10 Things to Do in Chicago and DuPage This Weekend (November 6–8, 2026)
CHICAGOLAND— Looking for something to do this weekend? Chicago and DuPage County have a packed lineup of family activities, holiday celebrations, art exhibitions, live performances and free community events from Friday, November 6, through Sunday, November 8, 2026.
This weekend marks the beginning of Chicago's holiday museum season, with a major tree-lighting celebration in Hyde Park and an indoor holiday market in Wheaton. Families can also spend the night with dinosaurs, catch a free movie in Glen Ellyn or enjoy a weekend performance in Naperville.
Here are 10 events worth checking out across Chicago and the Western Suburbs, with dates, locations, admission details and official event links.
1. Dozin' with the Dinos at the Field Museum
Ever wondered what it's like to spend the night inside a museum surrounded by dinosaur fossils?
The Field Museum's Dozin' with the Dinos returns Friday evening, giving children ages 6–12 and their accompanying adults an overnight experience featuring science challenges, fossil discoveries, flashlight explorations and sleeping spaces inside the museum.
The November 6 program also includes admission to the Pokémon Fossil Museum.
Date: Friday, November 6, through Saturday, November 7
Time: 6 p.m.–9 a.m.
Location: Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Admission: Standard tickets are $90 for members and $95 for nonmembers.
Premium, Tour and Ultimate SUE packages are sold out. Standard ticket availability must be confirmed through the museum's booking system.
Official Event: Dozin' with the Dinos
2. Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago's holiday season is starting early at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
On Saturday, the museum will kick off its annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibition with a celebration featuring more than 50 decorated trees representing cultures around the world.
The highlight is the lighting of the museum's four-story Grand Tree, accompanied by cultural performances, seasonal activities and holiday displays.
Date: Saturday, November 7
Time: Festival during museum hours; Grand Tree lighting at 11 a.m.
Location: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Admission: Included with regular museum admission.
Official Event: Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival
3. Black Harvest Film Festival Opening Weekend
Chicago's Gene Siskel Film Center begins its annual Black Harvest Film Festival this Friday, celebrating storytelling from Black filmmakers across the United States and around the world.
The 2026 festival includes more than 75 films, with Chicago premieres, shorts programs, special presentations and filmmaker discussions.
Opening weekend offers film lovers a chance to discover independent cinema and stories that may not receive wide theatrical releases.
Dates: Friday–Sunday, November 6–8 (festival continues through November 15)
Time: Opening night Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday screening times vary.
Location: Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State Street, Chicago
Admission: Ticket prices vary by screening.
Official Event: Black Harvest Film Festival
4. Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers at MCA Chicago
A major new contemporary art exhibition opens this Saturday at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers explores nearly three decades of work by the Chicago-born artist through photography, painting, sculpture, video and large-scale installations.
Visitors attending Saturday can also explore an artist conversation scheduled for 2 p.m., subject to separate ticket availability.
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, November 7–8 (exhibition continues through April 25, 2027)
Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago
Admission: General admission is $19 for Chicago-resident adults and $22 for other adults. Visitors 18 and younger receive free admission.
Official Event: Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers
5. Chicago Humanities Fall Festival at the University of Chicago
If you're interested in books, history, architecture and thought-provoking conversations, Saturday's University of Chicago Arts & Humanities Day offers a full schedule of talks and cultural programming.
The event is part of the Chicago Humanities Fall Festival, with appearances by authors, artists, academics and public thinkers.
Highlights include discussions on architecture, literature, history and contemporary culture, with both paid programs and free faculty-led sessions.
Some walking tours are already sold out, but other sessions remain listed for registration.
Date: Saturday, November 7
Time: Programs begin at 11 a.m. and continue into the evening.
Location: University of Chicago campus, Hyde Park, Chicago; multiple venues
Admission: Varies by program. Select faculty talks are free with registration.
Official Event: University of Chicago Arts & Humanities Day
6. Firefly Holiday Market at the DuPage County Fairgrounds
Holiday shopping season is arriving in Wheaton with the return of Firefly Market, an indoor artisan shopping event featuring more than 150 handmade vendors.
Visitors can browse unique gifts, handmade jewelry, home décor, candles, clothing and specialty foods across three heated buildings.
The market will also feature live music, coffee and food trucks, making it an easy weekend outing for friends and families.
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, November 7–8
Time: Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton
Admission: $6 general admission; children 12 and younger free. Saturday VIP early entry is $15.
Official Event: Firefly Holiday Market
7. Fun Home Musical at North Central College
North Central College in Naperville is presenting Fun Home, the Tony Award-winning musical based on Alison Bechdel's graphic memoir.
The story follows a graphic novelist reflecting on her childhood, family relationships and the complicated memories surrounding her father.
The college production offers an affordable opportunity to enjoy live theater in Downtown Naperville.
Dates: Friday–Sunday, November 6–8
Time: Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.
Location: Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth Street, Naperville
Admission: $14
Audience note: The production addresses mature themes, including suicide and homophobia.
Official Event: North Central College: Fun Home
8. Free Pumpkin Smash at Village Green Park
Halloween may be over, but Glen Ellyn has one last activity for those leftover pumpkins.
The Glen Ellyn Park District is hosting its annual Pumpkin Smash, inviting residents to recycle their pumpkins through a community composting event.
Visitors can drop off pumpkins or participate in smashing them with their own appropriate tools.
Pumpkins must be free of decorations and candles, and painted pumpkins cannot be accepted.
Date: Saturday, November 7
Time: 9–11 a.m.
Location: Village Green Park, 130 S. Lambert Road, Glen Ellyn
Admission: Free; no registration required.
Official Event: Glen Ellyn Pumpkin Smash
9. Free Family Movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Looking for a free Saturday morning activity with the kids?
The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce is screening Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs at the Glen Art Theatre as part of its seasonal free family movie series.
The animated comedy follows a young inventor whose unusual machine causes food to rain from the sky.
It's an easy family outing that can be paired with breakfast or a walk through Downtown Glen Ellyn afterward.
Date: Saturday, November 7
Time: Doors open at 10 a.m.; movie begins at 10:30 a.m.
Location: Glen Art Theatre, 540 Crescent Boulevard, Glen Ellyn
Admission: Free
Official Event: Glen Ellyn Free Family Movies
10. Revolutionary War Living History at the Glen Ellyn History Center
History enthusiasts can explore life during the American Revolution through a presentation by historian Jack Tison.
The Uniform of the Continental Soldier examines the clothing, equipment and supplies carried by soldiers during the Revolutionary War.
The program includes an interactive look at military gear and historical uniforms, providing an educational afternoon for both adults and younger visitors.
Date: Saturday, November 7
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main Street, Glen Ellyn
Admission: $10 for nonmembers; free for historical society members and children.
Official Event: The Uniform of the Continental Soldier
Make the Most of Your November Weekend in Chicagoland
This weekend offers plenty of options for different interests and budgets.
Families looking for free activities can head to Glen Ellyn for the holiday movie screening or Pumpkin Smash, while those ready to start holiday shopping can explore Firefly Market in Wheaton.
In Chicago, the Field Museum, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and MCA offer opportunities to experience the city's cultural destinations in a different way.
Before heading out, check the official event pages for last-minute schedule changes, registration requirements and ticket availability. Outdoor activities may also be affected by weather.
Explore the Neighborhoods Behind Chicago's Weekend Events
From Museum Campus and Hyde Park to Downtown Naperville, Wheaton and Glen Ellyn, weekend events offer a glimpse into the communities and amenities that shape daily life across Chicagoland.
For buyers and families considering a move, visiting different neighborhoods can help reveal what it might be like to live there.
Explore our Chicago-to-Suburbs relocation guide for more insight into choosing a community.
The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier helps buyers, sellers and relocation clients explore real estate across Downtown Chicago, the North Shore and the Western Suburbs.
Planning a move in Chicagoland? Connect with our team to explore available homes and find a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle and priorities.
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