Schaumburg Halloween Carnival (begins Friday)
Head to the suburbs this Halloween season to check out the second annual Schaumburg Halloween Carnival, a seasonal fun fair that spans two weekends full of spooky rides, trick-or-treating, themed arts and crafts, and snack vendors, among other attractions. This year, Wintrust Field will also transform into The House of Creeps haunted house. Entrance to the carnival is free.
Pinball Expo in Schaumburg (Friday-Sunday)
The world’s biggest and longest-running pinball show returns for another year at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel. The four-day event will include tournaments, exhibits, seminars, the opportunity to buy your own pinball machine and more. Also back by popular demand is the retro games area, which will be highlighted by a retro games tournament.
Dropkick Murphys & The Interrupters at the BMO Center in Rockford (Friday)
Q101 is happy to present a lovely show between two of the most eclectic alternative acts going today. Dropkick Murphys and The Interrupters take to the BMO Center on Friday. Tickets are available here.
Mudhoney at Avondale Music Hall (Friday)
The godfathers of grunge music, Mudhoney, come to the Avondale Music Hall on Friday evening for a night of hard-hitting hits. Tickets are available here.
Join Q101 for The Out of the Darkness Walk (Saturday)
Register for the Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk on Saturday, October 21st at Montrose Harbor and walk to fight suicide and raise awareness about mental health. Be a part of the movement turning hope into action and create a culture that’s smart about mental health. Funds raised at the walk will benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Preventation.
Autism Speaks Walk (Saturday)
The Chicagoland Autism Speaks Walk Weekend is back to promote Autism Speaks’ mission of creating a more inclusive world for those with autism. Held at Soldier Field, the event will bring people together to take a stand and celebrate differences while raising funds and awareness.
Forest Park Casket Races (Saturday)
Outfit a “casket” (casket-shaped cart with wheels) in your favorite decor for this spooky annual race through the streets of downtown Forest Park, now in its 11th year. The rules are simple: A helmet-clad “ghost” rides inside the casket, while runners push the contraption as fast as they can along a 585-foot course. Prizes will be awarded for casket decorations as well as for the winners of the race, but try not to worry too much if you’re not particularly athletic—there’s also a prize for the “dead last” final finisher.
Soft Kill at Metro (Saturday)
Chicago’s very own Soft Kill head to the Metro on Saturday night for a night of exciting music from Midwest up-and-comers. Joining Soft Kill are Downward and Prize Horse, both of whom have been generating a lot of buzz with their noisy, exciting sets. Described as “morose and infectious punk music” Soft Kill is a band you should absolutely be paying attention to. Grab a ticket here.
Teenage Bottlerocket at Reggie’s (Saturday)
Wyoming’s finest export, Teenage Bottlerocket, come to Reggie’s on Saturday night for another exciting night of skate-inspired punk music. You can get a ticket to this show here.
Bullet For My Valentine at The Riv (Sunday)
Metalcore standouts Bullet For My Valentine storm The Riv on Sunday night. For those of you non-church-going types, this seems like the perfect way to end your weekend. Tickets are still available.
Bears host the Raiders (Sunday)
Two mediocre football teams without their starting quarterbacks. Enjoy.
