fall

Things to Do in Chicago: Fall 2023

August 14, 2023

Who’s ready for spooky season? I definitely am! I absolutely love Fall time in the city. From festive pop-ups to pumpkin-flavored treats to Halloween, there’s nothing better than the cozy aesthetic that comes with it. Looking forward to scheduling plans? Make sure to add the ones listed below to your calendar! This post will be updated as events arise.

Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up

Date: September 21 – November 3, 2023
Location: Goose Island (1465 N. Elston Ave.)
Cost: $22 for GA, food/drink & extras available for purchase
View my 2022 Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up recap post (this is my favorite fall event!)

Harry Potter Magic at Play

Date: Now – September 4, 2023
Location: Water Tower Place (835 Michigan Ave.)
Cost: $42.50 per ticket, treats & souvenirs available for purchase
View my Harry Potter Magic at Play recap post

Rooftop Cinema Club

Date: Now – September 4, 2023
Location: The Emily Hotel (311 N Morgan St.)
Cost: $22.50+ per ticket

Chef BBQ at Green City Market

Date: September 7, 2023
Location: Lincoln Park (1817 N Clark St)
Cost: $159 for GA, $289 for VIP
View my 2022 Chef BBQ recap post

Taste of Chicago

Date: September 8-10, 2023
Location: Polk Brothers Park (600 E Grand Ave)
Cost: Free admission, food available for purchase

Oktoberfest at the Zoo

Date: September 16, 2023
Location: Lincoln Park Zoo
Cost: $15 admission (early bird price), food & drink available for purchase

Chicago Gourmet

Date: September 21-24, 2023
- Sep 21: Tacos & Tequilas ($110)
- Sep 22: Hamburger Hop ($130)
- Sep 23: Grand Cru ($255)
- Sep 24: Prost! In the Park ($99)
Location: Harris Theater Rooftop (205 E. Randolph St.)
Cost: $99-$255 + tax
View my 2019 Chicago Gourmet recap post

Green City Market

Date: Now – November 2023
Location: Lincoln Park, West Loop, Avondale
Cost: Free admission, vendors selling items for a cost

The Exhibit House

Date: Indefinitely
Location: Water Tower Place (835 Michigan Ave.)
Cost: $30 per ticket
View my The Exhibit House recap post

ZooLights

Date: November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Location: Lincoln Park Zoo
Cost: TBD

Things to Do All Fall

Things To Do In Chicago: Fall 2022

August 23, 2022

Upcoming Fall Events in Chicago

Hello, spooky season! Chicago is never scare with events, no matter what the season is. Fall is my favorite second to summer! There’s plenty of options to keep your calendar full. I’ve compiled a list of things to do in Chicago this Fall below for your viewing. While it doesn’t include everything, I made sure to include some of my favorite festival and events and those on my to-do list!

NOTE: this post will be updated as events arise.

September 2022 Events

Fireworks at Navy Pier

Date: Through September 3, 2022
Location: Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Avenue)
Cost: Free admission
Features: Firework show
Photo: navypier.org

Sundays on State

Date: Through September 4, 2022
Location: State & Lake (190 N State Street)
Cost: Free admission
Features: Food, shopping, arts
Photo: starevents.com

Rooftop Cinema Club

Date: Through September 5, 2022
Location: The Emily Hotel (311 N Morgan St.)
Cost: $18.75–$27.75 per ticket
Features: Outdoor cinema, personal headphones, drinks + food for purchase
Photo: taken by yours truly

Museum of Ice Cream

Date: Through September 5, 2022
Location: Tribune Tower (435 North Michigan Ave.)
Cost: $36-$44 per ticket
Features: 14 installations, ice cream treats, ice cream history, retail shop
Photo: instagram.com/museumoficecream

JoJo’s Retro Summer

Date: Through September 5, 2022
Location: JoJo’s Shake Bar River North
Cost: reservations, dining
Features: 90’s themed patio, retro cocktails, shakes, regular & Retro Summer food menu
Photo: facebook.com/jojosshakebar

Riot Fest

Date: September 16-18, 2022
Location: Douglas Park
Cost: $99-$300
Features: Headliner artists, food & drinks
Photo: riotfest.org

Chicago SummerDance

Date: Through September 17, 2022
Location: Varies per event
Cost: Free admission
Features: Live entertainment
Photo: chicago.gov/city

Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up

Date: Opens September 22, 2022
Location: Goose Island (1465 N. Elston Ave.)
Cost: TBD
Features: Festive photo backdrops, food, drink, corn maze, axe throwing, carnival games
Photo: taken by yours truly

Chicago Gourmet

Date: September 22-25, 2022
- September 22: Taco’s & Tequila
- September 23: Hamburger Hop
- September 24: Grand Cru
- September 25: Prost! In the Park
Location: Harris Theater rooftop in Millennium Park
Cost: Varies between $60-$255
Features: A variety of drinks & food samples from local restaurants
Photo: secretchicago.com/chicago-gourmet/

Chicago Water Lantern Festival

Date: September 24, 2022
Location: Lincoln Park South Lagoon (2341 N Cannon Dr.)
Cost: $25.99-$55.99 (price increases as it gets closer)
Features: Lantern design and launch, food trucks, music
Photo: instagram.com/waterlanternfestival

Hyde Park Jazz Festival

Date: September 24-25, 2022
Location: Midway Plaisance Park
Cost: Free admission, suggested $10 donation
Features: More than 34 performances, food & beverage vendors, shopping
Photo: hydeparkjazzfestival.org

October 2022 Events

Wings of Mexico

Date: Through October 1, 2022
Location: Plaza of the Americas (410 N. Michigan Ave.)
Cost: Free admission
Features: Photo opportunity
Photo: taken by yours truly

Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest

Date: October 1-2, 2022
Location: Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Wilson
Cost: Free entry
Features: Food & drinks, live entertainment, vendors, family fun
Photo: lincolnsquare.org/apple-fest

Wing Out Chicago

Date: October 1-2, 2022
Location: St. Michael’s parking lot (1633 N. Cleveland)
Cost: $14 (GA) or $79 (VIP) per ticket
Features: Food & drinks, live entertainment
Photo: wingoutchicago.com

Chicago Latina Expo

Date: October 1-2, 2022
Location: Macy’s (111 N State St.)
Cost: $20-$250 per pass
Features: Speakers, career fair, vendors
Photo: eventbrite.com

Prince: The Immersive Experience

Date: Through October 7, 2022
Location: 540 N. Michigan Avenue (corner Michigan Ave. and Ohio St.)
Cost: $39.50+ per ticket
Features: 10 multidimensional spaces, all things Prince!
Photo: timeout.com

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k

Date: October 15, 2022
Location: Solider Field Stadium Green (1410 Special Olympics Drive)
Cost: Free to sign up
Features: 5k walk
Photo: facebook.com/Strides/photos

Adults-Night-Out: Howl-o-ween

Date: October 27, 2022
Location: Lincoln Park Zoo (2001 North Clark Street)
Cost: $15-$25
Features: For 18+, live DJ, bars
Photo: eventbrite.com

Halloween Weekend

Date: October 28-29, 2022
- Oct 28+29: Official Halloween Bar Crawl
- Oct 29: Wrigleyville Halloween Crawl
- Oct 29: Haunted Hotel Halloween Ball 2022 at Congress Plaza Hotel
- Oct 29: 5th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl at Rock Bottom Brewery and Restaurant
- Oct 29: Halloween Day Crawl in River North
Location: Varies
Cost: Varies
Features: bar crawl, party
Photo: eventbrite.com

November 2022 Events

Harry Potter: Magic at Play

Date: November 11, 2022-May 14, 2023
Location: Water Tower Place (835 N. Michigan Ave)
Cost: $42.50-$67.50 per ticket
Features: Three floors of Harry Potter magic, souvenir shop
Photo: fever.com

14 Hands Wine Fall Sangria Recipe

October 26, 2018

14 Hands Wine Fall Sangria Recipe

Who’s ready for a very simple, very tasty Fall sangria recipe?? Made with my new favorite delicious, yet affordable wine, 14 Hands Wine, this Fall sangria recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser for any event.

Side note: 14 Hands Wine is our new go-to for a night in, date night and hosting. Their bottles can be found in local Mariano’s, Jewel Osco and other supermarkets and are down right amazing – not to mention the under-$20-price is great. View images from a wine tasting I did with 14 Hands Wine here!

This 14 Hands Wine Fall Sangria Recipe only requires a few main ingredients to make it a hit, with a few optional ones to add. It is based off of a sangria recipe written by 14 Hands Wine themselves! The list of ingredients below are what I added to make my version of a Fall sangria recipe featuring 14 Hands Wine, but feel free to improvise as you wish.

14 Hands Wine Fall Sangria Recipe List

1 bottle of red from 14 Hands Wine (I used their Cabernet Sauvignon)
2 honey crisp apples
2 oranges
2 cups of cranberries
1/2 bottle of sparkling apple cider
3 ounces of simple syrup
cinnamon sticks for final product garnish

I used the exact ingredients above and found the mixture to be delicious and to my liking, alcohol-heavy wise. I like my drinks tasting more like sweet juice than booze. However, if you’d like a stronger mix, it is recommended to also add 1/2 cup brandy of your choice and 1/4 cup orange liqueur.

Make sure the apples and oranges are cut into slices with the skin still left on. Mix these pieces with the other bulleted ingredients and let the mixture cool in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving. Add extra cranberry and a cinnamon stick for garnish and wa-la! The perfect Fall sangria recipe! Do you have any special sangria recipe add-ons? Comment below!

Fall Style For The City Girl

August 12, 2018

Who else is excited for boot & sweater weather?? Fall is a close second to Summer being my favorite season. I think this is mainly due to my love for boots, pumpkin flavored everything and coziness. And with any new season comes new coveted closet go-tos. Fall seems to always sneak up on me, especially here in Chicago where the season changes in a day. I learned my lesson years ago to prepare early for the winds and cold. Stay ahead of the game with flawless day, semi-casual, going out and lounge looks!