CHICAGO — This weekend, Chicagoans can head to a pumpkin fest, haunted movie night, Chicago Philharmonic concert and more.
Here are 13 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
Chatham’s Food Truck Saturdays
11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday
Mahalia Jackson Court, 1 E. 79th St.
The Greater Chatham Initiative is hosting Food Truck Saturdays this month. Neighbors can listen to live music as they explore food trucks from I-94 Ribs, TJ’s, Haire’s Gulf Shrimp and The Love Juice Co. Barbecue fare, tacos, shrimp baskets, burgers and more will be available. You can register for this free, family-friendly event online.
Fall Fest On The Riverwalk
1-4 p.m. Saturday
Island Party Hut, 355 E. Riverwalk
This fall fest includes seasonal cocktails, beer, cider, food, photo opportunities, games, pumpkins and more. You can buy general admission tickets for $30-$40 and children’s tickets for $15 online.
Portage Park Walking Tour
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday
Starts at City News Café, 4018 N. Cicero Ave.
Residents can learn more about Portage Park at a two-and-a-half-hour walking tour this weekend, which highlights the neighborhood’s history, architecture, businesses and recent developments. Attendees can also join organizers after the tour for a visit to the all-you-can-eat Polish buffet Jolly Inn, 6501 W. Irving Park Road.
All of the company’s tours are free, but a pay-what-you-can suggested donation is requested. You can register online.
Hamilton Pumpkin Patch And Movie Night
2-5 p.m. for the pumpkin patch and 6-9 p.m. for the movie Saturday
Hamilton Elementary School, 1650 W. Cornelia Ave.
Hamilton Elementary School is bringing back its annual pumpkin patch, with a suggested $20 donation per family. There will be pumpkin sales, live music, carnival games, arts and crafts, food, a haunted house created by Hamilton middle schoolers, magic show, costume parade and more. The event is open to the community and will be followed by a Halloween movie at 6 p.m.
Adopt A Chicago Dog
Noon Saturday
The Anti-Cruelty Society, 157 W. Grand Ave.
The Anti-Cruelty Society is hosting a Chicago Dog Hold the Ketchup adoption event. and waiving adoption fees for all large breed dogs of 40 pounds and more.
Chicago Philharmonic’s Afro-American Symphony
7:30 p.m. Thursday
Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St.
This Chicago Philharmonic program features music by Black and Latinx composers, focusing on William Grant Still’s iconic Afro-American Symphony. Tickets start at $35 and can be bought online.
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan ’13 Tongues‘
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Asia’s leading contemporary dance ensemble, is performing the Chicago premiere of “13 tongues” this weekend. It incorporates music ranging from Taiwanese folk songs to Taoist rites to electronic, as well as projections of brilliant colors, shapes and images. Tickets starting at $37 are available online.
Halloween Heavy Show
7:30 p.m. Friday
Pilsen DIY, 2230 S. Ashland Ave.
You can wear costumes and listen to heavy performances by Into the Silo, Beheading the Icon, King Hell and more. You must be at least 21, and admission is $10.
‘Can You See Me?’ Exhibition Opening Reception And Guided Tour
5-7 p.m. Friday
Weinberg/Newton Gallery, 688 N. Milwaukee Ave.
This citywide exhibition features artwork by incarcerated children in Chicago, including large-scale paintings made over the course of several months at the Illinois Youth Center-Chicago on the West Side. The exhibition — in partnership with South Side youth arts nonprofit SkyART and Arts + Public Life — is meant to “imagine a future where all children are innocent, free and valued” and “where the justice system rights historic wrongs,” according to a news release.
Bronzeville Mural Virtual Tour
6-7:30 p.m. Thursday
Chicago Art Department, 1932 S. Halsted St.
You can catch a documentary screening of “The History of the Packinghouse Worker,” followed by an artists’ talk with Damon Lamar Reed and Bernard Williams. The event is in celebration of the Chicago Public Art Group’s 50th anniversary.
River North Food Tour
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Meet at 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza
This three-hour culinary tour includes five tastings at River North eateries, such as The Doughnut Vault, Lou Malnati’s, Portillo’s and more. The tour guide will also point out examples of historic architecture and public spaces in the neighborhood. You can book tickets online for $75.
@aplasticplant Pop-Up Shop
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
SVRN, 171 N. Aberdeen St.
A popular anonymous Instagram archive page, @aplasticplant, is hosting its first pop-up event in Chicago this weekend. Attendees can shop exclusive merchandise before it goes online. There will also be flower bouquets for sale, with all proceeds being donated to Mental Health America.
West Side Charity Basketball Game
6 p.m. Friday
Marshall High School, 3250 W. Adams St.
Marshall High School basketball players, coaches and friends will come together for a charity game to push for justice for 22-year-old Dyanla “DeDe” Rainey, who was fatally shot in July. Tickets are $15, T-shirts are $15, towels are $10 and wristbands are $5. Pre-orders can be placed by calling 708-340-2906, according to the event flyer.
Proceeds will help raise reward money for anyone with key information about Rainey’s case.
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