These 611 activities are worth leaving the house for.
Ask me for something more specific.
November 4 at 7pm
Block Museum of Art, Mary and Leigh · Evanston • Free
Filmmaker John Smith appears in person for a screening of three films surveying five decades of London's urban transformation, followed by a discussion at the Block Museum of Art.
November 4 at 7:30pm
The Chicago Theatre · Chicago Loop
Blade Runner like you've never heard it: the 2007 Final Cut on a giant HD screen while The Avex Ensemble plays Vangelis' synth-soaked score live, perfectly synced to every neon-drenched frame.
November 5 at 7pm
Block Museum of Art, Mary and Leigh · Evanston • Free
A slap in the face to some and a monstrosity to Mayor Richard Daley, Denis Mitchell's 1961 Chicago documentary screens alongside a 1975 Studs Terkel portrait, followed by a panel discussion at the Block Museum of Art.
November 11 at 7pm
Norris University Center · Evanston • Free
Free scary movies under the stars: Norris Programs screens spooky favorites like Sinners and I Know What You Did Last Summer on Cohen Lawn. Bring a blanket, grab your friends, and lean into spooky season.
Every day at 5pm
The Parlour at The Albion · Lincoln Park
Chicago's outpost of the international Black Lagoon pop-up turns The Albion Manor's second floor into a fully decked-out Halloween haunt. Expect eerie cocktails in custom-branded glassware, a Halloween Burlesque show, and a surprisingly great bowl of Pozole.
November 3 at 7:30pm +22
Steppenwolf Theatre · Lincoln Park
Armed with pickleball paddles and hard kombucha, a circle of suburban mothers plots to ban school library books in Stephanie Alison Walker's piercing world premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre, directed by Pam MacKinnon.
November 3 at 7pm
The Comedy Bar · Streeterville • $22-$25
Part comedy show, part live game: a lineup of comics takes the stage while the audience pelts the flops with fake tomatoes. Heckling has never been so hands-on.
November 3 at 7:30pm +30
Black Ensemble Theater · Ravenswood
Pickleball paddles, hard kombucha, and a school board showdown: this world premiere skewers suburban book-banning with biting wit. Chicago playwright Stephanie Alison Walker finds the hilarious hypocrisy in the causes we champion.
November 3 at 8pm
Old Town School of Folk Music - Gary & Laura Maurer Concert Hall · Lincoln Square • $45
Margaret Glaspy brings her sharp, self-searching indie-folk to a hall that knows a thing or two about honest songs. With special guest Olive Klug adding unfiltered, Joni Mitchell-styled vulnerability, it is a night for listeners who like their music confessional and close.
November 3 at 8pm
Jazz Showcase · Chicago Loop • $25
First-place winner of the National Trumpet Competition Gabriel Wade brings his quintet to the Jazz Showcase stage, featuring Jared Schultz on saxophone, Isaiah Jones Jr. on piano, Nat Lin on bass, and Sid Smith IV on drums.
November 3 at 7pm
FITZGERALDS · Berwyn • $10 in Advance // $15 Day of Show
When Billy Branch lifts his harmonica at Fitzgeralds, his gritty Chicago blues echo through the club, while patrons can sip $5 Revolution Brewery pints and grab BBQ at Babygold before the 7 pm set.
November 3 at 9pm
Sleeping Village · Avondale • $20
Canadian garage-punk psych rockers Wine Lips bring their ear-scorching, adrenaline-pumping chaos to Sleeping Village's intimate stage. Expect a loud, rowdy, headbanging night.
Browse Chicago neighborhood by neighborhood, get ideas just for you, or ask me anything.
611 activities · Page 1 / 11
Tue, Nov 3 · 5:00 PM
Austin Town Hall Park · Austin
Mon, Nov 9 · 7:30 PM
Swedish American Museum · Andersonville
$250
Tue, Nov 3 · 5:00 PM
Chicago Magic Lounge · Ravenswood
Free
Mon, Nov 9 · 6:00 PM
Swedish American Museum · Andersonville
$250
Tue, Nov 3 · 8:00 PM
The Green Mill · Uptown
$$
Mon, Nov 9 · 8:00 PM
Green Mill Jazz Club · Uptown
$10 cover
Mon, Nov 9 · 9:00 PM
Fuller's Pub · Irving Park
$
Tue, Nov 3 · 5:00 PM
Hamilton Park Cultural Center Fieldhouse · Englewood
Thu, Nov 5 · 5:30 PM
Henry Crown Sports Pavilion · Evanston
Tue, Nov 3 · 5:30 PM
Henry Crown Sports Pavilion · Evanston
Free for Northwestern students/members · Non-members: Weekdays before 3 PM $13, After 3 PM & Weekends $20
Tue, Nov 3 · 5:30 PM
Henry Crown Sports Pavilion · Evanston
Free for students/members; Non-members: $13 before 3 PM weekdays, $20 after 3 PM & weekends
Tue, Nov 3 · 8:00 PM
Second City Main Stage · Old Town Triangle
Tue, Nov 3 · 9:00 PM
Laugh Factory · Lake View East
Tue, Nov 3 · 7:30 PM
Laugh Factory Chicago · Lake View East
Tue, Nov 3 · 7:00 PM
Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place · Streeterville
Tue, Nov 3 · 7:00 PM
Henry Crown Sports Pavilion · Evanston
Tue, Nov 3 · 5:30 PM
Greater Lawn Mental Health · West Elsdon
Tue, Nov 3 · 7:00 PM
Henry Crown Sports Pavilion · Evanston
Tue, Nov 3 · 8:00 PM
The Green Mill · Uptown
$10
Tue, Nov 3 · 7:30 PM
Open Space Arts · Sheridan Park
Tue, Nov 3 · 7:00 PM
Chicago Magic Lounge · Ravenswood
Tue, Nov 3 · 7:30 PM
The Vic Theatre · Lake View East
Tue, Nov 3 · 6:00 PM
900 North Michigan Shops · Streeterville
Tue, Nov 3 · 6:00 PM
Swedish American Museum · Andersonville
$250
Tue, Nov 3 · 6:00 PM
The Whistler · Logan Square
Free
Tue, Nov 3 · 7:30 PM
Swedish American Museum · Andersonville
$250
Tue, Nov 3 · 8:00 PM
Luna's Pub and Grill · Evanston
Free
Wed, Nov 4 · 8:00 PM
Pete's Dueling Piano Bar · Rosemont
Wed, Nov 4 · 6:30 PM
Sip. Wine Bar · Tinley Park
$$
Wed, Nov 4 · 6:00 PM
Ed & Joe's Restaurant & Pizzeria · Tinley Park
$$
Wed, Nov 4 · 7:30 PM
Vic Theatre · Lake View East
Wed, Nov 4 · 8:00 PM
Laugh Factory · Lake View East
Wed, Nov 4 · 6:00 PM
Chef Shangri-La · North Riverside
$$
Wed, Nov 4 · 9:00 PM
The Whistler · Logan Square
Free
Wed, Nov 4 · 8:00 PM
Jazz Showcase · Chicago Loop
$25
Wed, Nov 4 · 7:00 PM
Beat Kitchen · North Center
$$
Wed, Nov 4 · 8:00 PM
The Green Mill · Uptown
$$
Wed, Nov 4 · 7:30 PM
Swedish American Museum · Andersonville
$250
Wed, Nov 4 · 7:00 PM
Le Piano · Rogers Park
$$
Wed, Nov 4 · 7:00 PM
Fitzgerald's Sidebar · Berwyn
Free
Wed, Nov 4 · 6:00 PM
Swedish American Museum · Andersonville
$250
Wed, Nov 4 · 7:30 PM
Park West · Lincoln Park
Wed, Nov 4 · 8:00 PM
Comedy Plex Comedy Club · Oak Park
Wed, Nov 4 · 7:00 PM
United Center · Near West Side
Wed, Nov 4 · 8:00 PM
Cahn Auditorium · Evanston
$63.90-$126.25
Wed, Nov 4 · 7:00 PM
FITZGERALDS · Berwyn
Free
Wed, Nov 4 · 8:00 PM
Garcia's Chicago · West Loop
Thu, Nov 5 · 6:30 PM
Remade in Chicago · Logan Square
Wed, Nov 4 · 5:30 PM
Miru · Chicago Loop
$165
Wed, Nov 4 · 8:00 PM
Reggie's Rock Club · Near South Side
From $88
Wed, Nov 4 · 8:00 PM
Old Town School of Folk Music - Gary & Laura Maurer Concert Hall · Lincoln Square
$45
Wed, Nov 4 · 8:30 PM
Constellation · North Center
Check what’s playing at Steppenwolf Theatre Company for theatre, or Sleeping Village for live music. Read about the actual production or listen to the artist before choosing. You don’t need to recognise a name for it to be your kind of evening.
Choose the show first, then make plans nearby. Leave enough room between dinner and curtain time to enjoy both. Tell me where you’re staying and whether you’re taking transit, and I can help narrow the search to an evening that fits together.
Tell me when you’re free, where you’ll be, and what sounds appealing. “Live music near me, somewhere I can sit, under $30” gives me more to work with than “something fun.” You can keep narrowing it down with me.
You can browse these pages without an account. Sign in to save activities and help me learn your taste, so future suggestions have a better starting point.
Outgoing is free to use. Events have their own admission prices, including some that are free. Check the listing for prices and booking details before making plans.