Fall Arts and Entertainment Guide in Chicago

The warm days linger, but fall is approaching with pumpkin spice making its return. As summer fades, our team offers a guide to Chicago’s fall arts, entertainment, and food. Discover what’s new and noteworthy in TV, movies, music, theater, museums, and more for the autumn season.

Movies for Fall 2026

Jeremy Strong portrays Mark Zuckerberg in “The Social Reckoning,” Aaron Sorkin’s sequel to “The Social Network.” Two major franchises return, though nothing matches up with summer’s hit “The Odyssey.” Find out more insights here.

TV Shows for Fall 2026

Amy Poehler leads “Dig,” a comedic series about archeologists in Greece. The fall TV lineup sees the comeback of network favorites. Discover more here.

Theater Highlights for Fall 2026

Chicago’s theaters are tackling current issues like school reading list debates and political divides. A standout is “The Birth of the Pill” at TimeLine Theatre. Explore more details here.

Museums to Visit in Fall 2026

Chicago’s museums offer science, history, and architecture exhibits. The Open House Chicago event features architectural gems like the Auditorium Theatre. Learn more here.

Dance Performances for Fall 2026

Joffrey Ballet presents “Liliom,” a dark piece debuting locally. Also on offer are performances by Giordano Dance Chicago and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Read further here.

Art Exhibitions for Fall 2026

The MCA, Hyde Park Art Center, and MoCP host essential shows, including Kenzi Shiokavi’s first solo museum exhibit. For more information, click here.

Comedy for Fall 2026

Catch Melissa Villaseñor and Brett Goldstein at the Den Theatre and other venues. The lineup also includes the 312 Comedy Festival. Further information is available here.

Classical and Jazz Music for Fall 2026

From concerts at Symphony Center to residencies at Jazz Showcase, music floods the fall calendar. Highlights include performances from Bella Voce and an invisible concert at Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Details can be found here.

Live Music for Fall 2026

Artists like Garth Brooks and Noname headline Chicago’s fall concerts. September through November challenges summer for notable performances. More details are available here.

Cultural Highlights for Fall 2026

Explore Chicago’s architecture, cultural events, and the spooky season. Highlights include a Día de Muertos exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Learn more here.

Outdoor Concerts for Late Summer

Before summer truly ends, catch 50 outdoor concerts scheduled until October. More on this here.

September Pop-Up Events in Chicago

While summer winds down, enjoy outdoor dining and drinking with events like a Scandinavian festival and Martini Expo. Details can be found here.