Illinois events in October 2026
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62nd Chicago International Film Festival
As the longest-running competitive film festival in North America, The Chicago International Film Festival brings more than 150 films from around the world to Chicago.… \n
America@250 – Now is the Time: Artists Go to Work
On July 4, 2026, America turned 250 years old. To reckon with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is to reckon with freedom… \n
Chicago By Night River & Lake
Glide along the Chicago River and Lakefront as you’re dazzled by the sparkle of the city at night. Hear lively commentary as you feel the… \n
City Cruises Chicago Seadog Haunted River Tour
As Halloween season arrives, the Seadog Haunted River Tour returns to the Chicago River, offering guests a hauntingly fun journey through the city\'s storied past.… \n
ClarkeToberfest: A Weekend of Fall Festivities at the Harley Clarke Mansion
Clarketoberfest at the Harley Clarke Mansion Oct. 16–18 brings three days of FREE fall fun, beer, food by Hatchet Burger, dancing, family festivities, and live… \n
Creepy Cruise
From strange sightings to eerie haunts, mobsters and more, our latest nighttime tour takes you into Chicago\'s shadowy past. Cruise along the Chicago River as… \n
Cutting and Pasting a World: The Paper Craft of Henry Darger
Intuit Art Museum (IAM), recognized worldwide as one of the few institutions dedicated solely to championing the work of self-taught artists, marks the 250th anniversary… \n
Dinos!
Starting May 22, Dinos! are taking over Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Come face-to-face with life-size dinosaurs throughout the Zoo. Journey through a massive rib-cage tunnel, climb… \n
Foos Gone Wild – 2026 Tour
Foos Gone Wild is bringing The FOOS GONE WILD Tour 2026 live to Chicago on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the House of Blues Chicago. \n
Fright at the Field
Spooky season has arrived at the Field Museum! Join us for Fright at the Field, a Halloween experience featuring the return of Underground MISAdventure, and… \n
Howl-O-Ween Canine Cruise
Where are the pet parents who count down to dressing up their dog every Halloween? This one’s for you! Our 2026 Howl-O-Ween Canine Cruise is… \n
I am the Wind
Two lifelong friends sail into open water: one edging closer to the pull of oblivion, the other with a question neither can escape. Nobel laureate… \n
Identity Performing Arts 5th Anniversary Performance
Identity Performing Arts 5th Anniversary – Celebrating 5 remarkable years of ingenuity, imagination, and shared spirit, on October 18th at the Edlis Neeson Theater at… \n
Illinois State vs. Northwestern (men's basketball)
NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Illinois State vs. Northwestern, 4 p.m. (local time per source).
Loyola Chicago vs. DePaul (men's basketball)
NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Loyola Chicago vs. DePaul, 1 p.m. (local time per source).
Marquee: Musical Improv
Musical theatre and improv collide as Marquee presents you with an hour of fully improvised musical comedy, spontaneously creating entire scenes, songs, and stories based… \n
Marriott Theatre Presents Come From Away
Marriott Theatre, Chicagoland’s longest-running musical theatre presents Come From Away, the internationally celebrated musical that was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, captured four Laurence Olivier Awards,… \n
NoMI Gallery | Everything is Bright. All Things are Beautiful.
NoMI Gallery Presents: 萬物生輝 Everything is Bright. All Things are Beautiful. NoMI is proud to present a curated exhibition by contemporary artist Dwight Hwang, whose… \n
Serial Killer: The Exhibition
Serial Killer: The Exhibition makes its Chicago debut on September 5, 2026, at Cinespace Film Studios Chicago, bringing the world\'s largest private collection of authentic serial killer artifacts to… \n
The 37th Annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival Returns September 20 – October 26 at Four Chicago Venues
Curious Theatre Branch, with co-producers Chicago Danztheater Ensemble, Chicago Dramatists and Labyrinth Club, are pleased to announce the 37th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival, September 20… \n
Theater of the Mind
Now Extended Multiple experiences per day at the Reid Murdoch Building, 333 N LaSalle Visit TheateroftheMindChicago.com for dates, times, and tickets Created by David Byrne… \n
UFO Case Files
A strange object in the sky. A cursed gas station hot dog. A llama with government clearance. Our performers create a brand new story influenced… \n
We the People: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Beauty in Greektown Chicago
The new public art exhibit We the People: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Beauty in Greektown Chicago celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration… \n
Bradley vs. North Central College (women's basketball)
NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Bradley vs. North Central College, 6 p.m. (local time per source).
Sip And Script
Pub Trivia
Eastern Illinois vs. Quincy (Exhib.) (women's basketball)
NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Eastern Illinois vs. Quincy (Exhib.), 6 p.m. (local time per source).
Live Music: danny Dancel
Eastern Illinois vs. Southeast Missouri (football)
NCAA Division I football home game, Eastern Illinois vs. Southeast Missouri, 2 p.m. (local time per source).
Illinois State vs. Indiana State (football)
NCAA Division I football home game, Illinois State vs. Indiana State, 2 p.m. (local time per source).
Northern Illinois vs. Hawai'i (football)
NCAA Division I football home game, Northern Illinois vs. Hawai'i, 2:30 p.m. (local time per source).
Northwestern vs. Rutgers (football)
NCAA Division I football home game, Northwestern vs. Rutgers, 11 a.m. (local time per source).
Western Illinois vs. UT Martin (football)
NCAA Division I football home game, Western Illinois vs. UT Martin, 3 p.m. (local time per source).
Knit Blanket Workshop
Bingo Night
Illinois State vs. SIUE (Exh.) (women's basketball)
NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Illinois State vs. SIUE (Exh.), 6:30 p.m. (local time per source).
Loyola Chicago vs. Calumet College (men's basketball)
NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Loyola Chicago vs. Calumet College, 6 p.m. (local time per source).
Eastern Illinois vs. Illinois Wesleyan (Exhib.) (women's basketball)
NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Eastern Illinois vs. Illinois Wesleyan (Exhib.), 6 p.m. (local time per source).
Loyola Chicago vs. Lewis (Exh.) (women's basketball)
NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Loyola Chicago vs. Lewis (Exh.), 6:30 p.m. (local time per source).
Bradley vs. SIUE (men's basketball)
NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Bradley vs. SIUE, 7 p.m. (local time per source).
Pub Trivia
Live Music: Billy Nixon
Northwestern vs. Lewis (women's basketball)
NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Northwestern vs. Lewis, 7 p.m. (local time per source).
Illinois State vs. Murray State (football)
NCAA Division I football home game, Illinois State vs. Murray State, 1 p.m. (local time per source).