Best Bets: Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest, Lewis Black, New Philharmonic
Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest
Expect a lot of great pumpkins during the 14th annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest taking place this weekend in downtown Highwood between Green Bay Road on the west, Waukegan Avenue on the east, Highwood Avenue on the south and North Avenue on the north. The fest includes live music, all-you-can-carve pumpkin-carving stations, a massive jack-o’-lantern display, children’s and pet costume parades, trick-or-treating, food vendors, a carnival, hay rides and more. Free. highwoodpumpkinfest.com. 4-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Chicago Opera Theater season opener
Chicago Opera Theater launches its 2024-25 season with the North American premiere of “Leonora,” an 1804 opera by composer Ferdinando Paër and librettist Giuseppe Maria Foppa, at the Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Based on the story that also inspired Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Fidelio,” it reportedly had some influence on that work. The story centers on the titular Leonora, a devoted wife who disguises herself as a man to infiltrate the prison where her husband is being unjustly held. $59.50-$159.50. chicagooperatheater.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
A picture is worth 1,000 words
Matthew Murphy’s photography inspired “35MM,” a multimedia musical that tells stories through photos and songs. Performances take place at 221 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $15, $25. threebrotherstheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-5, Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 1-2, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 and 27 and Nov. 3
Latina comedy festival
The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, hosts a Latina Comedy Festival showcasing up-and-coming Millennial and Gen Z Latina comedians talking about their lives. The lineup includes Chicago stand-ups Christina Gutierrez, Courtney Zelazny, Hilary Jimenez, Jess Martinez and Monica Andrade. $30. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com. 6:30, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4
For candy lovers
The Hershey Super Sweet Adventure, a family-friendly attraction celebrating the candy brand, debuts at Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Twizzlers and Jolly Ranchers are among the candies featured as part of the interactive attraction. Tickets start at $24. hersheysupersweetadventure.com. Previews from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, through Oct. 17; opens Oct. 18
Haunted river tour
In keeping with the season, Chicago Seadog offers a 75-minute tour geared to adults of the Chicago River during which guides recall the city’s spooky and scandalous history. Tours depart from Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Tickets start at $50. cityexperiences.com. 5:15 and 7:15 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 4-6, through Oct. 27 and Oct. 31
Ale at the Aboretum
The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, hosts its Cider and Ale Festival showcasing more than 30 local breweries and cideries. $75 admission includes samples and a commemorative pint beer glass; $85 VIP includes early admission at 11 a.m. and exclusive samples; $35 designated driver; $12 for kids 4-17. mortonarb.org. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
New Philharmonic at The MAC
Pianist Winston Choi joins The New Philharmonic for a program featuring Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The performances mark artistic director/conductor Kirk Muspratt’s 20th season with the orchestra. $57. atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Celebrating female composers
Chamber Music on the Fox opens its season with “A Celebration of Latin American Women” featuring the KAIA String Quartet performing music by female composers from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela. $15, $25, $30. chambermusiconthefox.org. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at The Ballydoyle, 28 W. New York St., Aurora; 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at The Haight, 166 Symphony Way, Elgin; 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at The Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock
Lewis Black bids farewell
Grammy Award-winning Lewis Black (“Inside Out,” “The Daily Show”) brings his farewell tour “Goodbye Yeller Brick Road” to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $48-$75. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 9-10