Searching for what to do next weekend? Below are the top things to do in Chicago next weekend (November 20-22, 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:
City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – Friday, November 20, 2026, 6pm | Free
Zoo After Dark: Sip & Stroll at Brookfield Zoo (21+) – Friday, November 20, 2026, 5:30-9pm
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival – Saturday, November 21, 2026, 11am – 4pm (Festival), 5:30pm (Parade) | Free
The Balzekas Museum Guild Holiday Craft Fair – Saturday, November 21, 2026, 11am-4pm | Free
Light Up the Park (Rosemont) – Saturday, November 21, 2026, 2-6pm | Free
Tarot Sessions: An Interactive Tarot Night with Cocktails – Saturday, November 21, 2026, 6pm & 8:30pm
Winter Fireworks at Navy Pier – Saturday, November 21, 2026, 8:30pm | Free – First day of weekly winter fireworks.
Sleep Out at Soldier Field – November 19-20, 2026
Millennium Park Holiday Market – November 20-22, 2026 | Free Admission
Grabadolandia Print Fair – November 20-22, 2026 | Free
Cleopatra: The Immersive Exhibition (Rosemont) – Opens November 20, 2026
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink – Opens November 20, 2026 | Free admission
Lincoln Park ZooLights – Opens November 20, 2026
Christkindlmarket – Open November 20, 2026 | Free Admission
Winterland at Gallagher Way – Opens November 20, 2026 | Free Admission
The Sound of Music Sing-a-Long at the Music Box Theatre – Opens November 21, 2026
More Next Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are more weekend events taking place next weekend in Chicago:
Marc Maron: Yammering into the Void Tour at the Vic Theatre – Friday, November 20, 2026, 7pm
An Idiot’s Guide to Wine – Friday, November 20, 2026, 6pm & 8:30pm
Third Friday Art Walk @ Zhou B Art Center – Friday, November 20, 2026, 7-10:30pm | Free
Dancin’ Fridays – Salsa Social at Humboldt Park – Friday, November 20, 2026, 6:30-8pm | Free
Clothing Swap at Dunning Library – Saturday, November 21, 2026, 12-3pm | Free
Lions and Legends LIVE! at Athenaeum Center – Saturday, November 21, 2026, 2-3:30pm
Toy Swap at Bucktown-Wicker Park Library – Saturday, November 21, 2026, 2-4pm | Free
Turkey Tails Walk at Schiller Woods – Sunday, November 22, 2026, 1-3pm | Free
Lakeview Tree Lighting Ceremony – Sunday, November 22, 2026, 6-7:30pm | Free
Mexodus at Studebaker Theater – Through November 21, 2026
Hayward at Steppenwolf Theatre – Through November 22, 2026
Drunk Christmas Carol – November 11, 2026- January 3, 2027
A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre – November 13 – December 31, 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 Dolly Parton
Tribute to Metallica
Tribute to Bad Bunny (Oak Park)
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
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.
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.
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 November.
