Chicago Southland CVB - Things To Do

Events

With over 800 Festivals & Events running year round, concerts that include the top touring musical acts, countless farmers markets and car shows in the Chicago Southland, the hard part isn’t deciding IF you should come but rather which event you ARE going to attend.

Whether it is Snow Day Festival at the Plum Creek Nature Center in January, Irish Fest at Chicago’s Gaelic Park in May, any of our year round farmers markets or Lansing Autumn Fest in October, you won’t have to travel far to find family friendly activities for any age.

Due to COVID-19 recommendations, many events in the Chicago Southland are being postponed or cancelled. Please check the event website or call the number listed to get up-to-date information on specific events. For more information on the Restore Illinois plan, please click here. Although events may be postponed or cancelled, virtual events are still taking place.

For a current list of virtual events taking place throughout the Chicago Southland, please click here.

Agricultural / Food / Harvest

Cultural Events

Displays / Arts & Crafts

Below are the next 30 upcoming Outdoor events in the Chicago Southland. Use the form above to search for specific events.

Wheelchair Accessible

d Displays/Arts/Crafts

ag Agricultural/Food/Harvest

c Cultural Event

w Workshop/Seminar

$ Admission Fee

h Holiday Celebration

m Music (Live)

o Outdoor Activity

s Sports Event/Recreational

f Fair, Carnival

e Expo/Consumer Show

p Parade

CHICAGO DRIVE-IN THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS Oct 23, 2020
SeatGeek Stadium
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL
708-594-7200
Parking opens at 5:30PM
6:30PM-8PM
Visit Website $ o

CHICAGO DRIVE-IN THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD Oct 23, 2020
SeatGeek Stadium
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL
708-594-7200
Parking opens at 8PM
8PM-10PM
Visit Website $ o

QUINN XCII & CHELSEA CUTLER Oct 23, 2020 - Oct 24, 2020
SeatGeek Stadium
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL
708-594-7200
All ages with valid ID. Ages 18 and under must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Doors: 6PM
6PM-10:30PM
Visit Website $ o

PROMENADE AT THE POINTE Oct 24, 2020
Fox Pointe
18138 Henry Street, Lansing, IL
On Saturday, Oct. 24 from 5-8 p.m., the public is invited to a free event at Fox Pointe to experience the Halloween decorations & view/vote on the scarecrows that will be on display. Under the pavilion, food from 2 Lansing restaurants will be available for purchase, as well as drinks provided by the Village. Costumed attendees will be invited to join a costume parade around the interior of Fox Pointe at 7 p.m. All participants under 12 years old will receive a pumpkin & a bag of treats.
5PM-8PM
o

JULIAN'S HOUSE PARTY AT THE DRIVE-IN HALLOWEEN BASH Oct 24, 2020
SeatGeek Stadium
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL
708-594-7200
Julian Jumping Perez is coming back to SeatGeek for a Halloween House Party! Doors open 4PM - Show time 5PM
5PM
Visit Website $ o

MONARCH TRICK OR TREATS AT THE NATURE CENTER Oct 24, 2020 - Oct 25, 2020
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
Forest Preserve District of Will County, 27064 South Dutton Road, Beecher, IL
708-946-2216
Attention all trick or treaters! The nature center is gearing up for Halloween & so are the monarchs. Visit the nature dressed in your favorite costume & end up with a tasty treat & a packet of milkweed seeds. What a win/win for you & our pollinator friends! Fall is the perfect time to plant native milkweed seeds. These plants are vital for the monarchs' survival. Monarch Trick or Treats at the Nature Center will be held Saturdays & Sundays throughout October. Visitors center hours are 10AM-4PM on Saturdays & 12PM-4PM on Sundays. Free for all ages! No registration required.
Sa 10AM-4PM;Su 12PM-4PM
Visit Website c o

PUMPKIN DAYS WEEKEND FESTIVAL & TRICK OR TREATING Oct 24, 2020 - Oct 25, 2020
Children's Farm At The Center
12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, IL
708-361-2434
Come join us for a fun fall weekend on the farm! The pumpkin patch will be open, hayrack rides will be running & the animals will be out. Guests can enjoy lunch from the farm grill, listen to the live bands & shop the vendors. Children are encouraged to come in costume & 'trick or treat' with the animals & we will have complimentary pumpkin painting for the first 200 children. Festival admission is $8 per person. Children under 2 are free.
Visit Website $ m o

CHICAGO DRIVE-IN - A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET Oct 25, 2020
SeatGeek Stadium
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL
708-594-7200
Park opens at 8PM
8:30PM-10PM
Visit Website $ o

CHICAGO DRIVE-IN - MONSTER SQUAD Oct 25, 2020
SeatGeek Stadium
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL
708-594-7200
Parking opens at 5:30PM
6:30PM-8PM
Visit Website $ o

SEMI-PRIVATE TOURS FOR SMALL GROUPS AT THE CENTER Oct 26, 2020 - Oct 28, 2020
The Center
12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, IL
708-361-3650
Perfect for small family groups, individuals. Reservation times available Mon-Wed 12:30PM & 2PM. 1 Day advanced reservation required. Online registration & payment $12 per person. Includes Hay ride, take home pumpkin pie, guided tour. Please note that all semi-private tour reservations are non-refundable. Our farm tours run rain or shine and due to booking capacities we will not be able to switch your reserved time once your purchase has been completed. All reservations are final sales.
Visit Website $ o

OMAR APOLLO LIVE AT THE DRIVE-IN Oct 29, 2020
SeatGeek Stadium
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL
708-594-7200
All ages with Valid ID. Ages 18 and under must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
6PM-10PM
Visit Website $ o

RIOT FEST HALLOWEEN SPECIAL Oct 30, 2020
SeatGeek Stadium
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL
708-594-7200
The Riot Fest Halloween Special Performer: New Found Glory. Movie Screening: Beetlejuice. Doors: 6:30PM/Show: 8PM/Movie: 10PM
8PM-11:59PM
Visit Website $ o

DAY OF DEADMAU5 Oct 30, 2020 - Oct 31, 2020
SeatGeek Stadium
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL
708-594-7200
This event is 18+ for entry. All passengers must have a valid ID for entry into the show. Rain or shine event. There is no re-entry.
6PM-10PM
Visit Website $ o

COUNTRY CLUB HILLS AUTUMN FESTIVAL & HAUNTED TRAIL Oct 31, 2020
Country Club Hills Theater Campus
4116 West 183rd Street, Country Club Hills, IL
708-798-2616
Fee includes; our famous Haunted Trail opens dusk until 8pm, kids costume contest 6:00pm-7:00pm, trick or treat commissions at the pavilion 5:00pm-7:00pm ,face painting, goodies and more. $2
5-8PM
Visit Website $ d f h o

MONARCH TRICK OR TREATS AT THE NATURE CENTER Oct 31, 2020
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
Forest Preserve District of Will County, 27064 South Dutton Road, Beecher, IL
708-946-2216
Attention all trick or treaters! The nature center is gearing up for Halloween & so are the monarchs. Visit the nature dressed in your favorite costume & end up with a tasty treat & a packet of milkweed seeds. What a win/win for you & our pollinator friends! Fall is the perfect time to plant native milkweed seeds. These plants are vital for the monarchs' survival. Monarch Trick or Treats at the Nature Center will be held Saturdays & Sundays throughout October. Visitors center hours are 10AM-4PM on Saturdays & 12PM-4PM on Sundays. Free for all ages! No registration required.
Sa 10AM-4PM;Su 12PM-4PM
Visit Website c o

TRICK-OR-TREATING AT FOX POINT Oct 31, 2020
Fox Pointe
18138 Henry Street, Lansing, IL
From 2PM–4PM on Halloween, the public is invited to participate for free in Fox Pointe Trick-or-Treating. Tables will be set up throughout Fox Pointe by businesses & other organizations where costumed collectors can visit & gather goodies. Decorations will still be on display, & voting will still be open for the scarecrow contest. The winners of the contest will be announced at the end of the event.
2PM-4PM
o

HALLOWEEN FAMILY TRICK OR TREATING Oct 31, 2020
In the Game, Hollywood Park
5051 Cal Sag Road, Crestwood, IL
Halloween Family Trick or Treating at In The Game Hollywood Park! Saturday, October 31 from 12pm-8pm. Kids 12 & Under are invited to come in costume to In The Game Hollywood Park for a fun afternoon & evening of Trick or Treating and Halloween fun! Trick or Treat Stations will be set up throughout the park for kids to collect treats as they enjoy all the fun and games of Hollywood Park! You can also try our limited time only food & drinks on our New Halloween Treats Menu including Wizards Butterscotch Beer Milkshake and the Bite Back Burger!
12PM-8PM
Visit Website o

FALL O'WEEN IN COUNTRY CLUB HILLS Oct 31, 2020
Country Club Hills Theater
4116 West 183rd Street, Country Club Hills, IL
708-798-2616
Country Club Hills Outdoor Theater East side of theater Enter from Old Eagle Store Lot. Trick or Treat in a family-friendly manner with social distancing measures in mind. Participants will stay in their vehicles for Halloween drive thru experience but are encouraged to dress up and decorate your cars if you like.
4PM-6PM
Visit Website h o

RIOT FEST HALLOWEEN SPECIAL Oct 31, 2020
SeatGeek Stadium
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL
708-594-7200
The Riot Fest Halloween Special Performer: Knuckle Puck & Hot Mulligan. Movie Screening: The Exorcist. Doors: 5:30PM/Show: 7PM/Movie: 10PM
7PM-11PM
Visit Website $ o

TURKEY TROT 5K Nov 1, 2020
Vogt Woods
6527 West 171st Street, Tinley Park, IL
708-342-4200
New for 2020! Registration will be by ticket purchase. Visit our website registration page and select the ticket for the appropriate age and gender group in which you will compete. Pre-registration closes Oct 29 at 3:00pm Registration reopens at 7:00am on race day. Packet pick-up is Oct 31 from 8:00am-3:00pm at the Recreation Center $16 without shirt/$22 with shirt (pre-reg)/$30 with or without shirt (race day)
8AM-10AM
Visit Website $ o s

STOP, DROP, PUMPKIN ROLL Nov 1, 2020
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
27064 Dutton Rd, Beecher, IL
708-946-2216
STOP by Plum Creek Nature Center & send off your post-holiday pumpkin with a bang. DROP it off for composting, but not before ROLLING it down Pumpkin Alley. All activities are self-guided & safety procedures have been put into place. Your first stop is to check in at the nature center to ensure your pumpkins are compost ready, free of plastics, candles or other foreign objects. Does your pumpkin have the “guts”? If so, then head to Pumpkin Alley on the hill to let the good times roll. Set your aim, hit a target, or race your family. Finally, drop off your pumpkin at the compost station so it may live another day as nutrients for our pollinator garden. Stop, Drop, Pumpkin Roll will be held Saturdays & Sundays throughout November. Visitor ctr hrs are 10AM-4PM Saturdays & 12PM to 4PM Sundays. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.
12PM-4PM
Visit Website o

GANJA WHITE NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN Nov 1, 2020
SeatGeek Stadium
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL
708-594-7200
18+ with Valid ID. Ages 16 and under must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Doors: 6PM
6PM-11PM
Visit Website $ o

BENGTSON'S PUMPKIN FARM Nov 1, 2020 - Nov 2, 2020
13341 West 151st Street
Homer Glen, IL
708-301-3276
Visit Website $ h o

STOP, DROP, PUMPKIN ROLL Nov 7, 2020
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
27064 Dutton Rd, Beecher, IL
708-946-2216
STOP by Plum Creek Nature Center & send off your post-holiday pumpkin with a bang. DROP it off for composting, but not before ROLLING it down Pumpkin Alley. All activities are self-guided & safety procedures have been put into place. Your first stop is to check in at the nature center to ensure your pumpkins are compost ready, free of plastics, candles or other foreign objects. Does your pumpkin have the “guts”? If so, then head to Pumpkin Alley on the hill to let the good times roll. Set your aim, hit a target, or race your family. Finally, drop off your pumpkin at the compost station so it may live another day as nutrients for our pollinator garden. Stop, Drop, Pumpkin Roll will be held Saturdays & Sundays throughout November. Visitor ctr hrs are 10AM-4PM Saturdays & 12PM to 4PM Sundays. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.
10AM-4PM
Visit Website o

STOP, DROP, PUMPKIN ROLL Nov 8, 2020
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
27064 Dutton Rd, Beecher, IL
708-946-2216
STOP by Plum Creek Nature Center & send off your post-holiday pumpkin with a bang. DROP it off for composting, but not before ROLLING it down Pumpkin Alley. All activities are self-guided & safety procedures have been put into place. Your first stop is to check in at the nature center to ensure your pumpkins are compost ready, free of plastics, candles or other foreign objects. Does your pumpkin have the “guts”? If so, then head to Pumpkin Alley on the hill to let the good times roll. Set your aim, hit a target, or race your family. Finally, drop off your pumpkin at the compost station so it may live another day as nutrients for our pollinator garden. Stop, Drop, Pumpkin Roll will be held Saturdays & Sundays throughout November. Visitor ctr hrs are 10AM-4PM Saturdays & 12PM to 4PM Sundays. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.
12PM-4PM
Visit Website o

STOP, DROP, PUMPKIN ROLL Nov 14, 2020
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
27064 Dutton Rd, Beecher, IL
708-946-2216
STOP by Plum Creek Nature Center & send off your post-holiday pumpkin with a bang. DROP it off for composting, but not before ROLLING it down Pumpkin Alley. All activities are self-guided & safety procedures have been put into place. Your first stop is to check in at the nature center to ensure your pumpkins are compost ready, free of plastics, candles or other foreign objects. Does your pumpkin have the “guts”? If so, then head to Pumpkin Alley on the hill to let the good times roll. Set your aim, hit a target, or race your family. Finally, drop off your pumpkin at the compost station so it may live another day as nutrients for our pollinator garden. Stop, Drop, Pumpkin Roll will be held Saturdays & Sundays throughout November. Visitor ctr hrs are 10AM-4PM Saturdays & 12PM to 4PM Sundays. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.
10AM-4PM
Visit Website o

COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE TREE TRIM Nov 14, 2020 - Nov 15, 2020
Brookfield Zoo
First Avenue & 31st Street, Brookfield, IL
708-688-8000
Looking for a way to celebrate the holidays with your friends and family? Have your community group or company decorate a holiday tree that will help dress up our annual Holiday Magic festival. Registration is required and can be booked at CZS.com/TreeTrim.
10AM-4:30PM
Visit Website $ h o

STOP, DROP, PUMPKIN ROLL Nov 15, 2020
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
27064 Dutton Rd, Beecher, IL
708-946-2216
STOP by Plum Creek Nature Center & send off your post-holiday pumpkin with a bang. DROP it off for composting, but not before ROLLING it down Pumpkin Alley. All activities are self-guided & safety procedures have been put into place. Your first stop is to check in at the nature center to ensure your pumpkins are compost ready, free of plastics, candles or other foreign objects. Does your pumpkin have the “guts”? If so, then head to Pumpkin Alley on the hill to let the good times roll. Set your aim, hit a target, or race your family. Finally, drop off your pumpkin at the compost station so it may live another day as nutrients for our pollinator garden. Stop, Drop, Pumpkin Roll will be held Saturdays & Sundays throughout November. Visitor ctr hrs are 10AM-4PM Saturdays & 12PM to 4PM Sundays. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.
12PM-4PM
Visit Website o

48TH ANNUAL SETTLERS' DAY Nov 20, 2020 - Nov 22, 2020
Sand Ridge Nature Center
Forest Preserves of Cook County, 15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland, IL
708-868-0606
Experience costumed living-history demonstrators, history hikes, crafts, an imaginary wagon train adventure and more. Admission is free.
10AM-3PM
Visit Website c d h o

STOP, DROP, PUMPKIN ROLL Nov 21, 2020
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
27064 Dutton Rd, Beecher, IL
708-946-2216
STOP by Plum Creek Nature Center & send off your post-holiday pumpkin with a bang. DROP it off for composting, but not before ROLLING it down Pumpkin Alley. All activities are self-guided & safety procedures have been put into place. Your first stop is to check in at the nature center to ensure your pumpkins are compost ready, free of plastics, candles or other foreign objects. Does your pumpkin have the “guts”? If so, then head to Pumpkin Alley on the hill to let the good times roll. Set your aim, hit a target, or race your family. Finally, drop off your pumpkin at the compost station so it may live another day as nutrients for our pollinator garden. Stop, Drop, Pumpkin Roll will be held Saturdays & Sundays throughout November. Visitor ctr hrs are 10AM-4PM Saturdays & 12PM to 4PM Sundays. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.
10AM-4PM
Visit Website o