It's the end of the month and the events are overflowing! If you didn't think we were in festival/markets/concert season then this weekend is here to prove you wrong! It's going to be a fun weekend and with such great weather there's no reason not to get out there and enjoy all the fantastic things going on in the city including these fantastic literary events happening throughout the month!
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!
- 5/29 - 6/1 HeadRoom by Synchronized Swimming @ spot!
- 5/30 Brookfield Zoo Chicago Dino Dash
- 5/31 - 7/27 Midwest Film Festival
- 5/31 - 10/25 Maxwell Street Market
- 5/31 - 10/25 Wicker Park Farmers Market
- NOW - 8/30 David Byrne’s Theater of the Mind @ Reid Murdoch Building
- NOW - 9/2 Summer Fireworks @ Navy Pier (Saturdays and Wednesdays)
- NOW -9/7 Chicago Dogs @ Impact Field
- NOW - 9/5 Millennium Park Summer Workouts
- 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
- NOW - 4/11/27 Pokémon Fossil Museum @ The Field Museum
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, MAY 29 - 31 (& 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 a full summer shows full of fun tribute bands and rock-focused bands. Then after the shows enjoy a musical fireworks display! This evening will feature Heartache Tonight!
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Head out and enjoy the shows!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, MAY 29 - 31 (& BEYOND)
Do Division Street Fest @ 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 Wild Pink, Elizabeth Moen, Nico Segal, Glyders, Rich Jones, Wombo, Miriah, Adrian Younge, 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 Erie House, Esperanza Community Services, and Nourishing Hope.
Maifest 2026 @ 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!
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!
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!
- 5/29 GOAT (With Stephen Curry) 8:30pm
- 5/29 Friday the 13th 10:30pm
- 5/30 Grease 8:45pm
- 5/30 Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the original!) 10:45pm
- 5/31 Shrek 8:45pm
- 5/31 Nightmare on Elm Street 10:45pm
- 6/3 Indies Under the Stars 8:45pm
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, MAY 31
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
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 Obsession, Magic Hour, Go Fish, That Very Witch Double Feature, Clouds of Sils Maria, The Terminator, a midnight screening of Multiple Maniacs and more this weekend!
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!
- 5/28 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM and SAM SELBY @ Schubas (Upstairs) (FREE)
- 5/28 - Jaguar Sun Daisy Tour + COOL HEAT @ Lincoln Hall
- 5/28- Joshua Ray Walker + Cecilia Castleman @ Schubas
- 5/29 - Prince Daddy & the Hyena + Remo Drive + Rat Tally + Leisure Hour @ Lincoln Hall
- 5/29 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents DJ DTOX @ Schubas (Upstairs)
- 5/29 - Glom + Snowmen + Buffchick @ Schubas
- 5/30 - Wesley School of Music Spring Recital @ Schubas
- 5/30 - Old Mervs + Ra Ra Viper @ Schubas SOLD OUTsqa 90 09Q09
- 5/30 - Hrishikesh Hirway A Concert and Conversation + Josh Malina @ Lincoln Hall
- 5/30 - Glom + Snowmen + Buff Machin + Sgt. Starling + Little Churchchick @ Schubas
NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!
SUNDAY, MAY 24 (& 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 a full summer shows full of fun tribute bands and rock-focused bands. Then after the shows enjoy a musical fireworks display! This evening will feature Anthem!
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Head out and enjoy the 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!
- 6/9 Matt Haig: The Midnight Train @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 6/10Dave Eggers: Contrapposto @ Old Town School of Folk Music
- 6/11 Gallery Talk and Performance: NEA Jazz Master Marilyn Crispell on Cy Twombly @ Art Institute of Chicago
- 6/12A Night with Billy Eichner @ Old Town School of Folk Music
- 5/15 A Conversation with Dr. Jill Biden @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 6/28 Ann Patchett: Whistler @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 10/12 SIMPLE TOO: An Evening with Yotam Ottolenghi @ 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!
