CHICAGO — Spring markets, art exhibitions, street festivals and cooking events are all on deck this weekend. From Mayfest and the Lincoln Roscoe Art Fair to the Hyde Park Garden Fair and a pop-up Bosnian Sijelo, there is no shortage of events happening around Chicago this weekend.
Here’s a roundup of 30 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
Art Gives Us Hope
Thursday-Saturday art exhibit and 5:30 p.m. Saturday party
ERIS Brewery and Cider House, 4240 W. Irving Park Road
In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, ERIS is hosting a “festival of self-expression” to support suicide prevention. There will be art on display through Saturday by artists Mosher, Myron Laban, Allison Poplett, Steven Agpawaand Julia Jacquez.
Alongside an art raffle and auction, there will be a Saturday night celebration with a food buffet, live murals, games and music with local band Model Stranger.
Learn more and buy tickets here.
Helmchen Plays Beethoven
7:30 p.m. Thursday, 1:30 p.m. Friday and 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 220 S. Michigan Ave.
German pianist Martin Helmchen takes on Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 1” at the Chicago Symhony Orchestra this weekend. Conductor Kazuki Yamada will open the program with Toru Takemitsu’s “How Slow the Wind” and César Franck’s “Symphony in D Minor.”
Buy tickets for Thursday here, Friday here and Saturday here starting at $35.
‘The Prodigal Daughter’
7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday
Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St.
Chicago playwright Joshua Allen’s “The Prodigal Daughter” opens Thursday at the Raven Theatre in a commissioned world premiere. The show unfolds in Chicago’s Black Belt during the Red Summer of 1919, which is “boiling over” from ruthless hot temperatures and “the intensifying racial conflict gripping America.” There, saleswoman Virginia Bass pays her hometown and family a visit and is faced with “unresolved tensions, deep-seated tension, and a deadly urban clash.”
Through June 22, the theater will offer mask-only nights, industry nights, a student night, a Black Out night, closed captions, a touch tour and a talkback.
Learn more and buy tickets for $15-35 online.
Hyde Park Garden Fair
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Hyde Park Shopping Center, 5450 S. Lake Park Ave.
Neighbors can shop herbs, vegetables, native plants, shrubs, annuals, perennials and more at the 63rd annual Hyde Park Garden Fair.
Chicago Mayfest
5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday
On Armitage Avenue from Sheffield to Racine
Kick off Chicago’s summer festival season at Mayfest with music, food, libations and more. There will be two performance stages with Too Hype Crew, 16 Candles, Monty Kiddo, Nicky B, Mr. Simpson and more than a dozen other acts. Festgoers can also try their hand at glass blowing classes on the hour and enjoy a Pet Parade noon Saturday.
There is a $10 suggested donation to support the Ranch Triangle Community Conservation Association. Learn more about this free festival here.
Chicago Margarita Festival
Friday-Sunday
1800 S. Peoria St.
This first-of-its-kind Pilsen festival features more than 15 margarita flavors, Latin bites, local vendors, live DJs and musicians and more. Headliners include Fuze, a Santana cover band and Revolución de Amor, a Manácover band.
The festival is free, and there is a $5 suggested donation upon entry. Learn more here.
Endangered Species Day At The Zoo
Friday
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St.
As part of Lincoln Park Zoo’s Wildlife Awareness Day series, there will be chats, animal enrichment and special activities for endangered species this weekend.
Eataly Workshops
6 p.m. Friday
Eataly, 43 E. Ohio St.
Learn how to make mozzarella and pizza al padellino, which is baked in small, round pans, at two Eataly classes this weekend.
Tickets for the 60-minute mozzarella 101 workshop are $85 online.
Tickets for the 90-minute padellino workshop are $90 online.
Chicago Maritime Museum Exhibits
6-9 p.m. Friday
1200 W. 35th St.
In collaboration with the Bridgeport Art Center, the Chicago Maritime Museum is celebrating the grand opening of two new permanent exhibits with speakers, music and light refreshments. This is the most significant addition to the museum’s galleries since its 2016 opening.
RSVP for free online.
Garden Boys Set
7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday
The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.
After 10 years together, Chicago music comedy group Garden Boys is taking to the stage for their first-ever full-length special.
Tickets are available online.
Echoes Of Pompeii
8 p.m. Friday
Reggies Music Joint, 2109 S. State St.
The Pink Floyd tribute band hailing from Gary, Indiana takes the stage this weekend.
Tickets are $15 online.
Summer50 Fest
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.
This inaugural fair provides parents and teens opportunities to connect with youth programs, educational initiatives, athletics, jobs and internships across Chicago’s 50 wards. Local agencies, educational groups and community organizations will have booths, where families can learn more and enroll on the spot. There will also be fun clinics, pop-ups, raffles, a DJ and more.
Learn more here.
Spring Lincoln Roscoe Art Fair
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Lincoln Avenue from Roscoe to School
This free North Side event is back with more than 75 local artisans, painting classes, festival food, family-friendly art activities, face painting and more. Fairgoers can shop home decor, paintings, sculptures, fiber pieces, jewelry and more handmade goods.
Admission is free. Learn more here.
Neighborhood Cookout With Chef Jernard
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday
Mariano’s Bronzeville, 3857 S. Martin Luther King Drive
Chef Jernard Wells, host of “New Soul Kitchen” on Cleo TV, is coming to town for a neighborhood cookout, where he’ll be making recipes from his latest cookbook. There will be music, book signings, samples and a chance to buy the cookbook.
Learn more here.
Seeds Of Fire Family Program
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Winthrop Family Historical Garden, 4628 N. Winthrop Ave.
Families and neighbors can watch fire dancers, make torches, bake bread in a fire oven and more in Uptown this weekend. There will also be food, refreshments and activities without fire, like making bubbles by pedaling a stationary bike and planting seeds.
Learn more here.
May Indoor Farmers Market
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Plant Chicago, 4459 S. Marshfield Ave.
Shop local businesses and enjoy family-friendly activities, food and more at this indoor farmers market. The vendor list is subject to change but currently includes Aztec Vegan Kitchen, Bee-utiful Honey & Candles, Cedillo’s Fresh Produce, Viva la Horchata, Chicago Training Center, Stef’s Plants & Art and more. There will also be free bike repairs and tuneups.
Learn more here.
Bike Out Negativity 2024
Noon Saturday
3147 W. Douglas Blvd.
Bike Out Negativity is a community bike ride that aims to give kids a safe and fun way to ride through the neighborhood. There will be a pre-ride community resource fair to connect residents with social services, youth programs and health resources.
The six-mile ride kicks off at 3 p.m. The event is a symbol of unity and peace, organizer Derek Brown previously told Block Club.
Sign up for free online.
Humboldt Park Boathouse Ribbon-Cutting
Noon-4 p.m. Saturday
Humboldt Park Boathouse Gallery, 1301 N. Sacramento Blvd.
The Humboldt Park Boathouse is hosting a ribbon-cutting to celebrate its new shower facilities. There will be special guests, food, desserts, haircuts for the unhoused, live music, an ice cream truck and more. Learn more here.
Trolley Tour Of Chicago’s Labor History
12:45-4 p.m. Saturday
4704 N. Broadway
On this trolley tour by Chicago Fair Trade, Chicagoans will visit locations significant to Chicago’s labor movement, like Haymarket Square, where a confrontation between activists and police in 1886 had a worldwide impact.
Learn more and buy tickets for $55 here.
Chicago Bacon & Bourbon Fest
2-6 p.m. Saturday
Headquarters Beercade, 213 W. Institute Place
Enjoy bourbon tastings, bacon bites, free arcade games and discounted cocktails at River North’s Headquarters Beercade.
Tickets start at $29 online.
Homeward
4:30 p.m. Saturday
Sister City Library, 2842 W. Chicago Ave.
In observation of the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Crimean Tatar Genocide of 1944, the Ukrainian Daughters Foundation is hosting a community event with music, food, art, a film screening and more to honor the indigenous people of Crimea.Learn more and buy tickets for $45 online. Proceeds will benefit the Crimean Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
What’s Rum Got To Do With It? A Mixology Masterclass
5-7 p.m. Saturday
4704 N. Broadway
After a trolley tour for Chicago’s labor history, Chicago Fair Trade is hosting a mixology masterclass where attendees will learn not only how to concoct their own cocktails, but also about the exploitative history of conventional rum production and how Chicago Cane Cooperative is turning things around.
Learn more and buy tickets for $10 online.
Chicago Jazz String Summit
7:30 p.m. Saturday
Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. and other locations
For ten years, the Chicago Jazz String Summit has showcased the contributions of string players to jazz, improvised and experimental music. Alongside performances, there will be an improv session with past and present summit artists.
Learn more and buy tickets here.
MJFF Chicago Run/Walk
8:30 a.m. Sunday
Guaranteed Rate Field, 333 W. 35th St.
Chicagoans can lace up their sneakers and run, jog or walk through Guaranteed Rate Field this weekend to help raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research and patients. The annual event is hosted by the Michael J. Fox Foundation and open to all ages. Donate, learn more and register for $20-40 online.
Mending Workshop With Michelle Hartney
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday
21c Museum, 55 E. Ontario St.
Led by artist Michelle Hartney, this crafting workshop for trans families allows attendees to alter clothes to reflect their gender identities. Attendees should bring baby clothes, whether its their own or to affirm a loved one. This beginner-friendly workshop is open to families and free to attend.
Learn more here.
Ommi Foods: A Bosnian Sijelo
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday
Guild Row, 3130 N. Rockwell St.
After two sold-out Palestinian food events, Ommi Foods is back with a Bosnian-themed pop-up sijelo. Attendees can share Bosnian dishes, desserts, coffee and drinks while learning about the ingredients and stories behind each one.
Tickets are $75 online.
Hyde Park Handmade
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave.
Back on at The Promontory this weekend, Hyde Park Handmade brings together a lineup of artisan vendors and foodmakers. Shoppers can also enjoy tunes by DJ Sean Alvarez and an open bar.
Admission is free. Learn more here.
American Writers Festival
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St.
The American Writers Festival returns for its second edition this weekend. The free literary festival will have conversation with a diverse lineup of writers, from sci-fi authors and game designers to journalists and opens. There will also be children’s storytimes, photobooths, literary-themed crafts, book signings and mini writing workshops for all ages.
Learn more here.
The Patio Theater’s Princess Movie Party
Noon-6 p.m. Sunday
Patio Theater, 6008 Irving Park Road
Kids and families can pretend they’re in a fairytale this weekend with a princess-themed party at Patio Theater. Attendees can meet more than 10 princesses, including Belle Ariel, Mirabel, Cinderella, Elsa and Anna, get their autographs, play games, browse an “enchanted market” and more. There will also be storytimes, princess short films and feature films, including “Beauty and the Beast” (1991) and Encanto (2021).
Buy tickets here.
Reggies Crawfish Boil
1 p.m. Sunday
Reggies Music Joint, 2105 S. State St.
Feast on all-you-can-eat crawfish while jamming to live music at Reggies Crawfish Boil. Featured music acts are Chicago Soul Explosion, singer-songwriters Aage Birch and funk-jazz group Vince Willis All-Stars.
Learn more and buy tickets for $50 here.
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