10 Things to Do This Weekend: Sept. 27-30

(Courtesy of Special Events Management)(Courtesy of Special Events Management)

1. Prost!

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Beers, brats and bands headline Oktoberfest Chicago. Put on your lederhosen or dirndl and raise a glass to fall. A pair of stages provide musical entertainment from Bavarian beats to polka and popular tribute acts, including performances by 16 Candles, Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press and Run Forrest Run. Bonus: Craft beer tastings are on tap from 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday for an added cost of $50 and include 20 samples, a souvenir glass and pretzel necklace. 

Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday at St. Alphonsus Church, 1429 W. Wellington Ave. $10 Friday and Saturday; $5 Sunday / MAP

Find more fall festivals in our 2018 guide


2. Stroll

Admire the handiwork of nearly 200 local artists at the Beverly Art Walk that spans 60 businesses, vacant storefronts and public art locations across the neighborhood. Expect to see pottery, jewelry, sculpture, textiles and photography. Free trolleys will be available throughout the route. Live music, art demonstrations, food trucks, craft beer and children’s activities round things out.

Details: Noon-7 p.m. Saturday along Western Avenue between 95th and 111th Streets. Free / MAP

(Courtesy of Beverly Art Walk)(Courtesy of Beverly Art Walk)

3. Examine

See how older homes have been preserved and adapted for modern living at Historic Berwyn’s Bungalow Tour. A range of homes, historical sites and even some notable commercial buildings will be showcased during the tour. Check in at the Berwyn Depot Train Station.

Details: Noon-5 p.m. Sunday at Berwyn Depot Train Station, 6801 W. Windsor Ave., Berwyn. $20-$25 / MAP

(Berwyn Historical Society / Facebook)(Berwyn Historical Society / Facebook)

4. Liftoff

Go on an out-of-this world adventure at Family After Dark: Sci-Fi & Fantasy Adventure. Create your own alien world, navigate an alien obstacle course and experiment with dry ice to learn about environments on other planets. Bonus: Costumed characters will be on hand and a DJ will provide supersonic beats to get you moving your feet.  

Details: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Friday at the Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive. $15; $10 for children / MAP

(Thor_Deichmann / Pixabay)(Thor_Deichmann / Pixabay)

5. Marvel

Browse the artistic creations of more than 135 international painters, photographers, sculptors and more at EXPO Chicago. This year’s event aligns with Art Design Chicago, a yearlong celebration of the city’s art, and will feature panel discussions with leading artists, curators and designers. In addition to admiring artists’ works at Navy Pier, you can see them scattered along the lakefront and in Chicago neighborhoods.

Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday at Navy Pier, Festival Hall, 600 E. Grand Ave. $20 single day pass; $30 three-day pass / MAP

Judy Chicago, Women and Smoke, 1971. EXPO VIDEO, Curated by Anna Gritz (Curator, KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin). Image courtesy of Jessica Silverman Gallery, San Francisco and Salon 94 (New York) and EXPO CHICAGO.Judy Chicago, Women and Smoke, 1971. EXPO VIDEO, Curated by Anna Gritz (Curator, KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin). Image courtesy of Jessica Silverman Gallery, San Francisco and Salon 94 (New York) and EXPO CHICAGO.

6. Journey

Taiko drumming, calligraphy and martial arts are among the many highlights of Chicago Japanese Matsuri. Participate in a cosplay contest, try your hand at origami and snap a few pics in a photo booth while enjoying authentic Japanese festival foods.

Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Newcity Plaza, 1457 N. Halsted St. Free / MAP

(Courtesy of Japanese Culture Center)(Courtesy of Japanese Culture Center)

7. Snap

More than 30 musicians descend on the South Side for the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, including Jason Moran, Dee Alexander, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah and Ravi Coltrane with Brandee Younger. The 12th annual event will feature performances at nearly a dozen venues, such as the Rockefeller Chapel, Midway Plaisance and Hyde Park Bank.

Details: 1 p.m.-midnight Saturday; 1-7 p.m. Sunday at various locations including the Midway Plaisance, 1130 Midway Plaisance. $5 suggested donation / MAP

(Marc Monaghan)(Marc Monaghan)

8. Regard

Discover the talents of emerging and undiscovered artists, including dozens from Chicago, at The Other Art Fair. Take a crash course in art collecting (3:15-4 p.m. Friday) before browsing the jewelry, paintings, photographs, sculptures and mixed media works for sale. Chicago art icon Hebru Brantley created an original piece “Girl with Red Scarf,” sales of which will benefit the nonprofit arts charity Little Black Pearl.

Details: 1-6 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday at Mana Contemporary Chicago, 2233 S. Throop St. $10-$40 / MAP

Hebru Brantley, “Girl with Red Scarf” (Courtesy of The Other Art Fair)Hebru Brantley, “Girl with Red Scarf” (Courtesy of The Other Art Fair)

9. Frolic

He spread his apple seeds across the nation and you have the chance to meet him at Johnny Appleseed Fest. The folklore legend will be portrayed by historian and educator Steve McPhail, who will walk the fest grounds educating attendees. Learn how an antique apple cider press works from the local historical society, test your apple pie-baking skills in a contest and enjoy apple-inspired delights.

Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at 25 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake. Free / MAP

(suju / Pixabay)(suju / Pixabay)

10. Get out

Celebrate national public land’s day at Party for the Preserves. Hosted by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, the bash will be held at the county’s first forest preserve and include bird and nature walks, a native plant sale, live music, stargazing with the Adler Planetarium and more.

Details: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve, 1599 Pepper Tree Drive, Palatine. Free / MAP

Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.


Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors