CHICAGO — Between a Taste of Randolph food fest in West Loop, an Edgewater walking tour exploring the lakefront’s carved rocks, a Bridgeport vintage market and the Chicago Mexican Folk Fest, summer in Chicago is as busy as ever.
There are also art exhibits in Logan Square, a summer cocktail fest on the beach, a Lakeview East adoption event — plus a slew of Juneteenth celebrations this weekend and through next week.
Here are 25 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
All Weekend
‘Got Teeth?’ Art Exhibit Closing
Thursday-Friday
Positive Space Studios, 3520 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicagoans can reach out to Logan Square art venue Positive Space Studios to see work by multidisciplinary artist Elizabeth Shen before it’s gone this week. Shen’s first exhibit, “Got Teeth?,” explores “the pleasure and perils of desire, the Asian American experience, and the feelings of young people living and working within late capitalism.”
“Got Teeth?” opened June 1 and closes Friday. Interested viewers can schedule a time to visit and see Shen’s work before then. Read more about Shen and her work here.
‘The Elements’ With Joshua Bell
7:30 p.m. Thursday, 1:30 p.m. Friday and 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.
Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell is performing his suite of five works for violin and orchestra, “The Elements.”
Tickets are $35-$299. Learn more and buy tickets for Thursday here, Friday here and Saturday here.
Taste Of Randolph
5-10 p.m. Friday and noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
On Randolph Street between Peoria Street and Racine Avenue
At Taste of Randolph in West Loop, neighbors can enjoy more than a dozen local food vendors from Baked Cheese Haus and Forno Rosso to Cone Gourmet Ice Cream and Publica Quality Bread and Meats. There will also be two stages of music featuring DJs like A-Trak and Lee Foss and bands including The Beaches, Friko, Cherry Tooth, Local H and more.
Admission is free, but there is a $10 suggested donation upon entry. Learn more here.
Believe In Ukraine Short Film Program
7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday
Ukrainian National Museum, 2249 W. Superior St.
The Believe In Ukraine short film program features two days of Ukrainian narratives, storytelling and discussion, including a Saturday screening of the Academy Award-winning documentary, “20 Days in Mariupol.”
Admission is $10 Friday and free Saturday. Learn more about each day here.
Vintage House Ren Faire
Noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W. 35th St.
Vintage House Chicago is making its Bridgeport debut this weekend with Ren Faire, a market featuring 90 rotating vendors each day. The indoor-outdoor market is open to all ages.
RSVP for free here.
Friday
Germany Vs. Scotland Soccer Viewing Party
2 p.m. Friday
DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave.
Fans of European soccer (or football, that is) can catch the games at Lincoln Square’s DANK Haus German American Cultural Center. The center will host viewing parties for all German games, select Austrian games and more in its second floor Brauhus Room. Food and drink will be available to buy.
Learn more here.
Summer Cocktail Fest On The Beach
6-9 p.m. Friday
Shore Club, 1603 N. Lake Shore Drive
Lounge by Lake Michigan while sipping on a variety of specially curated summer cocktails at Shore Club on North Avenue Beach.
Tickets are $25-$35 online. Learn more about the fest and buy tickets here.
Saturday
Edgewater Lakefront Carvings Tour
10:30 a.m. Saturday
Foster Avenue, 5200 N. Lake Shore Drive
Edgewater neighbors can discover some of the “mysterious and often masterful” rock carvings that line the shore of Lake Michigan. The tour, sponsored by the Edgewater Historical Society and led by Bill Swislow, kicks off at the Foster Avenue beach house and continues south.
Register for $15 per person online.
Pilsen Murals Walking Tour
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday
National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.
Alongside poet and artist Luis Tubens, Chicagoans can explore and learn about Pilsen’s vibrant, large-scale murals, which are found on railroad viaducts, buildings and doors, showcasing the evolution of the neighborhood’s Mexican identity and activism.
Learn more and register for $22.50-$25 online.
Lakeview East Adopt and Shop
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Broadway Avenue from Belmont Avenue to Roscoe Street
Broadway will transform “into a haven for pet lovers” this weekend as local shelter One Tail at a Time brings adoptable pets for people to meet. There will also be pop-ups and table vendors. Admission to this pet street fest is free, and attendees will be able to meet furry friends, get access to deals and enjoy treats for humans and pets.
Learn more here.
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery: 10th Anniversary Party
11 a.m. Saturday-1 a.m. Sunday
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, 2717 N. Maplewood Ave.
Logan Square’s Maplewood Brewery & Distillery is throwing a party to celebrate turning 10 years old. There will be heritage beer releases, a beer trailer filled with barrel-aged beer from the last decade, exclusive merch, limited-release whiskey, frozen cocktails, food and more.
The event is open to the public, and no tickets or reservations are required.
Taste Of Rogers Park
Noon-8 p.m. Saturday
Touhy Park, 7348 N. Paulina St.
Chicago’s major foodie festival, Taste of Chicago, is hosting a Rogers Park pop-up this weekend alongside its main event in West Loop. Neighbors can taste a variety of food vendors from Rogers Park and beyond, dance to DJ sets and live music, and more.
Taste of Rogers Park is free to attend and open to all ages. Learn more here.
Ravenswood Makers Market
1-6 p.m. Saturday
KOVAL Distillery, 4241 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Shop 40 makers with a drink in hand at the Ravenswood Makers Market this weekend. There will be a variety of handmade and vintage goods, from original art and home decor to clothing, jewelry, soap and candles.
Admission is free to this family-friendly event. Learn more here.
‘La Casa De Todos / Everyone’s Home’ Exhibit Opening
4-7 p.m. Saturday
Comfort Station, 2579 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Artist Edra Soto has reimagined an existing exhibit, “SCAFFOLD,” to unveil into her own this weekend, “La Casa de Todos / Everyone’s Home.” Soto draws inspiration from her Puerto Rican roots “to instigate conversations about history, diasporic identity and constructed social orders.”
Saturday’s opening will feature opening talks, public viewing and music and dancing from BomPleneras. Learn more here.
Cafe El Tapatío 50th Anniversary Block Party
7 p.m. Saturday
Cafe El Tapatío, 3400 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago Mexican restaurant and churro bar Cafe El Tapatío is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Lakeview with a block party. There will be live entertainment from the Sones de México Ensemble and Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago, giveaways, tequila tasting and more.
Admission is free, and no reservations are necessary. Learn more here.
Craft Brews At The Zoo
7 p.m. Saturday
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St.
Lincoln Park Zoo is hosting an exclusive 21-and-older night with beer-tasting stations set up across the zoo gardens. Alongside live music, attendees can explore the zoo while tasting a variety of craft brews and bites from food trucks.
Learn more and buy tickets for $55-$65 online.
Movie In The Park: ‘Wonka’
8:30 p.m. Saturday
Kosciuszko Park, 2732 N. Avers Ave.
Logan Square neighbors can enjoy a free screening of “Wonka” (2023), the latest film following Willy Wonka. The movie will be in English with Spanish subtitles. Audience members are encouraged to bring blankets to sit in the grass.
Find a schedule of free summer programs at Logan Square’s biggest park here.
Sunday
5K San Juan Run & Walk
7:30-8:30 a.m. Sunday
2800 W. Division St.
Spend Father’s Day exploring Paseo Boricua for the annual 5K San Juan Run and Walk in Humboldt Park. The race kicks off at the 60-foot Puerto Rican flag landmark on Division near Western Avenue. After crossing the finish line, participants can enjoy traditional eats and drinks.
Learn more and register for $20-$35 online.
Logan Square Mercadito
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
3150 W. Logan Boulevard
Artisan group Mercadito Mujeres Artesanas con Carrillo hosts markets with local vendors, food, music, lucha libre and more. They are meant to bring culture to the community and support local businesses, according to organizers.
Learn more here.
Festival Of Chariots
10:30 a.m. Sunday
Loyola Beach, 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.
Hindu temple ISKCON Chicago is hosting a community celebration for the Festival of Chariots. There will be dancing, music, a complimentary lunch, a bake sale, henna, face painting, a magic show and more.
Admission is free. Learn more here.
Hyde Park Handmade
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave.
Hyde Park Handmade is a monthly artisan bazaar 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 here.
Waka Flocka Meet & Greet
1-3 p.m. Sunday
A&S Wine & Spirits On Halsted, 5058 S. Halsted St.
Beverage brand Big Sipz has teamed up with Waka Flocka for a Purple Haze cocktail. Customers who buy the drink from A&S Wine & Spirits On Halsted will get a chance to meet the American rapper. Learn more here.
Later that night, Waka Flocka is hosting a 21-and-older summer party at Joe’s Bar, 940 W. Weed St. It kicks off at 10 p.m., and tickets are $30 online. Learn more and buy tickets here.
The Chicago Mexican Folk Fest
4 p.m. Sunday
Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.
In a celebration of Mexican culture, Chicago-area Mexican folkloric dance companies will join forces and share the Thalia Hall stage this weekend for the Chicago Mexican Folk Fest.
Tickets are $18. Learn more here and buy them here.
Lilith Fair
6 p.m. Sunday
Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave.
Lilith Fair is a ’90s-inspired night evening of music featuring live music, performances, gogo sets and DJ sets. Artists and performers include Bussy Kween Power Trip, Pinksqueeze, Siichele, Angelica Grace and DJs Jenny Fox and Pepper Jelly.
Tickets are $25. Learn more, find the full lineup and buy tickets here.
Light Matter Film Festival Chicago
7:30 p.m. Sunday
Elastic Arts Foundation, 3429 W. Diversey Ave.
Experimental film and media arts festival Light Matter is based in rural western New York, but this weekend it’s coming to Chicago for a special one-night program. The program features a dozen short films, like the 11-minute “Kolasvt Vfulles” (Arvcuken Noquisi), the four-minute “Muted Bridges” (Wai Win Yan), the 14-minute “Monolith” (Teresa Carson), the three-minute “In the Fishtank” (Linnea Nugent) and more.
Tickets are $15. Learn more about the festival, its lineup and buy tickets here.
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