CHICAGO — You can usher in October with apple and fall fests, Oktoberfest celebrations, family fun at Buena Circle Park, a “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” art tour and more.
Here are 21 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Wilson
The neighborhood’s 35th annual apple fest celebrates the beginning of fall. There will be food and drinks, farm vendors, live music, family-friendly activities and more.
St. Helen Carnival
5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday
St. Helen School, 2347 W. Augusta Blvd.
This 16th annual fest features three days of carnival rides, music, food, beer and more. The event supports educational opportunities for students and helps keep tuition affordable. You can buy a $50 Mega Pass for unlimited rides online or at the carnival.
Athletic Field Park’s Annual Fall Fest
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Athletic Field Park, 3546 W. Addison St.
There will be a pumpkin patch, train ride, live entertainment, pony rides, inflatable games and more at this fest, which is being hosted by the Athletic Field Advisory Council. Admission is free, and $1 tickets for games and activities will be sold to benefit the park.
Jefferson Park Fall Fest
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday
Lawrence and Mason avenues next to Printer’s Row Brewing, 4801 N. Austin Ave.
This family-friendly block party will have a kid’s party, magician, live music, giant Jenga, food, fall drinks and more.
Lincoln Park Uncorked
6-9 p.m. Thursday
Lincoln Avenue from Diversey to Webster
This wine and beer stroll takes attendees to a dozen local businesses to sample fall wines and beers. Guest check-in and the first wine and beer samples are at Lincoln Station, 2432 N. Lincoln Ave.
Car And Fall Craft Show
1-4 p.m. Saturday
6300 S. Narragansett Ave.
There will be a DJ, food trucks and fall craft vendors at the second Car and Fall Craft Show hosted by the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
Pullman/Roseland Neighborhood Bike Ride
10 a.m. Saturday
Arcade Park, 11132 S. Saint Lawrence Ave.
A community bike ride through Pullman and Roseland returns this weekend with neighborhood history and Halloween-themed fun. There will be a costume contest and refreshments. Divvy bikes will be provided for people 16 and older without a bike. Riders younger than 16 need a waiver signed by a parent or guardian to rent a bike.
Vinyl & Vittles Record Fair and Food Market
Noon-5 p.m. Sunday
5800 S. Halsted St.
There will be vinyl shopping, live DJs and food from local restaurants at this outdoor record fair.
Ragamala: A Celebration of Indian Classical Music
6 p.m. Friday-8 a.m. Saturday
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
This is the largest all-night long presentation of live Indian classical music in the nation, performed as part of the World Music Festival Chicago. Admission is free, and there are no tickets or registration.
Spanish Dance Theater
7:30-10 p.m. Saturday
Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive
Stomp your feet and feel the heat with a night of live flamenco music, dazzling vibrant costumes and passionate choreography. Tickets starting at $32 are available online.
Rock Out For Rescues!
2-7 p.m. Saturday
Active – Dog Daycare and Boarding, 2550 W. Diversey Ave.
Active and Chi-Town Pitties, Inc. — which are animal rescue services — are fundraising with their largest event of the year. There will be live music, food catered by Big Star, cocktails, a silent auction and raffles. Tickets are available for $30 online or $40 at the door.
Family Fun Nights at Buena Circle Park
6-8 p.m. Thursday
1049 W. Buena Ave.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy live entertainment by magician AJ Sacco, who’s been named Chicago’s best magician for three years in a row by the Reader. Enjoy the show, or participate in an open mic and karaoke.
Chicago Vintage Fall Festival
Noon-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
19th Street and South Blue Island Avenue
There will be more than 85 local vendors selling vintage goods, plus food, live music, a fashion show and a photobooth. The festival is free, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP online and arrive early. The first 50 people to arrive Saturday will receive a free beanie, and there will be a pumpkin giveaway for children Sunday until supplies run out.
Block Party + Tool Sale
2-6 p.m. Saturday
Chicago Tool Library, 1048 W. 37th St., Suite 102
There will be mural painting, tool demos, activities by the Chicago Craft Club and more at the Tool Library’s sale party. Admission and activities are free, and food will be sold at the event.
Dog Day at Sidetrack The Video Bar
1-5 p.m. Saturday
Sidetrack The Video Bar, 3349 N. Halsted St.
Bring your pup and grab a drink and treats at Sidetrack’s Dog Day. There will also be “fun doggy swag” from Super Dog-Friendly Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Admission is free, and dogs are not required to attend.
Art of Ferris Bueller Walking Tour
Noon-1:15 p.m. Friday
The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.
Dive into the artwork featured in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and learn more about its relationship to the movie’s characters and director John Hughes. During this 75-minute tour, you’ll get a five-minute Art Institute history lesson, visit three museum floors and see 16 pieces of art. You can buy tickets for $29.99 online.
Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest
10 a.m. Friday
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2234 N. Cannon Drive
There will be a pumpkin patch, Great Pumpkin Walk, a festive fall food pop-up, animal viewing and more at this free-to-attend fest. You can also buy tickets for more festivities, including Ferris wheel and carousel rides, a harvest maze and a giant slide. Tickets are available in a 10-pack for $36 and a 20-pack for $69 online.
Play for a Purpose Wicker Park
6-8 p.m. Thursday
Emporium Wicker Park, 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave.
You can drink and play games at this event hosted by the Esperanza Associate Board while supporting students and adults with disabilities. Tickets are $35, which includes two drinks and 10 game tokens. You can buy tickets online.
Lo Rez Brewery Bloktoberfest
4-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Lo Rez Brewing, 2101 S. Carpenter St.
Lo Rez Brewery’s first Bloktoberfest features beer, local food vendors, live music, art and clothing vendors and more. Proceeds from the block party benefit the Pilsen Arts and Community House.
Horror Movies At Austin-Irving Library
Varying times and dates. See the full lineup here.
Austin-Irving public library branch, 6100 W. Irving Park Road
The Austin-Irving public library branch will show horror movies every day throughout October as part of its first Halloween film marathon, 31 Days of Horror. The screenings are free, and there will be snacks.
The film list includes classics “The Exorcist,” “The Shining” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Every Sunday, it will have family-friendly options such as “Ghostbusters,” “Goosebumps” and “Hotel Transylvania” to accommodate younger audiences.
Oktoberfest Weekend Series
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday
The Northman Riverwalk, 233 E. Riverwalk
This is the second edition of a three-weekend series at the Northman Riverwalk. There will be live music, sausage, cider, pretzels, beer and more.
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