We hope you're recovering from Lollapalooza's four days of music overload. I know we're still reeling from the amazing Djo show! But it's time for a new weekend full of fantastic events! So get out there and enjoy the incredible weather going on this weekend!
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!
- 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! See what current exhibits are on display now.
- 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.
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!
- 8/8-8/9: Smoke & Irons Music Fest @ Bartlett
- 8/8-8/10: Chicago Brewing District’s Dancing in the Streets
- 8/9: Joliet Blues Festival
- 8/9: Taste of Albany Park
- 8/9: 2000s Night at the Zoo @ Lincoln Park Zoo
- 8/10: Burr Ridge Art Fair
- 8/10: Veggie Fest @ Lisle
- 8/10: LatiNxt @ Navy Pier)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 (& BEYOND)
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!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, AUGUST 8 - 11 (& BEYOND)
Northalsted Market Days @ Halsted Street from Belmont to Addison, Friday 5pm-10pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am - 10pm
WHAT: 1/2 mile long summer festival!
SO WHAT: Celebrating its 43rd 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 David Archuletta, Keke Palmer, Saucy Santana, Kiesza, 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 are also a lmiited amount of $50 express entry VIP Passes available day of!
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, AUGUST 9
The Bud Billiken Parade @ 39th and King Drive, 10am -4pm, All Ages
WHAT: Celebrate 96 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 through the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, into Washington Park! 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!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 & 10
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 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 at their website for showings this weekend and in the future!
- 7/31 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 8:15pm
- 7/31 Halloween (the 1978 Original!) 10:30pm
- 8/1 Sinners 8:15pm
- 8/1 Night of the Living Dead (The Original) 11pm
- 8/2 Shrek 8:15pm
- 8/2 Texas Chainsaw Massacre 10:15pm
- 8/3 Mean Girls (the orginal!) 8:15pm
- 8/3 Scream (The Original!)10:15pm
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 7 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM, and SAM SELBY @ Schubas FREE
- August 7 - Michael Seyer + J.Y.N @ Schubas
- August 7 - The Bridge: A Benefit Concert for Semicolon Books feat. Jamila Woods, Shawnee Dez, and Senite Hosted by Raych Jackson + Special Guest m.e.h. + Poems by Naira Bills @ Lincoln Hall
- August 8 - St. Julien + Midwest Blender Company + Surf Cowboy @ Schubas
- August 8 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents: A Glitzy Party + This House Is Creaking + DJ Dogbert @ Schubas
- August 9 - Windy City Comedy Fest Hosted by Ariel Julie featuring Kerryn Feehan Featuring Ken Hamlett, Bailey Pope, Ben Frank, James Fisher Jr@ Lincoln Hall
- August 9 - Windy City Comedy Fest Hosted by Ariel Julie featuring Kerryn Feehan Featuring Kevin and Hell Live Album Recording + Featuring Brandon Kieffer, Tito, Bob Keen@ Lincoln Hall
- August 10 -Penelope Road + Hollyy @ Lincoln Hall
- August 10 -Kent Avenue Carpool + Ur Mom + Damager + Janet Blackwell @ 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 , Eddington, Animation Adventures, Akira Kurosawa: Something Like a Retrospective, CatVideoFest, Brush of the God, The Music Box 70mm Festival 2025, 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. 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:
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!
