Chicago celebrates fall all around the city with Chicagoween. The heart of the action happens downtown in the Haunted Village at Pumpkin Plaza (located in Daley Plaza at Washington and Dearborn streets) from October 17-31. Here you’ll see high-flying aerial acts from the Midnight Circus, listen to spooky storytellers and decorate your own pumpkin for free on weekends.

Kids in costume can march in the State Street Halloween Happening Parade on October 25, which steps off at noon from the corner of State and Randolph streets. The parade is followed by trick-or-treating, a performance by the Midnight Circus and a costume contest, all held in Pumpkin Plaza.

Experience everything from a creepy haunted house to fun family activities during Halloween at Navy Pier. While at Navy Pier be sure to check out the Chicago Children’s Museum, IMAX Theater and spooky nighttime speedboat rides on the Seadog, where you’ll hear ghostly tales about Chicago. See spectacular fall fireworks light up the sky over Navy Pier on weekends.

Broadway in Chicago brings the theater’s biggest hits to the stages of Chicago’s Loop Theater District. Find out the real story of the two witches of Oz during the hit musical Wicked. Catch this popular play before its run ends at the Oriental Theatre on January 25. Get a behind-the-scenes look at Wicked with cast members during the Behind the Emerald Curtain tour, when visitors are welcome backstage to see actual show costumes and props, as well as ask questions of the actors. Learn the rags-to-riches story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons while humming along to their hits during Jersey Boys, on stage at the Bank of America Theatre. Mamma Mia! is on show September 17-28 at the Auditorium Theatre, featuring its popular ABBA sing-along hits that include Dancing Queen and Take a Chance on Me. Be one of the first to see the pre-Broadway premiere of Dirty Dancing, opening September 28 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. The classic film is brought to life on stage with favorite songs and dances from the original movie, along with sizzling new scenes.

The country comes to the city during the annual Chicago Country Music Festival, held October 11-12 at Soldier Field. Look for performances by singing stars that include Taylor Swift, Gretchen Wilson and more. Kick up your heels in the Dance Tent or take your little ones to the Kids’ Corral.

Spend the day at the Museum of Science and Industry, a massive museum with more than 800 exhibits. Take an underground ride through a coal mine, explore a real German U-505 submarine and see great white sharks up close in a breathtaking 3D movie at the museum’s Omnimax Theater. Don’t miss Smart Home: Green + Wired, an actual three-story sustainable home with cutting-edge, eco-friendly technology that’s set up right in the museum’s backyard.

Learn what triggers natural disasters and witness nature’s awesome power at Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters. Using state-of-the-art animation, stunning images and true survivor stories, the exhibit takes visitors inside four types of natural disasters: earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and volcanoes. Stand in the center of a roaring tornado, trigger an earthquake or generate a virtual volcano to find out what we know, and are still learning, about the terrifying forces of nature.

Chicago native and acclaimed actor-director David Schwimmer is the new voice of the Hancock Observatory’s hand-held multimedia Sky Tour (free with general admission). The Friends star acts as an entertaining host, introducing visitors to some of Chicago’s most famous sights, including Wrigley Field, Navy Pier and his own acting company, the Lookingglass Theatre. Both adult and children’s versions of the tour, in several languages, are available.

Get an early start on your holiday shopping at American Girl Place in its new location at Water Tower Place. Browse the entire American Girl collection, dine at the American Girl Cafe, check out the new shops at Avenue AG and let your little girl shine like a star on the larger-than-life Celebration Screen.

Mickey Mouse is the master of ceremonies for The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on November 22, when the tiny white lights along Michigan Avenue are magically lit to signal the start of the holidays in Chicago. During the day the street is filled with shows featuring Disney characters and fun family activities. In the evening stores along North Michigan Avenue are open late for shoppers, and a dazzling fireworks show brightens the skies over the Chicago River.

From late November through December, Macy’s on State Street displays its beautiful windows decorated with holiday-themed vignettes featuring charming mechanical figures in elaborate costumes and settings. Don’t miss dining under the lavishly trimmed Great Tree in the Walnut Room or a visit to the magical FAO Schwarz shop.

The Museum of Science and Industry becomes a major holiday attraction when it hosts Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light from late November through early January. The combined exhibits explore worldwide holiday customs and traditions, in addition to showcasing decorated trees, live music and dance performances.

Explore the charming Christkindlmarket, an outdoor German Christmas market held at Daley Plaza from November 28-December 24. Here you can buy old-fashioned glass ornaments, handmade wooden toys, and sweet treats like chocolates and gingerbread houses. Enjoy authentic German foods as you listen to live bands and sip hot spiced wine.

See the glittering ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo from late November through December. Besides fanciful light displays and giant snow globes, the zoo offers holiday crafts, cookie decorating, Christmas carolers, ice-sculpting demonstrations, visits with Santa and more.

Navy Pier is decked out with festive lights and decorations on the frosty Lake Michigan waterfront. Warm up inside at the Winter Wonderfest, held from December through early January, featuring children's rides and games, an indoor ice rink and loads of family entertainment.