CHICAGO — Riot Fest begins Friday in Douglass Park as part of a packed weekend of events in Chicago. You can celebrate fall, Mexican independence, take in several neighborhood art shows and much more.
Still making your weekend plans? Here’s a roundup of fests, shows and more:
Riot Fest
Friday-Sunday
Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Drive
The massive music fest will feature My Chemical Romance, the Misfits, Nine Inch Nails and more. The full lineup for the music festival is available on the Riot Fest website.
Tickets are available online.
Norwood Park Fall Fest
5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday
6100 block of North Highway
This fall fest is a family-friendly event by day and music festival by night. There will be food trucks, games and activities, live entertainment and local businesses. It’s also a fundraising event by the Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce, and there is a suggested $5 donation upon admission.
Third Place Chicago Pop-Up Art Show
2-8 p.m. Saturday
Third Place Chicago, 4651 N. Milwaukee Ave.
There will be photography, paintings and mixed media work by local artists on display and for purchase at this pop-up art show.
TechTonic Black Love Parade & Festival
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Lawndale Pop-Up Spot, 1408 S. Central Park Ave.
This free-to-attend event centered on Afrofuturism will have a parade, face painting, costume making, mask creation and more. A parade kicks off 12:30 p.m., heading down Central Park Avenue from Douglas Boulevard to Ogden Avenue. There will also be a festival with food, music, arts and crafts, games and more.
Grown Folks Stories at Bronzeville Winery
6-9 p.m. Friday
Bronzeville Winery, 4420 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
Stop by for a chance to hear “the real stories we live every day” by nonprofessional, unrehearsed storytellers. Doors open and signups start at 6 p.m. Storytelling starts at 7 p.m.
Mexican Independence Day Mariachi At Tacotlán
7-9 p.m. Friday
Tacotlán, 4312 W. Fullerton Ave.
BYOB and enjoy a night of food and live mariachi music at Tacotlán in celebration of Mexican independence.
Edgewater Arts Festival
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Granville Avenue and Broadway
Twenty artist vendors will showcase their work at the event. There will also be bands paying tribute to Pearl Jam and Paul McCartney, and a kids’ activities area featuring School of Rock.
Madison Row Fest
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday
Madison Street between Morgan Street and Racine Avenue
The block party, hosted by the West Central Association, will feature musicians, artists, kid-friendly games, neighborhood bingo and free fitness classes throughout the day. Businesses along the corridor will offer deals and activities, according to the West Central Association.
Mexican Independence Day At Time Out Market
5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday
Time Out Market Chicago, 916 W. Fulton Market
Celebrate Mexican independence with acoustic performances at Time Out Market. Admission is free.
Oktoberfest Weekend Series
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday
233 E. Riverwalk
This is the first of three Oktoberfest weekend celebrations. This three-day weekend celebration on the Riverwalk will have live music, sausage, cider, pretzels, beer and more.
Laser Comedy Show
10-11:30 p.m. Friday
Bughouse Theater, 1910 W. Irving Road
This variety showcase features some of Chicago’s best stand-up and improv comedians. Performance artist Chris Fair will also bring his drawings to life with voice acting, sound effects and laser-reactive technology on a specialized glow-in-the-dark fabric.
Lakeview Taco Fest
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Southport Avenue between Addison and Roscoe streets
Visitors can try tacos stuffed with a range of meat and vegetarian options from local restaurants. People can text to vote for the festival’s “Best Taco” award.
The festival will also feature beer-and-taco pairings, two music stages, Mexican wrestling demonstrations, kids’ activities and more.
Principle Barbers Timbre Jazz Festival
1-7 p.m. Saturday
3820 W. Ogden Ave.
This free jazz festival will feature the Jeremy Joél Quarter, Blvck Spvde Cosmos, Sam Thousand & Justin Dillard and J. Daphaney. There will also be DJs.
Chicago Vinyl Connection
Noon-5 p.m. Sunday
Emporium Arcade Bar, 2363 N. Milwaukee Ave.
This free-to-attend event features thousands of records from vendors, plus a Cafe Tola food truck.
Cuban Salsa Social
8:30 p.m. Saturday-1 a.m. Sunday
Latin Street Music & Dancing, 600 W. Roosevelt St.
This event focuses on Cuban dancing and music. Tickets are $10 online or $15 at the door.
Open Books & Laugh: A Stand-Up Comedy Show For Literacy
7-10 p.m. Friday
Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway
Open Books & Laugh will feature performances from some of the city’s best comedians to help support literacy in Chicago. General admission tickets start at $35 in advance online here and $40 at the door. Proceeds will fund Open Books’ literacy and book access programs.
Beverly Art Walk
Noon-5 p.m. Saturday
Alliance Contemporary, 2411 W. 105th St.
This free, family-friendly event features 150 artists and an Uprising Craft Market. There will be street paintings, a food court, live public art activations and more.
Martini Festival
4-7 p.m. Saturday
Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard St.
Try more than a dozen different martinis at this three-hour River North tasting event. Tickets are available starting at $49 online here.
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