We're stepping out of May and dipping our toes into June this weekend and there is plenty to do! Tons of amazing events have settled on this weekend to satiate all your entertainment needs from watching a great movie, picking up some interesting items at a fun market, killer concerts, listening in on an interesting series of conversations. So get out there and enjoy!
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 in New Works by Steve Bravo presented by POPTOYPOP!
- 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!
- 5/29 - 5/30 Skyline Sessions 2025 @ Navy Pier
- 5/30 - 6/1 Live on the Lake! 2025 @ Navy Pier
- 5/30 Do Division and Empty Bottle Presents: Y La Bamba / Tiwa Bleu @ Empty Bottle
- 5/31 Wave Wall Wax @ Navy Pier
- 5/31 Summer Fireworks @ Navy Pier
- 5/31 Millennium Park Summer Workouts @ Millennium Park Wrigley Square
THURSDAY, MAY 29 (& BEYOND)
Rockin’ in the Park @ Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place,
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!
FRIDAY, MAY 30
The Interview Show with Mark Bazer @ Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave, 6:30pm, 21+
WHAT: Another great recording session for the fantastic Interview Show,
SO WHAT: The Interview Show, hosted by Mark Bazer, features conversations with and performances by the most interesting people in Chicago and beyond. Join Mark this evening with some quality guests including President/CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Austan Goolsbee; host of the first-ever daily women’s sports podcast, iHeart’s “Good Game with Sarah Spain” and author of new book, “Runs In The Family” Sarah Spain; and music by the fantastic Moontype
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15, don’t miss out on this show!
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:
- 5/30 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!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, MAY 30 - JUNE 1 (& BEYOND)
Windy City Hot Dog Fest @ Six Corners, 4000 N Milwaukee Ave, Friday 4pm-10pm, Saturday & Sunday Noon – 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Hot dogs, a Chicago culinary staple!
SO WHAT: Some of Chicagoland’s favorite hot dog spots will compete for who has the best dog at the Windy City Hot Dog Fest! You’ll get the chance to try some delicious hot dogs and enjoy some fun jams by some great local and regional acts! There will also be a kids’ area, arts & crafts vendors, a Top Dog Parade on Sunday, and more!
NOW WHAT: Just head over, bring some cash for some dogs, and have a great time!
Do Division Street Fest & Sidewalk Sale @ Division between Damen & Leavitt; Friday 5pm -10pm, Saturday & Sunday Noon – 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Local vendors and restaurants between two amazing stages full of music.
SO WHAT: The Do Division Street Fest is back again, taking over Division Street from Damen to Leavitt. The wonderful festival features two live music stages, a family stage, and a wide variety of local vendors and food! Empty Bottle Presents and Subterranean have curated the stages, which will include performances from Illuminati Hotties, Y La Bamba, Universal Togetherness Band, Ax and the Hatchetmen, Mykele Deville, The Wedding Present, and so many more! There will also be plenty of vendors, a Family Fun fest Section, DO Fashion show, and tons more!! Check out the full lineup and everything going on at the event at their event page!
NOW WHAT: There is a suggested $10 donation that will benefit the West Town Chamber of Commerce, LaSalle II Magnet School, and A.N. Pritzker School.
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 at their website for showings this weekend and in the future!
- 5/30 Shrek 8:45pm
- 5/30 Friday the 13th 10:30pm
- 5/31 Captain America: Brave New World 8:45pm
- 5/31 Scream (The Original!) 11pm
- 6/1 Grease 8:45pm
- 6/1 Halloween (the 1978 orginal!) 10:30pm
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!
SUNDAY, JUNE 1
PorchFest Lakeview @ Lakeview, Various Locations, 1:00pm – 5:00pm, All ages
WHAT: Some fun music out on the porch
SO WHAT: PorchFest Lakeview is a community-building festival featuring local musicians performing on front porches across Lakeview throughout the afternoon! Lakeview residents volunteer their porches to host the concerts by local musicians. Head over to their event page for a full lineup of artists participating in the fest!
NOW WHAT: Register on Eventbrite to receive an event map with porch locations and showtimes sent via email the day before the program. Registration is $13.64 per person or there are a few group rates available, and children 12 and under are free!
THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND
Maifest 2025 @ 4521 N. Lincoln Ave. (Across from the Old Town School of Music) Thursday & Friday 5-10pm, Saturday & Sunday Noon – 10pm, All Ages
WHAT: Think Oktoberfest, but in May!
SO WHAT: Maifest is the traditional German celebration of the arrival of spring. Maifest is still celebrated throughout Germany with the maypole (maibaum) decorated to show off the history and crafts of the local village or town. Expect lots of delicious food, live entertainment, and cultural activities to fill your weekend! Check out their schedule here!
NOW WHAT: Head out and enjoy the Maifest festivities!
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
- 5/29 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM, and SAM SELBY @ Schubas FREE
- 5/29 - marQ + benten @ Schubas
- 5/30 - Nate Sib + kimj @ Schubas SOLD OUT
- 5/30 - Phoneboy + INOHA@ Lincoln Hall
- 5/30 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents: Nate Large @ Schubas
- 5/31 - Wesley School of Music Spring Recital @ Schubas
- 5/31 - Die Spitz + Edging@ Schubas SOLD OUT
- 5/31 -Dreamer Isioma + ivri @ Lincoln Hall
- 6/1 - Vwillz + Ollie Joseph + Adam Yokum @ 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 it's ready for all your movie needs with some excellent films like Friendship; Tales From the Hood (9pm popup shop from the Horror House in the Music Box Lounge, 10:30pm drag/burlesque preshow performances begin), The Chicago Film Society Presents, Animation Adventures, Sapphopalooza, The Compound Live with Ian Happ and Special Guest Pete Crow-Armstrong, Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair, midnight screenings of Dream Demon , & Dreamscape 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!