#1
Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park, Lakeview & WrigleyvilleSep 25, 2026–Oct 18, 2026Free
Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park, Lakeview & Wrigleyville
Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo is listed for Chicago this weekend.
FreeLimited Run
Outdoors in Chicago on Columbus Day Monday, Oct 12
11 picks
The 10 best outdoor picks in Chicago on Columbus Day Monday, Oct 12
- Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo — Sep 25–Oct 18, 2026 · Free · Lincoln Park
- Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns — October 7–11, 14–18 and 21–25, 6:30–10:30 PM · Adults from $24 for nonmember… · Glencoe
- Play On! — Chicago Shakespeare Theater — September 11–October 18; selected performances · Downtown
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day — Monday, October 12 9:30 AM–4:30 PM · Lincoln Park
- Indigenous People’s Day at Chicago Children’s Museum — Monday, October 12 10 AM–3 PM · Downtown
- Taan — Open this weekend — recently opened · Pilsen
- Antepli Mediterranean Grill — Open this weekend — recently opened · Andersonville
- Wicker Park Farmers Market — Sep 20–Oct 18, 2026 · Wicker Park
- Inner Worlds: Visions from the Hirshhorn Collection — September 25–December 19 · $20 general admission · Lincoln Park
- Green City Market Lincoln Park — Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7am–1pm · Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park, Lakeview & Wrigleyville#1Sep 25, 2026–Oct 18, 2026 · Limited Run
Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park, Lakeview & WrigleyvilleFall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo
Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Add to calendar#2
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Far Suburbscultivar413 · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsOctober 7–11, 14–18 and 21–25, 2026, 6:30–10:30 PMAdults from $24 for nonmember…
Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns
Glencoe, Far Suburbs
Seventy-five giant pumpkins, live carving and performers light a three-night garden walk.
One Weekend Only
#2October 7–11, 14–18 and 21–25, 2026, 6:30–10:30 PM · One Weekend Only
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Far Suburbscultivar413 · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsNight of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns
Seventy-five giant pumpkins, live carving and performers light a three-night garden walk.
Add to calendar#3
The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopSeptember 11–October 18, 2026; selected performances
Play On! — Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
A new play runs select dates at Chicago Shakespeare's Navy Pier stage.
Limited Run
#3September 11–October 18, 2026; selected performances · Limited Run
The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopPlay On! — Chicago Shakespeare Theater
A new play runs select dates at Chicago Shakespeare's Navy Pier stage.
Add to calendar#4
Chicago History Museum, Lincoln ParkGoldnpuppy · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsMonday, October 12, 2026 · 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day
Chicago History Museum, Lincoln Park
Illinois residents get free Monday access to the museum’s permanent and temporary shows.
FreeOne Day Only
#4Monday, October 12, 2026 · 9:30 AM–4:30 PM · One Day Only
Chicago History Museum, Lincoln ParkGoldnpuppy · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsChicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day
Illinois residents get free Monday access to the museum’s permanent and temporary shows.
Add to calendar#5
Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopMonday, October 12, 2026 · 10 AM–3 PMMuseum admission applies
Indigenous People’s Day at Chicago Children’s Museum
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
A story lounge and native Illinois seed-ball activity mark Indigenous People’s Day.
One Day Only
#5Monday, October 12, 2026 · 10 AM–3 PM · One Day Only
Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopIndigenous People’s Day at Chicago Children’s Museum
A story lounge and native Illinois seed-ball activity mark Indigenous People’s Day.
Add to calendar#6
Taan, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, West Town & the West SideOpen this weekend — recently opened
Taan
Pilsen, West Town & the West Side
Taan is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Limited Run
#6Open this weekend — recently opened · Limited Run
Taan, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, West Town & the West Side#7
Antepli Mediterranean Grill, Albany Park, Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln SquareOpen this weekend — recently opened
Antepli Mediterranean Grill
Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln Square
Antepli Mediterranean Grill is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Limited Run
#7Open this weekend — recently opened · Limited Run
Antepli Mediterranean Grill, Albany Park, Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln SquareAntepli Mediterranean Grill
Antepli Mediterranean Grill is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Add to calendar#8
Wicker ParkSep 20, 2026–Oct 18, 2026
Wicker Park Farmers Market
Wicker Park
Wicker Park Farmers Market is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Limited Run
#8Sep 20, 2026–Oct 18, 2026 · Limited Run
Wicker ParkWicker Park Farmers Market
Wicker Park Farmers Market is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Add to calendar#9
Wrightwood 659, Lincoln ParkSeptember 25–December 19, 2026; open Fridays and Saturdays with timed-entry tickets$20 general admission
Inner Worlds: Visions from the Hirshhorn Collection
Wrightwood 659, Lincoln Park
Kusama joins Bauermeister and de Saint Phalle in a Hirshhorn Collection exhibition.
ArtLimited Run
#9September 25–December 19, 2026; open Fridays and Saturdays with timed-entry tickets · Limited Run
Wrightwood 659, Lincoln ParkInner Worlds: Visions from the Hirshhorn Collection
Kusama joins Bauermeister and de Saint Phalle in a Hirshhorn Collection exhibition.
Add to calendar#10
Green City Market Lincoln Park, Lincoln ParkWednesdays and Saturdays, 7am–1pm, through Nov 21, 2026
Green City Market Lincoln Park
Green City Market Lincoln Park, Lincoln Park
Green City Market Lincoln Park has enough weekend energy to earn a spot on the board.
Limited Run
#10Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7am–1pm, through Nov 21, 2026 · Limited Run
Green City Market Lincoln Park, Lincoln ParkGreen City Market Lincoln Park
Green City Market Lincoln Park has enough weekend energy to earn a spot on the board.
Add to calendarMore on Columbus Day Monday
#11
Smart Museum of Art, Hyde ParkAdam Jones, Ph.D. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsSeptember 22, 2026 – February 21, 2027; Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.Free
teamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity
Smart Museum of Art, Hyde Park
The Tokyo art collective teamLab's immersive show at the Smart Museum, with free admission.
FreeArt
#11September 22, 2026 – February 21, 2027; Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. · Limited Run
Smart Museum of Art, Hyde ParkAdam Jones, Ph.D. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsteamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity
The Tokyo art collective teamLab's immersive show at the Smart Museum, with free admission.
Add to calendarAbout this list
Stumblday's hand-checked ranking of the best outdoors in Chicago on Columbus Day Monday, Oct 12: 11 picks, refreshed weekly.
