Hey, would you look at that—it's the first weekend of spring. It may not feel like it but I assure you the astronomical spring starts this Friday March 20 and there are plenty of events going on this weekend to get you sorted! Whether you're looking for a show, some delicious food, or maybe a spot to get your next tattoo, the Chicagoland area has you covered!
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 "ParkLife" BY Blake Jones and Friends!
- 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! Right Now they're showing Further Isn't Far Enough, Paintings and Prints by Chuck U!
- 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
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, MARCH 20 - MARCH 22 (& BEYOND)
Chicago Tattoo Arts Festival @ Donald E Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, Friday 2pm to 11pm, Saturday 11am to 11pm, Sunday 11am to 8pm
WHAT: Body art skills on display
SO WHAT: Ever been interested in the world of tattoo art? Well this convention is bringing a huge list of special guests along with tattoo contests, afterparties, and plenty of entertainment including tons of amazing live acts such as Cenobyte Suspension, Cruella Morgan, James Maltman, Camille Zamboni, Verona Fink, and more!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are only available on site and are $25 a day or $50 for the three day pass
Asian Pop-up Cinema @ Various Locations, Various Times
WHAT: Experience some incredible movies throughout the month!
SO WHAT: Asian Pop-Up Cinema celebrates their 20th outing by bringing together over 30 films from around the world with a vision to "to foster an appreciation for a diverse range of Asian cultures through film". Check out the full lineupat their website!
NOW WHAT: Tickets for these in person screenings are available now!
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 & SUNDAY, MARCH 21 & 22 (& BEYOND)
Sor Juana Festival 2026 @ National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W 19th St, 7pm, 21+
WHAT: The National Museum of Mexican Art presents the 32nd 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.
- 3/21 In Conversation: Ana Teresa Fernández & Guadalupe García
- 3/31 The Past, Present, and Future of Latine Education
- 4/29 A Presentation of My Name is Chabela with Marisol Arnot
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 for this 21+ event and drinks are included in ticket prices
West Town Restaurant Week 2026 @ Various Restaurants, Various Times
WHAT: A great way to explore cuisine and fine dining at restaurants throughout West Town
SO WHAT: Take a break from eating at home and check out some of the great restaurants in West Town during their Restaurant Week! Restaurants will show off their wide array of dining options with special prix-fixe menus and great discounts to enjoy.
NOW WHAT: Head over to their website and check out all the participating restaurants and their offering
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. This weekend is the start of their month long festival TNK, so you can check out what those show have going on just above this!
- 3/19 - Kaleb Cohen + Surf Cowboy@ Schubas
- 3/19 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM and SAM SELBY @ Schubas (Upstairs)
- 3/20 - Twen + Monsoon @ Lincoln Hall
- 3/20 - Jack Murnin + Emeka @ Schubas
- 3/20 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents: DJ MR. DR. + Limited Hangout + The Rendezvous + raraparuja @ Schubas (Upstairs)
- 3/21 - High Five Presents: Leo Paterniti+ Frances Softheart + Baby @ Schubas
- 3/22 -Molina + Lipsticism @ 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 Project Hail Mary, Andre is an Idiot, Sirat, Banff Mountain Film Festival - Chicago, IL, My Father is Coming, a midnight screening of Bubble Bath 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! Check out their talk with Ed Helms below!
- 3/24 A Night With Bassist Melissa Auf der Maur @ Salt Shed - Three Top Lounge
- 3/29 An Evening with Senator Cory Booker @ Thalia Hall
- 4/11 R.F. Kuang in Conversation @ First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple
- 4/15 Michael Pollan: A World Appears @ Francis W. Parker School
- 4/18 Dr. Ibram X. Kendi: Chain of Ideas @ Ramova
- 4/18 The Infrastructure of Compassion: Rethinking Public Health in the Fentanyl Era @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18 Brick of Chicago Walking Tour: Bridgeport - 11am @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18 Photographer Sandra Steinbrecher: Reimagining The Salt Shed @ Co-Prosperity
- 4/18 Bridgeport Bus Tour With Shermann Dilla Thomas - 1:30pm @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18 Life of Pi’s Yann Martel on His New Novel @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18 Artist Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. in Conversation @ Co-Prosperity
- 4/18 Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon: The Future is Peace @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18 Bridgeport Bus Tour With Shermann Dilla Thomas - 4pm @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18 Andy Beta on the Transcendence of Alice Coltrane @ Co-Prosperity
- 4/18 Tonika Lewis Johnson, Amanda Williams, and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor on Housing Justice @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18A Retrospective on Musician Charles Joseph Smith @ Co-Prosperity
- 4/18 An Evening with Art Spiegelman: The Comic Artist in Conversation @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/20 Rick Steves: On the Hippie Trail @ Francis W. Parker School
- 4/23 A Night With NPR’s Planet Money @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
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 Gap Civil, High Fidelity, Lissa Schneckenburger & Garrett Cameron, Ethan Leinwand, Jontavious Willis, Luke Huval Band, Mariachi Flor de Primavera, and 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!
