Chicago / Events

What’s happening in Chicago?

Concerts, culture, community and reasons to leave the house. Dates come from organizers; check the official program before going.

Events in Chicago, collage for the KEVNS City Collages series

52 upcoming listings. Dates come from organizers; check the official listing before you go.

October 2026

Oct 7 · 6 PM
ACTivation: Solo Show Workshop
Goodman Theatre
Moving a solo-performance draft forward in an intensive workshop. Check registration and eligibility with the Goodman before attending.
theater
Oct 7 · 7 PM
The Literary Heart of John Prine: A Performance and Conversation
Metro
A public program from Metro. Read the official listing for the participants and admission requirements.
concerts
Oct 8 · 8 PM
Pinhead Gunpowder
Metro
A public program from Metro. Read the official listing for the participants and admission requirements.
concerts
Oct 10 · 10 AM
SOLD OUT! Walking Tour | Downtown LGBTQIA+ Stories
11 East Ida B. Wells Dr
A queer-history walking tour from Chicago History Museum. Check the meeting point before heading out; tours do not all begin at the museum.
lgbtq
Oct 10 · 10 AM
Walking Tour | Paseo Boricua and Humboldt Park
Ciclo Urbano
A public program from Chicago History Museum. Check the meeting point before heading out; tours do not all begin at the museum.
history
Oct 10 · 11 AM
Second Saturdays: Hora de Cuentinflas
Goodman Theatre
A bilingual family storytelling program using song, laughter, and imagination. Check registration and eligibility with the Goodman before attending.
theater
Oct 10 · 7:30 PM
Book of Love
Metro
A public program from Metro. Read the official listing for the participants and admission requirements.
concerts
Oct 11 · 11 AM
Walking Tour | Hyde Park Murals
Chicago History Museum — see tour meeting point
A public program from Chicago History Museum. Check the meeting point before heading out; tours do not all begin at the museum.
history
Oct 11 · 8 PM
BUTTTOOTKING
Metro
A public program from Metro. Read the official listing for the participants and admission requirements.
lgbtq
Oct 12 · 6:30 PM
INOHA
Metro
A public program from Metro. Read the official listing for the participants and admission requirements.
concerts
Oct 13 · 7 PM
Holywatr – Deo Gratias Tour
Metro
A public program from Metro. Check the meeting point before heading out; tours do not all begin at the museum.
concerts
Oct 14 · 6:30 PM
PeelingFlesh
Metro
PeelingFlesh at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Oct 15 · 7:30 PM
Guerrero Leads Fandangos & Enigma Variations
Chicago Symphony Center
Giancarlo Guerrero leads the CSO with violinist Anne Akiko Meyers in Sierra, Márquez and Elgar.
concerts
Oct 15 · 9 PM
RES – How I Do 25th Anniversary
Sleeping Village
A public program from Metro. Read the official listing for the participants and admission requirements.
concerts
Oct 16 · 1:30 PM
Guerrero Leads Fandangos & Enigma Variations
Chicago Symphony Center
Giancarlo Guerrero leads the CSO with violinist Anne Akiko Meyers in Sierra, Márquez and Elgar.
concerts
Oct 16 · 8 PM
Medium Build: The King of Having Fun on Tour
Metro
Medium Build: The King of Having Fun on Tour at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Oct 16 · 9 PM
RES – How I Do 25th Anniversary
Sleeping Village
RES – How I Do 25th Anniversary at Sleeping Village. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Oct 17–18
Open House Chicago
Multiple sites · Free
Behind-the-scenes access to architecture and cultural sites across Chicago neighborhoods.
architecture
Oct 17 · 9:30 AM
Educator Seminar | Facing Freedom
Chicago History Museum
A public program from Chicago History Museum. Read the official listing for the participants and admission requirements.
history
Oct 17 · 10 AM
Walking Tour | Glitterati on the Gold Coast
Chicago History Museum
A public program from Chicago History Museum. Check the meeting point before heading out; tours do not all begin at the museum.
history
Oct 17 · 10 AM
Walking Tour | Historic Old Town
Chicago History Museum
A public program from Chicago History Museum. Check the meeting point before heading out; tours do not all begin at the museum.
history
Oct 17 · 10 AM
ACTivation: Unlocking Dead Girl’s Quinceañera
Goodman Theatre
Explore the clues and ideas in Phanésia Pharel’s world-premiere play. Check registration and eligibility with the Goodman before attending.
theater
Oct 17 · 7:30 PM
Guerrero Leads Fandangos & Enigma Variations
Chicago Symphony Center
Giancarlo Guerrero leads the CSO with violinist Anne Akiko Meyers in Sierra, Márquez and Elgar.
concerts
Oct 17 · 8:30 PM
Rocket From The Crypt – Scream, Frankenstein, Scream! Tour 2026
Metro
Rocket From The Crypt – Scream, Frankenstein, Scream! Tour 2026 at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Oct 18 · 8 PM
Digable Planets – Blowout Comb 30th Anniversary Tour
Metro
Digable Planets – Blowout Comb 30th Anniversary Tour at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Oct 22 · 6 PM
The Costume Council Presents | Threads of a Nation: A Celebration of Style & Statesmanship
Chicago History Museum
A public program from Chicago History Museum. Read the official listing for the participants and admission requirements.
history
Oct 22 · 7:30 PM
Whitney
Metro
Whitney at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Oct 24 · 11 AM
ACTivation: Intro to Voice Over
Goodman Theatre
A hands-on introduction to voiceover performance. Check registration and eligibility with the Goodman before attending.
theater
Oct 24 · 8 PM
Club 1BD: Halloween Party
Metro
Club 1BD: Halloween Party at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Oct 25 · 7 PM
Plini – An Unnameable Desire North American Tour
Metro
Plini – An Unnameable Desire North American Tour at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Oct 30 · 8 PM
Quadeca
Metro
Quadeca at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Oct 31 · 10 PM
Nocturna: All Hallows’ Eve Ball
Metro
Nocturna: All Hallows’ Eve Ball at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts

November 2026

Nov 1 · 9 PM
Hallo-Queen!
All-Building Event
Hallo-Queen! at All-Building Event. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Nov 4 · 7 PM
Since Forever
Metro
Since Forever at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Nov 7 · 11 AM
ACTivation: Intermediate Voiceover Demo Intensive
Goodman Theatre
A workshop for developing technique, confidence, and a voiceover demo. Check registration and eligibility with the Goodman before attending.
theater
Nov 7 · 7:30 PM
Die Spitz
Metro
Die Spitz at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Nov 8 · 7:30 PM
Alyssa Grace
Metro
Alyssa Grace at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Nov 9 · 7:30 PM
Alyssa Grace
Metro
Alyssa Grace at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Nov 11 · 7:30 PM
Strawberry Guy
Metro
Strawberry Guy at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Nov 13 · 8 PM
SIX60
Metro
SIX60 at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Nov 14 · 11 AM
Second Saturdays: Yes and for All
Goodman Theatre
A family improvisation program built around collaborative storytelling. Check registration and eligibility with the Goodman before attending.
theater
Nov 14 · 8 PM
The Afghan Whigs
Metro
The Afghan Whigs at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Nov 19 · 8 PM
Protomartyr
Metro
Protomartyr at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Nov 20 · 9 PM
ADULT. & A Place To Bury Strangers
Metro
ADULT. & A Place To Bury Strangers at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Nov 21 · 8 PM
Neurosis
Metro
Neurosis at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Nov 22 · 8 PM
Neurosis
Metro
Neurosis at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Nov 28 · 8 PM
Pegboy
Metro
A public program from Metro. Read the official listing for the participants and admission requirements.
concerts
Nov 29 · 7:30 PM
Tiny Habits
Metro
Tiny Habits at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts

December 2026

Dec 1 · 7:30 PM
Lucy Bedroque
Metro
Lucy Bedroque at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Dec 2 · 7:30 PM
Lucy Bedroque
Metro
Lucy Bedroque at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Dec 3 · 8 PM
Mareux
Metro
Mareux at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts
Dec 11 · 8 PM
Montell Fish – The Nest Tour
Metro
Montell Fish – The Nest Tour at Metro. Use the official show page for the full bill and door time; ticket status can change.
concerts

Tell me what I missed.

A correction, a neighborhood story or a place worth a closer look. I’d like to hear it.

me@halsteadk.com