With the weekends affording many of us time to take a break from our work lives, we must fill them with memories. Whether exploring the parks, spending valuable time with friends and family, or enjoying an event somewhere in Chicago, weekends are designed to be enjoyed! Luckily, in such a sensational city like Chicago, options are abundant. To ensure you can make your weekend fun, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend.
1. See the Joffrey Ballet’s Midsummer Night’s Dream
Head to the Lyric Opera this weekend in Chicago and be dazzled by Ekman’s ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream.‘ The Joffrey Ballet’s beautiful movements seamlessly blend into fantastical elements—constructing a mind-bending anecdote of blurring the line between real and imagined. Set during the traditional Scandinavian summer solstice festival, dancers celebrate a day of revelry and romance under the maypole, which soon unravels into an otherworldly dream and makes us wonder if it is all a dream.
2. Listen to STRFKR at the Salt Shed
This weekend in Chicago, Strfkr performs at the iconic Salt Shed music venue. The indie rock band, comprised of Joshua Hodges of Sexton Blake (vocals, keyboards, guitar, drums), Shawn Glassford (bass, keyboards, drums), Keil Corcoran (drums, keyboards, vocals), and Arian Jalali (Guitar, Keyboards), has rhythmic sounds soothing electronic and catchy melodies.
3. One of a Kind Spring Show
The iconic annual festival One of a Kind Show + Sale is returning for Spring this April 26-28 at THE MART. Shop the booths of 350 talented small business owners, independent artists, and makers all in one place!
4. IO Godfrey Annual Wine Fest
Godfrey Wine Fest will be held on April 27 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., a premier wine-tasting event that offers attendees four hours of tastings, giveaways, and more. The fest will feature various wines, catering to seasoned wine sommeliers and those simply looking to enjoy a fun outing with friends.
Set in Chicago’s year-round rooftop venue, the Godfrey Wine Fest provides the perfect backdrop for a wine festival with panoramic skyline views, cozy fire pits, and shimmering water elements. Participants can explore an extensive selection of wines, ensuring something suits every palate.
5. Kayak in the Chicago River
Chicago’s iconic kayaking returns to the Riverwalk this weekend in Chicago! After shutting down for the winter season, Urban Kayaks has announced that it will open on Saturday, April 20th, kicking off the spring and summer kayaking seasons in just a few weeks!
6. Watch Merchandise Mart’s Art Projections
The world’s largest permanent digital art projection is illuminating Chicago’s riverwalk again. For its Spring 2024 Program, the MART will fire up all 34 digital projectors and once again breathe life into the 25-story-tall face of the Merchandise Mart.
7. Have elegant high tea at Bar Pendry
Be pampered for the day and have an elegant tea experience at a luxury boutique hotel. Chicago’s Bar Pendry will add a seasonal touch to its Sunday tea service offerings, perfect for welcoming in the warmer weather.
8. Don’t miss this thrilling card cheating experience
Learn the ins and outs of card cheating at this theatrical experience in Chicago! The Unfair Advantage takes you into deception with sleight-of-hand expert Harry Milas at Steppenwolf Theatre’s Merle Reskin Garage Space from March 26 – April 21, 2024! Get your tickets here!
9. Ride on Navy Pier’s FlyOver
Calling all adventure-seekers! If you were among the few people who missed this news on your timeline, we’re here to tell you that a new thrilling ride is now open at Navy Pier. The Chicago Flyover offers a brand-new adventure that will suspend riders above the city’s incredible skyline. Immerse yourself in Chicago surrounded by a massive 65-foot spherical screen and take flight as your motion seats soar.
The exciting 48,000-square-foot FlyOver experience dropped its first trailer at the start of the month is one of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend.
10. Check out MSI’s new James Bond exhibit
Chicago’s beloved Museum of Science and Industry has opened a temporary new James Bond exhibit adding to the wonderful array of exhibitions already taking place across the city.
The new exhibit, titled 007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond showcases the science and technology behind the world’s longest-running movie franchise. Opened on Thursday, March 7th, it is now the first-ever official exhibition to focus on the world of history’s most famous fictional spy.
Read more about the Museum of Science and Industry’s James Bond exhibit.
11. Grab Bottomless Brunch
Chicago food is seriously on another level, and nothing makes that more apparent than the city’s endlessly delicious list of bottomless brunch options. This popular weekend activity typically involves breakfast delicacies, bottomless mimosas, and perhaps endless Bloody Marys if you feel extra spicy.
It’s one of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend, centered around festivity and fun. With this in mind, we’ve rounded up a few of the best spots to enjoy an exciting bottomless brunch in Chicago!
12. Grab tickets to a Newport peek-easy burlesque show
Catch some of Chicago’s finest burlesque, belly dance, drag, and variety entertainers and screenings of incredible digital content played live in this hour-long show. Specialty cocktails, intimate tables, and a true speakeasy feel make this one of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend. Grab tickets to the show here!
13. Dine at one of the best new restaurants
Deciding where to dine on a Friday or Saturday night can be daunting. Whether you’re with a group of friends or having a date night, everyone is opinionated when selecting a restaurant. From arbitrary TikTok recommendations to Instagram reels, narrowing down the Chicago dining scene is easier said than done. That’s why we’ve done it for you with this unequivocal list of the best new restaurants in Chicago you need to try this weekend! Now, let’s hope there is a reservation open.
14. Escape the city to a charming town for a weekend getaway
The small town is a storybook setting with historic 1800s architecture that is dazzling as you stroll Main Street, coined “Helluva Half Mile,” which sprawls with more than 125 independently owned business shops. It will make you feel as if you have fallen straight into the scene of an Emily Henry novel.
15. Head to a Broadway Show
Everyone who thinks of NYC as the place to see Broadway shows should think again. Chicago is home to magnificent theaters and acclaimed Broadway shows that are constantly rotating. To simplify it, we’ve compiled a list of productions happening right now!
16. Get a little tipsy at Drunk Shakespeare
For one of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend, join The Drunk Shakespeare Society for an unforgettable evening of Shakespearean revelry, where cocktails meet the classics. Set within a speakeasy located behind The Chicago Theater, five fearless actors take on the classics after downing shots of various alcohols.
17. Visit “Titanic: The Exhibition”
One of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend is transport yourself onto the Titanic. You can walk across the promenade deck of the most famous ship to sail the seas. Titanic: The Exhibition dives 2 ½ miles below the Atlantic’s surface to uncover the liner’s captivating story like never before.
The exhibit follows the ship’s journey from its design in 1908 to its recovery in 1985. You’ll see hundreds of real artifacts from the Titanic, her sister ships, and films capturing the emotional tale. As you touch a take in stunning photography of the Titanic and step across the ocean floor strewn with relics, you’ll feel like you’re walking through history.
18. Sip cocktails at a speakeasy in a secluded lounge
We love the allure of a cool, hidden gem. While there are many spots in Chicago, you should check out upstairs at Nisos this weekend in Chicago/ The Lounge is an alluring, hidden cocktail lounge (hint: look for the bookshelf) tucked away on the second floor of Nisos Prime. The 2,000-square-foot room offers a wondrous, carefree late-night speakeasy full of animation and melody Wednesdays—Saturdays while transporting guests to the nightlife of the Mediterranean.