We're all going to be trying to dodge the April showers this weekend, so let's do it with some style! There are amazing events going on this weekend ready to entertain and keep you out of the rain. Whether you're looking for some marvelous art, trying to catch a great movie or concert, Chicago has you covered. Also don't forget to check out our monthly Lit event roundup and add some of these great events to your schedule!
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!
- NOW -5/10 Glow Wild: A Lantern Festival of Hope @ Brookfield Zoo
- NOW - 7/12 David Byrne’s Theater of the Mind @ Reid Murdoch Building
- NOW - 9/7 EmotionAir: Art You Can Feel @ The Fields Studios
- NOW - 6/1 Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color @ The Art Institute of Chicago
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 10 - APRIL 12 & BEYOND
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, APRIL 11 & 12 & BEYOND
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
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 lineup at their website!
NOW WHAT: Tickets for these in person screenings are available now!
EXPO CHICAGO @ Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Various times, All Ages
WHAT: EXPO CHICAGO, the International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art, is back!
SO WHAT: EXPO CHICAGO features art from more than 170 leading international exhibitors form 36 countries. Admission includes a dynamic roster of on-site programming, including panel discussions, large scale installations, film and so much more. You can see full details at their website!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $40 for a single day ($35 for students and seniors), $68 for the three-day pass, and $165 for the Opening night Ticket! There are also guided tours available!
The Other Art Fair @ Artifact Events, 4325 N Ravenswood Ave, Thursday 6pm – 10pm, Friday 5pm – 10pm, Saturday 11am – 7pm, Sunday 11am – 6pm, all ages
WHAT: A chance to bring some wonderful art into your home
SO WHAT: The Other Art Fair will be hosting 110 independent artists this weekend! You can look forward to immersive art experiences, special installations, murals, performances, DJ sets and some of Chicago’s freshest street food setting up in the outdoor seating areas. You can start exploring the program right now, so set your game plan for your visit and discover some new art!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now! There are multiple sessions per day so act now to check out some of this beautiful art!
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 Exit 8, $POSITIONS (Cast and crew in attendance for a post-film Q&A), Prison Break!: Films of Escape, Music Box Movie Trivia midnight screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show and so much more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theaters in the city!
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!
- 4/9 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM and SAM SELBY @ Schubas (Upstairs)
- 4/9 - Cat Clyde + Boy Golden @ Schubas
- 4/9 - Wallice + Fake Dad + Sierra Sikora @ Lincoln Hall
- 4/10 - The Chameleons Arctic Moon Tour + The Veldt @ Lincoln Hall
- 4/10 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents: Here + There + Jaggy + Sigh + Pogi + RGB @ Schubas (Upstairs)
- 4/10 - Mint Field + Almost There But Not Really @ Schubas
- 4/11 - The Courts + And I, You + This House Is Creaking + Sick Day @ Schubas
- 4/11- Getdown Services + PROBLEMS @ Lincoln Hall
- 4/12- Schubas 5th Annual Garage Sale @ Schubas
- 4/12 - Easy Honey + Glass-Beagle @ Schubas
- 4/12 -Karaoke Storytellers @ Lincoln Hall
NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!
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!
- 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
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.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 for this 21+ event and drinks are included in ticket prices
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!
