Searching for what to do this week in Chicago? Below are the best things to do in Chicago this week (November 9-15, 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:
Drunk Christmas Carol – Starts November 11, 2026
Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB) – November 13-14, 2026
The Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Festival – November 13-14, 2026
Andrew Bird & the CSO (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) – November 13-14, 2026, 7:30pm
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden – Opens November 13, 2026
Illumination | Holiday Lights at The Morton Arboretum – Opens November 14, 2026
Randolph Street Holiday Market – November 14+15, 2026 | Free
Lycée French Market – November 14-15, 2026 – French market, where many local and French artisans sell fine and decorative arts, home décor, jewelry, apparel, accessories, gourmet food and more.
Autumn Vintage & Artisan Fest in Ravenswood – November 14-15, 2026, 12-5pm | Free w/advanced RSVP
Ravenswood Makers Market at KOVAL Tasting Room – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 1-6pm | Free
Holiday Cocktail Tasting Festival – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 2:30-6pm
Lit & Luz Festival – Through November 14, 2026
Andersonville Autumn Restaurant Week – Through November 15, 2026
312 Comedy Festival – Through November 15, 2026
Black Harvest Film Festival at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Gene Siskel Film Center – Through November 15, 2026
More Events in Chicago This Week
Below are more events taking place this week in Chicago:
After5Chicago – The Conspiracy Files: How Secrets Shape History – Monday, November 9, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm
Wellness in the Sky – Sound Bath Meditation at Skydeck – Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 6:30-9pm
Get Lit: Weird Science at American Writers Museum – Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 5:30-7:30pm
Illinois Free Wednesdays at the Field Museum – Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Chicago History Museum Free Day for Illinois Residents – Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | Free
Free Hours for Illinois Residents at The Art Institute of Chicago – Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 11am-5pm | Free
Candlelight: Tribute to Juan Luis Guerra – Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6:30pm
After5Chicago – Behind the Illusion: The Psychology of Magic and Perception – Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm
Candlelight: Tribute to Lauryn Hill – Thursday, November 12, 2026, 8:45pm
Fall Wine Stroll (Lincoln Square) – Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6–9pm
Artini at Gallery Guichard (Bronzeville) – Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6-9pm | Free
Cocktail Making in the Clouds at 360 Chicago – Thursday, November 12, 2026, 7-9pm
Maggie Daley Ice-Skating Ribbon Opening Day – Opens Friday, November 13, 2026
Future Folk Festival at Douglass Park – Friday, November 13, 2026, 6-8pm | Free
Taylor Swift Bar Crawls: Eras, Ex’s and Everything Taylor – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 12-5pm
Repair Fair at Chicago Tool Library – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 1-3:30pm | Free – Skilled repair volunteers will attempt to fix your broken bikes, clothes, small appliances and electronics and more.
Godfrey Wine Fest – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 1-5pm – Wine tasting at I|O Godfrey Rooftop.
Reindeer Run at Brookfield Zoo – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 5:30-9pm
Chicago Artisan Market (Fulton Market) – Sunday, November 15, 2026, 11am-5pm
Another Vegan Harvest Market at Emporium Logan Square – Sunday, November 15, 2026, 12-5pm | Free Entry – Family-friendly, community driven market, showcasing several plant-based vendors.
You can find more Chicago weekend events here.
Adler Planetarium Free Day (Illinois Resident Discount Days) – November 9 & 10, 2026
Nikki Glaser at the Chicago Theatre – November 13–14, 2026
Dante 360 at the Athenaeum Center – November 13–15, 2026
Hayward at Steppenwolf Theatre – Through November 15, 2026
Home, I’m Darling at TimeLine Theater – November 11 – December 13, 2026
Drunk Christmas Carol – November 11, 2026- January 3, 2027
More Things to Do in Chicago This Week
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
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.
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 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 November.
