The Tribune’s writers and critics have assembled their guides for fall arts and entertainment in Chicago, with everything you need to know about the best in books, theater, TV, movies, music, museums, art and dance.
“If we’re lucky right now, the new fall arts season will resonate with the times,” Christopher Borrelli wrote in a column looking at the fall arts season. “Now go see a show, read a book, watch a movie, find some culture. Just doing that alone, especially this fall, is a modest rage against the machine.”
Theater for fall 2025: Our top 10 from ‘Amadeus’ to an Alicia Keys musical
The theater spotlight this fall shines on Chicago’s venerable nonprofit theaters. You’ll find horror shows, period dramas, contemporary plays and at least one musical about revolutionaries. Read more from Chris Jones here.
Movies for fall 2025: Our top 10 picks, from ‘Smashing Machine’ to a Springsteen story
Coming this fall on screen: Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, a George Clooney comedy and Russell Crowe in “Nuremberg.” Read more from Michael Phillips here.
TV for fall 2025: 25 shows, including a Glen Powell comedy and the return of the rom-com ‘Nobody Wants This’
Highlights include a new season of “Only Murders in the Building” and a new show from the creators of “The Office.” Read more from Nina Metz here.
Books for fall 2025: Luigi, Ozzy and the great beyond
The endless to-be-read list on your phone, the ready-to-be-read stack on your bedside table, should expect company, regardless of whether you read cozy mysteries or harrowing memoirs. Autumn is a cornucopia, I guess. Read more from Christopher Borrelli here.
Museums for fall 2025: Carrying the lessons of the past into the future
Our top 10 for the fall exhibition season includes the new headliner at the Field Museum and “Aquí en Chicago” at the Chicago History Museum, created out of popular demand. Read more from Hannah Edgar here.
Classical, jazz and experimental music for fall 2025, from a new river concert to the CSO
Ear Taxi, jazz festivals, Harris Theater’s Mix at Six and a return for “Chicago Water Music.” The biggest challenge for music lovers is finding the time. Read more from Hannah Edgar here.
Live music fall 2025 guide: 10 can’t-miss concerts in Chicago
From Gillian Welch to a return for Doechii to David Byrne, our picks among the hundreds in the next few months. Read more from Bob Gendron here.
Art for fall 2025: From the Art Institute to the Architecture Biennial, 10 exhibits for all kinds of realities
Look for visionary artwork by Elizabeth Catlett, Theaster Gates and Yoko Ono, plus a new show at the Elmhurst Art Museum. Read more from Lori Waxman here.
Dance for fall 2025: With our top 10, a toast to those who carry on
The landscape is ripe for something new to take hold. It will, but a glance at the fall calendar reveals many veteran artists and companies asserting, “We’re not done yet.” Read more from Lauren Warnecke here.
What to do for Halloween: Our top 12 haunted houses, plus ‘Rocky Horror,’ evil puppets and the parade
From now until All Hallows’ Eve and beyond, our annual haunted house guide, plus a dozen more attractions for your spooky season. Read more from Doug George here.
Poking around the scary, horrible, disgusting, excellent cauldron of new horror lit
Horror lit is in an unprecedented renaissance right now, driven by a diverse crop of new writers, robust horror sections in bookstores and the spread of horror-only book clubs. But all roads lead back to Stephen King. Read more from Christopher Borrelli here.
Guide: 35 restaurant and bar specials and events for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos
Oct. 31 is a Friday this year, which has left Chicago bars and restaurants split on when to celebrate Halloween. That means you have two full weekends to show off your costume, whether you’re dressing up alongside your pup for a contest, bringing the kids to a family-friendly bash or sipping themed drinks at a lounge that’s decked out for spooky season. Read more from Samantha Nelson here.
Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.
