Searching for what to do next weekend? Below are the top things to do in Chicago next weekend (October 2-4, 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:
World Music Festival – September 25- October 4, 2026 | Free Admission – Citywide including the Chicago Cultural Center
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest – October 2-4, 2026
West Town Art Walk – October 2-4, 2026
Edison Park Octoberfest – October 2-3, 2026
Chicago Vintage Fest Pilsen Fall Fest – October 3 & 4, 2026 | Free
Sauced Night Market – October 2 + 3, 2026
Midnight Circus at Welles Park – October 2-4, 2026
Taste of Northalsted Fall – Saturday, October 3, 2026, 12-3pm & 3-6pm
Berwyn Brewfest – Saturday, October 3, 2026, 1-5pm
Espresso Martini Fest at Hubbard Inn – Saturday, October 3, 2026, 5-pm
More Next Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are more weekend events taking place next weekend in Chicago:
Dance Cardio and Sculpt at Gallagher Way – Friday, October 2, 2026, 7-8am | Free
Free Day for Illinois Residents at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – Friday, October 2, 2026 | Free admission
Chi Food Truck Fest – Friday, October 2, 2026, 11am-3pm – Last one in 2026.
Wicker Park Bucktown First Fridays Art Walk – Friday, October 2, 2026, 6-8pm | Free
Slice of Chicago: A Pizza 5K Run (Walk + Run) – Saturday, October 3, 2026, 8am – Chicago’s first pizza run.
Maxwell Street Market – Sunday, October 4, 2026, 10am–3pm | Free Admission – Final market of 2026.
Reuse-a-Palooza – Sunday, October 4, 2026, 11am-3pm | Free
Fall Fest on the Riverwalk – Saturday, October 3, 2026, 12-8pm
Puppy Yoga at 360 Chicago – Sunday, October 4, 2026, 7:45-8:45am – Special yoga class that directly benefits One Tail at a Time, a local rescue dedicated to ending pet homelessness through adoption, fostering, and community support.
Kick off to Día de los Muertos at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – Sunday, October 4, 2026, 10am-12pm
Chicago Humanities Fall Festival Northwestern University Day – Sunday, October 4, 2026
Odyssey Reimagined Exhibit at the National Hellenic Museum – Opens October 1, 2026
Xochicago: Floating Gardens of the Chicago River and México at National Museum of Mexican Art – Through October 4, 2026
Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents Joan Crawford Goes To Hell at The Clutch – Extended through October 4, 2026
Rhinoceros Theater Festival – Through October 29, 2026 – Chicago’s longest-running fringe theater festival.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie at Greenhouse Theater Center – September 26 – October 25, 2026
A Midsummer Night Scream at Greenhouse Theater Center – September 24 – November 1, 2026
Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest – September 25 – 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
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:
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.
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: Opens October 1, 2026
Where: 108 West Germania Place, Chicago, IL 60610
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to purchase tickets.
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 indoor venues bathed in candlelight. Some of the concerts taking place next weekend include:
90s Unplugged
Tribute to Queen
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
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.
Where: 9900 Berwyn Ave, in the Pearl District, Rosemont, IL 60018
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: $45 per person for adults. 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.
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 next weekend. If you are looking for things to do during the week, here are more things to do in Chicago in October.
