How to Celebrate Filipino American History Month in Chicago

Chicago is home to a diverse Filipino American community, and October is a chance to celebrate Filipino heritage, history, and culture across the city.

October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States. According to the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), a group of "Luzones Indios" arrived in Morro Bay, California, aboard a Spanish galleon on October 18, 1587. FANHS established the observance in 1992 to honor this history, and the U.S. Congress officially recognized October as Filipino American History Month in 2009.

To help you navigate the month's festivities, this guide highlights three main ways to get involved:

• Filipino American History Month celebrations and events
• Explore Filipino American history and culture
• Celebrate Filipino food and flavors around Chicago

Throughout October, Chicago will host celebrations, cultural events, exhibitions, and community gatherings honoring Filipino American history and the contributions of Filipino Americans. Whether you're looking to learn more about Filipino American history, discover local creatives, or enjoy Filipino food, here are some ways to celebrate Filipino American History Month in Chicago.

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Filipino American History Month celebrations and events

Celebrate Filipino American History Month with community gatherings, festivals, performances, and other events taking place throughout Chicago this October.

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PACCGC Membership Drive at Chicken Ati-Atihan

October 2, 2026

Celebrate Filipino heritage at Chicken Ati-Atihan while connecting with the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago (PACCGC) and learning more about its community and membership opportunities.

Rex Navarrete: Fil-Am History Month of Laughs

October 4, 2026

Filipino American comedian Rex Navarrete brings his signature stand-up comedy to Chicago for a special Filipino American History Month celebration.

Filipino American History Month Birding

October 4, 2026

Celebrate Filipino American History Month outdoors with a community birding event that brings people together to enjoy nature and explore Chicago's local wildlife.

Filipinx 2026

October 10, 2026

Celebrate Filipino American History Month with Filipinx 2026, a night of music and community featuring an all-star DJ lineup.

Tiles, Tagays (Toasts), & Traditions

October 15, 2026

Learn to play mahjong or join an open game at Cebu Chicago while enjoying Filipino food and drinks at this community gathering hosted by the SamaSama Project.

PARA SA KULTURA Filipino Night Market

October 16, 2026

Celebrate Filipino American History Month at PARA SA KULTURA, a Filipino night market bringing together food, shopping, culture, and community. Discover Filipino-inspired goods while connecting with local vendors and creatives.

ALABAN Filipino Fashion and Culture Night

October 17, 2026

Filipino designers, artists, performers, and culinary creators take the spotlight at ALABAN, an immersive cultural and fashion experience presented during Chicago Fashion Week.

Tracing Home – A Family History & Archiving Workshop

October 17, 2026

Learn how to research and preserve your family stories at this archiving workshop led by Northwestern University’s award-winning historian Dr. Jenny Thompson. The event uses local Filipino American history as a framework to teach essential research tools and resources, and is open to anyone looking to uncover their own history.

Not Alone Anymore: Asian American Solo Show Festival

October 17-18, 2026

Presented as part of CIRCA Pintig’s 35th anniversary season, this new festival highlights Asian American solo theater and storytelling. While performances run all weekend, Sunday’s programming is specifically dedicated to celebrating Filipino American voices.

Sariling Gawa

October 24–25, 2026

Celebrate Filipino American History Month at Sariling Gawa, a maker's market showcasing Filipino American small businesses, artists, food vendors, creatives, and makers. The weekend celebration highlights Filipino creativity and craftsmanship through handcrafted goods, food, and other creations made by the community.

Rizal Center Chess Club Monthly Chess Tournament

October 25, 2026

Enjoy a day of friendly competition and community connection at this monthly tournament for both rated and unrated chess players. Officiated by the Chicago Chess Foundation, the event features Open and Children’s categories, with lunch and snacks included in registration.

Rizal Center Friday Evening Chess Club

Every Friday

Connect with fellow players through free chess tutorials and friendly matches at the Rizal Center. This weekly community gathering is open to all skill levels, including complete beginners.

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Explore Filipino American history and culture

Here are just a few of the upcoming exhibits and cultural happenings honoring Filipino history, heritage, and legacy in Chicago.

FAHSC 40th Anniversary Gala & Exhibits Closing Reception

October 3, 2026

Kick off Filipino American History Month with the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago as they celebrate their 40th anniversary. The gala also serves as the closing reception for two exhibitions: Unheard Voices of Care: Filipino Nurses in America and 40 Years of Stories and History.

Unheard Voices of Care: Filipino Nurses in America at UIC

October 14–December 4, 2026

Explore the experiences, contributions, and legacy of Filipino nurses who migrated to the United States through Unheard Voices of Care: Filipino Nurses in America, a traveling exhibition featuring historical artifacts, nursing uniforms, photographs, and personal stories from nurses and their families throughout the Midwest.

The exhibition will be on display at UIC's Asian American Resource and Cultural Center, with free admission.

Opening Panel and Reception
October 14 · 3:30–6 p.m.

Join exhibit curator and author Angel Abcede and UIC faculty members Anna Guevarra and Karen Flynn for an opening panel exploring the history, migration, and contributions of Filipino nurses in the United States, followed by a reception.

Community Reading
October 28 · 3:30–5 p.m.

Related programming continues with a community reading featuring stories about immigrant experiences in the United States from the 1940s to today.

Location: Asian American Resource and Cultural Center, 723 W. Maxwell St., Chicago.

Soul Anchors of the Filipina

October 17–November 22, 2026

Hosted by the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago Museum in Pilsen, this duo exhibition features paintings by the late Lea May Rivera alongside mixed-media and collage works by Marea Cordero. The exhibition opens with a reception on October 17.

Rooted in the Philippines, Created in Chicago

October 24, 2026

Celebrate Filipino American creativity at this special program presented by the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago, and the Chicago Public Library. The conversation brings together five Filipino American creatives working across music, film, literature, food, and fashion.

The program takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Albany Park Branch of the Chicago Public Library.

Celebrate Filipino food and flavors around Chicago

There's no better time to explore Chicago's Filipino food scene, from traditional comfort food to contemporary interpretations of Filipino cuisine.

A Taste of the Philippines: Located in Jefferson Park, this casual Filipino restaurant serves traditional and contemporary dishes including silog breakfasts, pancit, adobo, kare-kare, lechon, desserts, and other Filipino dishes.

Bayan Ko: This Ravenswood restaurant brings Filipino and Cuban influences together through a six-course tasting menu featuring dishes such as pancit luglug, kare-kare, and lumpia.

Boonie's Filipino Restaurant: Located in North Center, Boonie's puts a contemporary spin on Filipino cooking, with dishes such as sisig, adobong isda, and grilled prawns.

Cebu Chicago: Located in Lakeview, Cebu puts creative spins on Filipino classics, with dishes such as lumpia, sisig, chicken adobo, and Filipino-style grilled pork belly.

Ima's Chicago: Located on Elston Avenue, Ima's serves Filipino sweets and merienda alongside savory favorites such as pancit palabok, ukoy, chicharon, and Filipino-style roasted pork.

Kanin: This Ravenswood neighborhood bodega takes inspiration from Hawaiian snacks and Filipino flavors, with musubi, bentos, and other casual bites.

Kasama: Located in Ukrainian Village, this Filipino restaurant and bakery serves breakfast, lunch, pastries, and a tasting-menu dinner that puts Filipino flavors in a contemporary setting.

Kubo Chicago: This Lakeview restaurant serves Filipino comfort food alongside brunch and drinks, with a kamayan-style feast served over banana leaves for groups looking for a communal dining experience.

Namit Cafe & Restaurant: This North Park spot serves Filipino breakfast all day, regional dishes, street food, cakes, and desserts.

Ruby's Fast Food: A longtime Albany Park spot, Ruby's serves traditional Filipino home-style dishes from its hot bar and all-day breakfast menu, along with noodles, soups, and other Filipino favorites.

SUBO Filipino Kitchen: Located in Albany Park, SUBO offers Filipino favorites including silog breakfast plates, lumpia, pancit, adobo, and other home-style dishes.

Taste of Kawayan: Located in Jefferson Park, Kawayan serves Filipino classics including La Paz batchoy, kare-kare, crispy pata, sisig, lumpia, pancit, and bangus.

Uncle Mike's Place: A West Town favorite known for Filipino breakfast, Uncle Mike's serves silog plates and other Filipino breakfast and lunch dishes throughout the day.

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October offers plenty of ways to celebrate Filipino American History Month across Chicago, whether you're attending a cultural event, discovering Filipino American stories, or sharing a meal with friends and family. Check event organizers' websites for the latest schedules, registration information, and admission details before heading out.

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