CHICAGO — As the end of August approaches and school is back in session, Chicagoans are holding on to the last moments of summer with another weekend full of street festivals, performances and more.
The city is welcoming back the Chicago House Music Festival & Conference with a weekend of programming honoring house music culture with panels, performances, live DJ sets, classes and more.
The Taste of Greektown is hitting the West Loop, with plenty of authentic food and cultural performances. Chicago is also welcoming a new festival to the summertime circuit, with Panda Fest making its Windy City debut for two days of over 200 Asian food vendors.
There’s also the return of the Edgewater Music Fest, an arts & crafts fair in Pilsen, the Black & Bronze Bronzeville music festival and more.
Something we missed? Let us know at arts@blockclubchi.org.
Here’s a roundup of 30 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
All Weekend
Chicago House Music Festival & Conference
Thursday-Sunday
Daley Plaza Farmers Market, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Downtown
Learn more about house music and dancing as the Chicago House Music Festival & Conference returns to the genre’s birthplace with a weekend of free DJ sets, panels and other performances. The festival will kick off on Thursday at the Daley Plaza Farmers Market with three DJ sets, and the festivities will continue throughout the weekend.
The festival is also welcoming a dance summit to the celebration this year, with dance master classes offered in celebration of Footwork Appreciation Month.
This is a free event. Learn more about scheduling, performances and classes here.
Chicago Onscreen Film Showcase
8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Various locations
The Chicago Onscreen Film Showcase continues through this weekend with screenings at four different parks across the city. Filmmakers of all ages will be presenting their Chicago-focused works in this annual August film festival, often in the neighborhoods that inspired the creation of the film.
This is a free event. Learn more about film schedules and locations here.
Taste Of Greektown
4-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
315 S. Halsted St., West Loop
The city’s largest celebration of Hellenic culture is returning to the streets of the West Loop for its 36th year, showing off the neighborhood’s acclaimed and delicious Greek restaurants along with live music and entertainment.
This is a free event with a suggested donation upon entry. Learn more here.
Edgewater Music Fest
5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Broadway between Thorndale and Ardmore avenues, Edgewater
The Edgewater Music Fest is bringing more than 30 bands and 100 vendors to the Far North Side for the ultimate end of summertime celebration of local music and community. Headliners include Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, NNAMDï and Maps & Atlases. Steps from the Thorndale CTA station, the festival will feature two different stages with a massive lineup of local artists spanning genres, plus food from your favorite spots like Cafe Tola and Hello Thai. There will also be drinks available for purchase and a kids’ zone.
There is a $10 suggested donation upon entry. Learn more here.
Edison Park Fest
5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday
6730 N. Olmsted Ave., Edison Park
Edison Park is gearing up for the annual Edison Park Fest that draws nearly 20,000 attendees to the Far Northwest Side neighborhood. Complete with live music and performances, the fest will also offer carnival rides, games, food and drinks. A dog parade and a basketball clinic are also on deck for the weekend festivities.
There is a $10 suggested donation upon entry. Learn more here.
Panda Fest
4-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
Butler Field, 445 E. Monroe St. In Grant Park, Downtown
Panda Fest, one of the biggest outdoor Asian food festivals in the country, is making its Chicago debut with a weekend full of activities, tastings and shopping. Chicagoans can explore more than 100 Asian food vendors while enjoying a vendor market, cultural performances, a bounce house and plenty of panda photo-ops.
Tickets start at $17.40. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Hecho En: Arts & Crafts Fair
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
18th Street between Paulina and Addison streets, Pilsen
The Hecho En Arts & Crafts Fair is making its annual return to Pilsen this weekend with more than 100 creatives coming to 18th Street to celebrate color, culture and community. In the fair that “honors work made with skill soul, and story,” attendees can browse handmade items from ceramics and paintings to tees and totes.
This is a free event. Learn more here.
Bucktown Arts Fest
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Holstein Park, 2200 N. Oakley Ave., Bucktown
Meet neighbors in Holstein Park as the Bucktown Arts Fest returns for another year of art and community benefiting arts education in the park and in local classrooms. Founded by neighborhood artists in the ’80s, the fair will feature 160 artists offering their work for sale, plus two stages with live music, craft beer and food trucks on hand as well.
This is a free event. Learn more here.
Thursday
Full Moon Jam Finale Jam
6-10 p.m. Thursday
Palmisano Park, 919 W. 29th St., Bridgeport
Chicago Full Moon Jam will begin to close out the summer season this Thursday at Palmisano Park in Bridgeport. Thursday night’s family-friendly performance will feature live fire performers, dancers and percussionists in an exploration of flow arts. The final Full Moon Jam of the season will be Monday, Sept. 28.
This is a free event. Learn more here.
Friday
Monarch Migration Celebration
10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Hyde Park
Catch a glimpse of the release of monarch butterflies as museum volunteers and the master gardeners at the Griffin MSI teach you more about animal migration. The event will include the butterfly release and a chance to observe monarchs and other pollinators in the museum garden as fall approaches and the butterflies prepare for their migration to the mountains of Central Mexico.
Tickets are included with general admission. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Conservation Conversation Storytelling
6-8 p.m. Friday
Ford Calumet Environmental Center, 1559 S. Stony Island Ave., East Side
Join the Southeast Environmental Task Force and Wild Indigo Audubon Great Lakes for a late summertime beach bonfire. Complete with homemade s’mores, the bonfire will be focused on sharing environmental justice stories while learning more about Big Marsh restoration and stewardship efforts. Bringing your own bug spray, blanket and weather-appropriate clothing is recommended by organizers for this family-friendly gathering.
This is a free event. Learn more here.
The Luna Blues Machine Performance
6:30 p.m. Friday
Paradise Garden, 2214 N. Drake Ave., Logan Square
The Luna Blues Sound Machine will be bringing their unqiue hiphop, soul, Latin and folk music fusion to Paradise Garden on Friday evening. Enjoy the band’s experimental acoustic sound complete with the community garden’s picturesque landscape.
This is a free event. Learn more here.
Back-To-School Giveaway
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
DreamCatcher Cafe, 1824 W. 47th St., Back of the Yards
DreamCatcher Cafe is celebrating back-to-school season with an all-day gathering featuring backpack and school supplies giveaways, free immunizations, games, haircuts and more. Supply giveaways are first-come-first serve.
This is a free event. Learn more here.
Citywave Fest
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Haibayô Cafe, 1132 W. Argyle St., Uptown
Head to Haibayô Cafe for the ultimate celebration of all things anime, vaporwave, city pop, Y2K and more as the cafe and cultural arts non-profit hosts its first-ever Cityfest. Jam out to live DJs spinning the freshest anime groove tunes while browsing a curated arts and vendor market.
This is a free event. Learn more and RSVP here.
Musika Samasama Filipino Festival
Noon-4 p.m. Saturday
Field (Eugene) Park 5100 N. Ridgeway Ave., Albany Park
Chicago’s only Filipino cultural festival presented by the Chicago Park District is returning to Albany Park this weekend. The festival will take attendees on a journey through Filipino music inspired by the Great Filipino Songbook, plus food and cultural vendors to explore. There will also be bounce houses, crafts and other activities offered for kids.
This is a free event. Learn more and RSVP here.
Trinket Shelf Workshop
1-5 p.m. Saturday
Chicago Sustainable Manufacturing Building, 1048 W. 37th St., Bridgeport
Turn paper waste into the perfect shelf to display your favorite trinkets in this cardboard sculpting workshop. The afternoon will be focused on the basics of cardboard construction, along with plenty of guidance to learn more about papier-mâché and trash engineering.
Tickets start at $11.20. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
House Music Hangout
1-5 p.m. Saturday
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch, Riverdale
Summertime Chi vibes are still flying high as the Friends of the Forest Preserves host a house music party in Beaubien Woods for all ages. There will be food and drink vendors to go along with great tunes, plus fun activities like kite flying, fishing and nature walks.
This is a free event. Learn more and RSVP here.
Little Lawndale In The Park
1-6 p.m. Saturday
Douglass Park Flower Hall & Formal Gardens, 1401 S. Sacramento Ave., North Lawndale
Celebrate the culture and community of the Lawndale neighborhoods with this park festival featuring live performances from local youth groups and musicians, along with an artisan vendor area and food trucks to explore into the evening.
This is a free event. Learn more here.
Black & Bronze: A Bronzeville Music Fest
1-7 p.m. Saturday
Armstrong (Lillian Hardin) Park, 4433 St. Lawrence Ave., Bronzeville
Black & Bronze is coming to Bronzeville to celebrate the neighborhood’s legacy as an epicenter of Black history and creative power. The day-long gathering will include music, movement and community through performances by gospel choirs, hip-hop cyphers, jazz improvisers, footwork dancers and more. There will also be a different wellness activations and a youth and family zone offering free haircuts, games and many more activities.
Tickets are free with RSVP if you arrive before 2:30 p.m. Tickets for all-day entry are $12.90 for adults and $7.11 for kids. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
‘Shook’ Book Launch Event
2-4 p.m. Saturday
Great Lakes Academy, 8401 S. Saginaw Ave., South Shore
Chicago queer poet and author Julian Randall is celebrating the launch of his new book “Shook” with an author meet-and-greet, open gym time to show off your best three-pointer and free books in partnership with Build Coffee & Books, Men of Color Read, and Great Lakes Academy. “Shook” follows basketball player Marshall Grove as he navigates a career-altering injury and battles with mental health struggles.
Tickets are free for general admission and $17 to purchase the book along with admission. Learn more and RSVP here.
Thalia Hall Free For All
2:30 p.m. Saturday
Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Pilsen
Thalia Hall is back with another edition of its free building crawl featuring live performances, a vendor market, and more. The August edition of the “Free For All” will feature headliners like Trish Toledo, DJ Spinn and Future Rootz, complete with a drag performance, culinary offerings, games, activities and lotería.
This is a free event with on-site donations benefiting the Pilsen Food Pantry greatly encouraged. Learn more and RSVP here.
Bucktown & Wicker Park Rooftop & Patio Crawl
4 p.m. Saturday
1900 N. Western Ave., Bucktown
Tag along with the West Town Social Club for an evening patio and rooftop crawl through Wicker Park and Bucktown. The guided tour will include stops at three of the neighborhood’s best outdoor spaces, with guaranteed good vibes, good drinks, and good company.
Tickets start at $19.46. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Bingo Night
6-8 p.m. Saturday
Da Book Joint, 6900 S. Stony Island Ave., South Shore
Unleash your competitive side with Auntie Sheila’s Bingo Night at Da Book Joint for the chance to win literary-themed prizes such as riveting titles and bookish accessories. The evening will also include a snack bar and wine, plus six rounds of bingo in honor of Auntie Sheila’s legacy of joy.
Tickets are $8 for entry, and bingo boards are $5 per card. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
‘A ChicagoRican Story’ Opening Reception
6-9 p.m. Saturday
Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, 3000 N. Elbridge Ave., Avondale
A new exhibit is coming to the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance as the Avondale space welcomes “Carlos Flores: A ChicagoRican Story — Images of Community, Memory, and Resistance.” The exhibit honors the Chicago arts and music icon with a journey through his life shown through photographs, archival materials, personal documents and more in the ultimate display of Puerto Ricans in Chicago.
The exhibit will run at the gallery through next year. This is a free event. Learn more here.
Sunday
Ballerina Figure Drawing
10:30 a.m. Sunday
Wood Benches at Buckingham Fountain, 301 S. Columbus Drive in Grant Park, Downtown
Artists of all skill levels are invited to a morning figure drawing session complete with a live ballerina and the stunning views of Buckingham Fountain. This low-stakes, no-pressure drawing event will culminate with a “sketchbook throwdown” where artists can share their drawings with the group. There will also be free coffee and art materials from Blick while supplies last.
This is a free event. Learn more here.
Logandale Restaurant & Bar Crawl
1-5 p.m. Sunday
Various locations along North Milwaukee Avenue, Logan Square and Avondale
Discover a new favorite Logan Square/Avondale spot in this crawl that allows attendees to experience the neighborhoods’ diverse food and drink scene. With 20 different stops along the route such as Hopewell Brewing, Spices by CMB and more, the event will also include a post-crawl happy hour at the Radicle, 2523 N. Milwaukee Ave. Guests with a wristband can enjoy small bites, samples, premade drinks and beers from the participating businesses.
Tickets are $60. Wristbands can be picked up at the Logan Square Farmers Market on Sunday. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Matinee & Mimoasas
2-6 p.m. Sunday
Three Cities Social Club, 1643 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wicker Park
The Black Film Club Collective is returning for another gathering perfect for film lovers. Enjoy great films and refreshing mimoasas while meeting other cinephiles in this relaxed matinee experience. The collective will be providing free popcorn and juice in this BYOB event.
Tickets are $15.35. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Book Binding Workshop
4 p.m. Sunday
Idea Box Integrated Arts, 5419 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Square
Bind your own book or journal in this workshop that teaches you the basics of the beloved process for bookbinding. The class hosted by Idea Box Integrated Arts will demonstrate three different basic book making styles.
If you bring your own paper, tickets are discounted to $15. Come-as-you-are tickets are $18. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
The Bi Wives Club Comedy Showcase
7-8:30 p.m. Sunday
Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave., West Town
The “comedy showcase for all outsiders who hide in plain sight” is back on Sunday as the Bi Wives Comedy Showcase brings another evening of playful, intimate humor to Dorothy in West Town. Laugh along to energizing comedy from local comedians like Amy Geists, Lizzie Kaniecki, and of course the core three “Bi Wives,” Kris Lantzy, Kayla McCaffrey and Christen Manville. This will also be an ASL interpreted show.
Tickets are $12 in advance and $17 at the door. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Soul Sessions Chi
7-10 p.m. Sunday
Bassline Music Lounge, 2239 S. Michigan Ave., South Loop
Music and poetry lovers can join Soul Sessions Chi for an evening exploring Chicago’s undiscovered talent. Live performances, spoken word, poetry, classic hip-hop and R&B vibes are all on the lineup. This event is for people 21 and older.
Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
