Can you believe this is the third weekend of the year? And with some snow on the ground its finally starting to feel like a Chicago winter! This weekend features tons of movies, concerts, markets and a continuation of all the fun winter fun we've been used to. So head out into the snowy streets and find something cool to do with our recommended picks.
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 Goodmanthrough 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! They are currently showing some awesome art from Stay Focused New Works by Netherland
- 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 - 3/31 007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond @ Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
- NOW - 2/15 Insert Coin: Inside Midway’s Arcade Revolution @ Cleve Carney Museum of Art
- NOW - 1/19 Shucked @ CIBC Theatre
- NOW -1/11 More Light @ Poetry Foundation (check out our full preview of this an many other literary events here!)
- NOW - 1/31 Hershey Super Sweet Adventure @ Water Tower Place
SEASONAL EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!
- 1/17 Jamie xx @ Girl & Aragon Ballroom
- 1/18 NA Day @ Loft on Lake
- 1/18 Black Panther in Concert @ Auditorium Theatre
- 1/19 LA Fire Relief Brunch @ Girl & the Goat
- NOW -1/26 Globes on the Terrace @ Hotel Zachary
- NOW -1/26 Young Playwrights Festival @ Chicago Dramatists
- NOW - 1/26 Ice Skating at Rosemont's Parkway Bank Park
- NOW - 1/28 Rudolph's Rooftop at LondonHouse Chicago
- NOW - 2/2 Ice Skating @ Millennium Park
- NOW - 2/16 Winter Wonderland @ I|O Godfrey
- NOW - 2/28 Fairmont Lodge @ Fairmont Chicago
- NOW - 2/28 Après Ski Pop-Up @ Cindy’s
- NOW - 3/9 Winter Curl & Chill @ The Gwen
- NOW - 3/9 Ice Skating @ Maggie Daley Park
- NOW - 3/30 South Loop Winter Farmers Market @ Water Tower Place
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 - 19 (& BEYOND)
The Neo-Futurists’ The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Friday and Saturday 10:30pm, Sunday 7pm, 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
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 - 19
Cubs Con @ Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, 301 E North Water St
WHAT: A Cubs Fan dream convention
SO WHAT: The North Siders’ annual convention is back to delight Cubs fans of all ages with a slew of panels, meet-and-greets/autograph sessions with players, Fan-favorite Cubs Bingo, Cubs Authentics auctions, and interactive exhibits.
NOW WHAT: Weekend passes are $125 and $100 for kids 3-10.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19
Wicker Park Winter Market Series @ The Robey, 2018 W North Ave, 9am-2pm
WHAT: An indoor farmers market for the colder months
SO WHAT: Get some fresh produce action during the wonderful winter edition of the Wicker Park market inside The Robey! Wicker Park Farmers Market's mission "is to provide a space for regional food producers to sell to and interact with customers, for our residents and neighbors to access healthful foods and local goods, and to foster a sense of place and community in the Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood." You can check out their lineup of vendors over at their website!
NOW WHAT: Just bring your tote and get ready to grab some amazing food from local vendors!
THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND
Tomorrow Never Knows Festival @ Lincoln Hall / Schubas / Sleeping Village / Gman Tavern / Hideout / ColorClub / Judson & Moore / Metro, Various Locations, Various Times
WHAT: Tomorrow Never Knows unites Lincoln Hall, Schubas, Sleeping Village, Hideout, Judson & Moore, ColorClub, and Gman Tavern for a fantastic festival
SO WHAT: TNK curates the best of rising musicians (with a focus on local acts) across five days and venues, delivering an incredible early-year fest! This one is stacked as always with killer linueps to make your evening all the better!
- January 16
- Lutalo + runo plum + SLeeper’s Bell @ Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., 7pm, 18+
- Linda Sol + piwa + MIKE DFG + DJ MO MAMI @ Gman Tavern, 3740 N Clark St, 7:30pm, 21+
- Oddly Satisfying: Ky Newman & atlgrandma + Underscores (DJ SET) + Hafsa + guled @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., 7pm, 18+ SOLD OUT
- Half Waif + N.O.I.A.@ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 8pm, 21+
- Axis: Sova W/ Desert Liminal, Ovef Ow @ HIDEOUT, 1354 West Wabansia Ave, 8pm, 18+
- Skyler Higley @ Color Club, 4146 North Elston Avenue 7pm, 18+
- Parker Callahan: Soda Pop @ Color Club, 4146 North Elston Avenue 7pm, 18+
- Cosmic Country Showcase featuring Cactus Lee @ Judson & Moore, 3057 North Rockwell Street, 8pm, 21+
- January 17
- Been Stellar w/ malice k, smut @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., 7pm, 18+
- Manwolves + shawnee dez @ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 9pm, $21+
- This Is Lorelei + youbet + options @ Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., 8pm, 18+ SOLD OUT
- V.V. Lightbody + morinda + Lily Seabird @ Gman Tavern, 3740 N Clark St, 7:30pm, 21+
- Radio Outernational + YR KNIVES @ HIDEOUT, 1354 West Wabansia Ave, 8pm, 18+
- Airiel + Leaving Time + Astrobrite + Shimmer DJs @ METRO, 3730 N. Clark St., 8PM, 18+
- Spike & Honey @ Color Club, 4146 North Elston Avenue 7pm, 18+ & 9:30pm Late Show
- Cosmic Country Showcase featuring Cactus Lee @ Judson & Moore, 3057 North Rockwell Street, 8pm, 21+
- January 18
- gum.MP3 + swami sound + m.e.h. @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., 7pm, 18+
- Cameron Winter + Racing Mount Pleasant @ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 9pm, $21+
- julia’s war takeover FEAT. Hooky / Her New Knife / Melaina Kol / Ruth in the Bardo / Glaring Orchid @ Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., 8pm, 18+ SOLD OUT
- Lawn + The Lipschitz @ Gman Tavern, 3740 N Clark St, 7:30pm, 21+
- Adeline Hotel + fran + Dave Vettraino @ HIDEOUT, 1354 West Wabansia Ave, 8pm, 18+
- Maps & Atlases + Retirement Party @ METRO, 3730 N. Clark St., 8PM, 18+
- Exploration LIVE! @ Color Club, 4146 North Elston Avenue 7pm, 18+ & 9:30pm Late Show
- Cosmic Country Showcase featuring Cactus Lee @ Judson & Moore, 3057 North Rockwell Street, 8pm, 21+
- January 19
- CASSIUS TAE + K. MARIE + sherren olivia @ Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., 7pm, 18+
- Podcast About List @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., 7pm, 18+
- demi adejuyigbe @ Color Club, 4146 North Elston Avenue 7pm, 18+ & 9:30pm Late Show
Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival @ Various Locations, Various Times
WHAT: Discover the world of puppetry over the next eleven days!
SO WHAT: Add a little something different to your weekend plans as the Chicago International Puppet Theater festival makes it's way to town. Check out a variety of shows, experiences, and workshops throughout town and home letting audiences immerse themselves in a world of puppets. Special events like neighborhood tours and the The Puppet Hub will be great multi-day highlights! Check out this weekend's lineup below and the rest of the festival's schedule at their website!
NOW WHAT: You can find full ticket info in the links above or on the festivals website!
Buddy Guy and Special Guests @ Buddy Guy’s Legends, 700 S Wabash Ave, Various times, 21+
WHAT: Experience one of the great musicians of all time performing live!
SO WHAT: Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy is back for 16 electrifying shows over the next four weekends at Buddy Guy’s Legends. He’ll be performing with 15 amazing musicians including Bobby Rush, Corey Dennison, Kingfish, Laretha Weathersby and more! Check out the remaining dates below!
- Thurs Jan 16 – BUDDY GUY w/ Melvin Taylor– Standing room only available
- Fri Jan 17 – BUDDY GUY w/ Joe Doyle – Standing room only available
- Sat Jan 18 – BUDDY GUY w/ Bobby Rush – SOLD OUT
- Sun Jan 19 – BUDDY GUY w/ Bobby Rush – Standing room only available
- Thurs Jan 23 – BUDDY GUY w/ Corey Dennison – Standing room only available
- Fri Jan 24 – BUDDY GUY w/ New Orleans Beau – Standing room only available
- Sat Jan 25 – BUDDY GUY w/ Funky Mojo Daddy – Standing room only available
- Sun Jan 26 – BUDDY GUY w/ Paolo Apuli – Standing room only available
- Thurs Jan 30 – BUDDY GUY w/ Stefan Hillesheim – Standing room only available
- Fri Jan 31 – BUDDY GUY w/ John Primer – Standing room only available
- Sat Feb 1 – BUDDY GUY w/ Nublu Ft. Carlise Guy – Standing room only available
- Sun Feb 2 – BUDDY GUY w/ Laretha Weathersby – Standing room only available
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $85 for standing room and $135 for reserved seating !
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 recently underwent some great renovations,and are ready for all your movie needs u with some excellent films like The Brutalist on 70MM, Nosferatu (2024), Bijou, Lifers: A Local H Movie, The Time Masters, and so much 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. There's tons of talks going on this season, so head over to their website which is constantly updated with new talks. And be sure to check out their podcast Chicago Humanities Tapes, which features conversations with some of their best presenters and other great humanities-minded minds! Check out their talk "Edward Burns Shares a Pint with Chicago" below!
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 2025
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! You can check out day one here and day two here!