Whether you’re looking for a trick or a treat this weekend, there’s plenty to do. Be sure to check out Chicago’s best Halloween 2016 events and seven theater and comedy shows for the spooky season. And see more of what we recommend below.
Fri 10/28: Bit Bash hosts Little Bash of Horrors, a night of live music, food, drinks, and the chance to play spooky video games such as the Brookhaven Experiment, Crawl, and Pony Island at Bottom Lounge (1375 W. Lake). Costumes are encouraged. 7-11 PM
Fri 10/28: Uptown Underground (4707 N. Broadway) hosts Whores of Horror, a night of drinks and drag performances by Anita Jon, Ashley Morgan, Dixie Deveraux, Helena Handbasket, Juan M. Wett, Vivian Dejour, and cohost Coco Sho-Nell. 8 PM
Fri 10/28-Sat 10/29: Giordano Dance Chicago presents Fall Series at Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph), its fall performance featuring a new work by Peter Chu. 7:30 PM
Sat 10/29: If you’ve been inspired by The Great British Baking Show‘s Chetna, Nadiya, and Tamal to use more south Asian flavors in your baking, you could do worse than learn from Malika Ameen, a past Top Chef: Just Desserts contestant and former pastry chef at Aigre Doux, who has just published her first book, Sweet Sugar, Sultry Spice. She speaks today at Read It & Eat (2142 N. Halsted). 4 PM
Sat 10/29: DJs Nick Castle and the Golden Pony play alongside slasher films at 203 Fear Street: All Saints + Souls in the Commons Club (203 N. Wabash). Special Halloween drinks and DJs Little Boots, the Hood Internet, and Rocktapussy keep the party going on the Cerise Rooftop. 9 PM
Sat 10/29: Bowie Night 2: Son of Bowie, a David Bowie costume party at Crown Liquors (2821 N. Milwaukee), features music from DJ Bobby E. 9:30 PM-2:30 AM
Sun 10/30: Cure your ghoulish hangover at Bric-a-Brac’s Halloween Brunch at the Empty Bottle (1035 N. Western), which features food from Bite Cafe and spooky music spun by the owners of Bric-a-Brac Records & Collectibles, Jen Lemasters and Nick Mayor. Noon
Sun 10/30: More than 20 neighborhood restaurants—including George’s Ice Cream & Sweets, Kopi Cafe, and Vincent—offer up tastings of sweet treats at the Andersonville Dessert Crawl. Choose from the “Candy Corn” and “Caramel Apple” routes. 2-5 PM
Sun 10/30: Gather at the National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 W. 19th) for Day of the Dead Chicago, an event that remembers and celebrates the dead with festivities such as ofrendas (altars), pan de muerto (Day of the Dead bread), face painting, and crafts. This year features an interactive, animated ofrenda projected onto the museum wall. 3-8 PM
For more stuff to do this weekend—and every day—check out our Agenda page.