The best things to do in Chicago today

Head to the suburbs this Halloween season to check out the second annual Schaumburg Halloween Carnival, a seasonal fun fair that spans two weekends full of spooky rides, trick-or-treating, themed arts and crafts, and snack vendors, among other attractions. This year, Wintrust Field will also transform into The House of Creeps haunted house. Entrance to the carnival is free, but you can also opt to purchase ride wristbands for unlimited runs on Krazy Kabin, Matterhorn, Sizzler and other classic rides. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

Get your fall feels on at this free festival that begins at the tail end of September. You can snag a photo with a giant pumpkin, watch master carvers at work, enjoy live music and see all kinds of animals. The festival also includes several ticketed experiences such as carousel rides, a bounce house, harvest maze, a slide and more. Take a look at the Lincoln Park Zoo's website for a complete list of activities and events throughout Fall Fest.

Returning to a two-acre plot of land just west of Goose Island, Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up saves you a trip to the suburbs by bringing a huge corn maze, more than 10,000 pumpkins, axe throwing, carnival games, food trucks, twinkling orange light displays and more fall fun to the city. A general admission ticket nets you access to the pop-up, but you can also opt for add-ons that let you take home a pumpkin, grab a drink at one of bars or go axe throwing. 

Hosted at tropical bar Bamboo Club, this annual Halloween-themed extravaganza features a multi-level haunted house as well an upstairs bar serving spooky cocktails. Tickets for the haunted house (which is open to attendees ages 16 and older) are $20 or $30 for VIP, which includes a drink and express entry.

Navy Pier is the site of a spooky immersive experience this October. Guests will delve into the mysteries of a once-renowned genetic plant laboratory, now transformed by grief into the Garden of Decay, by donning headsets and exploring rooms while guided by actors. The experience has been meticulously crafted with help from talented local artists, who have infused unique elements into each room. Afterwards, you can check out a world of interactive art, themed vendors selling treasures, tantalizing botanical cocktails, tarot card readings and many more activities in the Garden of reCreation.

Displaying a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of the Merchandise Mart, ART on THE MART is the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, with programming that changes seasonally. ART on THE MART's array of 34 digital projectors show the creations after dusk every evening. It’s best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.

Rooftop Cinema Club, the open-air theater perched atop The Emily Hotel, is back for a second season. Guests can catch showings of hand-picked classics, cult films and recent releases while also enjoying sweeping views of the skyline and craft beverages. It’s the perfect summer cinema experience.

Embark on a 75-minute boat tour that explores Chicago's spooky past while winding through some of the city's most gorgeous architecture. The nighttime tour is hosted by a costumed tour guide who highlights infamous incidents and supernatural occurrences.

Bye Bye Liver combines two robust Chicago traditions: comedy and heavy drinking. The show opened a decade ago for a three-week run, then kept getting extended. A cast of four to six performers portray characters at the fictional "Franks Bar," telling stories that explore the city's robust drinking culture. Each show incorporates interactive audience drinking games, allowing you to sip a cocktail or beer while taking cues from the cast. And if you're up for a nightcap after the performance, you can stick around for the official after party and mingle with the cast.

This annual festival assembles luminaries from the fields of politics, journalism and the arts for a multi-week series of programming across the city, with events ranging from lectures and discussions to screenings and musical performances. Not sure which events to hit? Some of this season's biggest speakers include Millie Bobby Brown, Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key, Bob Odenkirk and Henry Winkler. You can see a full schedule of programming on the Chicago Humanities Festival website.