This Week in Lincoln Park & Old Town: Zoo Fall Fest to Spooky Improv

Your week-ahead guide to Lincoln Park & Old Town — four picks worth planning around

By Raj Singh · Published October 18, 2026.

Lincoln Park's week leans autumn and theatrical: the zoo runs its free Fall Fest by day and haunted tours by night, Steppenwolf keeps Topdog/Underdog going, and Old Town closes with spooky improv.

SUNDAY, OCT 18

Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo @ Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo's free Fall Fest brings a pumpkin patch, s'mores roasting, hot cider and professional pumpkin carvers to the grounds, with a Ferris wheel and giant fun slide among the ticketed add-ons.

SUNDAY, OCT 18

Topdog/Underdog @ Steppenwolf Downstairs Theater

Steppenwolf is running Topdog/Underdog in its Downstairs Theater — the Sunday option if you'd rather have a play than a pumpkin patch.

TUESDAY, OCT 20

Haunted History Tours at Lincoln Park Zoo @ Lincoln Park Zoo

After dark the zoo switches gears with its Haunted History Tours, a guided after-hours walk through the grounds. Tickets are $35.

THURSDAY, OCT 22

Set In Chicago – Improvised Spooky Movie Sequels @ de Maat Theatre at Second City

Second City's de Maat Theatre hosts Set In Chicago: Improvised Spooky Movie Sequels, an improvised riff on horror follow-ups. Tickets are $20.

For everything else on the calendar, see more Lincoln Park & Old Town events.