October 2010 Chicago Events | What's Happening This Month in Chicago | Visitor Things To Do from Chicago Traveler

Fall Fun in Chicago!

When we think of October, Halloween first comes to mind, and Chicago celebrates all month long. The City and the Chicago Park District host a number of events and neighborhoods and businesses decorate to celebrate the season. But October is more than just Halloween, and in this month’s newsletter, in addition to Halloween activities, we’re highlighting a number of new events especially for children, the Chicago Marathon and other October races, and a couple new theater productions.

Kid's Fun in October

Looking for activities for the kids to enjoy can be a challenge. We've found a few you may have overlooked at some of Chicago's most popular locations. Who doesn't enjoy Kermit the frog, Dora the Explorer and Legos? Okay, maybe you prefer to visit with Spock and his crewmates.

Here we’ve assembled a number of great kids’ (even big kids) events for October.

Jim Henson’s Fantastic World
A new exhibit at the Museum of Science & Industry opened on September 24 featuring the innovative works of Jim Henson. Here you’ll see well over 100 original artworks, his puppets, movie props, videos and more. Discover how Jim Henson’s puppets were created from simple sketches to final form. The exhibit will also include hands-on areas where you can create your own character, puppet show, and story, as well as master the technique of sound effects. General admission for the Museum of Science & Industry is $15 for adults and $10 for children. An additional fee of $5 for adults and $2 for children is required for the Jim Henson exhibit. Note: On October 4th, 5th and 6th, general admission is free and you’ll need to pay only for the Jim Henson exhibit. Check the website for a full calendar of free admission days. This exhibit closes January 23, 2011.

Dora & Diego 4-D Adventure
Beginning October 9, Shedd Aquarium will introduce the Dora & Diego 4-D Adventure in its Phelps Auditorium. The auditorium features high definition 3-D film, and the 4th dimension of special effects that add a bit of reality to your experience. Join Dora and Diego in their endeavor to save the rainforest. Tickets are $6. To make this an extra special event, check out the Family Breakfast program offered on October 23 or November 6.

LEGO KidsFest
At the end of the month, from the 29th through the 31st, the LEGO KidsFest Tour is coming to Chicago. McCormick Place will host this interactive event where kids of all ages will have opportunities to build with LEGOS and browse several LEGO model museums, including life-sized LEGO creations. There will be a number of other activities, as well as LEGO retail shop. There are five sessions to choose from; 4pm-9pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 9am-2pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are sold by session; $20 for adults, $18 for children 3-17 and $5 for children under 3. Check the website for discounted online tickets.

Star Trek Convention
For big kids, the Star Trek Convention will be held October 22-24 at the Westin O’Hare in Rosemont. This convention will feature different Star Trek celebrities each day, including Leonard Nimoy on Friday the 22nd, Armin Shimerman on Saturday the 23rd, Chirstopher Lloyd on Sunday the 24th and many more. There will be autograph and photo opportunities, contests, vendors and more. General admission tickets range from $20-$30; preferred seating admission tickets range from $40-&70; photo op tickets range from $35-$80; autograph tickets range from $20-$80 and there are several other special tickets available. Check out the website for more information.

October Road Races

The good weather days for Chicago's road race season are coming to an end this month. Get out now and enjoy some of the season's best running weather. October offers Chicago's most popular marathon races; as well as some Halloween-themed 5k, 10k and family races.

Here are a few to consider:

Bank of America Chicago Marathon
On October 10, beginning at 7:30am and continuing until 2:30pm, the city’s streets will be filled with 45,000 runners and over 1.7 million spectators for the Chicago Marathon. Participants come from all 50 states and about 100 countries. The 26.2 mile marathon will begin and end at Grant Park, with primary race streets being LaSalle, Sheridan, Broadway, Clark, Wells, Adams, Jackson, Halsted, Wentworth and S. Michigan. Check out the Chicago Marathon Course Map & Spectator Guide (.pdf) to learn about the best places to watch the race. In conjunction with the race, the Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place on October 8 & 9. This expo is open to the public and will feature 175 exhibitors showcasing the latest in running gear, fitness and nutrition.

Pumpkins in the Park 5K
On a much lighter note, on October 16 at South Field House in Lincoln Park (1800 N. Stockton Drive), Fleet Feet Sports will hold its annual Pumpkins in the Park 5K, raising money for recreational programs in Chicago. This family event celebrates the Halloween season. In addition to the 5K race, there will be a kids race, pumpkin decorating, a costume parade for the kids, a costume contest for the parents and live music. Festivities begin with the CLIF Kid Spooky Sprints (ages 12 and under) at 2:30pm, continue with the 5K race starting at 4:00pm, and wrap up with a Post Race Party. (Registration is required for both races.)

Trick or Treat Trot
On October 31, Fleet Feet Sports, along with the Lincoln Park Pacers Running Club, hosts another family-friendly running event, the 23rd Annual Trick or Treat Trot. This Halloween event features both 5k and 10k runs, a 5k walk and a monster mash dash for kids 2-12. Join about 3,000 runners and walkers in Lincoln Park for a morning of exercise and fun, including Halloween treats and a costume contest. Registration opens at 7:00am and racing begins at 9:00am. Check the registration section of the website for registration options. Participants are asked to bring a new Halloween toy to be donated to LaRabida Children’s Hospital.

Chicago Theatre Update

The Fall season always introduces some new choices for the Chicago theatre-going crowd, and this Fall is no exception. We try to keep you up to date on the local scene.

Here are the latest happenings for Chicago’s live theater productions:

Steppenwolf Theatre Company
The classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, opens on October 12 and runs through November 12 in the intimate 299-seat Upstairs Theater of the Steppenwolf. This story examines family, justice and southern racial prejudice in the 1930’s. The larger 515-seat Downstairs Theater is currently featuring Detroit, a comedy about new suburban neighbors with cast member Laurie Metcalf, best known for her role in the TV show “Roseanne”. This play runs through November 7.

Closing performances this month include Rock of Ages (October 3) and Billy Elliott (October 24), but just around the corner, on December 1, the hit “Wicked” returns to Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theater and, on December 3, the entertaining “Legally Blonde, The Musical” comes to the Rosemont Theater. Check out our Chicago Traveler Theater Information pages for more information on all Chicago Theater.

Happy Halloween!

If you enjoy a good Halloween scare, get out and experience one of Chicago's spooky celebrations this month at various locations. Here we’ve assembled a list of some special Halloween events in Chicago. Click on the website link for more information.

For many other October events, see our Chicago Events Calendar.

Chicago Highlights is a publication of Chicago Traveler. For more issues, see the Chicago Highlights Archive.