Art in Chicago on Friday, Oct 16

Fri, Oct 16 · 13 picks hand‑checked by Stumblday against organizer pages · 4 free in the top 10 · updated Sep 29

Stumblday's ranked list of the best things to do in Chicago on Friday, October 16: 22 events, led by NBA Preseason: Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, PFL – Professional Fighters League: Liz Carmouche vs. Jena Bishop and La Gradiva — each one checked against the organizer's own page. Below them, 42 exhibitions and shows running through the day.

Also open Fri, Oct 16 — check hours

#6
If Emmett Till Lived: Freedom on American GroundMuseum of Contemporary Photography, South Loop, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopViselippi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
September 10–December 19, 2026; Mon–Wed and Fri–Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thu 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun closedFree

If Emmett Till Lived: Freedom on American Ground

Downtown, the Loop & West Loop

Imagine the life Emmett Till was denied through a free MoCP exhibition drawing on photographs by more than 110 artists.

FreeArt
#8
The Oracle of Evergreen: A Black Plant IT Exhibition 2026Garfield Park Conservatory, East Garfield Park, Pilsen, West Town & the West Side
September 23 – November 15, 2026; Wednesday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Thursday–Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., closed Monday and TuesdayFree for Chicago residents wi…

The Oracle of Evergreen: A Black Plant IT Exhibition 2026

Pilsen, West Town & the West Side

The Oracle of Evergreen: A Black Plant IT Exhibition 2026 is listed for Chicago this weekend.

ArtLimited Run