A new season is here, and with it comes a variety of can’t-miss events, including Kohl Children’s Museum’s Fall Family Festival, Chicago Bourbon & Barbecue Festival, the American Craft Exposition, Chicago Gourmet, and World Dumpling Fest.
Events
Sept. 8: Fall Family Festival
Say hello to fall at Kohl Children’s Museum with kiddie train rides, a petting farm, wagon rides, hair styling and coloring with KidSnips, an apple cider press that kids can use, and more. 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
Sept. 8: 2019 Evanston Streets Alive & Green Living Festival
Main Street in Evanston becomes a public park where you can walk, bike, and play for this one day. Local businesses and organizations also share their best green products and services. Main Street, Evanston
Sept. 8: Mushroom Hikes & Bites
Go on a guided trail hike through The Grove and learn about mushrooms before dining on some mushroom snacks. 1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview
Sept. 14-15: Chicago Bourbon & Barbecue Festival
Head out to Roscoe Village for a weekend of bourbon tastings, barbecue, and live music. 2000 W. Roscoe St., Chicago
Sept. 20-22: American Craft Exposition
The North Shore Auxiliary is hosting its 35th American Craft Exposition, featuring emerging and entrenched artists and a variety of products, from basketry to leather and jewelry, at Chicago Botanic Garden. Proceeds go to improve mental health resources at NorthShore University HealthSystem. 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Sept. 21-22: Lakeview Taco Fest
Enjoy the fall weather and as many tacos as your heart desires at the Lakeview Taco Fest. Sponsored by Sam Adams (because, obviously, you need a beer with your taco), this fun weekend event will feature tons of award-winning tacos from all over the city. 3500 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
Sept. 24-29: Chicago Gourmet
Sponsored by Bon Appetit, the Chicago Gourmet festival is your opportunity to become part of the rarified crowd of high-powered foodies. Watch celebrity chefs cook their favorite dishes as they answer questions and take selfies, or head to the Great Lawn, where you can sample food, wine, spirits, and beer. Keep an eye out for stars! Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
Sept. 26-29: Plein Air Painting Festival
Watch more than 50 artists from around the Midwest paint throughout Northbrook during this festival, now in its third year. Northbrook
Sept. 27-29: Monster Jam Triple Threat Series
Do you want to see giant Monster Trucks race around a dirt track and soar through the air? Of course you do. Watch racing and freestyle events that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont
Sept. 28: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
The Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault is hosting its 6th Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event to create awareness of the millions of women who are subjected to sexual violence every year. Funds will go to Northwest CASA, which provides support to those affected by sexual assault and abuse. Arrington Lakefront Lagoon Shelter, 1631 Sheridan Road, Evanston
Sept. 28-29: Harvest Weekend
Learn about preserving and storing produce from your garden or most recent trip to the farmers market during this weekend-long event that also features shopping, kids activities, and a cookbook swap. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Sept. 29: World Dumpling Fest
Yes, you read that right: an entire festival dedicated to dumplings, those tiny pockets of deliciousness adored the world over. Taste dumplings from around the world and enjoy live music from the World Music Festival at Navy Pier. 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
Sept. 29: Evanston Oktoberfest
Back for its fifth year, this fall fest features live music, traditional German dancers, a stein holding contest, tricycle racing, and more. Plus, sample from more than 40 craft beers and hard ciders. University Place and Oak Avenue, Evanston
Galleries
Opens Sept. 6: The Way the Mystic Sees
Weinberg/Newton Gallery presents this exhibit that “surveys contemporary perspectives and historical approaches to technology and surveillance” in collaboration with Human Rights Watch. 688 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
Sept. 7: Flora, Fauna & Fascination Opening Reception
Ice House Gallery’s newest main show includes pieces inspired by life and nature from more than 40 local artists. Celebrate the show’s opening with refreshments and live music. 609 South Blvd., Evanston
Museums
Opens Sept. 21: Pop América
Experience the world of pop art through the lens of artists from North, Central, and South America, the United States, and the Caribbean. Enjoy the explosive and colorful style through nearly 100 artworks that will help reframe an entire hemisphere’s worth of art. Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston
Opens Sept. 22: Memory Unearthed
This photojournalistic exhibit offers a rare look inside the Lodz Ghetto between 1940 and 1944. Jewish photojournalist Henryk Ross trained his lens on daily life to recount a moving and memorable narrative that includes physical artifacts from Ross’ own life. Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie
Ongoing: Nature Cat: Backyard and Beyond
Tally Ho! Join PBS Kids’ animated hero Nature Cat and his friends as they explore the marsh, the cave, and the forest while learning important lessons about the great outdoors! Exhibit created by Kohl Children’s Museum in partnership with WTTW Chicago and Spiffy Pictures. Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
Ongoing: Fantastic Bug Encounters
Nature’s tiniest creatures are some of the most important — come find out why these creepy crawlies make the world go ‘round. Observe bugs’ special skills, see specimens, and even hold some live ones! Obviously not for those afraid of spiders. Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Music
Sept. 6: Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium Park
Enjoy the best of the Lyric Opera of Chicago for free during this outdoor concert. Pack a picnic and bring a blanket or lawn chairs to complete the experience. 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
Sept. 8: Kesha
Kesha is performing for the first time at Ravinia this month, and you can make the most of the evening with a Girls Night Out package that includes dinner, service staff, dedicated lawn space, and a gift for each member of your group. 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park
Sept. 11: Lucy Roche
The daughter of folk queen Suzzy Roche (and musician Loudon Wainwright III) is a folk rocker in her own right. Catch her at SPACE in an intimate setting. 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston
Theater
Opens Sept. 6: Tiny Beautiful Things
Making its Chicago premiere, this play is based on the book by Cheryl Strayed and was adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos. Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Opens Sept. 26: Murder on the Nile
Agatha Christie fans can’t miss this theatrical adaptation of “Murder on the Nile” at Oil Lamp Theater. It has a romantic honeymoon voyage turned disastrous, conspiracies, a lush setting, and, obviously, murder. 1725 Glenview Road, Glenview
Opens Sept. 28: The Barber of Seville
Rossini’s classic tale of a marriage gone awry is back at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. One of the most beloved operatic comedies of all time, watch as Figaro, the crafty and hysterical barber of Seville, wreaks havoc as two men attempt to win the fair Rosina’s hand. 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago
Through Jan. 5: Hamilton
If you still haven’t seen “Hamilton,” don’t worry — there’s still time to jam out to Lin Manuel-Miranda’s runaway hit. Make sure to snag tickets so you can watch America’s history unfold to some of the catchiest Broadway tunes in recent memory. See it at the CIBC Theatre downtown before it leaves Chicago. 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago
Media Sponsorships
Better is a proud media sponsor of these events:
Sept. 15: Selah Freedom – Rock the Boat Against Sex Trafficking
Selah Freedom, a Philanthropy Award winner working to end sex trafficking, will host an afternoon on the Spirit of Chicago. Support this organization’s work as you enjoy live music, food, an open bar, live and silent auctions, and more. Board at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
Sept. 26: The People’s Music School – South Side Expansion Launch
Join this Philanthropy Award winner as they announce a major expansion of pilot programs on the South Side. TPMS provides free music programs to underserved youth across Chicago. Bronzeville Classical School, 8 W. Root St., Chicago
Sept. 29, Oct. 6: JDRF Illinois – One Walk
Walk to support JDRF’s work to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. Walks will take place in Chicago and Libertyville on Sept. 29 and in Schaumburg, Warrenville, and Orland Park on Oct. 6.
Additional event Better is proud to support:
