Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
“Escape the Museum”
Love escape games? Now imagine one hosted after hours at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Mind blown? You’ve only got a few more chances to score tickets to “The Wandering Alchemist,” an escape game that leads you through some of the museum’s beloved exhibits. The event consistently sells out, so don’t wait.
Through Oct. 24 at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive; tickets $40 at msichicago.org
Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theater Festival
If there ever were a year to go to the Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, this is it. Sixteen shows are on the bill for the eighth annual installment. Four of them open this weekend: “Dulcci,” a play about a woman who gives her legal identity to her best friend, an undocumented immigrant; “(Un)Documents,” a solo show by actor and poet Jesús I. Valles; “Contra Ritmo,” a musical about a mariachi musician and a ballet dancer; and “Saving Myself,” a play about a woman seeking to understand her faith.
Through Nov. 2 at various venues; tickets and details at clata.org
“John Candy: I Like Me — An Evening with Ryan Reynolds and Friends”
Join the multitalented Ryan Reynolds for a special presentation of “John Candy: I Like Me,” a documentary about the late actor who helped to define 1980s-era comedy. Reynolds produced the film, which was directed by Colin Hanks and recently opened the Toronto International Film Festival. Expect Candy’s family and friends to join Reynolds for a Q&A.
7 p.m. Oct. 5 at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $79.05 at msg.com
“Feat”
Comedian Cameron Esposito debuts a new solo show that finds humor in near tragedy: a minor foot surgery that led to a life-threatening infection. Esposito, a Western Springs native, will be more than seven months pregnant at the time of the performance, which explores mortality, relationships and motherhood.
7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 and 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.; tickets from $43 at steppenwolf.org
Ice Cube
We could all stand some more “Truth to Power” these days. That’s the title of Ice Cube’s latest tour, celebrating nearly 40 years since N.W.A. blasted “Straight Outta Compton.” The tour is Ice Cube’s first in more than a decade and follows his 2024 release, “Man Down.”
8 p.m. Oct. 6 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $61.30 at unitedcenter.com
The Psychedelic Furs
C’mon, you know the ghost in you wants to go. The British post-punk band is nearly 50 years old already, with Richard Butler still at the helm.
8 p.m. Oct. 4 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets from $56.48 at auditoriumtheatre.org
Apple Fest
As a transplanted Michigander, I’ve long been befuddled by Chicagoland’s profound lack of cider mills. But at least we have the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest. For 38 years, the street fair has celebrated the start of fall with music, food, vendors and family fun.
3-7 p.m. Oct. 3 and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 5 on Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Sunnyside Avenues; $5 suggested donation; details at lincolnsquare.org
Maxwell Street Market
It’s the last weekend to catch this season’s Maxwell Street Market. Browse the booths, join a free historic walking tour, enjoy live entertainment and more. Last year, the market returned to its original location after being displaced in 1994 by the University of Illinois-Chicago campus.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 5 on Maxwell Street between Halsted Street and Union Avenue; details about the free event at chicago.gov
Andersonville Arts Weekend
Artists from across the city will converge in Andersonville this weekend for a series of events hosted by more than 30 local businesses. From pop-ups and walking tours to parties and artist receptions, the neighborhood will be buzzing. This year’s Arts Weekend will honor the late Todd Mack, best known for founding Foursided, the frame shop and boutique. Mack’s original artwork—found object collage and mixed-media sculpture—will be showcased at Foursided, along with his tools and notions from his worktable.
Through Oct. 5 in various Andersonville locations; details at andersonville.org
Chicago Sukkah Design Festival
Celebrate Sukkot at the Chicago Sukkah Design Festival, an event designed to bring communities together to build places of belonging, solidarity and hope. The event is rooted in North Lawndale’s history as both a Black and Jewish neighborhood that played a significant role in the civil rights movement. The Oct. 5 opening celebration will feature workshops on art-making, lulav making, capoeira and Afrofuturist dance as well as a performance by the Chicago Klezmer Ensemble.
Opening celebration will be 1-5 p.m. Oct. 5 at 3615 W. Douglas Blvd., with other events planned on Oct. 12 and 18; details at chicagosukkahfestival.org