CHICAGO — The weekend is looking to be warm and sunny, and there will be plenty of ways to enjoy the city, from a spring bird walk and a University of Chicago carillon music festival to an Asian Heritage Month celebration in Chinatown Square.

There’s also an Illinois Craft Beer Week kickoff event at Begyle Brewing, a SAUCED Night Market at Half Acre, a Czech music concert with Rembrandt Chamber Musicians, a Bronzeville mural tour led by artist Chris Devins, an Elastic Arts benefit and much more.

And if you’re looking for Mother’s Day celebrations, we’ve got 22 events and activities here .

All Weekend



Solidarity Studios Pop-Up Mural Project



Palestinian artist Taqi Spateen, who is known for his George Floyd murals in occupied Palestine, is stopping by Chicago for his From That Land tour. He’ll paint a large mural behind Solidarity Studios. There will also be a DJ, beat-making and on-site interviews to document community stories.

SAUCED Spring Night Market



Half Acre Beer Co., 2050 W. Balmoral Ave.

SAUCED shoppers can enjoy bites from local eateries, crisp brews — including pink beer — and tunes from DJ Johnny Walker while shopping from local vendors at this night market. There will be everything from ceramics and screen prints to small-batch hot sauce to vintage home goods.

Learn more and RSVP for free here .

Cornelia Arts Building Open Studio



Cornelia Arts Building, 1800 W. Cornelia Ave.

The Cornelia Arts Building is hosting a May Open Studios event this weekend where Chicagoans can meet dozens of artists and see their latest work.

This event is free and open to the public. Learn more here .

Tower Thoughts: A Carillon New Music Festival



Chicagoans are invited to grab blankets and chairs and head to the east lawn of Rockefeller Chapel for a weekend of free concerts featuring carillonists Alex Johnson and Tiffany Ng, Jasper Depraetere and Stefano Colletti. The chapel will be open for indoor viewing if there’s inclement weather.

Learn more here .

Friday



Illinois Craft Beer Week Kickoff At Begyle Brewing



Begyle Brewing, 1800 W. Cuyler Ave.

Illinois Craft Beer Week kicks off this weekend, and while the Beer Under Glass event is sold out , you can still celebrate at Begyle Brewing all day Friday. There’ll be a Keep The Pint special, Happy Hour, Neapolitan-style pizza from Limoni Belli, a Drink Illinois summer passport and other deals. Illinois Craft Beer Week runs May 9-16 .

Learn more here .

Hermosa Culture Spring Pop-Up



4208 W. Armitage Ave.

This monthly spring and summer pop-up brings family activities, performances and specials from local businesses and vendors to Armitage Avenue. Participating businesses include El Azteca and Mia’s Resale.

Learn more here .

Rembrandt Chamber Musicians Presents: ‘Sound Czech’



The Cliff Dwellers, 200 S. Michigan Ave.

In “Sound Czech,” the Rembrandt Chamber Musicians explore what it means to “sound Czech” and whether a country can have a singular authentic music.

Learn more and get tickets for $39 here .

Saturday



Spring Migration Bird Walk



Meet at Leone Park, 1222 W. Touhy Ave.

If you want to learn more about birds and dip your toe into birdwatching, this guided spring migration walk is the perfect opportunity. Led by local birder Scott Judd, the event will take Chicagoans through Leone and Loyola parks, and it is open to people of all ages and skill levels. Participants should dress for the weather and bring binoculars if they have them.

If it rains, the walk will be moved to 8 a.m. Sunday. Email to request to borrow a pair of binoculars during the walk. Learn more here .

Chicago Asian Heritage Month Celebration



Chinatown Square, 2130 S. Archer Ave.

Families can enjoy a day of cultural performances — including lion and dragon dances and traditional songs — and a Chinese character carnival at this Chicago Asian Heritage Month Celebration by the Midwest Asian Health Association. There will also be a community health fair with free screenings, wellness resources and educational workshops for all ages.

Learn more here .

Garfield Park Neighborhood Market



The Hatchery, 135 N. Kedzie Ave.

Hosted by the Garfield Park Community Council, this community market is back on this weekend with local vendors. Past neighborhood markets have offered everything from fresh greens and seedlings to body care products and accessories.

Learn more here .

UChicago Farmers Market & Arts And Culture Festival



University of Chicago Main Quad, 1155 E. 57th St.

Shop everything from fresh produce and baked goods to vintage clothing and jewelry at this University of Chicago farmers market with more than 25 local businesses. There will also be cultural student organizations with food, crafts and live performances.

Learn more here .

Murals & Bronzeville Tour



Muralist and artist Chris Devins will lead a bus tour through Bronzeville this weekend, featuring stops at his murals around the neighborhood. The tour departs from the Bronzeville Historical Society, which offers free parking, and ends with a light lunch.

Tickets are $75 and will help raise funds to install a mural of the late Richard Hunt . Learn more and register here .

The Trashy Mother Earth Market



Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St.

This “junky jamboree” organized by Nowhere Collective is a celebration of mothers, from our own mamas to Mother Earth. Shoppers can peruse upcycled home goods, art, planters, body care products and more while enjoying food, drinks and live music. There will also be waste-less activities and hands-on crafts, a Reduce Waste Chicago recycling pop-up and a live art installation using a four-sided loom.

Learn more and RSVP for free here .

Cinco De Chicago Ride



Starts at 1340 S. Damen Ave.

There will be live music, drinks, vendor, carnitas and a free raffle at this third annual Cinco de Chicago ride. The ride will kick off in Chicago and end at Tequila Mucho, 8655 W. 95th St. in Hickory Hills.

Attendees are asked to donate $20 to support the nonprofit Chicago Latino Caucus, which provides scholarships and other opportunities for Latino youth. Learn more here .

Off Color Brewing, 1460 N. Kingsbury St.

Enjoy an afternoon of pints, plants and pups while raising money for animal rescue group One Tail at a Time. There’ll be Off Color Brewing brews and Chicago’s Tomato Man heirloom plants for sale, plus rescued animals to meet and cuddle.

Admission is free. Learn more here .

Trans Summer Clothing Swap



The Chicago Democratic Socialists of America is hosting a trans summer clothing swap this weekend. People can donate and take home like-new clothing items and accessories to get their summer wardrobes ready. No undergarments, hosiery or winter clothes. There will also be non-alcoholic drinks and open DJ decks.

Learn more here .

Civic String Quartet At Indian Boundary Park



Indian Boundary Park Cultural Center, 2500 W. Lunt Ave.

Enjoy a free concert at the park by members of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Performers include Jonah Kartman on violin, Sean His on violin, Darren Carter on viola and Sam Day on cello.

Learn more here .

Satrangi: Queerness In South Asian Classical Arts



South Asia Institute, 1925 S. Michigan Ave.

This cultural performance featuring dance, poetry and painting will “showcase how queerness has always been a part of South Asian culture” and ways to interpret narratives through a queer lens. The goal is not just to embrace queer South Asians but to also raise awareness about their history in the region.

Learn more and get tickets for $15-$25 here .

Elastic Arts 7th Annual Benefit



Art and performance nonprofit Elastic Arts is hosting its seventh annual benefit in Logan Square. There will be food and drinks, live performances, a silent auction, unique art installations and more to celebrate 27 years of programs.

Learn more and get tickets for $60 here .

Junta Ensemble



Dine on Senegalese cuisine while enjoying soulful jazz by Junta Ensemble. There will be two sets performed throughout the evening, one at 7 p.m. and one at 8:30 p.m.

Learn more here .

Sunday



El Paseo Community Market



El Paseo Community Garden, 947 W. Cullerton St.

The weekly market features food vendors, artisans and small businesses to connect neighbors and support local shops. Shoppers can also buy produce just steps away from where it was grown and harvested. The El Paseo Community Market runs every Sunday through Oct. 5.

Learn more and RSVP for free here .

Ramova Community Market



Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St.

The Ramova Theatre’s monthly community market features local artists, makers and farmers who will sell their goods in the lobby and beer garden, plus local nonprofits and kids activities. The family-friendly market is free to attend.

Learn more here .

CONTINUE READING
RELATED ARTICLES