Searching for what to do this weekend in Chicago? Below are the best things to do in Chicago this weekend (November 13-15, 2026) including the best events and activities.
You can find more things to do in Chicago this week here.
(If you are planning ahead, you can also find the best things to do next weekend here.)
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as it is updated 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.
Best Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are the best weekend events in Chicago:
Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB) – November 13-14, 2026
The Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Festival – November 13-14, 2026
Randolph Street Holiday Market – November 14+15, 2026
Andrew Bird & the CSO (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) – November 13 & 14, 2026, 7:30pm – Grammy-nominated violinist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird makes his CSO debut.
Lycée French Market – November 14-15, 2026 – French market where local and French artisans sell fine and decorative arts, home décor, jewelry, apparel, accessories, gourmet food and more.
4th Annual Autumn Vintage & Artisan Fest in Ravenswood – November 14-15, 2026, 12-5pm | Free w/advanced RSVP
Holiday Delight & Kodomo Matsuri – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10am-4pm | Free – Celebrate Japanese culture at this annual festival with live performances, food, shopping and fun for the whole family.
City Civics Day at the Chicago Cultural Center – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10:30am-4pm | Free – Learn about opportunities to participate in civic life and connect with organizations throughout the city.
Holiday Cocktail Tasting Festival – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 2:30-6pm
A Night in Sudan: An Immersive Cultural Experience – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 6-11pm – Sudanese food, music, film, literature, henna, and interactive exhibits while supporting mutual aid.
Lit & Luz Festival – Through November 14, 2026
312 Comedy Festival – Through November 15, 2026
Black Harvest Film Festival – Through November 15, 2026
Andersonville Autumn Restaurant Week – Through November 15, 2026
More Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are more events taking place this weekend in Chicago:
Future Folk Festival at Douglass Park – Friday, November 13, 2026, 6-8pm | Free
Chill Set at The National Museum of Mexican Art (Under 25) – Friday, November 13, 2026, 6-9pm | Free
Fishing on the Wild Mile – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10am-2pm | Free
The Chicago River Trail Extension Open House at Rockwell on the River – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 11am-1pm | Free
Family Day | Knock On Wood at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 11am-3pm | Free
Handmade Market – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 12-4pm | 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, electronics and more.
Godfrey Wine Fest – Wine Tasting at I|O Godfrey Rooftop – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 1-5pm
Ravenswood Makers Market at KOVAL Tasting Room – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 1-6pm | Free
Bollywood Groove Indian Dances & Stories at Seward Park – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 3-4pm | Free
Reindeer Run at Brookfield Zoo – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 5:30-9pm
Sol Invictus at the Harris Theatre – Saturday, November 14, 2026, 7:30pm
Free Day at the American Writers Museum – Sunday, November 15, 2026, 10am-5pm
Cuts for Coats – Sunday, November 15, 2026, 11am-4pm – Bring a new or gently used coat, get a free haircut at BANG! Salon (appointment required) plus enjoy DJ’s, treats, drinks and raffles.
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.
Book Swap at Chinatown Library – Sunday, November 15, 2026, 1:30-3pm | Free
Iranian Music & Comedy Showcase at the Comedy Bar – Sunday, November 15, 2026, 5pm
Nikki Glaser at the Chicago Theatre – November 13–14, 2026
Dante 360 at the Athenaeum Center – November 13–15, 2026
Home, I’m Darling at TimeLine Theater – November 11 – December 13, 2026
Drunk Christmas Carol – November 11, 2026- January 3, 2027
Maggie Daley Ice-Skating Ribbon Opening Day – Opens November 13, 2026
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden – Opens November 13, 2026
Illumination | Holiday Lights at The Morton Arboretum – Opens November 14, 2026
A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre – November 13 – December 31, 2026
More Things to Do in Chicago This 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 this weekend include:
The Best of Joe Hisaishi
Tribute to the Beatles (Oak Park)
The Best of Hans Zimmer (Evanston)
Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More (Evanston)
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.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago this weekend. If you are looking for things to do during the week, you can find more things to do in Chicago in November here.
