Let's kick off September with a fantastic lineup of festivals, movies, concerts, and more! The climate may be a little cooler than we've been used to but thats no excuse to miss out on all these amazing events!
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! Right Now they're showing Cosmic Collections A Series of Imaginary Products New Works by Michelle Romo
- 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!
- 9/5-9/7: German American Oktoberfest @ Lincoln Square
- 9/5-9/7: Festival of the Vine @ Geneva)
- 9/5-9/7: Mandala Makers Fest @ Lakeview
- 9/5-9/7: Winfield Good Old Days
- 9/5-9/7: Edgewater Music Fest
- 9/6: Vintage Car Show @ Highland Park
- 9/6: Adults Night Out: The Rewilding @ Lincoln Park
- 9/6: Little Lawndale in the Park @ North Lawndale
- 9/6-9/7: Art on the Fox @ Algonquin
- 9/7: Scandinavian Day @ South Elgin
- 9/7: Sundays on State @ Loop
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 - 7 (& BEYOND)
Edgewater Music Fest @ Broadway from Thorndale to Ardmore, Friday 5pm-10pm, Saturday and Sunday Noon - 10pm
WHAT: A fantastic sounding street fest!
SO WHAT: Edgewater Chamber of Commerce brings a top-notch street festival back to Broadway for the first time since 2019! Featuring 80+ vendors, tons of local food and drinks, and one hell of a lineup, Edgewater Music Fest will surely be the place to be this weekend!. Music lineup includes Cloud Nothings, Ric Wilson, Foxy Shazam, Speedy Ortiz, Air Credits, Bev Rage & The Drinks, Universal Togetherness Band, and so many more! Check out the full lineup and everything going on over at their event page!
NOW WHAT: Head out and enjoy the vibes! There is a $10 suggested donation
Taste of Chicago 2025 @ Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, Jackson & Columbus, 11:00am – 9:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The big, over-the-top mainstay food celebration of Chicago
SO WHAT: It may happen every year to mixed results, but you can still find some great things at the Taste of Chicago. There is a hefty list of 50+ food vendors participating in this year’s Grant Park takeover. There are tons of musical acts playing for free including Lupe Fiasco, JoJo, Elvis Crespo, The O'My's, Shawnee Dez, Blood Club and more! There's actually quite a bit going on this year so take a look at their map for an idea of the scope of this annual food fest!
NOW WHAT: Make your way to Grant Park and have yourself a good time. Getting into the Taste of Chicago is free, but of course you’ll have to shell out for food and this year there will be no food tickets, so bring your card!
Throwback Music Fest @ Gladstone Park, 6030 N Milwaukee Ave, Friday 4pm – 10:30pm, Saturday 10am– 10:30pm, Sunday 11am – 8pm, All ages
WHAT: A little trip back in time
SO WHAT: Throwback Music Fest brings together some incredible live musicians playing the amazing songs of the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s! Enjoy some great tunes as well as a pet costume parade (Saturday), a classic car show (Sunday), Miss Throwback contest (Sunday), a Hero Celebration (Sunday), and tons of kids' activities all weekend long! Check out the full schedule of activities and performances over at their website!
NOW WHAT: There is a suggested donation of $5 per adult. Proceeds from the fest go to the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund.
Retro on Roscoe @ Roscoe/Damen, 2000 W. Roscoe St., Friday 5pm – 10pm, Saturday & Sunday Noon – 10pm, all ages
WHAT: 30th annual Retro on Roscoe festival!
SO WHAT: Enjoy all everything Retro on Roscoe has to offer this weekend! Shop unique artisans, antique vendors, and cool merchants before heading to grab some tasty treats. There is also a family area offering activities for all ages, an Antique and Classic Car and Motorcycle show, and three stages featuring some fun bands playing all your favorite throwbacks and oldies!
NOW WHAT: There is a $15 suggested donation for admission to Retro on Roscoe, which benefits Roscoe Village Neighbors
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, SEPTEMBER 6 & 7
Evanston Folk Festival @ Dawes Park, 1700 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, 11am - 8:30pm
WHAT: Two days of incredible folk music!
SO WHAT: Evanston Folk Festival is the latest festival from the amazing Space Presents and they are bringing an amazing lineup of folk artists for their second year at Dawes Park in Evanston. The festival lineup feature a wide range of folk acts including Iron & Wine, Margo Price, Loudon Wainwright III, John Moreland, Watchhouse, Kara Jackson, Elizabeth Moen, Sima Cunningham, Ryley Walker and many more! Plus there are some incredible evening shows including Songs of Bob Dylan Tribute at Space and Rosanne Cash at Cahn Auditorium!
NOW WHAT: Two day passes are still available ($137.72)! Single day passes are also available! Saturday tickets are $89.85 while Sunday tickets are $77.39.
Printers Row Lit Fest @ South Dearborn Street, from Ida B. Wells to Polk Street, 10:00am – 6:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A two-day fest all about books!
SO WHAT: The Printers Row Lit Fest, presented by the not-for-profit Near South Planning Board, is the largest free outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest! They will be celebrating their 40th year with all the outdoor vendors, activities and celebrations for book lovers that you'd expect. You can check out the schedule of events here! And don't forget to check out even more Lit events here!
NOW WHAT: It’s free!
Renegade Craft Fair @ Wicker Park, Division Street between Damen and Ashland, 11:00pm – 7:00pm, all ages
WHAT: A craft fair focused on independent makers!
SO WHAT: Hundreds of independent crafters and makers will be at Renegade Craft Fair's Flagship Fair celebrating DIY spirit for two amazing days! This is the 21st year and with a sprawling 400+ makers, it's sure to be a great one! Head over to their event page for a full vendor list and more info!
NOW WHAT: The event is free and open to the public, but there is a suggested entry of $5 The contribution supports Renegade Craft’s vision of an accessible, equitable, & inclusive creative economy for all. Additionally, 10% of the contribution goes to The Nature Conservancy, to help protect our planet & home.
THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND
ChiTown Movies @ Pilsen Neighborhood, 2343 S. Throop St, Various Times, All Ages
WHAT: An old school experience for the modern age
SO WHAT: Take a trip back in time and head out to a drive-in movie with ChiTown Movies. Ever since the pandemic started and shut down traditional movie screening, a few pop-up drive-ins have arrived and ChiTown Movies has persevered, offering up modern movies in this retro setting. Check out their lineup at their website for showings this weekend and in the future!
- 8/28 Grease 8pm
- 8/28 Scream (The Original!) 10:15pm
- 8/29 Sinners 8pm
- 8/29 Friday the 13th 10:45pm
- 8/30 Mean Girls (the orginal!) 8pm
- 8/30 Halloween (the 1978 Original!)10pm
- 8/31 Shrek 8pm
- 8/31 Final Destination Bloodlines 10pm
Weekend Shows @ Lincoln Hall & Schubas, 2424 N Lincoln Ave & 3159 N Southport Ave, various times, 18+
WHAT: A full weekend of amazing shows at Schubas and Lincoln Hall!
SO WHAT: Lincoln Hall and Schubas are some of our favorite venues in the city and they always have something great going on. Check out what's going this weekend at these great venues
- 9/4 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM and SAM SELBY @ Schubas
- 9/4 - McKinley Dixon + Rhea the Second + Teller Bank$ @ Schubas
- 9/4 - NRBQ + Marble Teeth @ Lincoln Hall
- 9/5 - partywatcher Release Show + Anessa Rivera + nada fácil @ Schubas
- 9/5 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents: Clark Street Jams + Tony G + Sassmouth @ Schubas
- 9/6 - RECESSION INDICATOR A Recession Pop Dance Party for the Broke, Hot, and Chronically Online + King Inesse + DJ Moonlanding@ Lincoln Hall
- 9/7 - Maiah Manser She's A Dream Tour + 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 A Little Prayer, Lurker, NOIR CITY: Chicago 2025, Hong Kong Cinema Classics, Animation Adventures, The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes, 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:
- 9/21 Chefs Jesse Valenciana and Rick Bayless Celebrate Mexican Cuisine @ National Museum of Mexican Art
- 9/21 NMMA Parking Lot Pop Up @ National Museum of Mexican Art
- 9/21 In Context: A Docent Tour of Mexican Identity in Art 12:15pm @ National Museum of Mexican Art
- 9/21 Pilsen Public Art Tour 12:15pm @ National Museum of Mexican Art
- 9/21 David De Baca: Inside the World of Teen Angel's Magazine @ National Museum of Mexican Art
- 9/21 In Context: A Docent Tour of Mexican Identity in Art 3:00pm @ National Museum of Mexican Art
- 9/21 Pilsen Public Art Tour 3:00pm @ National Museum of Mexican Art
- 9/21Zosia Mamet: Does This Make Me Funny? @ Apollo's 2000
- 9/21Inside the Lens of Photographer Estevan Oriol @ National Museum of Mexican Art
- 9/21 Cheech Marin: Culture, Comedy, and Chicano Art @ Apollo's 2000
- 11/12 GOOD THINGS: An Evening with Samin Nosrat @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
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!
