CHICAGO — This weekend, the city is kicking off fall with Oktoberfest celebrations, street markets, art exhibitions and more.
Here’s a roundup of 20 things to do across Chicago this weekend:
Randolph Street Market
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
1341 W. Randolph St.
Chicago’s European-style antique and vintage market is returning after a two-year hiatus. There will be live music, food, libations and a treasure hunt. Tickets are $10 for general admission online and are $15 at the door.
Uptown Bike Ride
9 a.m.-noon Saturday
Meet at the lobby of the McKeon Student Services Building, 1145 W. Wilson Ave.
Truman College is partnering with Divvy to provide free bike rentals for a 6-mile ride. The ride lasts about two hours and will be followed by lunch and live music 11 a.m.-noon.
The event is free and open to the public, but you must register in advance online. Attendees must be 17 or older or accompanied by an adult.
Jarvis Square Oktoberfest
2-7 p.m. Sunday
1500-1508 W. Jarvis Ave.
There will be live music, beer, dancing and a brat toss competition. A $5 entry fee will help raise funds for A Just Harvest, a community organization fighting poverty and hunger in Rogers Park and the greater Chicago community.
Underground Railroad Site Dedication Ceremony
1 p.m. Saturday
Chicago’s Finest Marina, 557 E. 134th Place
The Jan and Aagje Ton Farm was the first Underground Railroad site in Chicago to be recognized by the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom project. The farm once provided a safe harbor to people who had been enslaved but escaped to freedom. Now, its history will be honored with a sign unveiling and dedication ceremony.
Attendance is free. People can learn about the history of the site.
Tone Deaf Records Anniversary Bash
3-8 p.m. Saturday
4356 N. Milwaukee Ave.
There will be a records fair, live bands, DJs, booze, food and more at Tone Deaf’s third anniversary party.
Chicago Pancakes & Booze Art Show
8 p.m. Saturday-2 a.m. Sunday
2105 S. State St.
This pop-up underground art show returns to the city this weekend. There will be more than 100 local artists exhibiting their work, free pancakes, live DJs and more. Tickets are $15 for general admission online or at the door.
In Place: Drawing You Outside
4-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Southern entrance to Wooded Island near Hayes and Cornell drives
In Place: Drawing You Outside is a collaboration between Hyde Park-based dance artist Irene Hsiao and South Loop-based visual artist Christine Forni. Attendees will create artwork, and there will be dancers and musicians. The event is free. Register online.
West Town Art Walk
5-8 p.m. Friday and noon-8 p.m. Saturday
Various locations across West Town. See the map online.
The West Town Art Walk is organized by the neighborhood’s Chamber of Commerce to celebrate local businesses and highlight Chicago artists. The event is free to attend.
Reeling Film Festival
Varying times and locations starting Thursday. Click here for more information.
Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival is the second longest-running film festival of its kind, showcasing a variety of LGBTQ+ films and videos from the year in theaters and via online streaming. You can buy passes starting at $55 for five screenings online.
Taylor Swift Drag Brunch
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday
The Walnut Room, 111 N. State St.
This Taylor Swift drag brunch stars Lucy Stoole, Ziggy Banks and Platinum Carrington. Tickets are available online for $20, and all guests must buy an entree.
Pop-Up Market Summer Series at Pizza Lobo
Noon-4 p.m. Saturday
3000 W. Fullerton Ave.
This marks the final pop-up market of the summer series, filled with small business vendors, pizza and drinks. Tickets for this family-friendly event are free and available online.
Shedd Aquarium House Party
6-10 p.m. Thursday
Shedd Aquarium
Listen to house music with a view of the skyline and Lake Michigan. There will be local DJs, and food and drinks available for purchase. Tickets are available online and start at $14.95 for Shedd members and $39.95 for Chicago residents. You must be at least 21 years old and have a valid photo ID to attend.
Hyde Park Jazz Festival
Varying times and locations Saturday and Sunday. See the full schedule online.
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival is back for its 16th edition to support jazz, particularly on the South Side. Admission is free with a $10 suggested donation.
Oktoberfest Weekend Series
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday
The Northman Riverwalk, 233 E. Riverwalk
This is the second edition of a three-weekend series at the Northman Riverwalk. There will be live music, sausage, cider, pretzels, beer and more.
Harvest Festival
2-9 p.m. Saturday
El Paseo Community Garden, 944 W. 21st St.
The 13th annual Harvest Festival will have family fun, live music, dancing, wellness programs, raffles and more. Enjoy the block party while helping raise money for the El Paseo Community Garden. Admission is free and you can register online.
St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest
5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-7 p.m. Sunday
Area surrounding St. Alphonsus Church, 1429 W. Wellington Ave.
St. Alphonsus Church, a Lakeview-based parish founded by German immigrants in 1882, is holding its 20th annual Oktoberfest this weekend, bringing Bavarian foods, craft beer tasting and polka bands to the neighborhood. Admission is $10.
Fall Harvest Fest
Noon-4 p.m. Sunday
Christy Webber Farm and Garden, 2833 W. Chicago Ave.
This annual event is back after a two-year hiatus with a straw maze, scarecrow-stuffing, pumpkin art, fall flower crowns and more. This family-friendly fest will also have live music, beer and a Lola’s food truck.
Art Battle
7-11 p.m. Friday
SPIN, 344 N. State St.
Artists will have 20 minutes to paint canvases, battling each other and the clocks. All artwork created will also be available via silent auction. You must be at least 21 to attend and have a valid photo ID. Tickets are available for $22 online and $25 at the door.
6th Annual Hoptoberversary
5 p.m. Saturday
Old Irving Brewing Co., 4419 W. Montrose Ave.
Old Irving Brewing Co. is celebrating its sixth anniversary and Oktoberfest with German food, music and drinks.
6th Annual Beer In The Woods
2-6 p.m. Saturday
LaBagh Woods, 5275 N. Cicero Ave.
A beer and nature festival is coming to LaBagh Woods, with more than 40 local breweries and cideries, guided walks, nature-inspired, music, food and more. Tickets starting at $15 for non-drinkers are available online.
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