft beer, hard cider, and food trucks at CityGate Centre.
Food truck festival
September 22 – 23, 2018
Chicago Food Truck Fest brings 25 food trucks, music, a sangria garden, and games to LaBagh Woods.
Pow wow in Naperville
September 22 – 23, 2018 (opens 11 a.m.)
Experience Native American culture through dance, drumming, art, and storytelling at the Harvest Pow Wow, which also has food booths, crafts for sale, and a kids’ corner at Naper Settlement.
Dumpling tasting
September 23, 2018 (1 to 7:30 p.m.)
World Dumpling Fest features “delicious dumplings from ethnic restaurants in and around Chicago, interactive craft tables, cultural art vendors, and exciting global music acts” in Polk Brothers Park at Navy Pier. Free admission or buy tasting tickets.
Half marathon & 5K
September 23, 2018
The Chicago Half Marathon begins in Jackson Park and goes along scenic Lake Shore Drive. Free to watch.
Free science museum
September 23 – 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.