Searching for what to do next weekend? Below are the top things to do in Chicago next weekend (November 6-8, 2026) including the best events and activities.
(You can find the best things to do this weekend here.)
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as I will be updating it regularly with new events and activities.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you make a booking using my links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Next Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are the best next weekend events in Chicago:
Tree Lighting & Cultural Festival at the MSI – Saturday, November 7, 2026 – Day-long festival to enjoy a countdown to the lighting of the Grand Tree of the Christmas Around the World and Holiday of Lights exhibit with special holiday performances, live performances from local cultural organizations and seasonal samplings from Stan’s Donuts.
312 Comedy Festival – November 5-15, 2026
Serial Killer Speakeasy (Skokie) – November 6 & 7, 2026
Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival – November 6-7, 2026
The Chicago Vintage Fest at Pioneer Court – November 7 & 8, 2026 | Free
Chicago Toy & Game Fair (Rosemont) – November 7-8, 2026
First Nations Film and Video Festival – November 1-10, 2026
Black Harvest Film Festival at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Gene Siskel Film Center – November 6–15, 2026
Lit & Luz Festival – November 8-14, 2026
Chicago Humanities Fall Festival University of Chicago Arts & Humanities Day – Saturday, November 7, 2026
Diwali at Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens – Saturday, November 7, 2026, 4-6pm
Espresso Martini Fest at Hubbard Inn – Saturday, November 7, 2026, 5pm
SkyRise Chicago – Sunday, November 8, 2026
More Next Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are more weekend events taking place next weekend in Chicago:
Hoop Dancing with Starr Chief Eagle at Douglass Park – Friday, November 6, 2026, 6-7pm | Free
West Town First Fridays – Friday, November 6, 2026, 6-8pm | Free
Paint it Forward art exhibition at Aponte Art Gallery – Friday, November 6, 2026, 6-9pm | Free
Winter Grower Workshop – Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10am-12pm
Hoop Dancing with Starr Chief Eagle at Indian Boundary Park – Saturday, November 7, 2026, 12:30-1:30pm | Free
Día de Muertos: Love Never Dies Ball at National Museum of Mexican Art (21+) – Saturday, November 7, 2026, 6-10pm
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents The Greatest Show On Earth (Rosemont) – November 6-8, 2026
Creation Chicago The Road So Far… The Road Ahead Tour – November 6-8, 2026
Tree Trim at Brookfield Zoo – November 7-8, 2026, 10am-4pm
Drunkula: From dusk to last call at Greenhouse Theater Center – November 6 & 7, 2026
Jekyll & Hyde at Broadway Playhouse At Water Tower Place – Through November 8, 2026
Sunday in the Park with George – Extended through November 29, 2026
Odyssey Reimagined Exhibit at the National Hellenic Museum – Through December 31, 2026
More Things to Do in Chicago Next Weekend
In addition to the weekend events listed above, below are more of the best things to do in Chicago next weekend:
Attend a Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s Candlelight Concerts is a series of special classical music concerts that take place in beautiful venues bathed in candlelight. Some of the concerts taking place next weekend include:
Tribute to Adele
Tribute to Drake
90s Hip-Hop on Strings
Tribute to Juan Gabriel on Strings
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
Drunk Dracula
Step into a darkly enchanting adult-only adventure at Drunk Dracula where laughter, tipsy thrills, and the legend of Dracula collide. Each 90-minute session invites you to sip, shiver, and revel in the mischievous antics of a vampire gone delightfully rogue. Mingle with fellow thrill-seekers in a mysterious, adult-only setting. Must be 21+ with valid ID.
When: Through November 7, 2026
Where: 182 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601
Cost: Prices start at $29 per person. Click here to purchase tickets.
Wondra: Immerse yourself in the magic of nature
Looking for a fun activity for kids? Head to the suburbs for Wondra, where each space invites curious minds to discover hidden details, dazzling colors, and natural awe-scapes that spark imagination and evoke wonder. Experience nature’s wonders in a whole new light with this immersive journey.
When: Through November 6, 2026
Where: 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to see prices and purchase tickets in advance.
Serial Killer: The Exhibition World Tour
Serial Killer: The Exhibition World Tour is a gripping, immersive true-crime experience featuring the world’s first and only collection of authentic artifacts connected to history’s most notorious serial killers. Following its massive success in London, Paris, and Berlin, and fresh off its U.S. premiere in Atlanta, Chicago is officially the second stop of this blockbuster American tour. Built on ten years of research and collaboration with over sixty global collectors, this expanded landmark exhibition features over 2,100 authentic artifacts while introducing exclusive Chicago content exploring the city’s dark criminal history, including dedicated sections on H.H. Holmes and John Wayne Gacy. Recommended for ages 14+ (not suitable for sensitive audiences).
Where: Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, 2428 W 15th St, Chicago, IL 60608
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to purchase tickets.
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience
Launching in Chicago, and created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience is a fully interactive, 3D virtual reality experience that takes visitors on a breathtaking journey through the cosmos, from dazzling galaxies to the edge of a black hole.
When: Through December 27, 2026
Where: 108 West Germania Place, Chicago, IL 60610
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to purchase tickets.
Take a Spray Paint ‘n’ Sip Urban Art Workshop
Grab some spray paint and unleash your inner street artist at a Spray Paint ‘n’ Sip Urban Art Workshop. This interactive spray paint workshop will teach you the ins and outs of working with spray paint and other elements of graffiti and street art as you create your own painted mural.
Where: Studio W.I.P. – Uptown, 1047 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Cost: $50 per person for adults. Click here to purchase tickets.
Take an Architecture River Cruise
An architecture river cruise is a must do Chicago experience.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago next weekend. If you are looking for things to do during the week, here are more things to do in Chicago in November.
