CHICAGO — From food and drink festivals to concerts to film screenings, there’s no shortage of events happening around the city this weekend.
Sample spirits at Chicago Rum Fest, shop handmade and vintage goods at spring markets or attend an Uptown Poetry Slam at the iconic Green Mill. There are also jazz shows, Western and South Asian classical music concerts, the CineYouth film festival and so much more.
Here’s a roundup of 25 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
Chopin & Tchaikovsky
7:30-9:40 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, 3-5:10 p.m. Sunday
Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Tugan Sokhiev and accompanied by pianist Yulianna Avdeeva, will perform beloved compositions by Chopin and Tchaikovsky. The program includes three works, including Tchaikovsky’s “First Symphony,” nicknamed “Winter Dreams” for “its cozy evocation of Russian winters.”
Learn more about the concert and buy tickets here. They start at $35.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 1 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday
Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns home to Chicago this weekend for five performances, celebrating 55 years of partnership with the Auditorium Theatre. The shows feature both new and classic works, such as Alvin Ailey’s beloved “Revelations” and the Midwest premiere of Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish’s “Me, Myself and You.”
Tickets start at $40 online.
Pasta Festa
6-7:30 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. Friday
Eataly, 43 E. Ohio St.
Eataly is launching its first-ever line of pasta — and Chicagoans can stroll through the shop and taste them all this weekend, from ricotta pasta to gnocchi to lasagna. Tickets are $40 and include more than eight pasta tastings inspired by northern, central and southern Italy.
Buy tickets for 6 p.m. here and 7 p.m. here.
CineYouth Festival
Kicks off 7 p.m. Friday
FACETS, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
Founded in 2005, this free film festival for filmmakers 22 and younger celebrates the upcoming generation of storytellers. It features 65 international short films written and directed by younger filmmakers, from family-friendly animations to comedies to documentaries.
Learn more about the films, the festival schedule and buy tickets online.
Bends & Brews
7:15-10 p.m. Friday
Edgewater Athletic Club, 1040 W. Granville Ave.
Kick off the weekend with an evening of yoga and beer. There will be a 60-minute yoga class for all levels, followed by a complimentary drink at Beard & Belly, 6157 N. Broadway — whether that’s a beer, wine, cocktail or mocktail.
Guests should bring their own yoga mat and water bottle. Yogis who can’t stay after class will get a coupon they can use for a future drink.
Tickets are $25 online. They include the yoga class, beverage and a $5 guest pass to Edgewater Athletic Club.
Chicago Soul Jazz Collective With Dee Alexander
7:30 p.m. Friday
Winter’s Jazz Club, 465 N. McClurg Court
Enjoy a night of jazz with Chicago’s very own Chicago Soul Jazz Collective and Dee Alexander, a premier vocalist in the city. Alexander’s performances span “virtually every genre related to the African diaspora,” from gospel to blues to neo-soul.
Tickets start at $27.75 online.
Gateways Festival Orchestra
7:30 p.m. Friday
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 220 S. Michigan Ave.
The Gateways Festival Orchestra is a multicultural, New York-based group that celebrates the African diaspora in classical music, affirming “the important role people of African descent have played in classical music for centuries.”
Tickets for this weekend’s Chicago show start at $35 online.
Fire & Water Quintet
7:30-9 p.m. Friday
Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.
Acclaimed jazz musicians Myra Melford, Ingrid Laubrock, Mary Halvorson, Tomeka Reid and Lesley Mok will be bringing their talents to Hyde Park for a concert where “jazz meets visual art.” The Friday night showcase is inspired by American painter Cy Twombly’s “Gaeta Set,” which fittingly explores themes of fire and water.
Tickets are $10-40 online.
Sitar & Tabla Concert
7:30-9 p.m. Friday
South Asia Institute, 1925 S. Michigan Ave.
Internationally recognized musicians Pandit Partha Bose and Indranil Mallick will be playing their respective instruments, the sitar and tabla, in downtown Chicago this weekend. Through this classical music recital, attendees can hear South Asian tunes by leading South Asian instrumentalists.
Tickets are $15-30 online.
DJ Zel
9 p.m. Friday through 1:30 a.m.
Emporium Arcade Bar – Fulton Market, 839 W. Fulton Market
An official DJ for the Chicago Blackhawks and White Sox, DJ Zel will be bringing her high energy sets to Emporium Arcade Bar in Fulton Market this weekend. Guests can hear Zel spin while playing arcade games and sipping on drinks.
RSVP for arcade tokens online.
420 Celebrations
Various times and locations Friday-Saturday
Check out Block Club’s 4/20 roundup, which includes dank deals, pot-friendly parties and markets in honor of the “high” holiday.
Record Store Day
Various times and locations Saturday
Since 2008, Record Store Day has been an annual celebration of independent record stores. They typically celebrate by stocking limited-edition vinyl and CDs for fans and shoppers, among other festivities. Search for participating stores on Record Store Day’s website.
YarnCon 2024
10 a.m. Saturday-3 p.m. Sunday
Local 130 Plumbers Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd.
YarnCon is a place to promote, sell and celebrate the “yarny arts.” Attendees from across the country come to attend “Chicago’s homegrown yarn-centric exhibition,” according to organizers. Learn more here.
Día De Los Niños Y Libros: A Celebration Of Children & Books
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St.
There will be art activities, music, storytelling and book giveaways at this library open house Downtown. The family-friendly celebration is open to all ages and also features special guests, including Miss Katie Sings and WTTW Kids’ Nature Cat. Learn more here.
Spring Vendor Market
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Thrift, 2517 W. 59th St.
Chicagoans can go thrift shopping, buy beauty products, get access to special deals, enjoy popcorn and music and more at this local spring market. Learn more here.
Grilled Cheese Fest
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Cheesie’s Pub & Grub – Wicker Park, 1365 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Cheesie’s Pub & Grub is celebrating grilled cheese sandwiches with bottomless tomato soup, a Ranch fountain, grilled cheese eating competitions, cheese sauce chugging, a sandwich-naming contest, games and more. Ticketholders can also catch a screening of the film “Half Baked” (1998).
Learn more and purchase tickets for $24-45 online.
Ravenswood Makers Market
1-6 p.m. Saturday
KOVAL Distillery, 4241 N. Ravenswood Ave.
There will be 25 local makers at KOVAL Distillery this weekend for a family-friendly makers market. Attendees can shop a variety of handmade and vintage goods — including art, home decor, clothes, jewelry, soap, candles and more.
The event is free to attend; guests will only pay for the items they purchase and KOVAL drinks they consume. Learn more here.
Chicago Rum Fest
2 p.m. Saturday
Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Blvd.
This 8th annual festival returns, bringing together hundreds of rum lovers and trade professionals from Chicago and beyond. Enjoy rum tasting from an assortment of vendors — including two Illinois-based vendors, Star Union Spirits and Chicago Cane Collective. There will also be entertainment, seminars and more.
Tickets are $20-200 online and include souvenir cups.
Rooftop House Music Day Party
4-11 p.m. Saturday
VU Rooftop Bar, 133 E. Cermak Road
This house music day party is 22 floors high and features DJs Spen, Terry Hunter and Wayne Williams. This is a 21+ event and food will be available for purchase.
Tickets are $20 and sold out online, but a limited batch is available at the door.
Chicago Palestine Film Festival
7-10 p.m. Saturday
Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St.
The 23rd annual Chicago Palestine Film Festival kicks off this weekend — and tickets are selling out quickly. It opens Saturday night with “Bye Bye Tiberias” (2023) starring Hiam Abbas, who has gained prominence in recent years through her roles in HBO drama series “Succession” (2018–2023) and Hulu comedy series “Ramy” (2019-present). Other film fest screenings include the award-winning “Israelism” (2023) and “Lyd” (2023). It closes May 4.
Learn more about the films, find the festival schedule and purchase tickets online.
Hyde Park Handmade Artisan Bazaar
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave.
Hyde Park Handmade is a monthly indoor market featuring craft and food makers from the South Side. The free and family-friendly event offers shopping, lounge areas, workshops, cocktails and a live DJ.
Learn more and find a list of vendors here.
Dog-Friendly Market
Noon-5 p.m. Sunday
Midwest Coast Brewing, 2137 W. Walnut St.
This market boasts an afternoon filled with beers, dogs and shopping, with vendors specializing in items for pets. These include Chicago Dog Co., Art by Embee, K9 Training and Doggy Glam Boutique Plus.
RSVP for free online.
History Of Harmony
3 p.m. Sunday
Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St.
Chicago a capella will be performing “History of Harmony,” a musical show co-created and narrated by Deke Sharon, music director of the “Pitch Perfect” movies. The performance, which will be put on by ten Chicago vocalists, explores how vocal harmonies have changed over time and impacted popular culture, from barbershop quartets to doo-wop to boy bands.
Tickets are $10-48 online.
Uptown Poetry Slam
3-5 p.m. Sunday
Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway
Local talents will take the stage at legendary Uptown jazz club the Green Mill for its annual poetry slam. There is a $10 cover upon admission.
Raul Midón
7 p.m. Sunday
Old Town School of Folk Music, 4545 N. Lincoln Ave.
Raul Midón is a celebrated singer-songwriter and guitarist from New Mexico. Blind since birth, his lyrics “explore the senses with unworldly vibrance,” inspired by a variety of rich, soulful genres like jazz, blues, R&B and folk. Midón will be bringing his talents to Chicago this weekend for a Sunday night show.
Tickets are $28-30 online.
Support Local News!
Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? Click here to gift a subscription, or you can support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:
