Those random summery days are long gone as it's been chilly for nearly a week! But don't let the cooler temps get you down, There are tons of amazing events going on over the weekend whether you're in the mood for a great movie, a fun market, a killer concert, or boozy festival. So put on that outerwear you put in the back of the closet and explore everything Chicago has to offer.
Let's get on with your 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 stock and on display in their gallery space! They are currently showing some awesome art from Eggstravaganza!
- 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.
- 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
- 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 - 7/13 Titanique The Musical @ Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place
- NOW - 6/7 ART on THE MART
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!
- 5/22 A Place To Bury Strangers / The Serfs / Astrobrite / DJ Scary Lady Sarah @ Empty Bottle
- 5/23 Tennis with special guest Billie Marten @ Salt Shed
- 5/24 Millennium Park Summer Workouts @ Millennium Park Wrigley Square
- 5/24 Summer Fireworks @ Navy Pier
- 5/24 - 5/25 SummerSalt Market @ The Salt Shed Fairgrounds
THURSDAY, MAY 22 (& BEYOND)
Write Poetry with Chicago Poet Laureate avery r. young @ the Chicago Public Library’s Lincoln Park Branch, 1150 W. Fullerton Ave., 4:30pm
WHAT: A chance to learn from a master poet
SO WHAT: During National Poetry Month, Chicago announced a call for applicants to be the city’s next Poet Laureate. (Interested poets can check out the requirements here in advance of the May 29 deadline.) Meanwhile, writers of all abilities from beginners to experienced scribes can join inaugural Chicago Poet Laureate avery r. young for a Chi-Soul Workshop in May, focused on creating poems inspired by Chicago's times and tales. The workshops will be held at the Edgewater and Lincoln Park branches of the Chicago Public Library and advance registration is required.
NOW WHAT: Free registration for the Lincoln Park event here
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:
- 5/22 Ocean Vuong: The Emperor of Gladness @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/28 Jonathan Capehart: Yet Here I Am @ First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple
- 5/30 Paul Elie on Postsecularism @ The American Writers Museum
- 6/3 Ron Chernow on Mark Twain @ First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple
- 6/7 Alison Bechdel on Spent: A Comic Novel @ The Art Institute of Chicago
- 6/7 Jim Jarmusch and Jozef van Wissem in Concert @ The Art Institute of Chicago
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
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, MAY 23 - 25 (& BEYOND)
Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival @ Sheffield from Belmont Ave. to Roscoe St., 3200 N. Sheffield Ave., Friday 5pm-10pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:00am – 10:00pm, all ages
WHAT: The annual Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival celebrate 40 years!
SO WHAT: Spend your weekend at the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival and catch some fun local tribute bands on the main stage (near Roscoe), great eats, a few drinks (beer and wine) and pick up some cool items from some incredible artisans. There will also be an eclectic “community” entertainment stage (near Belmont) featuring fun neighborhood music acts, DJs, and other performers. Check out the lineups at their event page!
NOW WHAT: Head out and enjoy the North side festival!
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' Infinite Wrench is an ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience.
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $15-20! The Infinite Wrench and more is also available over at their Patreon!
SATURDAY, MAY 24
Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony & Parade @ Daley Plaza , 50 W. Washington St.,11 am. Parade, State Street from Lake St. to Van Buren St. at Noon
WHAT: Commemorate Memorial Day in Downtown Chicago
SO WHAT: The Memorial Day ceremony will be emceed by Master Sgt. Adam Shaw, U.S. Army (retired), and will include remarks from Mayor Brandon Johnson. The keynote address will be delivered by Major General William J. Walker, U.S. Army (retired).
NOW WHAT: It’s free! The Wreath Laying ceremony will be livestreamed for public viewing at Chicago.gov/live.
Blues, Brews & BBQ Fest @ The Mount at The Forge Lemont Quarries, 227 Heritage Quarries Dr, Lemont, Noon - 6:30pm
WHAT: Beer tastings, smoky barbecue and live Blues music all day!
SO WHAT: Blues, Brews & BBQ is an outdoor festival featuring live music, delicious barbecue and craft brews from over 15 regional breweries. The brewery lineup includes Miskotonic Brewing, Hailstorm, Burnt City Brewing, Bubblehouse, Pollyanna Brewing, Blue Moon, Topo Chico, Peroni, Cruz Blanca, Leinenkugel’s, Revolution Brewing Co, New Holland Brewing Co, Yuengling, SunCruiser, DogFish Head, Real American Beer, Monopolio, and Best Day Brewing (Non-Alcoholic)! Head over to their event page to see the full lineup of bands and BBQers!
NOW WHAT: General Admission tickets are $13.20 and drink tickets are extra!
SATURDAY - SUNDAY, MAY 24 - 25
Mayfestiversary 2025 @ Dovetail Brewery & Begyle Brewing, 1800 W Belle Plaine Ave, Saturday 11am– 10pm, Sunday 11am– 9pm
WHAT: Mayfestiversary returns!
SO WHAT: Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery are teaming up again for two days of amazing beer, live music (including Nora O’Connor on Sunday!!), and the finest food trucks this city has to offer! Check out the full lineup of music and food over at their website.
NOW WHAT: Entry is free! The suggested donation of $5 goes to The Friendship Center and their mission of fostering hope and dignity through access to food, vital resources, and critical social services in the community!
Randolph Street Market Festival @ 1341 W Randolph St., 10am – 5pm
WHAT: This fun street market is back for another great year!
SO WHAT: Celebrate the Randolph Street Market Festival where you can experience vendors with a wide variety of items perfect for the summer season! Shop for vintage and antique items while enjoying a drink and the live music playing throughout the market!
NOW WHAT: Tickets start at $12, which are good for both days and go up with a nice selection of tiers including drink packages, totes, and more!
Sueños Music Festival @ Grant Park, 337 E Randolph St, Noon – 10:00pm, 18+
WHAT: Another edition of the Latin Music festival Sueños !
SO WHAT: Sueños is the perfect festival for Latin music fans! This brand new 18+ fest will be taking over Grant Park with tons of talented Reggaeton and Latin artists for an unforgettable weekend. Dance your weekend away with headliners like Peso Pluma, Shakira, Don Omar, and many more!
NOW WHAT: Two-day passes start at $359.99, VIP are $752, and El Sueños passes are $2040! Single day passes start at $229!
SUNDAY, MAY 25
Rockin’ in the Park @ Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont.
WHAT: A long lineup of great bands ready to rock
SO WHAT: Rockin’ in the Park will take over Parkway Bank Park for 18 shows full of fun tribute bands and rock-focused bands. Then after the shows enjoy a musical fireworks display (except on Fridays)!
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Head out and enjoy the shows!
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
- 5/22 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM, and SAM SELBY @ Schubas FREE
- 5/22 - Rini + Bathe + HXRY @ Lincoln Hall
- 5/22 - Coors Light Mt. Joy Listening Session @ Schubas
- 5/23 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents: digitalth0t @ Schubas
- 5/23 - Southern Culture on the Skids + New Duncan Imperials @ Schubas SOLD OUT
- 5/24 - Flowerbabe + .com + Heels @ Schubas
- 5/24 - Nick Shoulders + Pat Reedy @ Lincoln Hall
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 it's ready for all your movie needs with some excellent films like Friendship (35mm); Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted, Ran, Professor O’s Producing Festival #4 - Movies with a Message!, Sapphopalooza, Big Trouble in Little China, midnight screenings of One Cut of the Dead, Stop Making Sense & Rocky Horror Picture Show in 35mm and so much more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theaters in the city!
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!