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CHICAGO — You can kick off the first weekend of April with a flea market for all things odd, an artist talk at a local gallery, a lantern-making workshop and more.
Here’s a roundup of 12 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
Oddities Flea Market
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Morgan MFG – Suite 204A, 401 N. Morgan St.
You can enjoy live music, attend a Victorian hair class and shop a variety of oddities — including medical history ephemera, natural history items, taxidermy and more — at the Oddities Flea Market. General admission tickets are $25 and VIP tickets are $50. They are available online.
Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo
Various times Friday-Sunday. Find showroom, programms and will call hours online.
McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
The largest pop culture convention in the Midwest returns to Chicago this weekend. The expo is self-described as a home for fans of comic books, cosplay, video games, anime, movies, books, wrestling, comedy and anything else “good and geeky.” Tickets for digital access are $22.75, and in-person tickets start at $52.75. You can buy them here.
Strong Beer Time Party
1-7 p.m. Saturday
Half Acre Beer Garden, 2050 W. Balmoral Ave.
There will be special merch, grilled brats, music, games and prizes at this celebration of strong lagers and outdoor drinking. You must be 21 or older to attend. Admission is free.
Stand With Ukraine & Anti-War Benefit Concert
3-6 p.m. Sunday
Montrose Saloon, 2933 W. Montrose Ave.
Local musicians will perform in Ukrainian and English at this concert in solidarity with Ukraine. All profits will be donated to For Well Being, a fund that provides humanitarian and medical aid in Ukraine. The concert will also be livestreamed on Facebook. There is a $30 suggested fee for the live performance and $10 suggested fee for the livestream. You can buy tickets and donate online.
Credit: PexelsDog Egg Hunt
1-3 p.m. Saturday
Horner Park Field House, 2741 W. Montrose Ave.
Rain or shine, you can hunt for eggs filled with dog treats, take photos in decorated photo area, check out local businesses with giveaways, enter a costume contest and more at Horner Park this weekend. Tickets for $15 are available online.
Lantern-Making Workshop
6-9 p.m. Saturday
Chinatown Public Library, 2353 S. Wentworth Ave.
The Chinese Fine Arts Society is hosting a free, family-friendly lantern-making workshop this weekend. You can also use the lantern you crafted for the Arts in the Dark riverwalk parade, which includes a lantern procession. Individual tickets are $21, couple tickets are $41 and trio tickets are $61. They’re available to buy online.
Afro Soca Love: Black Owned Marketplace
11 a.m. Saturday-3 a.m. Sunday
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave.
Shop Black-owned businesses, hear live DJs and dine from vendors serving African American, Caribbean, African and Afro-Latin foods. There will also be a photo booth and giveaways. Children 16 and younger can attend for free. Tickets for the market are $5 and $20 for a 21-and-older afterparty. You can buy them online.
Run, Paint, Run With HOKA
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday
Fleet Feet Old Town, 1706 N. Wells St.
You can demo HOKA Clifton 9 shoes on a run from Fleet Feet to Glazed Expressions, a paint-it-yourself pottery studio. There, you’ll choose an item to paint before heading back to Fleet Feet to return the shoes. General admission is $5, and you can sign up online.
Artist Talk With Yams
4-6 p.m. Saturday
Elephant Room Gallery, 704 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago-based graffiti writer and abstract painter Yams will be at Elephant Room Gallery this weekend for an artist talk in conjunction with his current exhibition, “Ways and Actions.” The gallery will be transformed into a “cozy space” for the event, with elements from Yams’ living room such as plants, chairs and books. Admission is free but space is limited. You can RSVP online.
NEWCITY and The Chocolate Factory Egg Hunt
2-5 p.m. Saturday
NEWCITY, 1457 N. Halsted St.
This egg hunt features more than 20,000 eggs filled with toys and candy, as well as music, face painting, balloon artists, a candy bar, an interactive photo station, drink tickets for adults and more. This holiday event is free to attend, but space is limited. You can reserve your spot here.
World Autism Day Brunch And Play
Noon-2 p.m. Sunday
Stay and Play Game Cafe, 3932 W. Irving Park Road
This event in honor of World Autism Inclusion Day will have drinks, appetizers, games and more. Registration for the Brunch and Play only covers individuals with autism. Tickets are $10 and available online. Parents, friend and family can attend but won’t be included in games.
Ravenswood Ave. Clean-Up & Coffee Social
9 a.m.-noon Saturday
Meet at Spoken Cafe, 1812 W. Montrose Ave. Cleanup at the corner of Ravenswood and Montrose Avenues.
You can help clean up Ravenswood Avenue this weekend by meeting with neighbors about 10 .am. Saturday at the corner of Ravenswood and Montrose Avenues. Grabbers, bags and some protective gloves will be provided, but its recommended that each person brings their own 5-gallon bag, water and gloves. there will also be a coffee social 9 a.m. so you can enjoy a beverage and chat with each another.
Famous Fido Rescue Easter Brunch
Noon-6 p.m. Saturday
Famous Fido Rescue Adoption, Wellness & Learning Center, 3124 W. Irving Park Road.
The Irving Park animal rescue organization is hosting an Easter Brunch adoption event for neighbors looking to take home an animal friend. Tickets are $30 and are available online. More information can be found on Famous Fido’s Facebook page.
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