Jennifer Day

Jennifer Day is a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune.

A group called Chicago Thriller dances in the Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade on Oct. 19, 2024, in Chicago. For 2026, the parade returns to Columbus Drive. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

What to do in Chicago: The Halloween parade, Fruit Bats and ‘Edward Scissorhands in Concert’

October 22, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Around the area this weekend, the popular Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade returns to Columbus Drive, plus a chance to watch "Scream" with David Arquette.

The Auditorium Theatre in the Loop, here in 2014, is one of the buildings open to the public as part of this year's Open House Chicago. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

What to do in Chicago: Open House Chicago, the Chicago Film Festival and a prison by flashlight

October 15, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Around the area this weekend, the annual Chicago International Film Festival and architecture open house, plus Loop Arts Fest and a jazz fest.

Olivia Rodrigo performs at Lollapalooza on Aug. 1, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

What to do in Chicago: Olivia Rodrigo, Jerry Seinfeld and Haunted History Tours

October 8, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.

Doja Cat performs at the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Sunday, April 21, 2024. (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/SCNG)

What to do in Chicago: Doja Cat, Le Sserafim and the West Town Art Walk

October 1, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Around the area this weekend, Forbidden Newberry, Music Box of Horrors and Bill Burr.

Teddy Swims performs at T-Mobile stage at Lollapalooza in Chicago’s Grant Park on Aug. 4, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

What to do in Chicago: Teddy Swims, ‘Top Gun’ in concert and wrestling in Rosemont

September 24, 2026 at 4:13 p.m.

Around the area this weekend, the concerts and street festivals continue on the first weekend of fall, and “KPop Demon Hunters” will be screened outdoors at the Obama Presidential Center.

Allison LaField jumps in the water before competing in the Chicago River Swim on Sept. 21, 2025, in downtown Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/for the Chicago Tribune)

What to do in Chicago: Destinos Latino theater festival, Chicago River Swim and a Role Model concert

September 17, 2026 at 5:30 a.m.

Around the area this weekend, a Phoebe Bridgers concert, the Reeling Film Festival and the Chicago Humanities Festival.

Singer Robyn performs at the Aragon Ballroom on March 6, 2019, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

What to do in Chicago: Robyn, Garth Brooks and the 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade

September 10, 2026 at 5:15 a.m.

Around the area this weekend, concerts from Robyn, Garth Brooks and Eric Clapton, the Printers Row Lit Fest, the parade in Little Village and the Mandala Makers Festival.

Attendees enter Rockwell on the River for the Sound & Gravity music festival on Sept. 12, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

What to do in Chicago for Labor Day Weekend, including Jazz Fest, the parade and Sound & Gravity

September 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Our picks for events in and around Chicago this Labor Day weekend. Sound & Gravity Festival Need to expand your musical horizons? Look to the Sound & Gravity Festival. Conceived...

The K-pop band BTS performs on May 11, 2019, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)

What to do in Chicago: Concerts by BTS and Miranda Lambert, Panda Fest and ‘Escape the Museum’

August 27, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Here are our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.

Bonnie Raitt performs at the Chicago Theatre in 2012. (Darrell Goemat / for the Chicago Tribune)

What to do in Chicago: Bulls Fest, Bonnie Raitt and the annual Chicago triathlon

August 20, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Also around the area this weekend, Kacey Musgraves opens her tour at the United Center, Alabama Shakes plays Ravinia and Chalk Howard Street lets you and your family try your...

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