20 Things To Do This Weekend In Chicago: Air And Water Show, Bud Billiken Parade And Cubs Vs. Sox (2024)

CHICAGO —Whether you are in the mood for shopping, dancing, good food or living out your dreams of singing in front of thousands of people, Chicago has it all this weekend.

The Chicago Cubs and White Sox play rivalry games this weekend for sports fans. Catch the annual Market Days fest on Northalsted, or be a part of history at what is set to be the world’s largest karaoke event at Salt Shed. Round out the weekend with a trip to the Hyde Park Handmade Market Sunday.

Here’s a roundup of 20 things to do in Chicago this weekend:

All Weekend

Cubs vs. Sox

7:10 p.m. Friday, 6:15 p.m. Saturday.

Guaranteed Rate Field, 333 W. 35th St.

Chicago’s major league baseball rivals will face off at the ballpark in this “Crosstown Classic” series. Buy tickets for Friday here and Saturday here.

Chicago Air And Water Show

10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

North Avenue Beach, 1601 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and along the lakefront.

The summer staple is preparing for lift-off once again this summer with two days of renowned aerial demonstrations (plus Friday rehearsals). Learn more here. Admission is free.

Northalsted Market Days

11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

Halsted Street from Belmont Avenue to Addison Street

There will be live music on five stages, hundreds of vendors, food and drink, dance exhibitions, drag performances and more in Northalsted. Learn more here. Admission is free. There is a $20 suggested donation upon entry to support performers, festival workers and local charities and nonprofits.

Urban Vibes Art Exhibition

Opening reception: 6-9 p.m. Friday. Exhibit runs through Aug. 18.

Palette & Chisel, 1012 N. Dearborn St.

Check out more than 70 paintings from Bucktown painter Errol Jacobson, whose work focuses on overlooked sites, businesses and streetscapes all over Chicago. In his paintings you’ll perhaps find a recognizable bridge or street corner, or your favorite neighborhood tavern — but don’t expect much in the way of famous tourist attractions.
Learn more here.

Thursday

World’s Largest Karaoke

5-10 p.m. Thursday

The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave.

Empty Bottle and Salt Shed have teamed up to host what’s being billed as the world’s largest karaoke party, where attendees will have the chance to sing in front of around 5,000 people. Admission is free. RSVP online.

The I Gotta Guy Sausage Festival

6-10 p.m. Thursday

Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie St.

This 16th annual sausage festival has live entertainment, raffles, a silent auction, food, drinks and more. It benefits the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research, which works to advance the understanding and treatment of Schaaf Yang Syndrome. Tickets start at $125. Buy them here.

Millennium Park Summer Music Series

6:30 p.m. Thursday

Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.

For the final Millennium Park Summer Music Series concert, three Grammy-winning and nominated artists will take to the stage: U.K. songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae; musician, rapper, singer and producer Terrace Martin; and singer, songwriter and producer James Fauntleroy. Admission is free.

KOVAL Comedy

6:30-9 p.m. Thursday

KOVAL Distillery, 4241 N. Ravenswood Ave.

KOVAL Distillery and Chicago Comedy Works have teamed up for a new monthly comedy series. Every second Thursday of the month, comics will perform at the distillery to raise money for local nonprofits. This week will benefit Chicago’s oldest continuously operating food pantry, Common Pantry. Learn more and buy tickets for $25 online.

Windy City Comedy Fest Preview

7:15 p.m. Thursday

The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Catch a preview of the Windy City Comedy Fest with comics Kirsten Toomey, Junior Stopka, Dwayne Kennedy and host Ariel Julie. This one-night event also helps raise money for the annual fest. Tickets are $15-$35 online.

Movies In The Parks

8:30 p.m. Thursday

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive

Movies in the Parks is collaborating with the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry to provide a screening of “Sonic The Hedgehog 2” on their front lawn. Parking is free at the museum’s garage for all attendees. Admission is free.

Saturday

Bud Billiken Parade

10 a.m. Saturday

4500-5500 blocks of Martin Luther King Drive

This year’s Bud Billiken Parade marks 95 years of celebrating Black Chicago with a two-mile procession and barbecues, picnics and back-to-school giveaways. Learn more here and here.

Fest Of Us

Noon-10 p.m. Saturday

Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave.

Epiphany Center for the Arts is hosting a series of music, art and politically inspired events in advance of the Democratic National Convention. Admission is free.

Women in Blues: Music & Conversation

2-4 p.m. Saturday

Muddy Waters MOJO Museum, 4339 S. Lake Park Ave.

Panelists from the music industry will host a conversation on the history of women in blues music. Admission is free.

Dance For Life

6 p.m. Saturday

Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr.

Dance For Life is an annual event that will feature nine Chicago dance companies and benefit the Chicago Dance Health Fund and AIDS Foundation Chicago. Tickets are $45-$125 for the performance only, or $500 for the performance and after-party. They can be purchased in person at the box office, by calling 312-341-2300 or online at auditoriumtheatre.org.

Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour

7:15 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday

The Den Theater, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Comedian Jack Tucker will take the stage for two comedy shows at The Den Theater. Tickets ranging from $27-$50 are available at www.thedentheatre.com or by calling 773-697-3830.

Sunday

Hyde Park Handmade Market

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

Promontory Lounge, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave., 2nd floor

Shop handmade desserts, jewelry, skincare products, home decor, spices and more by South Side creators at this family-friendly market. There will be lounge areas, workshops and a live DJ. Find more information and a full list of vendors here. Admission is free.

12thAnnual Back-To-School Celebration

Noon-3 p.m. Sunday

Roseland Community Hospital, 45 W. 111th St.

At this free event, the Roseland team will give away 400 book bags and serve hot food and boxed lunches to families on a first-come, first-served basis. The afternoon will offer performances by the Jesse White Tumblers and top dance groups from Chicago. The event will also feature 25 vendors and community partners, a live DJ, a bouncy house and raffle prizes. Community members will have access to physical exams, vaccines, hygiene kits and a mobile dental van for checkups. There will also be job opportunities and access to the hospital’s community closet, which offers free new and gently used items to residents.

1619 Project

3 p.m. Sunday

Baffes Theatre at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St.

A new musical by Ted Williams III, “1619: The Journey of a People,”commemorates the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in America. This poignant production takes audiences on an evocative journey through history with a dynamic cast of singers, actors, spoken word artists and dancers. “1619” also runs 2 p.m. Aug. 17 and 3 p.m. Aug. 18.Tickets are available online for $20.

End Hunger Games

3-6 p.m. Sunday

Guild Row, 3130 N. Rockwell St.

At this fundraising event for local food bank Friendship Center, guests can participate in a series of games to help end hunger and enjoy food and raffles to help provide for those facing hunger in Chicago. Adult tickets for $35 and youth tickets for $15 are available online.

Pink Elephant Revue

5-7 p.m. Sunday

Tiny Tapp, 55 W. Riverwalk

Pink Elephant Revue —a soul, jazz and R&B collective featuring Meagan McNeal, Julia Danielle, Keya Trammell, Joyce Hurley, Sam Mitchem and Zion Ali —plays a free live music set at Tiny Tapp on the Chicago Riverwalk.

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