Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 6/20 and Beyond

Today's the first day where the temps are not well into the 90s, but the weekend is looking to be as hot as the last few days. So that means beautiful weather to go out and discover all the amazing things to do this weekend from amazing concerts at our favorite venues, great movies throughout the city, markets, art exhibitions, and much more just waiting for you! Don't let these fantastic events pass you by; start planning your perfect weekend in Chicago!

Now, let's get on with your Chicago Curated Weekend!

ART GALLERIES & SPECIAL EVENTS

THIS WEEKEND!

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, JUNE 21 - JUNE 23 (& BEYOND)

ChiTown Movies @ Pilsen Neighborhood, 2343 S. Throop St, Various Times, All Ages
WHAT:
An old school experience for the modern age
SO WHAT: Take a trip back in time and head out to a drive-in movie with ChiTown Movies. Ever since the pandemic started and shut down traditional movie screening, a few pop up drive-ins have arrived and ChiTown Movies has persevered, offering up modern movies in this retro setting. Check out their lineup below for showings this weekend and in the future!

NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 per car for these movies, so bring the family for a safe movie watching experience

The Neo-Futurists’ The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Friday and Saturday 10:30pm, Sunday 7:00pm, 16+
WHAT: Quick plays live and online!
SO WHAT: The Neo-Futurists are back! Their Infinite Wrench is an  ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience. Now it’s actually a live audience that will be enjoying the performance in person!
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $20!  The Infinite Wrench Goes Viral will be continuing til February (and possibly beyond) over at their Patreon

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 22 & 23

Chicago Pride Fest @ Northalsted on Halsted Street from Addison St to Grace St, 11:00am – 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The official Chicago Pride Fest
SO WHAT: No one celebrates Pride better than Northalsted! Chicago Pride Fest, held during National Pride Month, celebrates the LGBTQ+ achievements as a community in their annual two-day street festival leading up to Chicago’s world famous Pride Parade the following week. The event features tons of food and drinks, 150+ arts/crafts vendors, DJ’s and dancing, drag shows, pet parade, games, giveaways and more. There are also three stages of artists performing throughout the fest including Natasha Bedingfield, Amber Riley, JoJo Siwa, Kaleena Zanders,  & more! See the full lineup of performers and the schedule here!
NOW WHAT: There is a $15 suggested donation at the gate, which helps pay performers and festival workers, and funds community programs.

Vegandale 2024 @ Butler Field in Grant Park, 400 E. Monroe St., 11:00am - 7:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Explore the wide world of Vegandale!
SO WHAT: Over 100 of the best vendors from across North America will be available for the two-day festival, dishing up incredible vegan food, drinks and merchandise. All five of your senses will be treated at this special fest with great music from all day DJ sets, stage entertainment, larger than life art installations and games that you look forward to each summer. There will also be special performances from Saweetie, NLE Choppa, Jadakiss, Fabolous, and 2 Chainz!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 for the Saturday foodie experience! The Sunday Music Series + Foodie experience are $60 for entry between 11am and 12:30pm and $80 for entry any time!

The Magnificent Mile Art Festival @ 875 North Michigan Avenue , 10:00am – 5:00pm
WHAT:
The inaugural arts festival on the Mag Mile!
SO WHAT: Head out to the world-renowned Magnificent Mile to see the work of over 60 juried artists from across the country. Artists will be displaying beautiful pieces in a variety of mediums including painting, photography, ceramics, furniture, jewelry, and more.
NOW WHAT: The event is free!!

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

Summer Fireworks @ Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, 10:00pm – 10:10pm
WHAT: Enjoy the spectacle of fireworks all summer long
SO WHAT: Take a trip to Navy Pier and check out their dazzling display of fireworks! Each show features dramatic and popular music soundtracks with some special occasion soundtracks sprinkled throughout the season. It’s the first fireworks show of the year so kick off summer with this explosive tradition.
NOW WHAT: It’s free!  Just make your way to Navy Pier, find a spot, and enjoy the show !

THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND

Weekend Shows @ Lincoln Hall & Schubas, 2424 N Lincoln Ave & 3159 N Southport Ave, various times, 18+
WHAT: A full weekend of amazing shows at Schubas and Lincoln Hall!
SO WHAT: Lincoln Hall and Schubas are some of our favorite venues in the city and they always have something great going on. Check out what's going this weekend at these great venues

NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!

Movies on the Big Screen and Home @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, various times
WHAT:
A great way to support a great local theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre is ready to fill that art house need in you with some excellent movies like Ghostlight, Thelma, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Japanese Girls at the Harbor, The Grand Budapest Hotel featuring a post-film Q&A with actor Tony Revolori (Zero Moustafa), midnight screenings of Game of Pleasure, Rocky Horror Picture Show, & Stop Making Sense; Music Box Movie Trivia and more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theatres in the city!

Chicago Humanities: New Talks and Video Archives @ Various Locations & Chicago Humanities Festival YouTube channel, your favorite browser or YouTube app, any time you want some inspiration, All Ages
WHAT: Interesting conversations with interesting people!
SO WHAT: Chicago Humanities Festival always brings some of the best ideas to the surface with entertaining programming that captures your imagination. Their year may be over, but certainly be on the lookout for updates for next year's season as their website is constantly updated with new talks.

NOW WHAT: Head over to take a look at their past events here! You should also sign up for their email list to get updates on upcoming talks in 2023

University of Chicago Folk Festival @ Your favorite spot in your home, All Ages
WHAT: A fantastic folk festival
SO WHAT: University of Chicago Folk Festival might have come and gone but their digital presence is still around, making sure the wonderful music reaches as many people as possible! You can check out the past few years of performances on their Facebook page and their YouTube channel any time you want! This past year's performers included The Price Sisters, Brian Conway, Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton, Ruby John, Sean "Mack" McDonald, and many more!
NOW WHAT: Head over to their Facebook page and their YouTube channel and enjoy the show! We highly encourage you to donate to help support this fantastic folk festival!

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Julian Ramirez