Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
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Tuesday brings the 2026 midterm elections. If you read WTTW News, you already know this (revisit our voter guide here). No matter what, you’ve likely been bombarded with partisan mailers in your mailbox, attack ads during your television time and lawn signs occupying your neighborhoods. The constant politicking can feel inescapable and, honestly, a bit much. Don’t fret: You can spend time this weekend with art and culture instead. We didn’t even mention that it’s also Halloween Saturday. Below, enjoy the season with these non-holiday, non-election-themed events.
Performance: “Brahms Requiem” — Chicago Symphony Center
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus will be performing Mozart’s “Symphony No. 36 (Linz)” and Brahms’ “A German Requiem” over three concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Join conductor Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and chorus director Donald Palumbo for three unforgettable concerts of classical music. Note: While the Thursday and Saturday shows take place in the evening, Friday’s is a matinee. Buy tickets here.
Art: “MARÍA: ¿Qué es un huracán?” — The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
Hurricane Maria, the severe and catastrophic Category 4 cyclone that ravaged Puerto Rico in September 2017 and killed thousands, is the subject of a new gallery opening in Humboldt Park. “MARÍA: ¿Qué es un huracán?” explores the storm’s destruction, devastation and the resilience of the community “through the archive and lived experience of Puerto Rican chef, producer, and cultural organizer Manolo López.” There’s an opening reception Friday evening that’s free with an RSVP and the exhibition will be on display until September 2027.
Theater: “Don Giovanni” — Lyric Opera of Chicago
Mozart’s 1787 opera “Don Giovanni” ends its run this weekend at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. It’s one of the most well-reviewed Chicago productions in 2026 so far, with the Sun-Times writing, “‘Don Giovanni’ was the first opera that Lyric Opera ever presented in February 1954, and the company has reprised it 10 more times before this latest outing and it’s not hard to understand why.” Buy tickets here.
Theater: “Detroit ‘67” — eta Creative Arts Foundation
With a run ending Sunday, Pulse Theatre Chicago is presenting the final local performances of Dominique Morisseau’s play “Detroit ‘67” at South Chicago’s eta Creative Arts Foundation. In a review, the Chicago Reader called it “a wonderful production, and the music (mostly Motown jams from the era) is its own character” that “puts the microscope on a family of grieving siblings as they navigate joy in the midst of ongoing racial tension.” Buy tickets here.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
