Searching for what to do this week in Chicago? Below are the best things to do in Chicago this week (October 5-11, 2026) including the best events and activities.
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Best Events This Week in Chicago
Below are the best events this week in Chicago:
Oktoberfestiversary – October 10-11, 2026
Lincoln Park Wine Fest – October 9-11, 2026
Chicago Fashion Week – October 8-18, 2026
Chicago Art Fair – October 7-10, 2026 – Inaugural event at the Merchandise Mart.
Chicago Vampire Ball – Friday, October 9, 2026, 8pm
TenderFest at Navy Pier – Saturday, October 10, 2026, 11am-3pm – All-you-can-taste chicken tender festival.
Chicago Zine Fest – Saturday, October 10, 2026, 11am-4pm | Free
Lincoln Brunch Fest – Saturday, October 10, 2026, 10am-2pm | Free – Local restaurants will serve free samples of brunch items.
Mocktoberfest (Evanston) – Saturday, October 10, 2026, 12-4pm
Bowmanville Cat Tour – Saturday, October 10, 2026, 3-5pm | Free
Chicago Marathon – Sunday, October 11, 2026
More Events in Chicago This Week
Below are more events taking place this week in Chicago:
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Free Admission Days for Illinois Residents – October 5-7, 2026
Free Days for Illinois Residents at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – October 5-9, 2026 | Free admission
Swing Dancing at Gallagher Way – Monday, October 5, 2026, 7-10pm | Free
Yoga Class at Gallagher Way – Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 7-8am | Free
HIIT at Gallagher Way – Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 7-8am | Free
Illinois Free Wednesdays at the Field Museum – Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Yoga Class at Gallagher Way – Thursday, October 8, 2026, 7-8am | Free
Chicago History Museum Free Day for Illinois Residents – Thursday, October 8, 2026 | Free
Artini at Gallery Guichard (Bronzeville) – Thursday, October 8, 2026, 6-9pm | Free
Outdoor Movie at Gallagher Way: Halloweentown – Thursday, October 8, 2026, 6-10pm | Free
Windy City Witch Fest – October 9-10, 2026
Jazz City at Clarendon Community Center Park – Friday, October 9, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm | Free
An Idiot’s Guide to Wine – Friday, October 9, 2026, 6pm & 8:30pm
Healing Arts Chicago: An Arts x Health x Wellness Summit – Saturday, October 10, 2026, 10:30am-4pm | Free
Fall Fest on the Riverwalk – Saturday, October 10, 2026, 12-8pm
Chicago Latino Dance Festival at Humboldt Park – Sunday, October 11, 2026, 3-5pm | Free
Olivia Rodrigo The Unraveled Tour at the United Center – October 11 & 12, 2026, 7pm
You can find more Chicago weekend events here.
Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical – Through October 11, 2026
Oktoberfest Nation Chicago (Fulton Market) – Through October 24, 2026
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie at Greenhouse Theater Center – Through October 25, 2026
Boo! at the Zoo (Brookfield Zoo) – Through October 25, 2026
Rhinoceros Theater Festival – Through October 29, 2026 – Chicago’s longest-running fringe theater festival.
Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest – Through November 1, 2026
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-up – Through November 1, 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 This Week
Take an Architecture River Cruise
An architecture river cruise is a must do Chicago experience.
Kayak in the River or Lake
A fun way to explore the city is to go kayaking in the Chicago River or Lake Michigan. You can rent a kayak in the Chicago River here and Ohio Street beach here.
You can also join a guided kayaking tour in the downtown portion of the Chicago River including this history and architecture kayak tour and this sunset kayak tour.
Please note that you will get a little wet when kayaking so bring a waterproof case for your phone and water-resistant or quick-drying clothing.
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 1, 2026
Where: 182 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601
Cost: Prices start at $29 per person. Click here to purchase tickets.
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 this week include:
Tribute to Ariana Grande
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (Oak Park)
Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino & More
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience
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.
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue is an immersive adventure that lets you and your friends become heroes, fighting spiders, creepers, and skeletons on your quest to rescue villagers from a zombie attack. Explore eight interactive Minecraft rooms and gather resources for your quest in these interactive biomes. Practice your Minecrafting skills with a handheld Orb to chop down trees, collect resources, and fight mobs.
When: Through October 10, 2026
Where: 9900 Berwyn Ave, in the Pearl District, Rosemont, IL 60018
Cost: Prices vary. 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.
As you can see there are many things to do in #Chicago this week. If you are looking for more things to do in the Chicago area, you can find the best things to do in the suburbs here. If you are planning ahead, you can find more things to do in Chicago in October.
