Zine Fairs, Chicken Tenders and Pumpkin Season

Your daily guide to what's popping in Chicago

By Raj Singh · Published October 10, 2026.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

Armand Hammer with Quelle Chris and Open Mike Eagle @ Thalia Hall

Three of underground rap's sharpest writers share a bill at Thalia Hall tonight: Armand Hammer headlines, with Quelle Chris and Open Mike Eagle on the card — a dense, left-of-center night of hip-hop on 18th Street in Pilsen. The listing has it at 8 p.m., and it's ticketed, so grab seats through the link before you head over.

Chicago Zine Fest 2026 @ Harold Washington Library Center

Chicago Zine Fest takes over the Harold Washington Library Center downtown from 11 a.m., and it's the city's big annual celebration of small-press and independent publishing. The heart of it is the 9th-floor vendor fair, where more than 90 zinesters sell and trade their work.

Up on the 8th floor there's a full slate of hands-on tables — stamp making, a typewriter zoo, button making, collage and bookbinding — plus panels including an Indigenous Zinester Panel, an Exquisite Corpse workshop run by Columbia College Chicago's Illustration Student Group, and a session on building tabletop-RPG zines from Gila's RPGs. The listing flags it for teens, adults and seniors; the library is downtown in the Loop.

Handmade Market @ Empty Bottle

Handmade Market is back at the Empty Bottle for its second-Saturday run, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it's free to get in. More than 30 makers set up with funky jewelry, knitted goods, clothing, baked treats, handbags, paper crafts and skincare.

The Empty Bottle starts serving at noon, so you can shop with a mimosa in hand, and the listing notes Pizza Friendly Pizza next door if you want to make an afternoon of it in Ukrainian Village. It points to the #49 Western bus to get there, with street parking as the other option. The market runs monthly through April.

TenderFest @ Navy Pier

For one day only, TenderFest takes over Navy Pier starting at noon — an all-you-can-taste celebration built entirely around the chicken tender. Chefs, restaurants and tender makers set out signature tenders, exclusive creations and plenty of sauces while contenders compete for the title, and the ticket includes unlimited tastings plus cocktails, music and entertainment.

It's a ticketed event out at Navy Pier in Streeterville — check the link for pricing and start times before you commit to an afternoon of fried-and-golden research.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11

Sanders BBQ Pumpkin Carving Party @ Sanders BBQ

Sunday afternoon, Sanders BBQ in Beverly throws a bring-your-own-pumpkin carving party from 2 p.m., and a $5 ticket is the whole price of admission. That gets you into the carving and seasonal activities, plus hot dogs, donuts, snacks and BOGO-50% wings.

Football fans are covered too — the listing says the Bears–Packers game will be on during the party. It's a family-friendly one on 99th Street on the Far South Side; bring your own pumpkin.

Chicago Latino Dance Festival @ Humboldt Park

The Chicago Latino Dance Festival lands at Humboldt Park on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m., and it's free. Now in its fourth year, it bills itself as the only Pan-Latino dance festival in the city, produced by the International Latino Cultural Center.

This edition runs across multiple venues through mid-October and features some 20 performing groups spanning a range of Latino dance and cultural traditions. The Humboldt Park stop is all-ages and costs nothing to attend.

ON THE HORIZON

Guitar for Guaraldi Tribute @ Sleeping Village

Looking ahead to midweek: on Wednesday, October 14, Sleeping Village in Avondale hosts the annual Guitar for Guaraldi tribute — a free concert honoring Vince Guaraldi, the jazz pianist who scored the Peanuts TV specials. Fitting for the season, the Mich Shirley Trio plays true-to-form guitar arrangements from 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.'

It's free and starts at 8 p.m., and it only comes around once a year — worth putting on the calendar now.