The best things to do in Chicago today

Get in the holiday spirit at this annual ghoulish makeover of the Chicago Botanic Garden. The event brings together more than 1,000 real pumpkins—some weighing up to 150 pounds—which are LED-lit creations and staged along the garden's pathway where other entertaining characters and activations await visitors. Seasonal snacks and drinks are available for purchase, in case all that wandering makes you hungry. 

The masterminds behind the irreverent long-running comedy show Drunk Shakespeare are unleashing their latest monster mash-up, “Drunk Dracula,” on the city during the month of October. The premise is simple, but no less hilarious: Dracula gets drunk, unsuspecting citizens fight for survival and Bram Stoker’s vampire classic gets a boozy makeover that’s equal parts unhinged and fun.

A terrifying story set in the world of the Paranormal Activity film franchise, Felix Barrett (Sleep No More) and Chicago playwright Levi Holloway's latest endeavor promises chills and thrills. Here's what you need to know: James and Lou flee from Chicago to London in hopes of escaping the past, but they soon discover that it's not the city that was haunted—it's them. Chicago will be the first city to experience the highly anticipated play, which will head to LA, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. later this season. 

Experimental Sound Studio's longtime partnership with the Chicago Park District and Lincoln Park Conservatory continues with “Semblance of Fern,” a new sound installation by composer Sarah Belle Reid. The immersive installation explores the formal connections between mathematical models and nature in the contemplative confines of the conservatory's Fern Room. After getting your fill of tropical palms and vibrant flowers, mosey over to the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, which is free to visit and recently reopened to the public.

One of Chicago's most popular farmer's markets, Green City Market welcomes vendors selling regional produce to the south end of Lincoln Park (between Clark Street and Stockton Drive) on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Amid the rows of vendors, you’ll find farm-fresh eggs from Michigan, cheese from Wisconsin and scrumptious pies baked by Chicago’s own Hoosier Mama Pie Co.

Step aboard City Cruises’ Seadog for a fun-filled journey through Chicago's history of ghosts, spirits, scandals and sins. As guests cruise along the Chicago River for 45 spooky minutes, expert—and costumed—docents weave stories of Chicago's darker side while cruising through the city's most iconic architecture. The cruise is BYOB, so be sure to bring a bevvy of your choice. 

Round up your family for a wild, multi-weekend Halloween festival perfect for all ages to enjoy. Decorate a pumpkin, take a spin on the decked-out carousel or pose for photos amongst giant inflatables and wooden cut-outs of Halloween characters. The not-too-spooky event also treats some of the zoo's animals—including capybaras, polar bears and gorilla—to pumpkins that they can play with, nibble on and smash. 

Celebrating Chicago culture through couture, Chicago Fashion Week brings runway shows, markets, educational programs and more—many of which are free to attend—throughout the city. Some standout events include an indigo dyeing and shibori workshop; The Chicago Streetwear Expo; a runway show emphasizing sustainability; and Fleurotica, a fashion show featuring garments made entirely from plants, flowers and natural materials. Check out the full programming lineup on CFW's website. 

Escape the planet with exhibits about the first lunar missions, the solar system and more, plus immersive shows in the dome theater. Stationed just a stone's throw away from the Adler, the Doane Observatory is also home to the largest public telescope in the area and gathers 7,000 times more light than the human eye. Every Wednesday, the Adler stays open late from 4pm-10pm so that folks can visit after work or school. And best of all, admission is free on those nights for Illinois residents.

This annual celebration of scary films returns to the Music Box Theatre for a monthlong marathon of frightening, thrilling and chilling movies. Catch screenings of films like Addams Family Values, Let The Right One In, Bride of Frankenstein and many others. Notice some holes in the schedule? More films are yet-to-be-announced, and they're sure to be some doozies. You can see a full lineup here. 

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.  When is Jack's Pumpkin Pop-up? The pop-up opens September 18 and runs through November 2. How do I get tickets to Jack's Pumpkin Pop-up? Timed-entry tickets can be purchased via Jack's website. Prices vary based on time and ticket type.

The eighth annual Destinos: Chicago Latino Theater Festival returns to Chicago with a four-week lineup of live theater performances at venues throughout the city and Northwest Indiana. As usual, this year's lineup revolves around Latino-driven storylines, including several world premieres: Teatro Inovarte (a musical blending mariachi, ballet and queer love), Concrete Content (an immersive sketch show reimagining Latin futures via fake movie trailers) and more. You can view a full lineup of plays on the fest's website. 

You’ve probably seen a Shakespeare play before, but never like this. Five professional actors come together for each performance of Drunk Shakespeare. The twist? One of them has had five shots before the show and is trying to stay on track while the other four actors do their best to hold the performance together.

Every two years, Chicago becomes a global hub of architecture and design during the Chicago Architecture Biennial. This edition’s theme is SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change, bringing together over 100 projects by architects, artists and designers from 30 countries—each piece engaging with the cultural, social and environmental fluxes transforming our world. Not sure where to start? Check out our first-timer's guide to the exhibition. Stay up-to-date by visiting the Chicago Architecture Biennial website.

Just when you thought the state's largest mall couldn't surprise you anymore, Woodfield Mall announces WONDRA, a sprawling new immersive experience. Inside, you’ll wander through enchanted meadows that respond to the sound of your voice, stumble across bioluminescent landscapes and drift into crystal caves and celestial gardens that blur the line between digital spectacle and raw wonder. Every corner is crafted to ignite curiosity and inspire a sense of awe we, whether you’re a kid seeing it all for the first time or an adult who forgot what it feels like to play.

The Whistler’s monthly lit series pops up on the second Wednesday of every month, bringing an evening of readings, workshopping and discussion to the Logan Square cocktail bar. Each show is followed by an installment of the Relax Attack Jazz Series, a free event with a constantly rotating bill.

Over 100 million people worldwide have experienced The Lion King’s awe-inspiring stage adaption, and for good reason. Julie Taymor's extraordinary, spectacle-filled Disney adaptation returns to Chicago after a two-year absence. Hyde Park native Albert "AJ" Rhodes Jr. plays young Simba.