Spending Columbus Day weekend in Chicago? Here are the best things to do in Chicago for Columbus Day weekend (October 11-14, 2024) from the top Chicago attractions to best Columbus Day weekend events and fall and Halloween activities.
Chicago Columbus Day Weekend
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Columbus Day weekend is a great time to visit Chicago. There are tons of fun things to do in Chicago on Columbus Day (October 14, 2024) and even more during Columbus Day weekend.
For out of town visitors, please note that the weather in Chicago during Columbus Day weekend is very unpredictable and temperatures can vary greatly. Be prepared for either cooler fall or hot and humid summer like temperatures (sometimes all in one day!) as well as rain. Make sure to pack layers, a travel umbrella and check the weather right before your visit to know what to expect.
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as I will be updating it regularly with new events and activities.
Chicago Columbus Day Weekend Events
Here are the best things Columbus Day weekend events.
Watch the Columbus Day Parade
Attend the annual Columbus Day Parade (Monday, October 14, 2024) in downtown Chicago. The parade opening ceremonies will start at 11:45 P.M. on the corner of State Street and Wacker Drive, after which, the parade will then commence south to Van Buren Street. ABC7 will be broadcasting the parade live, and live-streaming on abc7chicago.com.
If you are Italian American, there are many events organized by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) all weekend. Columbus Day will began at 8 A.M. with a mass at The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, 1244 Lexington Avenue, Chicago. Immediately following mass, there will be a reverent procession down the block in Arrigo Park with a wreath-laying ceremony, honoring Italian American war veterans. You can find more events organized by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) during Columbus Day weekend here.
Watch the Chicago Marathon
Cheer runners on during the Chicago Marathon on Sunday morning. Even if you are not interested in the marathon, take a look at the route map for street closures.
When: Sunday, October 13, 2024
More Chicago Columbus Day Weekend 2024 Events
In addition to the events and activities mentioned above, other events taking place on Columbus Day weekend include: Oktoberfestiversary (October 12-13, 2024), Slow&Low: Lowrider Festival (October 12, 2024), Chicago Artisan Market (October 13, 2024), Modern Vintage Chicago (Ravenswood) (October 13, 2024) and Festival del Arte Popular at the National Museum of Mexican Art (October 11–20, 2024).
More Things to do in Chicago during Columbus Day Weekend
Here are more of the best things to do in Chicago on Columbus Day weekend.
Take an Architecture River Cruise
Taking an architecture river cruise is a must on any Chicago bucket list.
Hang Out on the Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk along the south bank of the Chicago River is one of the best spots in Chicago for people watching. There are restaurants, bars, shops and places to sit along the way -see a map here.
Island Party Hut, a bar and grill on the Riverwalk, will be hosting its annual Fall Fest on the Riverwalk on Saturday with live music, hayrides on the river, pumpkin patch, fall cocktails & beer, apple cider donuts and other fall themed fun.
Take a Haunted History or Ghost Tour
Explore Chicago while learning about its haunted past and visiting the sites of some of the most gruesome disasters and murders in Chicago’s history.
This haunted segway tour and Halloween bike tour are only offered in October.
This ghosts and gangsters tour is available year round and also covers Chicago’s history of organized crime.
Have Fun at Navy Pier
A ride on the large Ferris wheel offers paranoramic skyline views of Chicago and is another great way to see the fall colors from above. (Click here to purchase a fast pass ticket and skip the long line).
Check out the new Flyover Chicago, an immersive flyover experience.
Other fun attractions at Navy Pier include rides and games, restaurants, shops and the Chicago Children’s Museum. Navy Pier is a must do if you are visiting Chicago with toddlers or kids. Navy Pier is also the starting point for many boat rides and lake cruises.
Take a Lake Cruise
If you enjoy being on the water, a lake cruise is a fun activity whether in the day, around sunset and in the evening. While you don’t get to see the buildings up close like on a architecture river cruise, you do get to enjoy skyline views and a refreshing cool lake breeze. If your time is short, you can do a combination river and lake cruise. Lake cruises depart from Navy Pier or the Michigan Avenue bridge.
Go Kayaking
If the temperatures are pleasant, a fun way to explore the city is to go kayaking in the Chicago River or the lake. There are several companies that offer kayaking tours in Chicago including Urban Kayaks, Kayak Chicago and Wateriders.
You can also rent a kayak at Ohio beach here.
Please note that you will get a little wet so bring a waterproof case for your phone and water-resistant or quick-drying clothing.
Walk or Bike the Lakefront Trail
Chicago’s Lakefront Trail is a paved path on a 18-mile-long stretch along Lake Michigan. During Columbus Day weekend, the lakefront will be packed with locals and visitors walking, running and riding bikes. Walking or biking all or part of the trail is a great way to see the Chicago skyline, people watch and get some exercise. Here is a map of the trail as well as its access points.
Look for Street Art
Looking for a unique thing to do for Columbus Day weekend? Walk around Chicago looking for street art.
One of the most famous Chicago murals is “Moose Bubblegum Bubble” by Jacob Watts which located at 33 E. Congress (South Wall). This famous mural is part of the Wabash Arts Corridor and is walking distance to Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and other well known tourist attractions.
Another famous mural is The Greetings From Chicago Mural at 2226 N Milwaukee Ave, in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. You can see this mural and other street art on this street art tour.
See Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain, a well known Chicago landmark in the center of Grant Park, is one of the largest fountains in the world. The water is not on during the cold months but it will be turned on by mid-May.
When the water is turned on, it produces a major water display for 20 minutes every hour with a center jet shoots water to a height of 150 feet into the air. Beginning at dusk, a spectacular light and music display accompanies the major water display.
Enjoy the Views from 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
360 CHICAGO, the observatory on the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Building, has one of the best views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.
(Click here to buy a skip the line ticket).
Titanic: The Exhibition
Titanic: The Exhibition has extended its limited time run in the Chicago area for a few more weeks. This interactive experience allows you to step inside recreations of the Titanic’s interior. Immerse yourself in the stories of its passengers, see hundreds of artifacts, and discover the tale of the design, creation, launch, maiden voyage, and tragedy of the historic ship.
Where: 4963 Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie, IL 60077 (about 17 miles from downtown Chicago)
Cost: Price varies. Click here for full prices and to purchase tickets in advance.
Visit Lincoln Park Zoo During Fall Fest
Visit Lincoln Park Zoo during its annual Fall Fest. This family-friendly celebration will offer free fun fall activities including a pumpkin patch, professional pumpkin carvers, free musical entertainment, story times and more.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m during Columbus Day Weekend
Address: 2400 N. Cannon Drive
Cost: Admission to the zoo is FREE but some fall fest attractions are paid.
Take Photos at Jack’s Pumpkin Patch Pop-Up
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Jack’s Pumpkin Patch Pop-Up is an outdoor fall experience located on over 2 acres in Goose Island. You will find the largest corn maze in downtown Chicago, hidden boozy bar, axe throwing, carnival games, music, fortune telling, three full-service bars and several picture back drops to take instagrammable fall photos. Pre-purchased access is required.
Where: 1465 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
Cost: Prices vary by date.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
There are many pumpkin patches you can visit in Chicago and the suburbs during Columbus Day weekend. Here is a list of the best pumpkin patches in and near Chicago.
Get Lost in a Corn Maze
There are many corn mazes in the Chicago area – from large intricate mazes perfect for adults and older children to small kid-friendly corn mazes.
Richardson Adventure Farm located in Spring Grove, Illinois (about an hour north of the city) claims to be world’s largest most intricate corn maze.
Here are more corn mazes near Chicago.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago on Columbus Day weekend. If you are looking for things to do during the week, here are the best things to do in Chicago this October.
Planning a trip to Chicago? Check out my Chicago guides and itineraries:
