Comics, concerts, markets, and beer parties are filling up this weekend! Head out there and discover some great events at some equally great venues throughout the city!
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
ALL WEEKEND LONG, AUGUST 22nd - 25th
Wizard World Chicago @ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL, Various Times, All Ages
WHAT: Wizard World Chicago is a long running comic book and pop culture convention spanning the latest and greatest from the world of comics, movies, television, toys, anime, manga and video games.
SO WHAT: It's three days and one preview night of everything you ever wanted to know about nerd culture and geek stuff. There will be plenty of guests signing autographs, panels featuring interesting talks, workshops on the ins and outs of every creative process, and a constant parade of cosplayers walking the convention floor.
Check out our full preview here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available for $94.99 for all four days of the convention! Single day tickets and priority entry are also available and you can also get tickets at the door.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22nd
Sauced Spring Night Market @ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 5:00pm -10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: A night time market in a fun venue
SO WHAT: SAUCED has expanded their reach with Mini Night Markets presented by New Belgium Brewing’s Mural Agua Fresca Cerveza. These beer loving pop-ups bring Chicago’s finest makers together for a unique shopping experience! This is stop number two in Avondale, where guests can check out some vintage clothing, enamel pins, healing crystals, beard oil and more. The mini night market will also feature food, a DJ and other SAUCED-style surprises.
NOW WHAT: It’s free !
The Hold Steady @ Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St, 8:00pm, 17+
WHAT: The iconic Brooklyn band makes their way to Chicago for three nights
SO WHAT: It's strange to think that
The Hold Steady haven't released an album in five years. Their fervent place in music has them constantly touring, making them feel like a constant in Chicago with residencies, special Empty Bottle shows, and an appearance at Goose Island's 312 Block Party. Now on tour in support of their upcoming album,
Thrashing Thru the Passion, it's the perfect time to see The Hold Steady for the first, tenth, or hundredth time. Their incredible live performances are the stuff of legend and make them an ideal way to spend your evening!
NOW WHAT: Two of their three nights in Chicago are sold out, so don't hesitate!
Tickets start at $40!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23rd
WarPigs USA 2nd Anniversary BBQ w/ Indian & Canyon of the Skull @ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 7:00pm, 21+
WHAT: WarPigs Brewing celebrates its Second Anniversary!
SO WHAT: WarPigs’ anniversary party will be feature extra-special beers, barbecue from 3 Floyds, and metal from
Indian and
Canyon of the Skull (which features WarPigs brewmaster Erik Ogershok on guitar), 3 Floyds brewmaster Todd Haug on bass, and Mike Miczek on drums)
NOW WHAT: Entry is free!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUGUST 24th & 25th
Randolph Street Market: Back to Cool @ Chicago Antique Market, 1341 W Randolph St, 10:00am - 5:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Randolph Street Market Chicago is back for another great market!
SO WHAT: Celebrate the Back to Cool edition of this fun market where you can experience over 200 vendors with a wide variety of items perfect for the new season! There will also be a market bar for excellent drinks and local eateries while browsing vendors on three floors!
NOW WHAT: Tickets for the market are $10 for general admission, kids 12 and under are free! There are high tiers that include entry to both days and drink tickets!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24th
The Lagunitas Beer Circus @ Douglas Park, 1401 S Sacramento Dr, Noon - 5:00pm, 21+
WHAT: A perfect mix of beer, circus and fun!
SO WHAT: This very strictly 21+ show will feature beer from Lagunitas (first one is free!) and guest brewers. There will be plenty of food truck on hand to keep you fed while you enjoy 100+ performers entertaining you with a variety of shows including burlesque, aerialists , sideshows, roving marching bands and more! Musical guests will include Big Freeda, Too Many Zoos, and Antibalas! There will also be plenty of prizes to win from midway games and costume contests!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $40! Tokens sales end at 4:00pm and last call is at 4:15pm!
Brick and Matter: A Kate Lewis and Lauren Asta Show @ All Star Press, 2775 N Milwaukee Ave, 6:00pm - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Another fantastic exhibition at the always fun
All Star Press!
SO WHAT: Brick and Matter is a dual artist show featuring
Lauren Asta and
Kate Lewis. These two iconic muralists will transport their graphic styles into the walls All Star Press’ excellent gallery. Astas works puts the focus on playful imagery of characters, objects, and text layered within each other, becoming a fully animated and mesmerizing image. Lewis is most noted her fine-lined illustrations of iconic and historic architecture as well as graphic murals and vibrant color palettes. Both Asta and Lewis’ artistic mural process strives to inspire its audience to take a step back and celebrate the labor, love, and present moment of admiring art and the world around us that matters.
NOW WHAT: It’s free and open to public!
Vans House Parties: Converge @ House of Vans, 113 N Elizabeth St, 7:00pm, 18+
WHAT: A series of spectacular shows at a cool skate park/music venue (and they’re free!)
SO WHAT: House of Vans has been killing it since it opened a couple of years ago. Show after show of top tier artists delivering top tier shows. this year it gets better as the House Parties series returns with its best lineup yet! This final night of the the House Parties will be curated by
Converge! Check out the rest of this year’s House Party lineups below!
NOW WHAT: The show is free!
Full event details and RSVP will be available on August 14th!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25th
7 Year Anniversary Show @ Emporium Arcade Bar Wicker Park, 1366 N Milwaukee Ave,Noon - 11:00pm, 21+
WHAT: A celebration of Emporium’s 7th anniversary
SO WHAT: Help celebrate
Emporium‘s7th birthday in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood with an Emporium-curated live music experience headlined by psychedelic brainchild of brothers Jake and Jamin Orral
JEFF The Brotherhood with local support
Tinkerbelles,
OVEF OW, and a special guest! the party starts at noon with plenty of drink specials and exclusives on draft from
Founders Brewing Co. The live performances start after 6pm to keep the all day event going!
NOW WHAT: This 7 Year Itch party is FREE with RSVP, but we will be asking for a $5 suggested donation which will be directed to
Hope For The Day