Graceland Cemetery Tour with Author Adam Selzer
Graceland Cemetery · Uptown
Graceland holds Marshall Field, Potter Palmer, Louis Sullivan, Daniel Burnham and the Getty Tomb, which means a walk through it is a walk…
$22–$44.52Add to calendar
Stumblday calendar · Chicago
Talks & readings in Chicago
Follow Talks & readings in Chicago and its events show up in Your events. No emails unless you ask.
This calendar gathers talks, readings, and literary gatherings happening across Chicago. You will find everything from neighborhood bookstore author conversations and museum lectures to poetry readings, zine festivals, and artist discussions. We update the list as local venues and organizers announce new dates, so check back whenever you want an evening of good conversation.
Gathered by Stumblday. Every day of the week, from organizers’ and official listings, each checked against the organizer’s own page.
Upcoming · 126
Opening soon
Shows and runs about to openRegular programming · tours, recurring sessions and daily hours
Saturday, Oct 10
Reading is for Everyone: Braille Literacy Discussion and Reading Circle
Harold Washington Library Center
Chicago Zine Fest 2026
Harold Washington Library Center · Loop
More than 70 zinesters fill two library floors with DIY publishing, panels, and workshops.
FreeAdd to calendar
Reevah Agarwaal: Now I Braid My Own Hair — Artist Talk & Closing
boundary · Beverly
Reevah Agarwaal discusses her textile-and-collage exhibition during its final two hours.
Julian Hattem - "Shelter from the Storm: How Climate Change is Creating a New Era of Migration
The Seminary Co-op · Hyde Park
Adult Book Discussion: The Henna Artist
Merlo Branch, Chicago Public Library · Lakeview
Sunday, Oct 11
teamLab & Allison Martino in Conversation
Smart Museum of Art · Hyde Park
A teamLab member and the exhibition curator discuss the collective’s creative practice.
FreeAdd to calendar
Exile in Bookville Presents Hernan Diaz in Conversation with Greta Johnsen
Studebaker Theater · The Loop
The Pulitzer winner's follow-up to Trust, in conversation at the 1898 Studebaker.
Monday, Oct 12
Spoilers Ahead Book Club
Harold Washington Library Center
The Silent Scribe Society: Writing Program
Harold Washington Library Center
Tuesday, Oct 13
East Asia by the Book! CEAS Author Talks ft. Jonathan Cheng
The Seminary Co-op · Hyde Park
Wednesday, Oct 14
Armour Seminar: Patrícia Rodrigues-Niu
Field Museum · Museum Campus
Inside the Win: Decoding Enterprise Deals
Chicago Winery · River North
An evening focused on how enterprise deals are won, featuring Semrush’s VP of Enterprise Sales and a panel of Account Executives…
FreeAdd to calendar
Pulitzer-winners on Storytelling and America: Percival Everett, Daniel Kraus, Amanda Vaill, Jon Cherry and Jelani Cobb
Harold Washington Library Center
Thursday, Oct 15
Poetry Pop-up: Lives of Plants
Field Museum · Museum Campus
East Asia by the Book! CEAS Author Talks ft. Julia Alekseyeva
The Seminary Co-op · Hyde Park
Stephanie Soileau - "Should the Waters Take Us"
The Seminary Co-op · Hyde Park
ESL Book Discussion: What is AI?
Harold Washington Library Center
Cookbook Café Book Club: In For Dinner
Lincoln Park Branch, Chicago Public Library
Friday, Oct 16
Growing the Future: An Introduction to Bioplastics
Harold Washington Library Center
Ruth Bloch Rubin - "Divided Parties, Strong Leaders"
The Seminary Co-op · Hyde Park
Live Reading: “Cold Was the Ground”
American Writers Museum · Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Attend a staged play reading followed by a conversation with the creators.
$6–$8Add to calendar
Saturday, Oct 17
Your Story Matters: Storytelling Through Words and Art
Harold Washington Library Center
Adult Book Discussion: The Midnight Library
Harold Washington Library Center
Black Poetry Day Readings & Reflections
American Writers Museum · Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
FreeAdd to calendar
Adult Book Discussion: Clear
Uptown Branch, Chicago Public Library
Author Q&A: Funnier: A New Theory for the Practice of Comedy by Anne Libera
Harold Washington Library Center
Adult Book Discussion: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
Harold Washington Library Center
Anastasia Klimchynskaya - "From the Earth to the Moon: Annotated for the Spacefaring Age" - Jordan Bimm & Katherine Buse
The Seminary Co-op · Hyde Park
Sunday, Oct 18
UPTOWN POETRY SLAM
Green Mill Jazz Club · Uptown
Monday, Oct 19
The Silent Scribe Society: Writing Program
Harold Washington Library Center
Chicago International Film Festival: An Evening with Marlon Wayans
Logan Center for the Arts · Hyde Park
Tuesday, Oct 20
Story Hour for Grown-Ups
Harold Washington Library Center
Book Club Celebration
Harold Washington Library Center
Wednesday, Oct 21
Adult Listening Circle: Poetry Unbound
Harold Washington Library Center
Russell P. Johnson - "Beyond Civility in Social Conflict" - Marvin Wickware
The Seminary Co-op · Hyde Park
Write at CPL: When Everything Changed: Writing Your Marker Story
Harold Washington Library Center
Thursday, Oct 22
Poetry Pop-up: Space Rock Poetry
Field Museum · Museum Campus
Adult Book Discussion: Culpability
Harold Washington Library Center
Eric Caplan - "When Healing Harms" - Matthew Gambino
The Seminary Co-op · Hyde Park