We're at the last half of summer with only a couple weeks before school starts and the temps start making their steady decline, but don't let that get you down. There are still many warm temps and sunny days ahead with fantastic events to fill your time. So start planning your weekend with some incredible concerts, festivals, movies, and so much more! Plus don't forget to check out our roundup of Live Lit events including Poems While You Wait at Retro on Roscoe!
Now, let's get on with your Chicago Curated Weekend!
ART GALLERIES & SPECIAL EVENTS
- All Star Press is constantly putting up new prints for you to decorate your space with! RIGHT NOW they are showing "REGULARS"A Solo Show by PITR! Plus you can check out some of their prints from their Vertical Gallery collab, which you can purchase here!! There is also a virtual gallery featuring all the works! You can also see "Saturday Morning Fever” featuring the works of Griffin Goodman through their virtual gallery! And don't forget to check out the virtual edition of JC Rivera's new exhibition "Still Undefeated" ! Or the All Decked Out virtual show!
- Chicago Gamespace is the perfect spot to check out the hairy present and future of the gaming realm!
- Galerie F has a fun stock of prints from concert posters, pop culture prints and more!
- Rotofugi is the perfect nexus of art and toys! Head over to see what new pieces of art they have in stocks and on display in their gallery space!
- WNDR Museum is an ever-evolving immersive art and technology experience designed to ignite your curiosity! See exhibits like the Light Floor, Try to Get Higher, and the Digital Gallery. Plus Keith Haring!
- Garfield Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens safely!
- Lincoln Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens safely
- “Mold-A-Rama™: Molded for the Future” @ Museum of Science and Industry
- Art on the Mart
- Wonderverse takes popular franchises like Ghostbusters, Bad Boys, and more and puts them together in this immersive venue! Enjoy tons of activities including escape rooms, virtual reality games, racing simulators, and more! Plus there are plenty of themed food and drinks for you to try.
- NOW- 11/30 Green City Market @ Lincoln Park on Saturdays and Wednesdays!
- NOW - 10/31 Chicago: Home of House Exhibit @ Navy Pier
- NOW - 10/27 Wicker Park Farmers Market on Sundays!
- NOW - 10/27 "007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond" @ Museum of Science and Industry
- NOW - 10/27 Wolff's Flea Market @ Allstate Arena on Sundays!
- NOW - 10/13 Mercury Canine Cruise
- NOW - 9/2 "Titanic: The Exhibition"
- NOW - 9/2 Rooftop Cinema Club Fulton Market @ The Emily Hotel
- NOW- 9/1 Sportsman’s Club Summer BBQ Series
- NOW - 9/15 Ravinia Festival
- NOW - 8/21 Millennium Park Summer Workouts (Saturdays)
- 8/18, 9/22 Andersonville Vintage Market
THIS WEEKEND!
- 8/10 - 8/11 Chicago Air and Water Show @ Lakefront
- 8/10 Titan Walls Mural Festival @ District Brew Yards
- 8/9 - 8/11 Metallica @ Soldier Field
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 - AUGUST 11 (& BEYOND)
Retro on Roscoe @ Roscoe/Damen, 2000 W. Roscoe St., Friday 5pm – 10pm, Saturday & Sunday Noon – 10pm, all ages
WHAT: 27th annual Retro on Roscoe festival!
SO WHAT: Enjoy all everything Retro on Roscoe has to offer this weekend! Shop unique artisans, antique vendors, and cool merchants before heading to grab some tasty treats. There is also a family area offering activities for all ages, an Antique and Classic Car and Motorcycle show, and three stages featuring some fun bands playing all your favorite throwbacks and oldies!
NOW WHAT: There is a $15 suggested donation for admission to Retro on Roscoe, which benefits Roscoe Village Neighbors
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, AUGUST 10
The Bud Billiken Parade @ 39th and King Drive, 7:30am -4pm, All Ages
WHAT: Celebrate 95 years of this wonderful parade
SO WHAT: The Bud Billiken Parade is a commemoration of African Americans’ past and a celebration of the future, uniting everyone for a beautiful event full of music, dance, food, and laughter. The start point of the Bud Billiken Parade is 35th and King Drive at 10am, then continues south on King Drive and enters Washington Park and concludes at 55th St./Garfield Boulevard! Post parade there will be plenty of fun family friendly activities for all to enjoy including the It Takes A Village Back to School Festival!
NOW WHAT: Head out and celebrate! You can register for the It Takes A Village Back to School Festival here!
Wave Wall Wax & Summer Fireworks @ Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, 5:30pm – 10:10pm
WHAT: Enjoy the spectacle of fireworks and great music 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. Plus before the fireworks the fantastic Wave Wall Wax event will be dishing out some incredible tunes!
- August 10 | 5:30PM-10PM
- Oliver Fade, DJ Film 42 & Janesita B2B Czboogie
- August 17 | 5:30PM-10PM
- Axsent, DJ Lego & Charlie Glitch
- August 24 | 1PM-10PM (LatiNxt)
- August 31 | 5:30PM-10PM
- Ron Carroll & Ariana DJ
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Just make your way to Navy Pier, find a spot, and enjoy the show !
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 & 11
Northalsted Market Days @ Halsted Street from Belmont to Addison, 11am - 10pm
WHAT: 1/2 mile long summer festival!
SO WHAT: Celebrating its 42nd anniversary this year, Northalsted Market Days will feature its traditionally vast array of unique vendors, arts, crafts, food and drink. Each day will be filled with a huge list of musicians including Billy Porter, Alyssa Edwards, Big Freedia, and many more! You can check out the full lineup over at the Northalsted Market Days website.
NOW WHAT: There is a $20 suggested donation, which helps keep the neighborhood safe, beautiful, and fun. Donations make Market Days possible; support local non-profits, charities, and fund community projects like the Chicago Pride Crosswalks. There is also a $50 express entry VIP Pass available!
Printer’s Row Art Fest @ S. Dearborn from Harrison to Polk, 701 S Dearborn St, 10am to 5pm
WHAT: A fun and cool art festival in the middle of the city!
SO WHAT: This wonderful art festival showcases the beauty, creativity and culture of the area with amazing work from over 95 creators. There will be art at all price points by painters, street artists, jewelers, up-cycling artists, artisans of all kinds, photographers, and mixed media artists. There will be a Kids Art Stop and Live Art Demo stations to interact with the festival's artists. You’ll also get the chance to indulge in some food and drinks from local restaurants and bars while enjoying some live music!
NOW WHAT: It's free!
The Great American Lobster Fest 2024 @ Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Friday & Saturday 1pm– 11pm, Sunday 1pm – 8pm, All Ages
WHAT: Another year of lobster goodness at Navy Pier
SO WHAT: The Great American Lobster Fest is two full days of fresh lobster flown in from the east coast that will be accented by some great live music performances including Trippin' Billies Dave Matthews Tribute, Nublu Band, Marvin Weathersby, One Love Reggae Band, and DJ Papa G! There will also be plenty of fun family-friendly activities and unique shopping experiences for you to indulge in. And don't forget that there will be fireworks on Saturday and the Air & Water Show going on.
NOW WHAT: Entry to the festival grounds is free! Meal tickets for the fest are currently available for $79 for Saturday & Sunday!
THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & 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!
- 8/8 - The Notebook - 8:15pm
- 8/9 - Shrek -8:15pm
- 8/9 - Friday the 13th - 10:15pm
- 8/10 - Scream (The Original) - 11pm
- 8/11 -Jurassic Park - 8:15pm
- 8/14 - The Incredibles - 8:00pm
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 per car for these movies, so bring the family for a safe movie watching experience
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 Summer of 70mm series,Metallica Film Festival, Didi, Hell Hole, Paprika, CatVideoFest,and more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theatres in the city!
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
- August 8 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM, and SAM SELBY @ Schubas FREE
- August 8 - Smooth Rogers + Lipstique + Jack Galactic b2b D&S @ Schubas
- August 9 - Casa Desmadre + Fuerza Bruta + Callejera + Killmoves + Repent@ Schubas
- August 9- Meet Me Upstairs Presents: Casa Desmadre + La Dancy Nancy + Blesstonio + Vales Madre + Sadbxiii@ Schubas
- August 10 - Gazebo Effect + Lunar Ticks + The Foons @ Lincoln Hall
- August 10 - Cheap Monarchy + C.H.E.F. + Big Fans @ Schubas
- August 11 - Everyday Fantastic + Ocean Child + Gorilla Tuesday @ Schubas
- August 11 - Chelsea Cutler presented by LOVELOUD & AT&T + Wrabel + Luxx Noir London@ Lincoln Hall SOLD OUT
NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!
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.
- 9/3 Jesmyn Ward: Let Us Descend @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 9/15 Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Pre-event Member Reception @ Harris Theater for Music and Dance
- 9/16 Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson: Lovely One @ Harris Theater for Music and Dance
- 9/17 Abra Berens and Greta Johnsen: From Seed to Market to Plate @ Chop Shop
- 9/26 The Interview Show: Edward Burns + Elizabeth Moen @ FitzGerald's
- 9/29 aja monet @ Thalia Hall
- 10/5 Anna Marie Tendler: Men Have Called Her Crazy @ UIC Dorin Forum
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!