Wine tasting
November 3, 2016 (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
8 miles NW
Sample 40 wines plus hors d’oeuvres on the Fall Wine Stroll that starts at Dank Haus. Repeats April.
Children’s film festival
November 3 – 6, 2016
Chicago locations
Billed as North America’s largest film festival for children, the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF) showcases the best in culturally diverse, non-violent, value-affirming new cinema for children and offers interactive workshops.
Cubs comedy
November 3 – 6, 2016
6.5 miles north
See a nostalgic production of the Chicago classic comedy Bleacher Bumsabout an assortment of die-hard Cubs fans at The Broadway. Discount tickets.
Expand your mind
November 3 – 12, 2016
Chicago locations
Chicago Humanities Festival is a series of talks and events that explore the human condition and feature exciting thinkers, artists, and performers.
Tony-winning best musical
November 3 – 13, 2016
0.5 miles SW
Fun Home tells the story of Alison at three different ages, alongside her dysfunctional family, at the Oriental Theatre. Discount tickets.
Film festival
November 3 – 13, 2016
Chicago & Glenview
Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema screens new films about Israeli culture at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago and ArcLight Cinemas in Glenview.
Racial drama
November 3 – 27, 2016
9.4 miles north
Red Velvet recalls the “shocking” night in 1863 when the first black man appeared on a London theater stage at Raven Theatre East Stage.Discount tickets.
Female Sherlock Holmes
November 3 – 27, 2016
10.2 miles north
Miss Holmes (private investigator) and Miss Watson (doctor) are unconventional women solving a murder mystery at Lifeline Theatre.Discount tickets.
Attractions
November 3 – 30, 2016
multiple locations
Discount prices include all taxes and ticket fees.
- Aquarium + SkyDeck + Museums CityPass
- Chicago History Museum discount tickets
- Funhouse Maze at Navy Pier discount tickets for 2
- Segway Tour of Chicago discount tickets
Magic lounge
November 3 – Dec. 29, 2016
7 miles north
Chicago Magic Lounge is an old-school magic show with close-up magic, bar magic, table-hopping magicians, and main stage acts at Uptown Underground for age 21+. Discount tickets.
Blue Man show
November 3 – Dec. 31, 2016
4.5 miles north
Blue Man Group puts on an exciting show that combines comedy, theater, music, and special effects at Briar Street Theatre. Discount tickets.
Haunted house at Rosemont
November 4 – 5, 2016
14 miles NW
Disturbia: Screams in the Park is a 35-room nightmare at MB Financial Park at Rosemont. See schedule.
Morton Grove haunted house
November 4 – 5, 2016
14 miles NW
House of Torment has two themes at 8240 N. Austin Ave. in Morton Grove. (Closed Nov. 1, 2, 3.)
Wilder Mansion market
November 4 – 5, 2016
19 miles west
Wilder Mansion Holiday Market has arts, crafts, and seasonal gifts in a historic Elmhurst mansion. Free.
Art and design fair
November 4 – 6, 2016 (preview Nov. 3)
1 mile east
Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design (SOFA) Fair is a curated art exposition of design, fine art, and decorative art at Navy Pier. Discount tickets.
Rubber fest
November 4 – 6, 2016
5 miles north
Mr. International Rubber (MIR) is a rubber-fetish event that includes cocktail parties, a rubber/leather market, and awards at the Center on Halsted.
Aquarium show
November 4 – 6, 2016
28 miles NW
Visit the shark encounter, take a fish seminar, shop the vendors, and get tickets for a Saturday dinner at Aquatic Experience at Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg.
Game of Thrones parody
November 4 – 13, 2016
3.8 miles north
Described as “darkly humorous and beautifully vulgar,” Thrones! The Musical features hilarious songs about six seasons of the HBO show at Apollo Theater for age 16+. Discount tickets.
Oliver Twist
November 4 – 13, 2016
6.2 miles NW
Oliver! is a musical about a London orphan, based on the classic bookOliver Twist by Charles Dickens, at St. Sebastian Players Theatre.Discount tickets.
Award-winning musical
November 4 – 20, 2016
12.7 miles north
Sweet Charity is a comedy by Neil Simon with show-stopping production numbers about a girl seeking love in gritty 1960s New York, live in Evanston Discount tickets.
Romantic comedy
November 4 – 20, 2016
14 miles north
Beyond Therapy is a satire about relationships and personal ads that features two singles and their misguided therapists at Skokie Theatre.Discount tickets.
Adult drama
November 4 – Dec. 17, 2016
9.4 miles north
Written by a Nobel Prize-winning playwright, Betrayal tells the story of a love affair in reverse, with an unusual twist at Raven Theatre. Discount tickets.
Adult variety show
November 4 – Dec. 23, 2016 (10 p.m.)
7 miles north
Kiss Kiss Cabaret is a fun mix of burlesque, off-color comedy, music, magic, and variety acts at Uptown Underground. Reviews.
Ballet-free Nutcracker
November 4 – Dec. 30, 2016
7.4 miles north
Clara struggles to save Christmas in the imaginative, family-friendly version of The Nutcracker onstage at the Chopin Theatre.
Magic show
November 5, 2016 (9:30 p.m.)
0.7 miles south
The Magic Parlour is an evening of close-up magic by an award-winning magician in the beautiful Palmer House Hilton Hotel. Discount tickets.
Chili tasting
November 5, 2016 (5 to 8 p.m.)
3 miles west
Taste 20 meaty and meat-free chilies plus gelato and beer at The Arts of Life Charitable Chili Cook-Off at 2010 W Carroll Ave.
Macaroni & cheese festival
November 5, 2016
3 miles SW
Try cheesy dishes by 50 chefs (from truffle-braised duck to white cheddar and chorizo), and then vote for the best at Mac & Cheese Festat UIC Forum.
Beer tasting
November 5, 2016
5.9 miles SW
A ticket to BeerHoptacular gets you 20 tickets to sample among 150 American craft beers, live music, local food for sale, and a homebrew competition at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios for age 21+.
Aurora haunted house
November 5, 2016
38 miles west
A ticket to Basement of the Dead also includes the Shattered 3D Nightmare flashlight haunt. Nov. 5 is a special lights out event.
Vegas style Shakespeare
November 5, 11, 13, 2016
0.9 miles south
The Fairy Queen by Chicago Opera Theater reimagines “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in a sultry Las Vegas nightclub at Studebaker Theater.Discount tickets.
Polish film festival
November 5 – 20, 2016
Chicagoland locations
The Polish Film Festival in America shows new films by Polish filmmakers from around the world.
Circus
November 5 – 27, 2016
Chicago & Rosemont
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Out of this World is an intersteller space story of good versus evil with video projection, acrobats, aerialists, and animals.
- Nov. 5 – 13: Allstate Arena discount tickets
- Nov. 17 – 27: United Center discount tickets
Children’s fairy tale
November 5 – 27, 2016
10.2 miles north
Thumbelina is a musical based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen about a miniature girl who meets amazing creatures at Lifeline Theatre.Discount tickets.
Cuban band
November 6, 2016 (2 p.m.)
27 miles west
The Havana Cuba All-Stars deliver a contemporary take on traditional Cuban music at McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. Discount tickets.
All-American musical
November 6, 2016
27.8 miles north
Singin’ in the Rain is a song and dance classic about actors in the early days of Hollywood at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. Discount tickets.
Basketball
November 7, 2016 (7 p.m.)
3 miles west
Watch the Chicago Bulls play the Orlando Magic in a home game at United Center. Discount tickets $23.
Comedy dinner
November 9 & 12, 2016
5.8 miles north
We Gotta Bingo delivers corny, bawdy, slapstick humor plus lasagna, bread, and salad, as you participate in a bingo game between rival parishes at Chicago Theater Works. Discount tickets.
Annie
November 9 – 13, 2016
0.7 miles SW
She’s back! Red-headed Annie belts out songs like “Tomorrow” in a new version of the popular musical at Cadillac Palace Theatre. Discount tickets.
Royal drama
November 9, 2016 – Jan. 15, 2017
1 mile east
In critically acclaimed King Charles III, the queen is dead. Now what happens to Prince Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate? See it live at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. Discount tickets.
Climbing the corporate ladder
November 10 – Dec. 23, 2016
3 miles NW
After being promoted from hotel housekeeping to management, Millie must decide who she’ll sacrifice to secure her family’s future in The Fundamentals, a funny and scathing look at America’s corporate culture at Steppenwolf Theatre. Discount tickets.
Chocolate & wine tasting
November 11 – 12, 2016
2.2 miles west
Chicago Artisan Chocolate Festival has lectures, demonstrations, exhibitors, and tastings at Stephen Bailey Auditorium. Repeats in April.
Wood-aged beer festival
November 11 – 12, 2016
2.6 miles SW
Enjoy beer with exotic flavors at the Festival of Barrel Aged Beers, billed as the country’s largest celebration of wood-and-barrel-aged beer at UIC Forum.
Comedy film festival
November 11 – 12, 2016 (reception Nov. 10)
10 miles north
See funny feature films, short films, and student films at Chicago Comedy Film Festival at The New 400 Theaters. Opening reception Friday, after-party Saturday.
Indoor art market
November 11 – 13, 2016
0.9 miles north
Visit 60 artists and a dozen food vendors at Artisan Market Streetervilleat Northwestern University. Free.
Baking show
November 11 – 13, 2016
28 miles NW
America’s Baking and Sweets Show has baking competitions, celebrity demonstrations, hands-on classes, vendors, and a family zone at Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center.
1980s and ‘90s convention
November 11 – 13, 2016
30 miles west
The inaugural RewindCon [sound] promises TV celebrities, live music, and vendors in Bloomingdale. Discount tickets.
Nutcracker musical
November 11 – Dec. 30, 2016
34 miles north
The Nutcracker is a one-hour fantasy featuring Marie, a nutcracker that comes to life, a mouse king, a sugar plum fairy, and music by Tchaikovsky at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. Discount tickets.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
November 11, 2016 – Jan. 8, 2017
0.8 miles north
Kids ages 3 to 13 will enjoy watching Peanuts cartoon characters on stage during A Charlie Brown Christmas at Broadway Playhouse.
Whiskey tasting
November 12, 2016 (noon, VIP 11 a.m.)
0.7 miles west
River North Whiskey Festival features 50 varieties of whiskey, bourbon, and scotch at Moe’s Cantina and Old Crow Smokehouse. Discount tickets.
Dinner cruise
November 12, 2016 (7 p.m.)
1 mile east
Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne and a three-course meal aboard the luxurious Odyssey as you cruise past the Chicago skyline, departing from Navy Pier. Discount tickets $106.
Japanese festival
November 12, 2016 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
7.6 miles north
JASC Holiday Delight celebrates Kodomo Matsuri with Japanese food, classical dance, Taiko drumming, Ikebana flower arranging, Santa, and a craft sale at Japanese American Service Committee. Free.
Book fair
November 13, 2016
1.5 miles south
Chicago Book Expo features local publishers and authors, with a pop-up bookstore, panel discussions, and readings at Columbia College on Wabash. Free.
Family lantern festival
November 13, 2016
7 miles north
A ticket to Laternenfest and St. Martin’s Parade gets you a lantern kit to assemble and join the parade, with singing, crafts, and a bake sale at Dank Haus.
French soirée
November 17, 2016
1 mile south
Passport to France celebrates fine gastronomy, French chefs, wines and spirits, culture, and entertainment at the Union League Club.
French wine tasting
November 17, 2016 (5 p.m.)
17 miles SW
Walk between restaurants in downtown La Grange to taste 18 to 20 different wines and appetizers during Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Tasting.
Family musical: Rudolph
November 17 – 20, 2016
0.4 miles SW
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a cheerful, song-filled live adventure featuring Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Abominable Snow Monster, Hermey the Elf, and Rudolph at The Chicago Theatre. Discount tickets.
Contemporary dance
November 17 – 20, 2016
0.5 miles south
The Fall Series by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has four works, including two world premieries, at Harris Theater in Millennium Park.Discount tickets.
Villa Park arts & crafts
November 17 – 20, 2016
21 miles west
See hundreds of craft booths at Autumn Festival, an Arts & Crafts Affairin the Odeum Expo Center.
It’s a Wonderful Life: radio play
November 17 – Dec. 31, 2016
3.3 miles north
It’s a Wonderful Life recreates a live radio play based on the popular movie about a man seeking purpose in life at Greeenhouse Theater Center. Afterwards, join the cast for milk and cookies. Discount tickets.
Holidays around the world
November 17, 2016 – Jan. 8, 2017
8 miles south
See trees decorated to represent many cultures plus weekend ethnic song-and-dance performances during Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at the Museum of Science & Industry. Closed Nov. 24 & Dec. 25.
Playful fashion show
November 18, 2016 (8 p.m.)
1 mile east
PlayCHIC is a toy-and-game-inspired fashion show of haute couture, with an open bar, desserts, and DJ music in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier.
Modern dance
November 18 – 20, 2016
1 mile south
The legendary Dance Theatre of Harlem performs three works with passion, power, and technical perfection at Auditorium Theatre.Discount tickets.
Sports memorabilia
November 18 – 20, 2016
17 miles NW
Sports Spectacular is a sports collectibles convention with 300 vendors plus athletes selling autographs at Rosemont convention center. Repeats in March.
Horror convention
November 18 – 20, 2016
28 miles NW
Days of the Dead includes live music, a monster ball, panels, celebrity signings, contests, and after parties, at Chicago Marriott Schaumburg.
Stamp show
November 18 – 20, 2016
29 miles NW
See postage stamp exhibits and shop from 80 vendors at Chicagopex at the Westin in Itasca. Free.
Christmas market
November 18 – Dec. 24, 2016
1 mile SW
Christkindlmarket is an open-air European holiday market on Daley Plaza featuring traditional art, handmade gifts, German foods, choirs, and carolers. Free.
Christmas lights – arboretum
November 18, 2016 – Jan. 2, 2017
27 miles west
See colorful tree lights and interactive laser lights on a one-mile walk atIllumination, and then warm up at the fire pit at the Morton Arboretum. Closed dates for 2016: Nov. 21, 24, 28 and Dec. 5, 12, 24, 25.
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
November 19, 2016
Downtown Chicago
The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival begins midday with family events atLights Festival Lane in Pioneer Court. The Tree-Lighting Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. and runs down Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker Drive, ending with fireworks. All free.
Tasting event
November 19, 2016 (2 sessions)
3.2 miles SW
A ticket to Drink Local gets you samples from local wineries, distilleries, and breweries, with food for sale at Chicago Marriott at Medical District/UIC. Discount tickets.
Toy and game fair
November 19 – 20, 2016
1 mile east
Chicago Toy & Game Fair features new toys and games, tournaments, costumed characters, and stage entertainment at Navy Pier. Discount tickets for two.
Muscle car show
November 19 – 20, 2016
17 mile NW
Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals is an indoor showcase of 500 high-horsepower cars that includes “unveilings” and events for kids at the Rosemont convention center.
Holiday market
November 19 – Dec. 11, 2016 (see below)
2 miles west
Randolph Street’s Holiday Market offers affordable antique, vintage, and modern goods indoors at W Randolph & Washington on Nov. 19, 20, 26, 27; Dec. 10, 11. Discount two-day tickets.
Christmas play
November 19 – Dec. 31, 2016
multiple locations
A Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens’ holiday classic about Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and three Christmas ghosts.
- Nov 19 – Dec. 31: Goodman Theatre in Chicago
- Nov. 25 – 27: McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn – Discount tickets.
- Nov. 30 – Dec. 22: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights – Discount tickets (3 left on Dec. 20).
Contemporary ballet
November 20, 2016 (3 p.m.)
0.9 miles south
Elements Contemporary Ballet performs two works: Pathos (a modern take on Mozart’s Requiem) and The Sun King (set in the court of France’s Louis XIV) at Studebaker Theater. Discount tickets.
Vintage holiday market
November 20, 2016
8.1 miles north
Shop for classic holiday trees, ornaments, toys, and lighting at Vintage Garage Holiday Market , which also has clothing, jewelry, and household furnishings in a covered parking garage at 5051 N. Broadway.
Christmas tree lighting
November 22, 2016
0.5 miles south
The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony begins with a music program at 5:30 p.m. in Millennium Park.
The making of Peter Pan
November 22 – Dec. 4, 2016
0.7 miles SW
Based on the film starring Johnny Depp, Finding Neverland is the magical story of the creation of Peter Pan at Cadillac Palace Theatre.Discount tickets.
Thanksgiving dinner
November 24, 2016
Greater Chicago area
Find a list of restaurants offering special menus for Thanksgiving at theChicago Tribune and OpenTable.
Thanksgiving Parade
November 24, 2016
1 mile south
The Thanksgiving Parade features giant balloons, floats, and marching bands that go north on State Street from Congress to Randolph. Free.
Free day at the arboretum
November 24, 2016
28 miles west
Enjoy Free Admission on Thanksgiving Day at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. (Buildings are closed.)
Thanksgiving run/walk
November 24 – 26, 2016
Greater Chicago area
- Nov. 24 – Turkey Day Run Chicago is a 5K, 8K, and kids’ ramble plus games at Lincoln Park.
- Nov. 26 – Grant Park Turkey Trot: 5K & kids dash
- Nov. 26 – Schaumburg Half Marathon & 5K
Magic show
November 25 – 26, 2016
0.8 miles north
Ivan Amodei involves the audience in his entertaining 90-minute magic show Intimate Illusions, with live cello accompaniment at the Ritz-Carlton. Discount tickets.
Christmas lights – Lincoln Park Zoo
November 25, 2016 – Jan. 1, 2017
2.5 miles north
ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo features millions of holiday lights, ice carvings, music, carousel and train rides, food, and gift shopping (plus photos with Santa some days). Free entry. Open Nov. 25-27; Dec. 2-4, 9-23, 26-31; Jan. 1.
Holiday trains – Botanic garden
November 25, 2016 – Jan. 2, 2017
24 miles north
Wonderland Express features trains running through an indoor garden past miniature buildings at Chicago Botanic Garden. See events schedule. Closed Dec. 25.
Holiday trains – Lincoln Park
Nov. 25, 2016 – Jan. 8, 2017 (daily)
3 miles north
Model trains wind their way through a miniature village among poinsettias during the Winter Flower & Train Show at Lincoln Park Conservatory. Free.
College football
November 26, 2016
14.4 miles north
Watch Northwestern Wildcats play Wisconsin Badgers at a home game in Evanston. Discount tickets.
Football
November 27, 2016 (noon)
2 miles south
Watch the Chicago Bears play the Tennessee Titans in an AFC-NFC battle at Soldier Field. Discount tickets.
Holiday humor
November 29, 2016 – Jan. 1, 2017
3.4 miles north
Barney the Elf is a musical parody of the film Elf with a drag twist at Greenhouse Theater. Discount tickets.
