Spring Festivals, Outdoor Movies, And More Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend!

It’s time for that one perfect spring weekend in Chicago! And, things to do in Chicago match the weather with the Cantigny Spring Fest in Wheaton, What’s Blooming on Harrison in Oak Park, and Parkway Bank Park’s Spring Fun Festival in Rosemont. Auto-obsessed kids will love the Touch-a-Truck event in Oakbrook Terrace, and Wheeling’s Bark in the Park is where everyone, including your furry friends, can enjoy the great weather. Outdoor movies also make their debut this weekend in Oak Park and Bensenville.

This is a great time to make plans for spring and summer plans in Chicago. Check out the full line-up of spring festivals; look at the city from above at Navy Pier’s new Flyover experience, or plan a summer trip to the Bristol Renaissance Faire

Have a great spring weekend in Chicago!

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The Best Things To Do In Chicago

a craft fairPhotograph: Jaclyn Rivas

Find the best things to do in Chicago this weekend with our guide to concerts, exhibitions, festivals and more.

Jeffy Mai

Welcome to another weekend! Take a load off by soaking in a spa or spending some time at the best Chicago attractions. Street fest season has arrived with the return of Chicago Mayfest, the Renegade Craft Fair and the Lincoln Roscoe Art and Craft Fair. You can also catch live jazz string performances, attend a chocolate fest in Long Grove or run a marathon along the lakefront. So ready to make the most of your time off? Check out the rest of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend.

RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Chicago right now

Events and to do this weekend in Chicago

1. Chicago Mayfest

Say a hearty hello to (almost) summer at Mayfest, the annual street party in Lincoln Park that’s outfitted with the usual selection of local vendors, tasty food, cover bands and ice-cold beverages. This year, the event will feature the Armitage Art Show, letting attendees experience Chicago’s top artists as they showcase and sell their works and present interactive art demonstrations.

2. Renegade Craft Fair

Renegade Craft Fair’s flagship event returns to Andersonville, taking over a stretch of Clark Street spanning from Bryn Mawr to Edgewater Avenue. Attendees will be able to shop the handmade wares of more than 250 vendor booths, selling everything from candles and screenprints to jewelry and pottery. The fair also boasts food and drink from local restaurants, so you won’t have to go hungry (or thirsty) while you shop.

3. Lincoln Roscoe Art and Craft Fair

Taking place on Lincoln Avenue between Roscoe and School Streets, this two-day event will present more than 75 vendors selling handmade art—including paintings, sculptures and fiber pieces—as well as jewelry and decor. The weekend will also have live music, festival food and a selection of brews for purchase curated by Bitter Pops.

4. Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk

Get an inside look at eight Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings—including private residences normally closed off to the public—as part of this one-day touring event run by the iconic architect’s trust,

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Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend | Live Music & Shows | Choose Chicago

Want to know what’s happening this weekend in Chicago? Look no further. There’s a whole calendar of exciting events, exhibits, and activities taking place all over the city this month in Chicago.

This weekend in Chicago is a jam-packed one, with jaw-dropping art and architecture events, culinary celebrations, riveting live theatre, family-friendly fun, exhilarating live music, outdoor adventures, and so much more. Plus, there are tons of events celebrating AAPI Heritage Month and the Chicago Humanities Festival.

Check out just a few of the top things to do this weekend in Chicago, May 17 – 19, 2024. Please note that all events are subject to change.

Chicago Cabaret Week 2024

May 10 – 19

Chicago Cabaret Week 2024

May 10-19, 2024 COOL ACTS. SMALL CLUBS. SWEET DEALS. This ten-day festival features a lineup of Chicago’s top cabaret artists performing blues, Broadway, burlesque, jazz,…

2024 AAPI Restaurants Week

May 17 – 19

2024 AAPI Restaurants Week

Celebrate 2024 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with us as we support AAPI-owned restaurants all around the Chicagoland area. This year…

Chicago Mayfest 2024

May 17 – May 19

Chicago Mayfest 2024

Chicago Mayfest kicks off the summer festival season May 17th through the 19th! Located in the Historic District of Lincoln Park at Armitage & Sheffield,…

Chicago Jazz String Summit

May 17

Chicago Jazz String Summit

Tomeka Reid’s 10th Annual Chicago Jazz String Summit celebrates string instruments in jazz, improvised, and experimental music with a phenomenal lineup of musicians from Chicago…

Sensory-Friendly Morning

May 19

Sensory-Friendly Morning

About the Event Sensory-Friendly Morning is a free program for all people who benefit from visiting the MCA without large crowds and other sensitive environmental…

American Writers Festival

May 19

American Writers Festival

Join us for the American Writers Festival at the Harold Washington Library Center in downtown Chicago on Sunday, May 19, co-presented by the American Writers Museum and…

Hebru Brantley: The Art of Representation

May 18

Hebru Brantley: The Art of Representation

The Bronzeville native and preeminent Black pop artist of his generation,

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The Most Fun Dinner Spots In Chicago – Chicago – The Infatuation

Those seeking a polite meal, click away now. This guide is reserved for anyone who’s wondering, “Where’s the place to be?” and might have a penchant for mid-dinner photoshoots and post-dinner bar hopping. Chairs aren’t just for sitting in some of these restaurants and, while food is important, a good time takes priority. They range from new spots flooding your feeds to classics where successful meals are determined by how many Old Fashioneds you drink with your server. These places may not all be the best new restaurants in town, but you’ll always walk out with a story or two.

La Serre is a fun French-Mediterranean spot in Fulton Market with just the right amount of flowers and subwoofers. It’s buzzy but never too loud, and the shareable courses are thoughtful despite the presence of big mirrors that say corny things like “Merci Beaucoup.” The creamy angel hair pasta warrants the suggested 15g caviar on top, and other less-pricey classics like the tuna crudo and filet mignon are more than satisfying. Along with the monstrous bouquet at the center of its dining room, La Serre has the feel of a wedding party, without the immediate threat of running into estranged cousins.

Brasero seems to specialize in throwing a party every night. This Latin American spot in West Town is great for upbeat get-togethers of all sizes, with a mix of shareable dishes like fried quail and grilled half lobster, and catchy Bossa nova music that practically begs you to show up with the best gossip to match the secluded space and good-times vibe. But Brasero’s food is equally fun, with nearly everything nailing a balance between sweet and spicy. The moqueca has the perfect amount of chili to enhance the coconut broth, mahi mahi, and shrimp. Whatever you order, you’ll all leave with a light cologne of smoke, thanks to the wood-fire grill in the back and dessert sparklers that constantly float around.

If the pounding bass-heavy music bleeding onto the Fulton Market sidewalk indicates anything, it’s that Costera likes to party. The liberal use of straw, palm trees, and basket lights leans into its Tulum theme, while the dim lighting and loud DJ sets prove that it’s taken Clubstaurant 101. You’re not really here for the food—it ranges from just fine tacos to tableside flamebéed al pastor that fizzles out into a jammy disappointment.

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Events Calendar

Got an event? Email z.pharo@hpherald.com

Ongoing: 

Hyde Park Kenwood Food Pantry: The Hyde Park Kenwood Food Pantry is open each week and provides non-perishable groceries, fresh produce, eggs and frozen meat. Boundaries are 39th Street to 63rd Street, Lake Michigan to Cottage Grove Avenue, as well as the section of the 60615 zip code west of Cottage Grove. A case manager is available. Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hyde Park Union Church, 5600 S. Woodlawn Ave. Enter by the side door at 1169 E. 56th St. hpkinterfaith.org/programs/food-pantry/.

St. Paul and the Redeemer Food Pantry: Boundaries are 35th Street to 63rd Street, Lake Michigan to Cottage Grove Avenue. Bring government-issued ID. Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. St. Paul and the Redeemer, 4945 S. Dorchester Ave. Line forms in front of the west doors along Dorchester. sprchicago.org/food-pantry.

61st Street Farmers Market: LINK and Senior Farmers Market Coupons accepted. LINK matched up to $25. Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 6100 S. Blackstone Ave. experimentalstation.org/market.

Hyde Park Vineyard Church Food Pantry: The Vineyard Church food pantry is open to all every Wednesday, with an extra Saturday once a month. The church offers an assortment of shelf-stable canned and dry foods and personal care items, as well as milk and some fresh and frozen meat and produce. No I.D. is required, and there are no geographic boundaries. Wednesdays, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and the third Saturday of every month, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Hyde Park Vineyard Church, 5333 S. Greenwood Ave. thevc.org/outreach-missions/benevolence.

Chicago Hyde Park Village Group Meetings: Members of Chicago Hyde Park Village host both men’s and women’s group meetings multiple times each month. Currently, men’s group is being held on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m on Zoom, and women’s group is being held on Fridays from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m in-person at Sweet Drip, 1658 E. 53rd St. For men’s group, contact Hay Franke at jrfranke72@gmail.com; for women’s group, contact Susan Alitto at salitto@gmail.com. Visit calendar at chpv.org for more information. 

Augustana Community Breakfast: Augustana Lutheran Church hosts a free community breakfast on the third Saturday of every month. All are welcome. Third Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

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The Best Things To Do In Chicago This Week

Gallagher WayPhotograph: Courtesy Gallagher Way

Find the very best things to do in Chicago this week, including cultural events, festivals and shows.

Jeffy Mai

Looking for fun activities to do this week? You’ve come to the right place! Spring is here, which means it’s time to get outside and go hiking or plan an exciting day trip. Here in Chicago, catch a movie outside at Gallagher Way, learn how to play pickleball at a free academy or celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a host of events. There’s even more on our list below, so scroll through the roundup of the best things to do in Chicago this week and start planning your calendar.

RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Chicago this weekend

Best events and things to do in Chicago this week

1. Movies at Gallagher Way

Wrigley Field-adjacent plaza Gallagher Way is once again showing free outdoor movie screenings this summer. Admission is free and attendees are welcome to bring their own food, enjoy on-site concessions or snag a meal from nearby restaurants like Big Star and Smoke Daddy. VIP seating is also available for $33—check out the Gallagher Way website for more details. Gates open at 6pm for each screening and the movies start at 7:30pm.

  • May 15: The Super Mario Bros Movie
  • May 29: High School Musical 2
  • June 12: Wonka
  • June 26: Barbie
  • July 10: School of Rock
  • July 17: Angels in the Outfield
  • July 31: Soul
  • August 14: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
  • August 28: TBA
  • September 11: Twilight

2. Asian American Showcase

Documentaries, dramas and shorts make up the 27th edition of the Asian American Showcase, which highlights new works by established and emerging Asian American filmmakers. This year’s lineup includes Sean Wang’s Sundance Award winner DìdiAshima by director Kenji Tsukamoto, Smoking Tigers by So Young Shelly Yo and many others.

3. AANHPI Dinner at BiXi Beer

Join BiXi Beer in celebrating Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month with a chef’s charity dinner benefitting Advancing Justice Chicago.

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The Best Things To Do In Chicago Right Now

LondonhousePhotograph: Neal O’BryanThe 57 best things to do in Chicago right now

Discover the best things to do in Chicago, from iconic venues and views to cultural musts and late-night shenanigans.

Jeffy Mai

May 2024: Spring is here and it’s time to head outside! Walk through a beautiful park, take a hike on a trail or go on an stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk. Plus, summer street fests and alfreso dining season are back. There are plenty of other options, too, so stay satisfied and busy with these fun activities in May.

No matter where your interests lie, you can always find something to get excited about in this no-nonsense Midwestern metropolis. The best things to do in Chicago run the gamut—from seriously fun to awesomely educational. Looking for culture? Spend a day exploring Chicago museums. Hungry? You’ve come to the right place, because Chicago is famous for its delicious cuisine. There are tons of amazing restaurants in Chicago that highlight the city’s rich and diverse culinary landscape. (And plenty of uniquely Chicago bars that do the trick, too.) We’ve searched all across the city to assemble this list of the best things to do in Chicago. Follow it and never get bored here again.

You can also find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world, or take a look at our list of the best things to do in the world right now.

Time Out Market Chicago

Time Out Market Chicago

We’ve rounded up the best chefs in the city to join us at Time Out Market Chicago, a culinary and cultural destination in the heart of Fulton Market featuring 18 kitchens, three bars and one drop-dead gorgeous rooftop terrace—all spread across three floors.

1. Find a summer street fest near your neighborhood

What is it? The annual slate of summer festivals that take over Chicago streets and parks every year. 

Why go? Shop artisan goods made by local vendors, enjoy delicious bites and watch live performances at beloved neighborhood bashes like Wicker Park Fest and Taste of Randolph from May through September.

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The Best Restaurants In Chicago

A platter of meats and a platter of seafood on a table.Photograph: Courtesy of El Che Steakhouse & BarThe 30 best restaurants in Chicago you have to try in 2024

There’s no shortage of fantastic food in this city, but these Chicago restaurants make our list of top eats.

The best restaurants in Chicago come in all shapes and sizes, from pizza joints and Michelin-starred heavyweights to some of the best cheap eats Chicago has to offer. The cuisines are just as varied, with every corner of the globe represented through Korean, Mexican, Italian, Mediterranean and Japanese fare. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or simply visiting for the weekend, stuffing your face at one of these restaurants is easily among the best things to do in Chicago. This belt-busting food scene shows no signs of slowing down, so we cut to the chase and ranked our essentials—the absolute best restaurants in town.

Our editors scour the city for great dishes, excellent value and insider info. We hope to provide an authentic snapshot of Chicago’s ever-evolving dining experiences by updating this list constantly with the best new restaurants in the city as well as decades-old stalwarts that keep us coming back for more. It could be a mega-hyped destination restaurant or a remarkable hole in the wall: If it’s on the list, we think it’s terrific, and we bet you will, too. Many of the city’s best chefs and restaurants are in Time Out Market Chicago as well, and you can scroll through the full vendor lineup at the bottom of this page.

Time Out Market Chicago

Time Out Market Chicago

We’ve rounded up the best chefs in the city to join us at Time Out Market Chicago, a culinary and cultural destination in the heart of Fulton Market.

1. Oriole

What is it? A two-Michelin-starred fine dining experience from chef-owner Noah Sandoval.

Why we love it: Chicago is home to a number of upscale tasting menus but few are able to match Oriole’s deft execution. Upon arrival, guests are escorted into a freight elevator and given a drink before the door opens to reveal the dining room. Though there’s no telling what Sandoval has in store each evening, you can look forward to a minimalist style of cooking that puts the spotlight squarely on the premium ingredients.

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Things To Do And See On Memorial Day Weekend | Enjoy Illinois

It’s Memorial Day Weekend in Illinois

May 01, 2024 • Activities

Looking for local parades and memorial services to show your support and honor the men and women who served our country? Since Illinois is the Middle of Everything, our fair state has you covered. Discover Memorial Day 2024 services near you below. 

Chicago

Beyond Chicago 

  • Memorial Day Parade: The City of Aurora will continue its annual Memorial Day Parade on May 27 to honor our fallen heroes. The parade route will begin at the intersection of Benton and River. 

Great Rivers 

  • Mound City Memorial Day Service: The Mound City National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony is one of the oldest in the region, dating to the years right after the Civil War. 

Land of Lincoln

  • Effingham County Veterans Memorial: Dedicated to the men and women who served from all five branches of the armed forces, the Effingham County Veterans Memorial is an ongoing memorial that honors names from both past and present. 

Trails to Adventure

  • Fallen Soldier Veterans Memorial: This statue and memorial wall, adorned with the names of local fallen heroes, reminds us of the sacrifice made by many soldiers during times of war. A Memorial Day celebration is held at Fallen Soldier Veterans Memorial in Johnston City every year.

The recent Illinois summer warmth has also paved the way for the unofficial start of the season on Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-27).

This upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, Illinois truly can put you in the Middle of Everything. From events and activities like festivals and fireworks to water parks and outdoor activities, residents and visitors from all across the state have plenty of choices when it comes to celebrating the long weekend ahead.

Here are the top events and activities happening Memorial Day Weekend 2024 across Illinois:

Fireworks at Navy Pier

Chicago

  • Mayfestiversary: Ravenswood Corridor neighbors Dovetail and Begyle breweries return for the annual Memorial Day weekend street fest on Malt Row.

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Chicago Events Calendar For 2024

chicago, skyline, chicago skyline, city, downtown, park, drone, shutterstockPhotograph: Shutterstock

Find the best things to do all year long with our Chicago events calendar of 2024’s biggest festivals, concerts, parades and exhibits.

Jeffy Mai

Looking for something to do in Chicago today, this weekend or in the coming months? You’ve come to the right place! Spring is here, so go hiking, plan an exciting weekend getaway or stroll through the city’s most beautiful parks. Alfreso dining season has also arrived and you can live your best life on a gorgeous rooftop bar or intimate outdoor patio. Experience the best of the city with our year-round guide to top-tier events and things to do in Chicago.

Full Chicago events calendar

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Things to do in Chicago

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