Fall events in Pilsen
36 upcoming. Fall in Pilsen, Chicago: Dia de los Muertos, festivals, Halloween events and neighborhood happenings.
TodayFriday, October 16
6 to 8pmFree
National Museum of Mexican ArtOpening reception for the new Xicago Gallery exhibition of community print works from the Instituto Grafico de Chicago collection, celebrating 16 years of socially conscious printmaking. Free and open to the public.
8 to 10pm$25
Pilsen Arts & Community House - PACH 21An underground fashion-art night on the Chicago Fashion Week calendar: a runway of hand-sewn, deconstructed garments by Insidious Studios, followed by a walk-around human gallery set to industrial techno, with a cash bar.
All dayFree
National Museum of Mexican ArtNew exhibition in the Xicago Gallery drawn from the Instituto Grafico de Chicago print collection: objects, event documentation, and traces of print histories from Mexico and Chicago. Marks 16 years of community-based, socially conscious printmaking. Runs Oct 16, 2026 through Feb 21, 2027. Free.
All day, through Nov 29Free
National Museum of Mexican ArtThe museum's 40th annual Day of the Dead exhibition looks back through its Permanent Collection to trace the evolution of Dia de Muertos and the museum itself, with ofrenda installations by artists from Oaxaca, Mexico City, Chicago, and Washington state. Also features courtyard installations by Yollocalli youth artists and a participatory community ofrenda. Runs Sep 25 through Nov 29. Free.
TomorrowSaturday, October 17
10am to 4pm, through Oct 18Free
Chicago19th annual folk art festival bringing artisans from across Mexico to Pilsen: Oaxacan alebrije wood carvers, Puebla ceramic Day of the Dead figures, Guerrero amate painters, Oaxacan foot-pedal-loom weavers, and Chiapas backstrap-loom weavers. Live demonstrations daily 10 am to 4 pm, with extended evening hours until 8 pm on Wednesday Oct 14. Free.
11am to 3pm, one of 2 dates$80
ChicagoTwo-Saturday hands-on workshop with Socorro Carlos, Colectivo Fuentes Rojas, and the museum's Stitches of the Soul quilting group. Participants create a 14x14 inch textile honoring missing persons, learning applique and embroidery techniques tied to remembrance and collective action. $80, materials included.
SundayOctober 18
10:30am to 12pmFree
Pilsen Community BooksA casual Sunday-morning group walk or 5K run through Pilsen starting and ending at Pilsen Community Books, where participants can pick up free Libro.fm audiobook credits before heading out.
ThursdayOctober 22
6:30 to 9pm
Elevated barbershop LoungeCreatorCollectiveChi teams up with Elevated Pilsen for a Halloween-season horror movie night at the Elevated barbershop lounge. All ages, free parking on site.
SaturdayOctober 24
12 to 6pm, through Oct 25Free
APO Cultural CenterThe 24th annual self-guided art walk through Pilsen: studios, galleries, and artist spaces along 18th Street open their doors so visitors can meet artists and see work in person.
12 to 6pm, through Oct 25Free
ChicagoA free two-day market of local vendors selling handmade Dia de los Muertos goods - Catrinas, papel picado, marigolds, mini altars, candles, jewelry, and pan de muerto - with food vendors, a purchase raffle, and costumes encouraged.
3 to 8pmFree
Harrison ParkAnnual community Day of the Dead celebration transforming Harrison Park around the museum: community-built ofrendas, live music and performances, art activities, and a large illuminated ofrenda projected onto the museum exterior after dark. Families can reserve ofrenda space or submit photos of departed loved ones by Oct 15. Free, rain or shine.
8pm$39.96
Thalia HallThe Grammy-nominated New Orleans genre-blending band brings its high-energy Last Balloon Tour to Pilsen's historic Thalia Hall for Halloween weekend, with openers Ariel J. and Zeus.
TuesdayOctober 27
8 to 9:30pmFree
Pilsen Community BooksFree stand-up night at the Pilsen bookstore, doors 7:45 pm. Ages 18 and up; BYOB; Eventbrite registration required.
ThursdayOctober 29
8pm$52.98
Thalia HallSwedish folk songwriter Kristian Matsson, performing as The Tallest Man On Earth, plays an intimate night-before-Halloween set at Thalia Hall, with guitarist Gwenifer Raymond opening.
FridayOctober 30
7pm, through Oct 31
Thalia HallTwo-day dark music festival taking over Thalia Hall and the Tack Room for Halloween weekend. Costume theme is Blasphemy; the weekend includes a VHS dungeon, photobooth and live analog visuals. 17 and over.
SaturdayOctober 31
8am$65
Benito Juarez Community Academy19th annual costumed 5K winding through Pilsen in honor of Dia de los Muertos. Runners and walkers in calavera attire celebrate with music, entertainment, and food along the course starting at Benito Juarez Community Academy. Proceeds support UNO girls programs (GirlsMpowered and RunHer). Timed and untimed divisions.
12 to 6pm$36
Pizza CantinaCostumed Halloween bar crawl across Pilsen's 18th Street corridor. Check in at Pizza Cantina, then hit neighborhood bars including La Vaca Margarita Bar, Simone's and The Tonk. 21 and over.
9 to 11:59pm, through Nov 1$7
Simone's BarKombi's Halloween-night reggaeton and perreo dance party at Simone's Bar, with two rooms of DJs and a $500 costume contest. 21 and over, runs 9pm to 3am.
MondayNovember 2
8pm
Thalia HallThe composers behind the cult animated miniseries Over the Garden Wall perform its folk soundtrack live as a seasonal fall concert, joined by special guests. TicketWeb currently lists this show as sold out.
ThursdayNovember 5
8pm$37.68
Thalia HallAustralian bass crooner touring the instrumental bass EP Il Basso with OTNES. 17 and up; doors 7 pm.
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