It's a super busy weekend as there are a ton of amazing events going on right on top of one another! Now's the time to start penciling in some fun concerts, movies, markets, restaurant experiences and more on your schedule!
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 Dead Presidents! 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!
- Chicago Gamespace is the perfect spot to check out the hairy present and future of the gaming realm!
- 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! Right now is the Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Rooted in Mystery
- Lincoln Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens
- 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.
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!
- 4/10 - 4/11 JACK WHITE - No Name Tour @ The Salt Shed
- 4/13 Mount Eerie with Hana Stretton and Precious Bane @ Thalia Hall
- 4/11 Taylor Swift Bar Crawl @ Wrigleyville
- 4/12 2025 Chicago Language Symposium @ DePaul University
- 4/12 - 4/13 Chicago Tea Festival @ Copernicus Center
- NOW - 4/6 007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond @ Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 11 - 13 (& BEYOND)
C2E2: Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo @ McCormick Place South Building, 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr, Friday and Saturday 10:00am – 7:00pm, Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm. All Ages
WHAT: The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo – also known as C2E2 – is a comic book and pop culture convention spanning the latest and greatest from the world of comics, movies, television, toys, anime, manga and video games in downtown Chicago.
SO WHAT: It’s three days of everything you ever wanted to know about nerd culture and geek stuff in a totally cool and inclusive atmosphere. There will be panels, workshops, speakers, and a whole lot of cosplayers. It’s honestly the most fun you’ll have exploring your every nerdy whim!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are still available! Friday passes are $70, Saturday and Sunday are $80 and 3-Day passes are $135!
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
SATURDAY, APRIL 12 (& BEYOND)
Record Store Day @ Various Record Shops Near You, Various Times (check out our guide for more info!)
WHAT: Record Store Day, a worldwide event that brings record store staff, customers, and artists together in a celebration of the music community.
SO WHAT: Ah, Record Store Day! There's tons of awesome events going on associated with the day, so head over to your favorite record store whether they are participating in the exclusive releases or not and support your local wax dealer!
NOW WHAT: Head out and support your favorite record store! Check out our guide to some of the great record stores participating around Chicago!
Sor Juana Festival 2025 @ National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W 19th St, 7pm, 21+
WHAT: The National Museum of Mexican Art presents the 31st annual Sor Juana Festival, honoring one of Mexico’s greatest writers, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
SO WHAT: The Sor Juana Festival brings weeks of special events to the National Museum of Mexican Art! There is a variety of conversations, concerts and special presentations happening every weekend to honor Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
- 4/12 Art as Expressions of Liberation
- 4/16 Músicas Al Frente
- 4/18 An Evening with Vivir Quintana
- 4/19 Frida Kahlo the Bravest Girl in the World
- 4/26 Going Varsity in Mariachi
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 for this 21+ event and drinks are included in ticket prices
Chicago Palestine Film Festival @ Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St, various times
WHAT: An excellent film festival
SO WHAT: Chicago Palestine Film Festival returns with an incredible lineup of films. The films in the festival aim to showcase the multifaceted aspects of Palestinian life, allowing viewers to experience a deeper understanding of the Palestinian experience.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are selling out so grab yours ASAP!
THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND
Chicago Latino Film Festival @ Landmark Century Center Cinema (2828 N Clark St), Davis Theater (4614 N. Lincoln Ave), DANK Haus German American Cultural Center (4740 N. Western Ave), various times
WHAT: Chicago Latino Film Festival is back for their 41st year!
SO WHAT: Chicago Latino Film Festival gives audiences a look into the work of filmmakers from Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the U.S. As always the festival will feature a variety of shorts and feature films through the entire spectrum of genre, each giving a special insights to unique themes. Opening night with Estimados Señores (April 3) and closing night with Reinas (April 14) will take place at Davis Theater. You can check out the full lineup of films here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now!
Asian Pop-up Cinema @ Various Locations, Various Times
WHAT: Experience some incredible movies throughout the month!
SO WHAT: Asian Pop-Up Cinema brings together over 20 films from around the world with a vision to "to foster an appreciation for a diverse range of Asian cultures through film". The films will feature in person screenings and plenty of virtual screenings for those that want to stay home! Check out the full lineupat their website!
NOW WHAT: Tickets for both in person screenings and virtual screenings are available now!
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
- 4/10 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM, and SAM SELBY @ Schubas FREE
- 4/10 -The Weather Station Humanhood Tour + Sister Ray @ Lincoln Hall
- 4/10 - THUNDER JACKSON + Zeno Camera @ Schubas SOLD OUT
- 4/11 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents: feral + hameedullah + airwalk + TopAgent + OmarGoodz + Jay Yu @ Schubas
- 4/11 - Matt Hansen + Steinza @ Lincoln Hall
- 4/11 - YNG Martyr The Trot Tour + Kiraly Payne @ Schubas
- 4/12 - Sunbeam Sound Machine + Smooth Rogers@ Schubas
- 4/12 -Thrilling Adventure Hour 20th Anniversary Tour @ Lincoln Hall
- 4/12 -Thrilling Adventure Hour 20th Anniversary Tour @ Lincoln Hall
- 4/13 - Schubas 4th Annual Garage Sale @ Schubas
- 4/13 - Soul for Humanity Fundraiser: The O’My’s, Bassel & The Supernaturals, Binta, Rich Jones, Lt. Headtrip@ Schubas
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 movie theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre recently underwent some great renovations,and are ready for all your movie needs with some excellent films like The Ballad of Wallis Island, The Dragon Painter , 1-800-ON-HER-OWN, the amazing David Lynch: Moving Through Time and so much more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theaters 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. In fact they just announced a good portion of their Spring lineup! 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! Take a look at some of their upcoming events below:
- 4/21 David M. Rubenstein and Walter Isaacson on The Highest Calling @ Francis W. Parker School
- 4/24 Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality @ Francis W. Parker School
- 4/24 THE ALCHEMY TOUR with Suleika Jaouad, hosted by Jon Batiste @The Salt Shed
- 4/25 An Evening with Bill Callahan @ Old Town School of Folk Music - Maurer Concert Hall
- 4/27 Beyond Closure: A Screening and Conversation @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 4/27 Heather Cox Richardson on Democracy Awakening @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/14 Nils Frahm in Concert @ The Salt Shed
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 bohola – Jimmy Keane and Pat Broaders; Rhys Jones, Joseph Decosimo & Nokosee Fields; The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee; Nathan Gourley, Laura Feddersen, and Brian Miller; T'Monde; Izaki Metropoulos, Sophia Metropoulos Laouto & Geroge Lawler; Gabe Carter, 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!