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City Cast Chicago

Sidney Madden

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CTA riders at the State and Lake station in 2023. (

Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune / Getty

Kayleigh Padar

It doesn’t matter how weird and niche your favorite genre is. I’m here to prove to you that Chicago definitely has a film festival for you. And lucky for us, lots of them take place in the fall!

 Don’t be afraid to check out festivals’ volunteer opportunities — it’s a great way to get in for free!

The longest-running underground film festival in the world, CUFF exhibits “the most genre-defying, groundbreaking, and unique films,” and champions independent filmmakers who might be sidelined by traditional film fests.

The festival began Sept. 23 and runs through Sept. 27. One of the feature films is called “

,” and explores “what it costs to keep calling yourself an artist after the dream has already failed.”

The 44th annual Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival takes place Sept. 17 to 27, 

featuring award-winning feature films, social documentaries, and shorts

. It’s the second-longest-running film festival of its kind and prides itself on demonstrating the rich diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.

 celebrates emerging women and gender-expansive filmmakers. It takes place from Oct. 11 to 13 at the 

The festival’s closing night will showcase Emily Robinson’s feature-length debut “

,” which follows an actress’ attempts to contort herself until she achieves the “perfect cry.” After the show, stick around for a Q&A with the film’s creators, whose previous works include “Eighth Grade”

One of the largest film festivals in Chicago runs from Oct. 14 to 25 and features more than 

 from over 50 countries. Each year, about 45,000 people attend the festival, which spans several theaters throughout the city.

! This Sunday, check out a showing of the Spanish and Argentinian film “

” at the National Museum of Mexican Art at 1852 W. 19th St.

Here are the film festivals in Chicago that you won't want to miss in September and October 2026.

Best Chicago Film Festivals this Fall

‘Tis the Season of Film Festivals

Keep It Local

Sign up for Keep It Local from City Cast Chicago

There’s nothing I love more than walking into a movie theater that looks the same way it looked when I was a kid. You can’t fix perfect! And Chicago’s historic indie theaters know that better than anyone.

Here’s where you can get your nostalgic movie theater fix this fall!

 at 6746 N. Sheridan Road reopened this year under a new owner. I’m pretty sure everyone’s favorite indie movie theater is the one that’s closest to their home, and this one’s mine.

🤑 It’s hard to beat The 400’s prices. Evening shows cost $11 for adults and $6 for kids.

Originally opened in 1918 as the Pershing Theater, the 

 at 4614 N. Lincoln Ave. first showed vaudeville acts and silent films. It was brought back to life in January 2016 and designated a historical landmark.

🎟️ You can support the theater by joining its 

. For $50 a year, you’ll get $2 off all tickets, a 15% discount on concessions, early access to tickets, and more!

 at 2646 N. Milwaukee Ave. opened in 1915, it only had one screen. It was renovated in the ‘90s, revealing the theater’s original architecture that had been hidden under decades of plaster.

🎃 Every year, The Logan Theatre hosts a 

 to celebrate Halloween. This year, you can see classics like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “Casper Saves Halloween.” 

Come in a costume for an extra raffle ticket!

Much like some of the other theaters on this list, 

 at 5238 S. Harper Ave. originally opened in the 1910s. It reopened in 2023 with a new immersive sound system and heated luxury recliners. After your movie, check out its 

👻 To help you get into the Halloween Spirit, Harper Theater is bringing some beloved 

 movies back to the theater in the coming weeks, including “

Ditch the megaplex and check out this guide to our favorite indie and historic movie theaters in Chicago.

Guide to Chicago's Indie Movie Theaters

Your Guide to Chicago’s Indie Theaters

Emily Mack

It’s officially fall — which means it’s officially cuffing season. Normally, I do not partake. But when my best friend Cori signed up for 222, an AI-curated meet-up app, curiosity (and FOMO) took over.

I’ve now explored multiple types of singles mixers across the city.

. After paying the hefty monthly fee, users answer a questionnaire that runs the gamut from Ye vs. Taylor Swift to your thoughts on abortion. Then the app invites you to group events matching your profile.

. I attended a seated dinner, which meant I spent almost two hours with machine-selected tablemates. Cori turned out to be the only female at her table. (My dream, her nightmare.)

My table’s gender ratio was mixed. Our conversations, though cordial, felt somewhat forced. Things got friendlier once we all moved to a nearby bar. Drinking might have helped.

Next, Cori and I tried Offline Dating Night, a happy hour at the Goose Island Taproom in West Loop. At the very least, I figured, a Google employee might buy our beers.

The bar offered three cup types: green (“Come talk to me”), yellow (“Proceed with caution”), and red (“I’m here by accident”). The showing wasn’t terrible, about 25 people, but most men were holding red cups.

Green cups in hand, Cori and I mainly talked to each other. Other women appeared to do the same. One man approached us — no connection. It seemed people were mainly there for the $3 Honkers. 

I did, however, meet a cute guy at the spot we went after to debrief …

The second Thursday of every month, Butch McGuire’s in Gold Coast turns into a sloppy, flirty mess. Entertaining to witness, but the crowd skewed 

. (Hence the sloppy flirtiness.) “Wow, you look good for 28,” someone told Cori.

The gender divide seemed even throughout the crowded rooms, and people took advantage, leaning in close to chat over loud music. Drinks were spilled. Phone numbers were exchanged. “We have nothing like this in Montana,” one out-of-town visitor told me, gushing.

I also made friends in the bathroom! It really was like being 22 again.

The singles mixers I attended were primarily straight, but plenty of queer events are coming up:

Got recs for singles like me? HMU!

Ahead of cuffing season, I explored Chicago's "singles" scene. I am still single.

Are Singles Mixers Worth It?

Everything to know about Chicago neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Chicago Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

So, I jumped in the Chicago River. Considering 

, you might think me brave. Or stupid. But ever since 

, I’ve wondered, viscerally, what it would be like to wade in.

 was a fundraising effort for ALS research and swim education. On Friday, I took a small part in the festivities, jumping in alongside other passionate Chicagoans, some politicians, and former Bear Charles “Peanut” Tillman.

And I gotta say: Come on in, the water’s fine! Well, mostly.

As a multitude of speakers assured us before the jump, the water quality had been tested repeatedly. That didn’t 

 assuage my nerves — “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” But I took a literal leap of faith.

Once I jumped in, I immediately forgot about the river’s nasty reputation. The water was perfectly warm. It smelled only slightly metallic. And I gotta say, floating on your back while staring up at Marina City towers is downright dreamy.

Sure, after the swim, I couldn’t stop thinking about 

. There’s a reason swimming in the Chicago River is technically prohibited. But ongoing efforts to clean the river show.

When I told my friends I planned to jump in the river, they shuddered. Visibly shuddered. 

 It was once the “Stinking River,” flowing (slow and brown) into Lake Michigan, sickening Chicagoans.

Famously, the flow was reversed in 1900. But that didn’t mean the water was suddenly clean. Treated as a dump for decades, 

 until the 1970s. That’s when the Deep Tunnel Project began to 

Fifty years later, the project is still underway, expected to complete in 2029. Who knows? By then we might be meeting each other for a dip in the Loop.

I jumped in the Chicago River. It was quite warm!

So, I Jumped in the River

As the city gears up for the Bears’ first home game of the season, don’t sleep on college football games playing across the city.

Chicago State University’s Division 1 football team

 — that technically makes them Chicago’s only Division 1 team. (Sorry, Wildcats.) And 

But if you’re cheering for another Midwest alma mater, here are some sports bars to watch from. (Perhaps unsurprisingly, most are around Lincoln Park.)

A guide on where college football games are playing across the city.

City Cast Guide on Where to Watch College Football

Where to Watch College Football

 for help setting the scent vibe for any situation you find yourself in this fall.

Co-owners Mark Towns and Stephen Pearlman opened their store in 2022, after spending years experimenting with scents and making their own candles at home in a crockpot. (Fun Fact: The first time the couple ever sold their creations was in 2016 at the annual Edgewater neighborhood yard sale!)

Without further ado, here are Mark’s scent recommendations for every mood!

 is our bestselling scent for a good reason! Many people love the scent and say it's just the thing for relaxation.”

 scent is a beautiful ode to fine pencils, and might be just the thing for a study mindset.”

 is a woodsy spicy scent, and I love it for its clean and sharp aroma.”

You’re hosting (or attending) a dinner party: 

 scent is one of our most popular host gift candles, and it's easy to see why! People tell us they can almost feel the effervescence when they smell this one.”

 is a cozy dream. It leans more towards luxurious than gourmand, while still balancing warm spices and sandalwood.”

. All day, all night, 24/7, 365! I love this scent with all my heart — I bathe with our Palo Santo body wash, and even use our Palo Santo Rollerball to spread a little oil and scent in my hair!”

I reached out to the experts at Edgewater Candles for help setting the scent vibe for this fall.

Edgewater Candles Has Scents For Every Mood

Whether you want to make your own candles, get a new one every month, or search for a Virgo’s last-minute birthday gift — there’s a candle shop out there for you!

 at 2021 S. Western Ave. was founded by a massage therapist who wanted to create soap that would be safe for her clients’ sensitive skin. Since then, she’s created over 30 scent variations!

🕯️ Workshop Apothecary mostly sells soaps, fragrances, and lotions, but they offer a 

This family business upcycles the bottoms of empty wine bottles and uses them as vessels for their homemade soy wax candles! Chicago Candle Co. at 1100 W. Cermak Rd. is run by a couple with two young sons who help out with imagining new and creative scents.

 collection, featuring intoxicating scents like 

Next time you’re looking for a gift, you should stop by 

at 3728 West Montrose Ave. In addition to 

, they sell home decor, jewelry, fancy soaps, and much more. And they’re opening a 

, you can also book additional experiences like a private yoga session (in their studio next door) or a tarot card reading.

 at 11336 S. Michigan Ave. was founded by a family who used the art of making candles together as a way to heal and grieve the unexpected loss of a loved one. Through their shop, they hope to help others use aromatherapy to find peace.

📦 Overwhelmed by all the options? Max Candle offers a 

! For $65 a month, you can receive a rotating selection of seasonal scented candles in the mail.

Whether you want to make your own candles or get a new one every month, there’s a candle shop out there for you!

City Cast's Guide To Chicago’s Scents

Your Guide To Chicago’s Scents

Two Chicagoland spots just landed on the 

New York Times’ list of the best restaurants

 in America. Honestly, I’m surprised there are just two. We Chicagoans know the city is full of excellent new places to try.

Just what Logan Square needed: an upscale coffee-shop-bar! I kid. But the martinis are pretty damn good. And if, like me, you can’t stomach the $18 price tag, there’s a “tini” version available for $12. TBD on a coffee review — the line was too long when I went to try one.

The second Picadilly Market opened recently at the courtyard on the corner of Clark and Fullerton. It’s essentially a boutique (sorry, “European-style”) grocery store with an all-day cafe and bar. Local vendors include Pretty Cool Ice Cream, Publican Quality Bread, and Katherine Anne Confections.

 Bartender Andrew gave me a heavy pour of wine, and my friend enjoyed her spicy tuna sandwich.

From the team behind romantic French bistro Le Bouchon comes a very different kind of restaurant. This one serves rotisserie chicken on paper plates. And it’s working — lines stretch down Western Avenue. (It arrives in the original Taqueria Chingon space.)

This new spot by Bunoa is minimal in name and concept. The pop-up, walk-up window on Division Street serves, yup, Italian beef. (Okay, there’s also vegan beef, milkshakes, and chips. But still. Pretty sparse.)

Thai restaurant Taan is also a wine bar. The cozy interior truly evokes both. However, you might not find your Thai go-tos on this menu — there’s no basil chicken or pad thai. And that’s the point. Owner Chanita Chayaluk says 

. For now, the menu is made up of small bites.

This new arcade, inside former Rock Bottom Brewery, has 61 racing simulators, plus food and signature cocktails. The drinks are by James Beard Award-winning chef/bartender Julia Momosé, of Kumiko fame.

I really like the food at another River North gaming spot, 

 — don’t write off downtown arcade grub!

I recently walked past Thai spot Tarra — in a burger costume — but I haven’t gotten to visit yet. Luckily, a little birdie (aka the Hungry Hound’s daughter) told me just what to order when I do: crab curry, grilled chicken thighs, and fried shrimp cake.

Other new spots to dine 😋

Seven new bars and restaurants in Chicago — including two hot Thai spots. 

New Restaurants and Bars in Chicago

7 New Spots to Dine and Drink

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Chicago. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Chicago Food & Drink

Food & Drink

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Take the Chicago Weekly News Quiz!

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What Chicagoans have been wondering. We break down why things in Chicago are the way they are and how they work.

Chicago, Explained

More rain means more combined sewer overflow in Chicago — and it’s been 

rainy. This summer alone, Bubbly Creek’s combined sewers 

 combined sewers? And how can we prevent damage?

Most sewers in Chicagoland carry a combination of sanitary sewage (read: poop) and rainwater from storm drains. 

 were built before the advent of wastewater treatment technology and once flowed straight into waterways, hence Chicago’s “

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District — more on that later — added intercepting sewers to carry that water to cleaning plants in the early 1900s. But during heavy rainfall, even in 2025, more water can enter these combined sewers than can be cleaned, causing overflow.

This overflow can pollute waterways and flood banks, streets, and, yes, basements.  It can also disrupt the environmental food chain. But there are ways to ease the strain.

When it’s especially rainy, the WMRD declares Overflow Action Days. That’s when Chicagoans should:

Replace old or leaky faucets, toilets, and showerheads
 

In conclusion: You can be a little grody on Overflow Action Days. It's nothing compared to the grodiness of flooding sewage.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

You’ve seen the name on your ballot, and maybe you’ve passed right over it. But as former MWRD commissioner 

Kim Neely du Buclet told City Cast Chicago

, “It’s the most important agency that no one knows about.”

 your home — whether through flushing the toilet, cleaning dishes, doing laundry, taking a shower, anything. Meanwhile, water that comes 

 the home is handled by the Water Department. Think of it as drains versus faucets.

The job of MWRD, essentially, is to make sure wastewater doesn’t go back into the lake, where we get our drinking water. That’s why the agency sets Overflow Action Days. 

Editor’s note: A version of this article was originally published May 22, 2025.

You can be a little grody on Overflow Action Days. It's nothing compared to the grodiness of flooding sewage.

What Are Overflow Action Days?

How to Not Overflow Chicago's Sewers

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Over the weekend, Mayor Brandon Johnson officially launched his reelection campaign, joining a race that includes roughly a dozen other challengers.

 previously teased his announcement with 

. He also talked about the wins of his progressive administration. However, his campaign launch comes 

, Illinois State Comptroller and former Chicago City Clerk, is using social media to amplify (

) her image. A centrist Democrat, Mendoza is pro-police and says Chicago is facing 

, Illinois Secretary of State, is generally considered to have improved office (and line) conditions … but in 2010, 

the collapse of his family's bank cost him the U.S. Senate election

Mayor Brandon Johnson officially launched his reelection campaign, joining a race that includes roughly a dozen other challengers.

Chicago, Explained

Prove Your Chicago News Knowledge

Sidney Madden

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Chicago, Explained

How to Not Overflow Chicago's Sewers

Take This Week's Chicago News Trivia Quiz

The Latest Candidates Running For Mayor

Mayor Brandon Johnson Answers YOUR Tough Questions

The Official Chicago Landmark Quiz

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A Not-So-Soft-Serve Chicago Ice Cream Quiz

So, Who’s Running For Mayor?

The latest in Chicago

‘Tis the Season of Film Festivals

Your Guide to Chicago’s Indie Theaters

Are Singles Mixers Worth It?

So, I Jumped in the River

Where to Watch College Football

Edgewater Candles Has Scents For Every Mood

Your Guide To Chicago’s Scents

7 New Spots to Dine and Drink