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CHICAGO — You can kick off June with a hot dog-eating contest, a festival celebrating South Asian arts, a museum tour about LGBTQ+ writers and so much more.
Here’s a roundup of 21 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
Credit: Provided/Matthew Rubinberg PhotographyWindy City Hot Dog Fest
Noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
4000 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Windy City Hot Dog Fest returns to Portage Park this weekend with Chicago’s best franks, a hot dog-eating contest, live entertainment, vendors, a pet parade and more. The fest is organized in partnership with the Six Corners Chamber of Commerce to enrich local businesses, celebrate the arts and instill a “sense of place” in the community.
Maifest
5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-10 p.m. Sunday
Celebrate authentic German food, drinks, music and dance at this 24th annual festival in Lincoln Square. Maifest is a free, four-day celebration of spring’s arrival with German and American food and drinks, plus live entertainment. You can find the entertainment schedule, food and drink menu, map and more online.
Women In Film Night
6-9 p.m. Saturday
Madron Gallery, third floor, 1000 W. North Ave.
Hosted by DaVinci Street Productions, Women In Film Night features talks with female and non-binary Chicago filmmakers, film screenings and live music performances. RSVP for free online.
Mandala Makers Festival
2-8 p.m. Sunday
Republic Bank parking lot, 2720 W. Devon Ave.
This street festival is all about celebrating South Asian performing arts, from South Asian folk, jazz and rock to Bollywood and contemporary Indian dance. The fest is on Devon Avenue, a hub for immigrants and the South Asian diaspora, this weekend and June 11. RSVP for free online.
Credit: Provided/Andrew ZimmermanPorchfest
1-5 p.m. Sunday
Grace to Wolfram and Ravenswood to Racine
Stroll through Lakeview this weekend and enjoy live music performances on the neighborhood’s front porches. Tickets are $15 for individuals or $50 for groups of four. You can buy them online for an event guide with “top secret” porch locations, show times and discounts at local businesses. Proceeds support the performers and the nonprofit Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.
Dovetail Vintage Party
5-10 p.m. Friday
Dovetail, 1452 W. Chicago Ave.
West Town’s longest-running vintage store, Dovetail, survived a recession and pandemic. Now, the shop’s turning 15 and throwing a party to celebrate. You can get up to 30 percent off select merchandise through Sunday.
Edgewater Yard & Sidewalk Sale
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Participating households and businesses between Foster to Devon and Clark to Sheridan
Shop from more than 250 households and businesses while strolling through Edgewater at this yard and sidewalk sale. Participating business include Edgewater Candles, Creme de la Creme Resale, The Chicago Mosaic School, Bark Bark Club, Heirloom Books and more. You can find more information online.
Writing Queer Tour
3 p.m. daily through July 31. The museum is closed Wednesdays
American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave.
Explore the challenges, triumphs and drama of LGBTQ+ writers with The Writing Queer Tour. You’ll learn about how many great works of American writing were written by LGBTQ+ people and how their sexuality and gender inspired their work. The tour is included with museum admission. No advanced registration is required.
Credit: Courtesy Rogers Park Business AllianceGlenwood Sunday Market
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 29, except for June 25 and Aug. 20
Southbound portion of Glenwood Avenue between Morse and Lunt avenues, just west of the Red Line Morse station
This neighborhood farmers market returns for its 14th season this weekend, with 23 vendors offering meat, produce, dairy products, baked goods and flowers. It’s dog-friendly, and most vendors accept credits cards and cash. Find more information on the Glenwood Sunday Market online.
Champagne Problems: A Taylor Swift Brunch
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Hopsmith Chicago, 15 W. Division St.
Taylor Swift is bringing The Eras Tour to Chicago this weekend, and Hopsmith is celebrating with this “Champagne Problems” brunch. Just hours before the pop star takes the stage at Soldier Field, you can enjoy bottomless mimosas, specialty drinks, photo backdrops and a live DJ playing Swift’s hits. Tickets are $15. Buy them online or at the door. This is a 21-and-older event, and you must have a valid photo ID for entry.
5K Beer Run
10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday
Ravinia Brewing Co., 2601 W. Diversey Ave.
Run, jog or walk a 5K through Logan Square this weekend, and get a free craft brew from Ravinia after crossing the finish line. You’ll also get a collector’s pint or seasonal swag item and a chance to win prizes like merch or beer. There will be live music, games, goodies, giveaways and more. Register for the race for $35-$100 or sign up to be a volunteer online. A portion of the proceeds will support local nonprofits like Chicago Parks Foundation and Chicago Run. All ages and levels are welcome.
Dirty Laundry Soft Opening
6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Dirty Laundry by Dinobi Detergent, 5230 S. Harper Ave.
Dirty Laundry is a communal laundromat with music performances, storytelling nights, maker workshops and other creative programs. For this weekend’s soft opening, Dirty Laundry is looking for 50 community members to give the machines a spin and provide feedback. You’ll get a free, full-size bottle of plant-based Dinobi Detergent in exchange. You can sign up for free online. Costs for washing and drying are not included.
Credit: ProvidedLincoln Park Health & Wellness Weekend
Various class times Saturday-Sunday
Saturday at Lincoln Common, 2335 N. Lincoln Ave.; Sunday at The Lakefront Green at Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore.
Participate in free outdoor workout classes and check out local businesses specializing in health and wellness this weekend in Lincoln Park. There will also be giveaways, health assessments, interactive experiences and a donation drive for Lincoln Park Community Services. You can find the two-day event’s full schedule, register for sessions and find more information online.
Do Division
5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Division Street between Damen and Leavitt
This popular street fest features live entertainment, local businesses selling their wares, food and drink to buy, activities for kids and more. There is a suggested $10 donation.
Bringing Peace To The City Open Mic & Market
12:30-4 p.m. Saturday
2240 Gallery, 2240 S. Michigan Ave.
ConTextos hosts monthly community open mics for spoken word performers, comedians, musicians and more. Performers are on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also shop a vendor market at the event.
Amplify Queer Joy
8-9:30 p.m. Saturday
Eli Tea Bar, 5507 N. Clark St.
The Chicago Playback Theatre Ensemble is celebrating queer joy through an interactive storytelling and theater performance. Audience members will be invited to voluntarily share stories from their lives, and the story will be “played back” by actors using improv and music. There is a $5-$15 suggested donation for admission. Get your ticket online.
Credit: ProvidedJackson Park Highlands Garage Sale
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
6700-7000 blocks of Cregier, Constance, Bennett and Euclid avenues
More than 30 South Shore households will sell vintage and secondhand items at this annual community garage sale. You can shop electronics, vintage furniture, home decor, tools, antiques and more. There will also be lemonade, barbecue and baked goods for sale. You can find a digital map of the three dozen or so participating homes here.
Eat The Parks Foraging Walk
10 a.m.-noon Sunday
Wilson Skate Park, 700 W. Wilson Ave.
Join full-time professional forager Dave Odd for a walk around Montrose Beach and Montrose Point to learn about at least 50 edible plants — and possibly mushrooms — that grow in the city. Registration is $40 per person or $70 for a pair. Group rates are also available. Sign up online. If you have questions or comments, you can call or text Odd at 847-409-8623.
Yoga In The Park
10-11 a.m. Sunday
Benjamin Franklin Monument, 72 W. LaSalle Drive
Grab your yoga mat and water bottle for this free Yoga In The Park series Tuesdays and Sundays, which runs Sunday through Aug. 29. The vinyasa-style yoga sessions are open to the public and hosted by Fitness Formula Clubs Chicago. Walk-ins are welcome, but all attendees must sign a waiver before class begins.
‘Mitra, A Celebration Of Friendship’ With Nights Out in the Park
7-9 p.m. Friday
Mandrake Park, 3858 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
“Mitra, A Celebration of Friendship” is a dance theater performance by Indian and Chicago artists that celebrates friendship and its many stages, from a carefree childhood to the care-laden later years. The showcase is produced and presented by the nonprofit Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts. You can RSVP for free here, but donations are suggested to support the program.
Peace Fest: One Love Edition
2-7 p.m. Saturday
Peace Campus, 6402 S. Honore St.
The Greater Englewood community is honoring gun violence victims and survivor families this weekend. Wear all things orange — the gun violence prevention movement’s signature color — and come out for this year’s Peace Fest: One Love Edition. The fest is a block party-style festival, with food, music and activities that uplift Black and Brown lives and cultures. There will also be a resource fair and sports activities. Sign up for the resource fair or donate to support the event online.
PLUS: Four Picks from Our Partners At
Two Friends Present Big Bootie Land
6:30 p.m. Friday
Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S. Linn White Drive
Two Friends is an American DJ/producer duo made up of Eli Sones and Matthew Halper. The Los Angeles-based duo gained popularity for their remixes, original discography and hour-long “Big Bootie” mixes. Enter to win two tickets from Do312 here.
Caifanes
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St.
Caifanes are a rock band from Mexico City. Formed in 1987, the group achieved international fame during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The original lineup consisted of Saúl Hernández, Sabo Romo, Alfonso André and Diego Herrera. Alejandro Marcovich later joined as lead guitar player. Enter to win two tickets from Do312 here.
Seven Lions
9 p.m. Saturday
Radius, 640 W. Cermak Road
Jeff Montalvo, known professionally as Seven Lions, is an American DJ, record producer, instrumentalist and remixer from Santa Barbara, California. Active musically since 2010, his music combines styles as diverse as trance, melodic dubstep, drum and bass, glitch hop, and electro house. Enter to win two tickets from Do312 here.
Panchiko
5:30 p.m. Sunday
House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St.
Panchiko is a British indie rock band originating from Nottingham, England. Formed between 1997 and 1998, it originally consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Owain Davies, guitarist and keyboardist Andrew “Andy” Wright, bassist Shaun Ferreday and a drummer named John. Enter to win two tickets from Do312 here.
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