28 Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend: Chicago Fashion Week, Latino Dance Festival, Fall Fests

CHICAGO — October is in full swing as Chicago welcomes a weekend full of fall fun from fashion shows and Latino dance performances to autumn festivals and the Chicago marathon.

Chicago Fashion Week returns with programming throughout the weekend, including the Survivor’s Ball Runway Show and the Made On The West Side exhibit showcasing young creators.

The Chicago Latino Dance Festival, the only pan-Latino dance festival in the city, closes this weekend with a Humboldt Park performance showcasing a variety of genres.

You can also cheer on runners as they take on the Chicago Marathon through 29 of the city’s neighborhoods, check out Fall Fest in Jefferson Park for a day of family fun or head to the Luv City Fall Fest to celebrate local art and creativity. And don’t miss two days full of music, food and beer for a good cause at the annual Oktoberfestiversary in Ravenswood.

Here’s a roundup of 28 things to do in Chicago this weekend:

All Weekend

Visceral Dance Chicago’s TAKE

8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

3031 N. Rockwell St., Avondale

Visceral Dance Chicago’s “TAKE” returns this Friday with shows running through Oct. 25. Created by Artistic Director Nick Pupillo, the immersive dance performance uses an electronic recorded score mixed with live music set to contemporary movement.

Tickets are $45. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Lincoln Park Wine Fest

5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday

Jonquil Park, 1001 W. Wrightwood Ave., Lincoln Park

The Lincoln Park Wine Fest is celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend as the open-air wine celebration returns to Jonquil Park. Enjoy a weekend full of tasting sessions from your favorite whites and reds to speciality pours and explore a lineup of local food vendors.

Tickets are $30 for general admission and $67.50 for VIP admission. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Oktoberfestiversary

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday

Between Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery in the Ravenswood Corridor. Entrances located at: 1800 W. Cuyler Ave., 4114 N. Ravenswood Ave. and 1820 W. Belle Plaine Ave.

Dovetail and Begyle Breweries team up to help local food pantry The Friendship Center in this annual fun fall event. Live music all day on two stages; kids’ activities with face painting, ballooon twisting and arcade games; food vendors offering everything from lobster rolls to mac and cheese to wood-fired pizza; and of course, plenty of excellent beer make this fest one not to miss.

More info here.

Thursday

Mini Book Binding Workshop

7 p.m. Thursday

Idea Box Integrated Arts, 5419 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Square

Head to Idea Box Integrated Arts for an evening mini book-binding workshop. All the materials, templates and tools will be provided to create and embellish “your very own tiny volume.”

Tickets are $21.05. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Friday

Chicago Bird Alliance Beginning Birding

9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday

South Shore Nature Sanctuary, 7059 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, South Shore

Dive into the world of birding, learn more about native birds and explore the South Shore Nature Sanctuary with this all-ages beginning birding experience hosted by volunteers from the Chicago Bird Alliance. Binoculars and guides will be provided.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Transilience: A Trans Pride Festival

5-7 p.m. Friday

Eckhart Park, 1330 W. Chicago Ave., West Town

After making its debut as Chicago’s second-ever trans pride festival, Transilience is back this weekend for a celebration where everyone is welcome. There will be a variety of trans performing projects like dance, drag, stand up comedy and live painting, plus a lineup of local vendors and community organizations.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Made On The West Side Fashion Experience

6-9 p.m. Friday

Starling by Duo, 3243 W. 16th St., North Lawndale

Young creators from Nash Elementary School are taking the spotlight at this Chicago Fashion Week event. Explore a youth fashion market or attend a youth artist panel while celebrating the creativity of the city’s next generation. There will also be mocktails provided by Monday Coffee.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Saturday

Englewood Village Market

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday

There’s only two more Englewood Village Market dates of the season. Stop by this Saturday to explore Black-owned businesses and score low-cost fresh produce, prepared food, community resources and more. The next edition of the market will be on Oct. 24.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Lincoln Brunch Fest

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday

North Lincoln Avenue from Diversey to Wellington, West Lakeview

Brunch lovers can enjoy an array of free samples from a lineup of local restaurants during the third annual Lincoln Brunch Fest. You can snag a Kyoto style cold brew from Coffee Lab & Roasters or try a mini calzone from Pockets. There will also be local business activations, live music and various book signings and readings featuring local authors.

This is a free event. Learn more about the Saturday schedule here.

Windy City Kite Club Autumn Kite Festival

10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday

Lincoln Park Cricket Hill, 4500 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Uptown

Enjoy a morning of all things kites as the Windy City Kite Club welcomes fall with this kite festival. Attendees can expect a kite-making station where you can craft your own ready-to-fly kite, stunt kite demos and a guided meditation from Higher Self Harmonics.

Tickets are $15. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Harvest Fest

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

South Chicago Farm, 9001 S. Mackinaw Ave., South Chicago

Mark the near end of growing season and explore an urban farm with the South Chicago Farm’s fourth annual Harvest Fest. Families can enjoy a day full of farm activities including apple tasting, a natural dyes workshop, a farm stand to browse and face painting among other fun.

This is a free event. Learn more and RSVP here.

Chicago Zine Fest

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

Harold Washington Library Center, Winter Garden 9th Floor, 400 S. State St., Loop

Browse nearly 100 exhibitors as they share and sell their zines in the picturesque Winter Garden at the Harold Washington Library. There will also be a youth exhibitor space where “young zinesters” can show off their creations, plus fun craft workshops and an Indigenous Zinesters Panel at 11 a.m.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Harvest Hangout

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday

Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St., Wrigleyville

Gallagher Way is kicking off a month of fall celebrations with its Harvest Hangout on Saturday. Stop by to enjoy a day full of outdoor fun including college football on the big screen, a petting zoo, a lineup of seasonal food vendors and live music for the whole family.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Salt Shed Open House: Fall Arboretum Edition

Noon-5 p.m. Saturday

Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave., West Town

The Salt Shed is hosting another edition of its open house series, this time in celebration of fall. There will be vintage clothing vendors, music, arcade games, food and plenty of other fun activities to enjoy. The Salt Shed is also welcoming back the Morton Arboretum, whose team will be giving out free trees will supplies last.

This is a free event. Learn more and RSVP here.

Pop-Up Art Market

Noon-5 p.m. Saturday

FROTH Chicago, 1515 W. Monroe St., Near West Side

Stop by this pop-up art market at the FROTH Chicago courtyard to browse multiple vendors selling goods such as ceramics, candles, vintage clothing, jewelry and original artwork. Don’t forget to grab a coffee from FROTH for a shopping pick-me-up.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Proof Studios Grand Opening

Noon-8 p.m. Saturday

2826 W. Cermak Road, Little Village

Proof Studios, a new pop-up home to a rotating list of featured events and active studio space, is opening its doors this weekend with a group art show. “Unidos” is a multi-medium art show meant to highlight those who embrace unique identities and experiences. There will also be live music and DJ sets by local artists.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Artist Talk With Jenie Gao

3-5 p.m. Saturday

Chinese American Museum of Chicago, 238 W. 23rd St., Chinatown

Learn more about artist Jeanie Goa’s work in “A Plot of One’s Own” as they host an artist talk. Gao, who specializes in printmaking, public art and communtiy storytelling, will dive into their artistic practices and the ideas that shape their work.

This is a free event. Learn more and RSVP here.

Luv City Fall Fest

6-8:30 p.m. Saturday

CineCity Studios, 2429 W. 14th St., North Lawndale

Luv City, an organization dedicated to providing welcoming spaces for young people, is celebrating fall with a Fall Fest that brings together Chicago youth, local artists and content creators for a free evening full of live entertainment and community.

There will be live performances by local musicians and artists, interactive games, a podcast station, a photobooth, a DJ, an airbrush station and other creative fun. Luv City’s fall multimedia program will also be on the grounds capturing photos and videos of the festivities.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

“Off The COUCH” Closing Reception

7-10 p.m. Saturday

Timeless Arts Gallery & Studio, 3040 N. Ashland Ave., Lakeview

Catch “Off the COUCH” before it closes at Timeless Arts Gallery & Studio. Combining artists from all across the country, the “Simpsons”-themed exhibit features original pieces from 15 different creators.

This is a free event with a suggested donation. Learn more here.

FilipinX

8 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday

Outset, 1675 N. Elston Ave., Bucktown

October is Filipino American History Month, and you can celebrate with an all star DJ lineup for the 9th edition of the FilipinX party. Featuring headliner DJ Bella Fiasco from Long Beach and Arthur Tan from Manila, good music and vibes are guaranteed all night long.

The Saturday night party will also include showcased local vendors serving up authentic bites in the Outset outdoor courtyard. You can also look forward to exclusive FilipinX merch like totes and hoodies.

Tickets start at $55.16. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Sunday

Chicago Marathon

7:30 a.m. Sunday

Finish line: Grant Park, 331 E. Randolph St., Loop

It’s marathon season in Chicago as runners from around the world are gearing up to run 26.2 miles through 29 Windy City neighborhoods. Head to various spots along the route to cheer on runners, hear live music and soak in all the good vibes of marathon day.

Learn more about the marathon route here.

Bears Vs. Packers Watch Party

11 a.m. Sunday

Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St., Bridgeport

Watch the Chicago Bears take on their biggest rival, the Green Bay Packers, on the big screen at the historic Ramova Theatre. Catch the game on a 40-foot screen while cheering on the Monsters of the Midway alongside fellow fans.

This is a free event with VIP tables available for purchase. Learn more here.

CHI Audiobook On Foot

11 a.m.-noon Sunday

Chicago Public Library, Edgewater Branch, 6000 N. Broadway, Edgewater

Join neighbors on a morning walk to the lake with this audiobook listening event. Participants will take a stroll while listening to the same audiobook, then gather to discuss the book. Attendees will be able to vote on three different titles before heading out on the walk. Bring headphones and a charged mobile device.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Jefferson Park Fall Fest

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

Jefferson (Thomas) Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long Ave., Jefferson Park

Families can spend the morning outdoors during the annual Jefferson Park Fall Fest. The family friendly-event will include activities like arts and crafts, a Halloween costume swap and plenty of pumpkins to go around.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Gay Ghosts Tour: Bronzeville

Noon Sunday

220 W. 47th St., Bronzeville

Explore the queer history of Bronzeville with this walking tour hosted by Walking Chicago, with a fun Halloween twist. The tour explores why and how Bronzeville was Chicago’s first “gayborhood” in the 1960s.

Tickets are $25. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Tampico Barrio Bash Block Party

Noon-4 p.m. Sunday

Vault Gallerie, 2015 S. Laflin St., Pilsen

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with this day-long party featuring Latino brands, food, music, art and more. There will be family-friendly activities, food and treats from a lineup of neighborhood restaurants, plus a DJ set and live mariachi performance. Families can also look forward to activations like custom bouquet making and an old school car showcase.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Survivor’s Ball: Chicago Fashion Week Runway Show

3:30 p.m. Sunday

SpaceISH Chicago, 917 W. 18th St., Pilsen

Mental health awareness meets the runway in this Chicago Fashion Week runway show that explores how creativity and fashion can be a healing force. There will be a red carpet celebration, a runway fashion presentation, storytelling, live performances and an afterparty.

This is a free event with a suggested donation. Learn more and RSVP here.

Closing Afternoon of the Chicago Latino Dance Festival

3 p.m. Sunday

Humboldt Park Fieldhouse, 1440 N. Humboldt Blvd., Humboldt Park

The only Pan-Latino dance festival in Chicago is returning for its fourth year with a weekend of programming that highlights the rich diversity of Latino dance. Featuring 20 performing groups across two different venues, attendees can look forward to Afro-Latin, indigenous, folkloric and contemporary dance performances.

This is a free event with a $20 suggested donation. Learn more and RSVP here.

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