Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade. (Distract Your Face Photography)
1. Bewitch
Celebrate Halloween at a pair of evening events. At the Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade, you can watch more than 90 arts and cultural organizations dazzle with floats, puppets, dancing, marching bands and more. Costumes are encouraged, and early birds can snag free candy. The WNDR Museum, meanwhile, is offering up tarot readings, aura portraits and autumnal-themed flash tattoos at WNDR After Dark: Tattoo and Tarot. Organizers recommend arriving early; admission includes the chance to check out all of the museum’s interactive exhibits.
Details for the Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade: Candy giveaway begins at 5 p.m. Saturday. Parade runs 6-8 p.m. Saturday along State Street, starting at Lake Street and moving south to Van Buren Street. Free / MAP
Details for WNDR After Dark: Tattoo and Tarot: 6:30 p.m. Friday at WNDR Museum, 1130 W. Monroe St. $38-50; $28 for kids ages 3 to 12 / MAP
Looking for more events? The Slow & Low Chicago Lowrider Festival and Boo at the Zoo return this weekend. Check out those and more in our 2023 Chicago Festival Guide.
2. Repurpose
Check out Fair Fashion Week at the Fall Clothing Swap. Donate clothing and accessories in good condition and head home with up to 10 new items. Stylists will be on hand each day; mending is available Friday. All ages, sizes and genders are welcome.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Chicago Fair Trade Pop-Up Shop and Museum, 2352 N. Clark St. $10-50 / MAP
3. Listen
Support local musical artists at the 2023 Chicago Made Music Showcase Finale. Sixteen finalists will perform in front of industry experts and compete for the chance to win $10,000.
Details: 7-10 p.m. Saturday at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Free / MAP
4. Learn
The 10th annual Lit & Luz Festival brings together artists from Mexico and Chicago for artist talks, writing workshops and readings in both English and Spanish. The bilingual festival wraps up this weekend with an event at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Details: Locations and prices vary through Saturday
5. Play
Since 1985, the Pinball Expo has brought together pinball fans for games, tournaments, seminars and more. At this year’s expo you’ll find pinball machines, arcade games, retro gaming console machines, tabletop games, vendors and a factory tour.
Details: Runs through Saturday at Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive in Schaumburg. $20-195; kids 12 and under free / MAP
(Vlad Vasnetsov / Pixabay)
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.
