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City Cast Chicago

Keep It Local

Keep It Local by City Cast Chicago spotlights local businesses we love with personal, curated, and neighborly recommendations to help you live your best Chicago life. So, if you’re ready to ditch the national chains, e-commerce giants, and big box stores,

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Kayleigh Padar

So, I’ve been told that there’s more to Thanksgiving than dessert. I’m listening, and I’m learning.

If your guests are expecting more than just pie on the table this year, check out these restaurants that offer Thanksgiving catering and sit-down deals.

 If you’re expecting a smaller crowd, bring home Daisies’ 

 for $395. It includes everything you need to serve turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and more.

All orders can be picked up on Nov. 25. The restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

includes turkey or rotisserie duck, plus six savory sides and dessert, and can serve a group of four. You can order sides and extra portions for an additional cost. They’re also selling 

 for $225 each, an all-natural turkey stuffed with chicken thighs and duck sausage.

Orders can be picked up or delivered Nov. 25. The restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

For $42.99 per plate, this Thanksgiving Holiday Personal Feast Package includes three kinds of meat, four sides, rolls, and dessert.

 In addition to small and large classic Thanksgiving pies, they also offer a variety of savory dishes including quiche, savory pot pies, harvest soups, salads, and pastas.

Pickup dates are Nov. 23, 24, and 25. All First Slice locations will be closed on Nov. 26-27. 

Skip the cooking this year. These Chicago restaurants offer Thanksgiving catering, turkey dinner kits, and sit-down holiday meals for 2026.

Where to Order Thanksgiving Dinner in Chicago

Whether you prefer to stick to the classics or are adventurous enough to explore twists on fall favorites, these Chicago bakeries are serving pies that will charm your whole family.

This family-owned and operated bakery at 5927 W. Lawrence Ave. has been around since 1998. The mother-daughter duo uses fresh ingredients to cook homestyle European treats. Some of their Thanksgiving favorites include an 

 for $28, which are available for pre-order online.

🧑‍🍳 If you want to amaze your family and friends with a homemade pie, sign up for the shop’s 

Before Floriole opened at 1220 W. Webster Ave. in 2010, it started as a stand in Chicago’s Green City Market. This year for Thanksgiving, you can order 9-inch pies like a 

for $54. They also offer other homemade pastries, like 

Maya-Camille Broussard opened the shop at 8655 S. Blackstone Ave. in honor of her late father, a criminal defense attorney who called himself the Pie Master because of his love for baking and eating pies. Some of their Thanksgiving specialties include a 9-inch 

 for $45, all of which are available for pre-order online.

🍎 Pies are available for pickup starting Friday, Nov. 20. 

If you’ve ever wanted to try a bean pie, look no further than The Supreme Bean at 7351 S. Stony Island Ave. 

, at just $14.99, is a protein-packed alternative to Thanksgiving’s favorite dessert, made from navy beans, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

📦 All pies are shipped out on Mondays and Tuesdays, so place your order at least a week in advance.

This bakery is known for its Thanksgiving pies that regularly sell out within the first few weeks of November. Pies at the West Town location are already sold out, but 

you can still order from the Evanston location

 at 749 Chicago Ave. through Nov. 22. I’m eyeing their 

 that’s made with real Wisconsin maple syrup!

🥧 All pies can be picked up Nov. 24-26. The shop closes at noon on Thanksgiving Day.

Skip the baking this Thanksgiving. Order classic and creative pies from five Chicago-area bakeries, with prices, deadlines, and pickup times.

Where to Order Thanksgiving Pies in Chicago 2026

Chicago Pies That’ll Steal the Show at Thanksgiving

By the end of October, walking into a big-box Halloween store just feels depressing. Everything’s picked over, and they’re probably already setting up for the next holiday.

Luckily, Chicago has lots of year-round costume shops with careful selections so you can still pull together a unique costume by Saturday.

Chicago Costume Company (Lincoln Park, Portage Park)

 is a year-round shop that sells everything you need to perfect your Halloween costume, including wigs, professional special effects makeup, masks, and accessories. You can try on most items in the store to be sure you actually like your last-minute look.

🐻 Check out their costume blog for ideas and inspiration, such as this post listing 

everything you need to dress up as Mike Ditka

 at 3400 N. Halsted St. is a one-stop shop for drag performers, making it the perfect place to find everything you need for your costume this weekend. 

, you’ll find high-quality wigs, camp clothing, playful accessories, and colorful makeup.

👗 Make sure you head down to the basement to see their extensive collection of vintage pieces.

With more than a million items on display, 

 at 4065 N. Milwaukee Ave. takes up a whole city block. So you’re sure to find a costume that’ll suit even the pickiest people who’ve turned down other costumes throughout the month! They have options for every budget, from quality essentials to premium vintage theatrical pieces.

💰 If you’d rather not buy a costume to keep forever, 

 at 7601 S. Cicero Ave. is a family-owned spot that’s helped Chicagoans celebrate Halloween since 2015. But this year is sadly their 

, so lots of items are marked down and will no longer be available after Oct. 31. Whether you’re looking for the scariest decoration or buying your 

 at the register to get a deal on one regularly priced decoration.

Get your 20% off!

Need a last-minute Halloween costume? Chicago Costume Company, Beatnix, Fantasy Costumes, and Halloweenland have wigs, makeup, and rentals.

Best Chicago Costume Shops for Halloween 2026

Your Guide to Chicago’s Costume Shops

What’s the point in putting together an epic Halloween costume if you don’t get to show it off? Get out on the town this weekend to walk in a parade or enter a costume contest, and see if people recognize you!

And if you’ve spent more time putting together your dog’s Halloween costume than your own, I see you. Sincerely, the girl who spent an hour at her sewing machine making alterations to her dog’s Lamb Chop costume.

Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade & Festival (Lakeview)

This is my favorite FREE Halloween tradition! Anyone can sign up to walk in the 

, which kicks off at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31, followed by a costume contest and outdoor dance party. Hundreds of people sign up each year, vying for $4,000 in total cash prizes. As a loyal spectator, I can promise you the costumes are some of the coolest you’ll see in the city.

 on Halsted Street between Aldine and Addison Avenues with family-friendly activities, refreshments, local vendors, and live performances. 

 to participate in the parade and costume contest, and speed up the check-in process!

Upside Down Halloween Parade (Washington Park)

This free, family-friendly Halloween parade is from 12-2 p.m. on Oct. 31. 

 invites children and their families to don their favorite costumes and join the procession down Russell Drive in Washington Park. The parade will also feature dance teams, musicians, acrobats, and other performers.

🍭Is it even Halloween without sweets? Free candy will be provided!

Doggy & Kitty Halloween Costume Party and Parade (Streeterville)

Doggy & Kitty Halloween Costume Party and Parade

, hundreds of pets will strut through Streeterville in their best costumes! Dress up your dog or cat, and bring them (on a leash or in a carrier) to the Museum of Contemporary Art Sculpture Garden at 220 E Chicago Ave. on Oct. 31 before 10 a.m. The winners will take home a new toy!

 for the costume contest. The suggested $10 donation will support the animals at PAWS Chicago no-kill animal shelter.

Frights and Freestyles (Washington Heights)

The Chicago Public Library is hosting an open mic for teenagers at the Woodson Regional Branch at 9525 S. Halsted St. on Oct. 30 from 3-4 p.m. Teens can take the stage wearing their favorite Halloween attire and express themselves through music, spoken word, poetry, rap, and storytelling. They can present work they created themselves, or perform one of their favorite pieces.

🏆 Everyone who participates in the Frights and Freestyles Teen Open Mic will receive exclusive library swag, and 

the top performer will take home a grand prize

Show off your costume in Chicago, from $4,000 in prizes at the Haunted Halsted Parade to a dog and cat costume parade in Streeterville.

Chicago Halloween Costume Contests and Parades 2026

Strut Your Stuff at a Chicago Costume Contest

Whether you’re an experienced magical practitioner or baby witch, Chicago’s spiritual shops are a great place to learn more about the occult, practice rituals, and meet others interested in magic.

 at 2219 N. Western Ave. is part curiosity shop and part art gallery that carries antiques, oddities, metaphysical items, and “all things strange and unusual.” They also specialize in magical materials, like crystals, candles, and witchcraft supplies.

📖 This Sunday from 2-4 p.m., stop by the shop to celebrate the release of local creator Landis Blair’s debut of 

 The pocket-sized guidebook showcases historical and notable cemeteries throughout the city.

If you’re interested in learning more about magic, stop by 

 at 1407 W. Morse Ave., where you’ll find an extensive collection of occult books alongside materials for spell-making. It’s also home to 

 for magical practitioners of all skill levels.

 for local magical practitioners, including spiritual aids, fortune tellers, and healers.

Augustine’s Spiritual Boutique (Bridgeport)

Known as an “apothecary for the soul,” 

 at 3327 S. Halsted St. has specialized in custom-made oils and lotions, amulets, mojo bags (a type of medicine bag), candles, and other spiritual supplies for over 26 years. The people who work there hold an eclectic variety of belief systems, but they all aim to empower visitors to heal their mind, body, and spirit.

 if you’d like them to support you by performing a specific reading or creating a specialized candle or mojo bag.

 at 2943 W. 71st St. is a Black-owned botanica, wellness, and cultural center that combines style, wellness, and community activism. The shop carries a wide selection of 

 for traditions that originated in Africa and the African diaspora, as well as 

🎓 Tola’s Creations offers a series of 

 that cover everything from performing candle magic to creating ancestor altars.

Chicago’s spiritual shops are a great place to learn more about the occult, practice rituals, and meet others interested in magic. 

Your Guide to Chicago’s Spiritual Shops

This month, there are countless opportunities to get involved in Chicago’s magical community and learn more about the city’s folklore and ghosts.

Here are events coming up this month where you can peruse local curators’ magical collections and hear stories of mystical happenings.

This lantern-lit festival is a celebration of Asian folklore, mythology, and autumn traditions. The market will feature local AAPI artists, makers, and food vendors. Expect artwork and handmade treasures inspired by legendary creatures, mischievous spirits, celestial beings, and more!

 takes place Oct. 25 from 3-8 p.m. at Uni Uni and Haibayo in Uptown. Costumes are encouraged!

Hex and the City is a Halloween market and party featuring more than 15 local vendors. There’s also a free photo booth, tarot readings, and other spooky activities. It’s highly encouraged that you dress up in your best witchy glam!

🎟️ The market is at Stolen Saddle, 3505 N. Clark St., Oct. 29 at 7 p.m., and 

 cost $7.34. The first 50 people to arrive will receive a free witchy tote bag.

This market brings together 40-plus vendors from Chicago and across the Midwest for a full day of dark art, taxidermy, antiques, gothic decor, jewelry, alternative fashion, and more. It’s not all about shopping; you can also enjoy live DJs, themed cocktails, a free photo booth, tarot readings, a caricature artist, and even tooth gems!

 will be at Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave., Oct. 24 from 12-8 p.m. Tickets cost $8 and can be purchased when you get there. Anyone 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult.

If you’ve ever wondered if there are ghosts wandering the streets of 

. Storytellers will guide you through the neighborhoods and share stories of “folklore, fright, and history.”

👻 The tours are running through early November, and tickets are $37.40. There’s also a 

 Nov. 4 if you want the stories without the walking!

Check out events coming up in October where you can peruse local curators’ magical collections and hear stories of mystical happenings.

Explore Chicago’s Magical Markets and Folklore Tours

Explore Chicago’s Magical Markets and Folklore Tours This October

Whether you want to celebrate October by drinking coffee based on a horror movie, buying a T-shirt to show off your favorite monster, or exploring a museum of true crime artifacts, there’s somewhere in Chicago for you!

, 177 N. State Street, you can explore more than 6,000 square feet of torture devices that have been reconstructed from historical documents. The fully interactive exhibits are designed to allow visitors to “enter the minds of fanatics, madmen, and murderers.”

👻 Your ticket includes a ghost-hunting experience where you can use an app to find and 

The Horror House / Cryptic Closet (Avondale)

 at 2842 N Milwaukee Ave. is a one-stop shop for scary movie merch. They have countless 

 with original designs featuring monsters from all of your favorite movies, plus a wide variety of trinkets to match.

 at Revolution Brewing, 3340 N. Kedzie Ave., Oct. 24 from 12-6 p.m. The free market will feature over 25 vendors, and the first 100 attendees will receive a free Halloween tote bag.

After you’re done shopping at The Horror House, head across the street for coffee at 

. Obviously, the drinks are on theme here! For example, they’re currently serving a corn milk peach cream soda called 

. The creepy cafe at 2843 N. Milwaukee Ave. is also packed with vintage horror collectibles and retro decor.

 to attend their next horror flick screening!

 at 1829 N. Milwaukee Ave. blends a museum experience with a 

 full of retro horror DVDs and clothing. The exhibits explore the dark and underrepresented parts of history. It’s also home to the 

 of Chicago-born serial killer John Wayne Gacy’s artwork and personal belongings.

🌙 If visiting in the daytime isn’t spooky enough for you, they offer 

 with experts who’ve investigated paranormal activity at the museum.

From a medieval torture museum to a horror-themed cafe, these spots serve up scares.

Chicago’s Spookiest Spots

Your Guide to Chicago’s Spookiest Spots

If stepping back in time to live out your mystical dreams in a century-old mansion sounds like the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit, stop by the Colvin House in Edgewater during 

Every year, the Chicago Architecture Center invites visitors to explore more than 200 architectural sites throughout the city. Among them is the 

 on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Built in 1909, the Colvin House is a prairie-style mansion that sits on a one-third acre of land along Chicago’s lakefront in Edgewater. The landmarked building features sixteen rooms, a grand staircase with a crystal chandelier, three fireplaces, and adjoining sunrooms.

Nowadays, the building is also home to the Colvin Coven, a group of spiritual people who regularly host witchy community events. (It’s also a co-working space and private events venue, run by 

One of the Colvin Coven’s recurring events is 

, when people gather at the Colvin House for tarot readings, crafting, and enjoying refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to BYOS (Bring Your Own Spell), which they can work on in community with others.

On Oct. 24 at 8 p.m., the historic mansion will transform into Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s lab. Attendees can expect an immersive theatrical horror experience, complete with actors, curated decor, gourmet appetizers, and drinks. There’s even a dance floor!

| The Colvin Coven is gathering to honor Samhain, a Pagan holiday that marks when it’s believed that the veil is thinnest, on Nov. 1 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. During the event, attendees will build a group altar for their ancestors. (Make sure to bring an object or photo that represents your loved one!) Then, everyone can create an ancestor candle to use for similar rituals at home.

🕯️ Tickets cost $33.85 and include a 

facilitated ancestor ritual and spellwork

, plus materials and instructions to take home.

Stop by the Colvin House in Edgewater during Open House Chicago.

Take a tour at the Colvin House

Open House Chicago Spotlight: Get Witchy at the Colvin House

“Chicago is, and always has been, a native place.” This belief is at the heart of the 

 project, a collaborative effort uniting the Newberry Library, the Chicago American Indian community, and tribal nations with ancestral ties to the city.

To expand the way we think about Chicago’s Indigenous history, the group developed a collection of 

. Here are some of the major takeaways from this project’s exploration of our city’s Indigenous heritage.

 the Neshnabé (Potawatomi, Odawa, Ojibwe), Illinois Confederation (Peoria, Kaskaskia, and others), Myaamia, Wea, Sauk, Meskwaki, Kickapoo, Mascouten, Ho-Chunk, and Menominee peoples.

Today, the city is home to a diverse Native community representing hundreds of different tribal nations. More Chicagoans identify as Native American today than they did ten years ago, but 

collecting accurate data can be complicated

 as assimilation policies “systematically stripped” Indigenous people of their identities. In 2020, 34,543 identified as Indigenous compared to 13,337 people in 2010, according to census data.

The Chicago area has been a crossroads for Indigenous nations for thousands of years. Some lived here permanently, while others traveled seasonally in cycles tied to plant growth and animal migration. Indigenous Chicago’s 

 shows where these tribal nations lived through the mid-19th century.

What are the origins of Chicago’s name?

It’s been said that Chicago is named after the Algonquian word for wild onions — but 

. “Algonquian” refers to a large group of different languages, so there’s no single word for the plant or for the place now called Chicago.

 of shikaakwa, an Indigenous word from the Miami-Illinois language for wild onion, according to the American Name Society.

What animals and plants were significant to Indigenous communities?

In her piece, “A Myaamia Artist's Map of Chicago,” 

artist Megan Sekulich of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma

 used the waterways of northern Illinois as an outline and filled the space with plants and animals that are culturally significant to myaamiaki, the Myaamia people.

You may recognize animals like the sandhill crane (cecaahkwa), the painted turtle (mihšihkinaahkwa), the gray squirrel (anikwa), and the white-tailed deer (moohswa). Some of the plants featured include wild onion (šikaakwa), corn (miincipi), and elderberry (wiiphšalwi).

 of the illustration that you can print out and color in.

Chicago has always been a Native place. See which nations call it home and the real story behind its name through the Indigenous Chicago Project.

Explore Chicago's Native History With the Indigenous Chicago Project

Explore Chicago’s Indigenous History

The American Indian Association of Illinois

 is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming Chicago’s Indigenous communities through education, policy reform, cultural preservation, and more. They orchestrate the 

, which regularly presents dances and drum performances throughout the city.

🥁 The Black Hawk Performance Company’s next show is Nov. 11 at noon at the Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.

Jessica Walks First, a classically trained chef and member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, started the 

Support Chicago's Indigenous community and catch a dance and drum show, enjoy Indigenous cuisine, view Indigenous Futurist art, and learn beadwork and sewing at these local spots.