Things to do
Halloween in Chicago 2026: The complete guide to celebrating
Prepare for the city's most thrilling holiday with the help of our guide to Halloween in Chicago.
Things to Do
Discover the best things to do in Chicago, including popular events, festivals, attractions, tours and free activities
Things to do
The 12 best haunted houses near Chicago
If you’re up for a good scare, buy a ticket to one of the best haunted houses near Chicago.
Things to do
Fall activities in Chicago: The best things to do
Fall in Chicago arrives with its own particular type of magic.
Kids
The best pumpkin patches near Chicago
All of the farms and pumpkin patches on this list are within an hour-and-a-half drive from the city.
Advertising
Things to do in Chicago every day
How to spend fall in Chicago
Things to do
The best fall activities in Chicago
Get out and enjoy the city with the best things to do in the fall in Chicago.
Bars
The best sports bars in Chicago for watching every big game
Dust off your favorite jersey and read on to find the best sports bars in Chicago.
Things to do
The best orchards to go apple picking near Chicago
Apple picking season is here along with the sunny start of fall in Chicago.
Bars
The best Chicago breweries and taprooms
Enjoy a pint (or sample a flight) at the best Chicago breweries and taprooms.
Movies
The 11 best movie theaters in Chicago
You’ll find the perfect place to watch in our list of the best movie theaters in Chicago.
Kids
The best pumpkin patches near Chicago to visit this fall
There’s no surer sign that fall is coming than seeing pumpkins pop up everywhere.
Things to do
The 11 best haunted houses near Chicago
Squeeze in some proper frights at Chicagoland's best haunted houses.
Museums
The best museums in Chicago
Some of the world's most famous collections and exhibits can be found in Chicago.
Things to do
The best free things to do in Chicago
There are plenty of activities around the city that don't cost a penny.
Advertising
The latest things to do in Chicago
Things to do
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
When this institution opened in 1961, African-American history was suffering serious neglect at the hands of the city’s—and, for that matter, the...
Things to do
Celestia
A new immersive light and music show is coming to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church this winter. Dubbed Celestia, the seated experience features...
Things to do
The best things to do in Chicago this weekend
With our guide to the best festivals, shows and cultural happenings across the city, consider your weekend plans covered.
Things to do
The best Halloween events and parties in Chicago
Break out your best costumes and get ready for a fright at the best Halloween events in Chicago.
Things to do
The 50 best things to do in Chicago right now
Discover the best things to do in Chicago, from iconic venues and views to cultural essentials and late-night shenanigans.
The latest Chicago news
Sports and fitness
The Savannah Bananas are coming to Chicago's Soldier Field for the first time
Banana Ball is going big with a tour of football stadiums, international cities and “Banana Ball 360”
Things to do
This Chicago school was just named the best elementary school in all of Illinois
It leads the state with exceptional reading and math performance in U.S. News & World Report’s latest rankings.
Things to do
The 7 most stunning Chicago landmarks you can visit year-round—including a South Side White Castle
These are some of our favorite of Chicago’s nearly 500 official landmarks.
The latest Chicago events
Things to do
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady
Ready to explore Chicago's amazing architecture while floating on the river? The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise takes place aboard a First Lady...
Things to do
Drunk Dracula
The masterminds behind the irreverent long-running comedy show Drunk Shakespeare are unleashing their latest monster mash-up, Drunk Dracula, on the city...
Things to do
Gangsters & Ghosts Tour
Whether it's on a minibus or on foot, this tour takes you to the locations frequented by some of Chicago's most notorious gangsters and the places that...
Things to do in Chicago neighborhoods
Shopping & Style
Shopping
Chicago’s best thrift stores for secondhand, vintage and resale shopping
Be prepared to score some serious deals on items you simply can't find at most other stores.
Shopping
19 Chicago gift shops for unique presents
It’s been said that the best gifts in life are free, but no one’s really buying that, right?
Most popular things to do features
Things to do
A super El Niño could make this the warmest Chicago winter of the century. Here’s how it could affect beloved holiday traditions.
Sleet, flooding and warmer-than-average temperatures will make this winter feel different than what we’re used to.
Things to do
The 7 most stunning Chicago landmarks you can visit year-round—including a South Side White Castle
These are some of our favorite of Chicago’s nearly 500 official landmarks.
Things to do
The best things to do in Chicago this weekend
With our guide to the best festivals, shows and cultural happenings across the city, consider your weekend plans covered.
Things to do
The best November 2026 events in Chicago
Pack your month with the best activities, pop-ups, concerts and things to do.
Things to do
This Chicago school was just named the best elementary school in all of Illinois
It leads the state with exceptional reading and math performance in U.S. News & World Report’s latest rankings.
Advertising
Things to do
The best Halloween events and parties in Chicago
Break out your best costumes and get ready for a fright at the best Halloween events in Chicago.
Things to do
Want to eat Italian beef with ‘The Bear’ star Will Poulter this weekend? Here’s how early you’ll need to show up to the Mr. Beef pop-up.
The British actor is headed to the River North joint to celebrate Michelin-starred chef Santiago Lastra’s debut cookbook.
Things to do
Chicago just smashed a nearly 20-year-old temperature record—what this means for fall ahead
In other words, just stay indoors.
Things to do
The best October 2026 events and things to do in Chicago
Plot out your October in Chicago with our calendar, featuring the best festivals, Halloween parties and much more.
Things to do
The best things to do in Chicago today
Find the best things to do in Chicago today, including parties, concerts, screenings and other can't-miss events.
Time In - movies we love
Movies
'Digger' review: Subtle? Nope. Mordantly funny and wildly surprising? Definitely
Call Alejandro G Iñárritu’s matryoshka doll of an eco-disaster movie many things – and people will – but you can’t call...
Movies
'Verity' review: our verdict on the latest Colleen Hoover adaptation
Colleen Hoover is Gen Z’s Nicholas Sparks. This marks the fourth (and counting) movie adaptation of her 25 (and counting) romance novels, following $350...
Movies
The 14 best horror movies of 2026 (so far)
With Obsession and Backrooms the latest smash hits at the box office, the horror business is booming right now. Over the last few years, it’s...
The best movies of 2026 (so far)
From ‘The Bone Temple’ to ‘Project Hail Mary’, the best of the year to date.
Movies
The best animes of 2026 (so far)
With the return of popular animes like Jujutsu Kaisen and Frieren in January, this year in anime kicked off pretty early with heroic characters, cutting-edge...
Time In - songs we love
Music
The 14 best albums of 2026 so far
Olivia Rodrigo, Madonna, Slayyyter and more feature in the best releases of the year so far, according to Time Out editors and contributors
Music
The 50 best karaoke songs ever made
Whether you’ve got the voice of an angel or you’re totally tone deaf, karaoke unites us all.
Music
The 40 greatest Halloween songs for the ultimate spooky party
As the nights draw in and the chill sets through the air, there’s no denying it: spooky season has officially arrived. The pumpkins are carved, the...
Music
The 40 best party songs ever made
Party songs come in all shapes and sizes – here’s what should be on your playlist.
Music
The 37 best inspirational songs of all time
Get some pep in your step with these motivational anthems.