Pumpkin Carvers and a Salt Shed Sunday

Pumpkin carvers, mosaic tile, fringe theater and a Salt Shed show — a full Sunday, plus the week ahead.

By Raj Singh · Published October 4, 2026.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

The Revivalists with Robert Randolph @ The Salt Shed

If you want a proper night out, The Revivalists headline The Salt Shed tonight with Robert Randolph on the bill. The listing has the show at 6:30 PM; the Salt Shed sits in West Town. There's no ticket price listed, so check the link before you head over.

Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo @ Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago's zoo runs its free fall festival all month, and today is your Sunday window: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. of harvest-season fun folded into a normal (free) zoo visit. The listing promises professional pumpkin carvers at work, s'mores to roast, a pick-your-own-pumpkin patch, and live music as you explore gardens turning autumn colors.

There's also fall-themed enrichment for the animals — the zoo's word, not ours — with the program billing new surprises each weekend. Admission is free, and it runs Sundays, Fridays, and Saturdays through November 1.

Mosaic Basics Workshop @ McKinley Park Branch

Over in Bridgeport, the McKinley Park branch library teams up with the Chicago Mosaic School for a free, hands-on mosaic workshop this afternoon, 2 to 4 p.m. — experienced instructors walk you through making your own DIY mosaic tile to take home, part of the branch's Latine Heritage programming.

Two things the listing is clear about: it's an adults-only session (18 and up, no kids), and registration is limited and required, so this isn't a walk-up. Sort out a spot before you go.

The 37th Annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival @ Facility Theatre

Chicago's long-running fringe-theater marathon, the Rhinoceros Theater Festival, is in its 37th year and deep into a run that stretches September 20 through October 26 across four venues. Today's programming sits at Facility Theatre in Wicker Park, with the listing showing an 11 a.m. start and $25 tickets.

It's produced by Curious Theatre Branch with co-producers Chicago Danztheater Ensemble, Chicago Dramatists, and Labyrinth Club — a scrappy, experimental corner of the city's theater scene. Check the link for the specific show times and lineup on the day you go.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5

Monday Night Solo Series at Berger @ Berger Park

Monday nights don't have to be a write-off. The Park District's Night Out in the Parks brings its Monday Night Solo Series to Berger Park on North Sheridan Road, 7 to 9:30 p.m., with a $5 admission — a lineup of local creatives, comics, and performers, with a short intermission between sets.

This week's featured work is 'Super Virgin' from Nkechi Chibueze. It's billed for adults, and at $5 it's a cheap way to spend a Monday night.

Brunch Happy Hour at Wake 'n Bacon @ Wake 'n Bacon

For a lower-key Monday, Wake 'n Bacon in Lakeview runs a weekday happy hour from 2 to 4 p.m. with 50% off cocktails, coffees, and food — brunch flavors shifted to the afternoon, no cover. It runs Monday through Friday, so if Monday doesn't work, the rest of the week does too.

ON THE HORIZON

The Inaugural Chicago Art Fair @ The Merchandise Mart

Looking ahead: the first-ever Chicago Art Fair takes over THE MART (the Merchandise Mart) this week, running Wednesday, October 7 through Saturday, October 10. The listing pitches top galleries from across the globe showing contemporary and modern paintings, sculpture, photography, mixed media and more — a new addition to the city's fall art calendar.

Hours run Wednesday 5–8 p.m., Thursday and Friday 11 a.m.–8 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., with tickets starting at $27. Transit is easy: the listing points to the Brown and Purple (rush-hour) lines to Merchandise Mart, or the 11 and 125 buses. Since it's an inaugural run, grab tickets ahead if a specific evening matters to you.