Events in Chicago in October 2026

The best things to do in Chicago this October — 467 events across Concerts, Cinema, Theater, Comedy and more.

Highlighted in October

Lowdown Brass Band

20 October at 20:00 Garcia's Chicago

Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer

17 October at 20:30 Wicker Park Lutheran Church

An Idiot’s Guide to Wine

9 October at 18:00 Chop Shop Chicago

Performing Arts

Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show

17 October at 16:00 Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture

Olivia Rodrigo: The Unraveled Tour

11 & 12 October United Center

Raqib Shaw: Paradise Lost

7 Jun – 15 Nov The Art Institute of Chicago

17 & 18 October Nederlander Theatre at Ford Center for the Performing Arts

Candlelight: Tribute to Queen

2 October at 18:30 Stan Mansion

Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa

7 October at 19:00 Zanies Comedy Club - Chicago

Performing Arts

Outcast Jazz Band's Big Band Dance Party

4 October at 18:00 Epiphany Center for the Arts - Café Bar

Most popular in October

1 An Idiot’s Guide to Wine Chop Shop Chicago 9 October at 18:00
2 Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer Wicker Park Lutheran Church 17 October at 20:30
3 Candlelight: Tribute to Queen Stan Mansion 2 October at 18:30
4 Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture 17 October at 16:00
5 Candlelight: Tribute to Juan Gabriel on Strings Stan Mansion 2 October at 20:45

Explore by category

Concerts

321 events · Indie, Alternative Indie, Rock and more

Lowdown Brass Band

20 October at 20:00 Garcia's Chicago

Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer

17 October at 20:30 Wicker Park Lutheran Church

Candlelight: Tribute to Queen

2 October at 18:30 Stan Mansion

Candlelight: Tribute to Juan Gabriel on Strings

2 October at 20:45 Stan Mansion

Candlelight: Tribute to Adele

2 October at 18:30 Stan Mansion

Theater

4 events

The Jury Experience: An Immersive Courtroom Case

25 October at 19:00 Museum Of Contemporary Art (MCA)

10 October at 18:00 The Lincoln Lodge

Jekyll & Hyde - Musical

14 October at 19:00 Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place

The Jury Experience - Frankenstein on Trial: The Man Who Defied God: Will Chicago Deliver Justice?

25 October at 16:30 Edlis Neeson Theater

Comedy

5 events

An Idiot’s Guide to Wine

9 October at 18:00 Chop Shop Chicago

Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa

7 October at 19:00 Zanies Comedy Club - Chicago

10 & 11 October Vic Theatre

27 October at 19:30 Vic Theatre

Second City Mainstage Revue

1 October at 20:00 +26 more Mainstage at Second City - Chicago

Performing Arts

11 events · Ballet, Comedy, Music Theatre and more

Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show

17 October at 16:00 Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture

Outcast Jazz Band's Big Band Dance Party

4 October at 18:00 Epiphany Center for the Arts - Café Bar

30 October at 20:00 Schubas Tavern

16 October at 19:30 +6 more City Lit Theater Company

14 October at 19:00 Harris Theater

Sports

8 events

Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots (Date: TBD)

22 October at 19:15 Soldier Field

Chicago Fire FC vs. New York City FC

10 October at 13:30 Grant Park

Chicago Fire FC vs. Philadelphia Union

14 October at 19:30 Grant Park

PARKING: Chicago Bears vs. New York Jets

4 October Soldier Field

Chicago Bears vs. New York Jets (Date: TBD)

4 October at 12:00 Soldier Field

Cinema

3 events

31 October at 19:00 Concord Music Hall

17 & 18 October Nederlander Theatre at Ford Center for the Performing Arts

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

31 October at 19:30 The Chicago Theatre