Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
Chicago Marathon
Cheer on runners in the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The race starts and ends in Grant Park, but passes through 29 neighborhoods along a 26.2-mile route that extends as far north as Sheridan Road and as far south as 35th Street. Not registered, but want to run? Start training for next year.
Spectator access opens at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 12 in Grant Park’s Butler Field, 350 E. Monroe Street; details at chicagomarathon.com
Chicago Fashion Week
With more than 50 events across the city, the second installment of Chicago Fashion Week kicks off Thursday. Expect fashion shows, panel discussions, clothing swaps and marketplaces. Highlights include “Braided Opulence,” the debut of Shernett Swaby’s couture collection; The Stylist Symposium, centered this year on the question “What Is Possible in Styling”; a panel discussion on how fashion influences interior design, featuring Filip Makyszk, Nora Schneider, Jennie Bishop and Jasmin Reese; a discussion on the business of fashion with Melissa Beste and Jacques Agbobly; and a guide to quinceañera fashion.
Through Oct. 19 in various locations; details at chicagofashionweek.com
“Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience”
An October walk in the woods, set to the tune of a John Williams soundtrack? I’m in. Even if the “Harry Potter” series has lost some of its sparkle over the years, this immersive evening experience brings back the magic with just the right mix of interactive tricks, kitschy statues, colorful lights, sound effects and fog. Make lights appear with the flick of your wand (pick one up in one of two gift shops or just use a stick). Engage in a wizard duel. Indulge in one of the tasty cocoas named for Hogwarts’ houses. At times spooky, but not scary, the event is perfect for ‘tweens. Maybe getting a little too cool for pumpkin-eating dinosaurs, but still quietly reveling in a good wow, my 9-year-old turned at one point and said, “Mom, it’s totally Instagram!” High praise, indeed.
Through Nov. 2 in YMCA Camp Duncan, 32405 N. US Highway 12, Ingleside; tickets from $46 at hpforbiddenforestexperience.com
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up
Not a Potter fan? Or maybe you don’t want to drive so far for an Instagram experience? Consider Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up. It’s an urban pumpkin patch, set up with more than 10,000 gourds, a corn maze, axe throwing (for those 18 and older) and fortune telling.
Through Nov. 2 at 1265 W. Le Moyne St.; tickets from $22 at jackspumpkinpopup.com
“Music Box of Horrors: Dead and Loving It!”
Looking for a Halloween fright? Head to the Music Box, for a horror film festival that spans the creep meter. Yes, there are classics: “Bride of Frankenstein” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” And foreign favorites: “Cure” and “Let the Right One In.” But also: a screening of “Addams Family Values” paired with a dragshow performance; “Frogs,” a “bizarre and clunky” 1972 film about frogs raining from the sky; “Mr. K,” starring Crispin Glover and featuring a post-film Q&A with the actor; and Bob Balaban’s directorial debut, “Parents.” Plus, a special “scare-edition” of “Strange and Found,” a showcase of VHS oddities. Far more rare and grisly options are on the bill, too, but only you know what you can handle.
Through Oct. 31 at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; tickets from $11 at musicboxtheatre.com
Goodman Theatre Costume Shop Sale
Need a great Halloween costume? The Goodman Theatre is selling its cast-offs this weekend, promising everything from “whimsical accessories to show-stopping gowns.” Costumes up for grabs range from 1964 to 2024, including those from “A Christmas Carol,” “The Santaland Diaries,” “A Little Night Music,” “The Music Man,” “The Little Foxes” and more. Prices range from 50 cents to $300; credit card payment only. Bring a shopping bag!
10 a.m. Oct. 11 in the Goodman Theatre’s Healy Rehearsal Room, 170 N. Dearborn St.; details at goodmantheatre.org More Top Picks Best Clothes Drying Racks For Laundry Rooms
Laufey
The United Center transforms this weekend into Laufey Land, a place where the Chinese-Icelandic singer-songwriter entrances audiences with her bossa nova-inflected pop tunes. It’s her first show in Chicago since her album, “A Matter of Time,” was released in August. Past performances have included a 2024 Lollapalooza set supported by the Chicago Philharmonic.
7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $186.45 at unitedcenter.com
Iliza Shlesinger
The comedian and podcaster brings “Iliza! Live” to the Chicago Theatre. Sample her sharp, opinionated comedy in one of her six Netflix specials. Or, get her funny — and blunt — life advice in her “Dear Abby”-style podcast, “Ask Iliza Anything.”
7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $63.80 at msg.com
Ron Funches
You know Ron Funches from “Loot” on Apple TV+. Or Maybe “The Goldbergs.” Or “Blackish” Or one of his many voice roles in animated projects (“Trolls,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “Harley Quinn”). Funches, who spent part of his youth growing up in Chicago, is taping a stand-up comedy special this weekend at the Den Theatre. Only a few tickets left.
7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; tickets from $22 (2 item minimum) at thedentheatre.com
Pullman House Tour
Step inside the historic homes of Pullman, one of the country’s most significant planned industrial communities. The 52nd edition of this tour features eight restored homes, including a unique apartment; a home under renovation to transform it from a two-flat into a single-family residence; and the 1910 Pullman School. Bonus: Enjoy live jazz Saturday and a classic car show on Sunday.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 11-12 starting at Historic Pullman Exhibit Hall, 11141 S. Cottage Grove Ave.; tickets from $21 (proceeds support preservation efforts) at pullmanil.org
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to [email protected].