This week marks the beginning of an annual film festival in Chicago and a Halloween event in Brookfield. Plus, make a difference at a wine walk in Wilmette, explore some of Chicago’s coolest buildings, celebrate Oktoberfest in Evanston, and more.
Chicago International Film Festival
Begins Oct. 10
Chicago
More than 150 films will be featured during this festival, which is now in its 54th year. Highlights include “The Hate U Give,” based on the best-selling book by Angie Thomas, starring Amandla Stenberg and directed by George Tillman, Jr., and “Windows,” directed by Steve McQueen, co-written by Gillian Flynn, and starring Viola Davis and Liam Neeson. The festival runs through Oct. 21.
Wilmette Wine Walk
Oct. 13
Wilmette
Enjoy wine tastings and food pairings at participating Downtown Wilmette businesses while supporting NSSRA (Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association).
Open House Chicago
Oct. 13-14
Various
Go behind the scenes of more than 250 buildings around Chicago and the surrounding suburbs during this annual Chicago Architecture Center festival. Sites include the Chicago Board of Trade Building, Civic Opera Building, Goodman Theatre, FEW Spirits Distillery, the Richard H. Driehaus Museum, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, and Wintrust Arena.
Boo! at the Zoo
Begins Oct. 13
Brookfield
Start celebrating Halloween early with this Brookfield Zoo event featuring candy stations, giant pumpkin carving, crafts, a haunted hayride, costume contest, corn maze, and more. Boo! at the Zoo runs Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 28.
Evanston Oktoberfest
Oct. 14
Evanston
More than 40 styles of craft beer and hard cider will be available for sampling from Sketchbook Brewing Company, Temperance Beer Co., Hopewell Brewing Company, Revolution Brewing, and more. Plus, enjoy food, arts activities for kids, games, and live music.
More Can’t-Miss Events:
- American Writers Museum will host an author reading and signing with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor on Oct. 12 at Chicago Public Library’s Harold Washington Library Center. Admission is free and first-come, first-seated.
- FLEUROTICA, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance’s signature fundraiser on Oct. 12, features a runway show of garments made only from flowers, plants, and natural materials. Hiplet and Chicago West Community Music Center will also perform.
- Evanston’s Ice House Gallery is celebrating one year with an artist reception featuring owner Hannah Litvan’s work, music, and wine on Oct. 13.
Looking Ahead
- Chicago Ideas Week returns Oct. 15-21 with speakers like David Hogg, co-founder of March For Our Lives; actress Ellie Kemper; Tina Tchen, leader of Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund; author and chef Carla Hall; and Michael Strautmanis, chief engagement officer of the Obama Foundation.
More from Make It Better:
- 31 of the Best Things to Do in Chicago This October
- 9 Classic Book Series That Will Make You Seriously Nostalgic
- How the Intersection of Politics and Art Took Center Stage at the 7th Annual EXPO CHICAGO
Anna Carlson writes the weekly Weekend 101 column and monthly Recommended Events. A graduate of the University of Missouri, her work has been published in Chicago Parent, Inside Columbia Magazine, and Central California Parent Magazine. She is a proud supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
