Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Things to Do around the Chicago area this holiday weekend – NBC Chicago

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Things to Do around the Chicago area this holiday weekend

It’s another holiday weekend in the Chicago area, and there are plenty of activities for residents to enjoy.

Events and Festivals

Chicago Fashion Week

Chicago Fashion Week is an 11-day celebration of Chicago’s vibrant fashion community, with a robust lineup of events and activations across the city. The event will take place at various venues across the city from Oct. 9th to Oct.19th.

DESTINOS – Chicago International Latino Theater Festival

The Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) presents the 8th annual DESTINOS- The Chicago International Latino Theatre Festival with 16 productions across 13 theaters in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. The festival will run through Nov. 2nd at various venues.

Historic Pullman House Tour

The 52nd annual Historic Pullman House Tour offers a rare opportunity to step into some of the most historically significant and beautifully restored homes in one of America’s most celebrated planned industrial communities. The tour will take place on Oct. 11th and 12th from 11a.m.- 5p.m. at the Historic Pullman Exhibit Hall, 11141 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

Bronzeville Summer Nights

Bronzeville Summer Nights is a community celebration with dancing, shopping, strolling the corridor, and tasting the best of Bronzeville. The event will take place on Oct. 11th from 1p.m. to 5p.m. at Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream, South Side Sanctuary public plaza, and Associated Bank.

Lincoln Brunch Fest

If brunch is your jam, then Lincoln Brunch Fest is for you, with top local restaurants dishing out their signature brunch bites, along with live entertainment and kid-friendly activities. The fest will take place on Oct. 11th from 10a.m. – 2p.m. on Lincoln Avenue from Diversey to Wellington.

Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo is a family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring Boo-tastic costume parades, trick-or-treating stations, and ghosts and goblins of all ages. The event will run through Oct. 31st at Brookfield Zoo, 31st Street and Golfview Avenue, Brookfield, IL.

Boos & Brews

Boos & Brews at Gallagher Way is a free event that will feature drinks, Wine Charm Making from Indigo and Violet, a tarot card reader, a roaming magician, live music, and more. The event will take place on Oct. 12th from 2p.m. – 6p.m. at Gallagher Way, 3635 N Clark St, Chicago.

70th annual Hyde Park Used Book Sale

The 70th annual Hyde Park Used Book Sale features thousands of books, all genres, with proceeds supporting neighborhood programs, and unsold books donated to nonprofits. The sale will take place from Oct. 11th to Oct. 13th at Kimbark Plaza, 1200-1310 E 53rd Street.

Arts and Culture

Reel Black Filmmakers

Reel Black Filmmakers, a program of the Community Film Workshop of Chicago (CFWC), will be celebrating its 13th anniversary with a screening of works by talented filmmakers Shahari Moore, Reginald Rice, and David Weathersby. The event will take place on Oct. 11th from 3p.m. – 5p.m. at the Logan Center Screening Room, 915 E. 60th Street, Chicago.

Ballet: ‘Beauty Will Save the World’

Ballet 5:8 presents, ‘Beauty Will Save the World’, a compelling mixed-repertory program that celebrates resilience, cultural heritage, and the transformative power of beauty in turbulent times. The performance will take place on Oct. 11th at 7:30pm at the Harris Theater, 205 E Randolph St, Chicago.

Comedy

ILIZA! LIVE

Iliza Shlesinger is an American actress, comedian, television host, and writer who won NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2008. She will perform live on Oct. 10th at 7:30p.m. at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St, Chicago.

Comedy: Patton Oswalt

Actor and stand-up comedian Patton Oswalt brings his ‘Effervescent’ show to the Chicagoland area. The show will take place on Oct. 10th at 8p.m. at The Venue, at Horseshoe Casino, 777 Casino Center Dr, Hammond, IN.

Comedy: George Wallace

Legendary comedian, actor, and producer George Wallace brings his standup routine to Chicago, with special guest Jennifer Holliday. The show will take place on Oct. 12th at 5p.m. and 8:30p.m. at City Winery.

Concerts

Concert: Stardew Valley ‘Symphony of Seasons’

The farm life simulation game Stardew Valley has a new concert experience featuring a 35-piece orchestra performing music from the game. The concert will take place on Oct. 11th at 3p.m. and 8p.m. at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St, Chicago.

Concert: Catherine Russell

Grammy Award-winning vocalist Catherine Russell performs new interpretations of jazz classics, featuring a selection of gems from the 1920s through the present. The concert will take place on Oct. 12th at 7p.m. at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL.

Concert: Jordan Davis ‘Ain’t Enough Road Tour’

Country music singer/songwriter Jordan Davis is known for his engaging songs that summarize life, love, and family. He will perform on Oct. 10th at 7p.m. at the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Rd, Rosemont, IL.

Concert: Laufey with Suki Waterhouse

Laufey is an Icelandic-Chinese singer and multi-instrumentalist who blends jazz, pop, bossa nova, and classical styles. She will perform with Suki Waterhouse on Oct. 10th at 7:30p.m. at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago.

Concert: Chance the Rapper ‘And We Back’ Tour

Chicago native Chance the Rapper is known for his poetic lyrics. He will perform on Oct. 10th at 8p.m. at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S Linn White Dr, Chicago.

Parades and Community Events

Columbus Day Parade

Since 1952, the Columbus Day Parade celebration has been a generations-old honoring the Chicagoland Italian American Community. The parade will take place on Oct. 13th at 11:45a.m. in Downtown Chicago, at the intersection of State and Wacker.

Lighting Up Lives: Make-A-Wish® Illinois and Water Lantern Festival Partner to Grant Wishes

Make-A-Wish Illinois and Water Lantern Festival are teaming up to unite their shared missions of hope, community, and transformation to support children battling critical illnesses across Illinois. The event will take place on Oct. 11th at 4p.m. at Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St., Naperville, IL.

Conclusion

The Chicago area has a wide range of events and activities to enjoy this holiday weekend, from fashion and theater to comedy and concerts. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or just having fun, there’s something for everyone in the Chicago area.

FAQs

Q: What are some of the top events happening in the Chicago area this holiday weekend?
A: Some of the top events include Chicago Fashion Week, DESTINOS – Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, Historic Pullman House Tour, and Boo at the Zoo.
Q: Where can I find more information about the events listed?
A: You can find more information about each event by visiting the respective websites or social media pages of the event organizers.
Q: Are there any free events happening in the Chicago area this holiday weekend?
A: Yes, Boos & Brews at Gallagher Way is a free event that will feature drinks, live music, and more.
Q: Can I attend multiple events in one day?
A: Yes, many of the events are scheduled at different times, so you can attend multiple events in one day if you plan accordingly.

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