Museums
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Best Bets: Celebración de los Árboles at Morton and New Philharmonic opens its seasonSep 23, 2026 8:40 am - The Morton Arboretum, Sonny Acres Farms, Cantigny and the Village of Rosemont host family-friendly festivals, and Emily Rohm, who originated the role of Jane Doe in CST’s “Ride the Cyclone,” brings her cabaret show to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, whose “Cyclone” revival runs through Oct. 25.
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Step back to the 1840s at Glen Ellyn’s Pioneer Day eventSep 22, 2026 7:59 pm - Glen Ellyn Historical Society's 41st Pioneer Day on Sept. 27 features 1840s pioneer life demonstrations including farm activities, like corn shucking, farm animals, classroom activities, and Professor Flim Flam’s entertainment shows.
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A third beluga whale rescued from Canada has died at Shedd; a fourth died last week in Spain
Sep 22, 2026 10:26 am - A fourth whale out of 30 rescued from a troubled Canadian marine park has died. It is the third rescued whale to die at Shedd Aquarium after being transferred there this summer for rehabilitation. A longtime resident beluga also died at the aquarium in recent weeks.
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Bluff City Cemetery Walk brings ‘Hometown Heroes’ to life
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Things to do Sept. 25 to Oct. 1: Long Grove Apple Fest, Cary Main Street Fest, Huntley Fall Fest and moreSep 21, 2026 3:37 pm - Mark your calendar for the Long Grove Apple Fest, Cary Main Street Fest, Huntley Fall Fest, Meadows Fest in Rolling Meadows, Cantigny Fall Fest and more.
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Best Bests: Common headlines free Chicago Live Fest at Navy Pier, Six Flags serves up scaresSep 15, 2026 12:03 pm - Common headlines a free concert Saturday during Chicago Live Fest at Navy Pier, Six Flags Great America opens Fright Fest, Monster Jam rolls into Rosemont’s Allstate Arena, and the Cleve Carney Art Museum debuts “Linework: Chicago Comics and Community.”
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Things to do Sept. 18-24: Naperville Irish Fest, West Dundee Heritage Fest, Mundelein Arts Festival and moreSep 14, 2026 4:12 pm - Mark your calendar for the Naperville Irish Fest, Heritage Fest in West Dundee, the Mundelein Arts Festival and more.
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Fox Valley Steampunk Festival debuts at trolley museum with Victorian-era fantasy funSep 09, 2026 9:37 am - The Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin will host its inaugural Fox Valley Steampunk Festival on Saturday, Sept. 12. The event, organized with the Chicagoland Steampunk Society, will include steampunk games such as Nerf gun duels, remote-controlled teapot racing, and tea dueling.
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Things to do Sept. 11-17: Festival of the Vine, Platzkonzert Germanfest, DuPage Comic Con and moreSep 08, 2026 1:00 pm - Mark your calendar for Festival of the Vine in Geneva, Platzkonzert Germanfest in Hoffman Estates, DuPage Comic Con in Wheaton and more.
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Best bets: ‘A Revolution of Values’ at Elmhurst Art Museum; family fests in Rosemont, AuroraSep 08, 2026 9:40 am - Elmhurst Art Museum kicks off a joint exhibition rooted in the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War; Aurora and Rosemont host family-friendly festivals; the Joffrey Ballet presents the Chicago premiere of the rarely performed “Liliom.”