Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
Party for the Preserves
Before we blink, it’ll be winter, so get outside this weekend to celebrate National Public Lands Day. Take advantage of special events in the Forest Preserves of Cook County, including night hikes, giant canoe paddling, a traditional Native American powwow, and salsa dancing set to live music by Latin Swing Factor. It’s a great excuse to explore the preserves.
Sept. 27-28 in various parts of the Forest Preserves of Cook County; more details on the free events at fpdcc.com
Great Chicago Bed Race
Ever raced a bed? Now’s your chance to have some fun and support families transitioning out of homelessness. Teams of five or more — at least four runners and one rider — race rolling bed frames through West Town. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Furniture Bank, which helps furnish homes for families in need.
9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 28 at Midwest Coast Brewing, 2137 W. Walnut St.; $250 registration fee to race; details at chicagofurniturebank.org
St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest
Get your Bavarian fix at the 19th annual St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest in Lakeview. It kicks off at 7:50 p.m. Sept. 26 with a ceremonial keg tapping and blessing of the beer. Beyond the brats, you’ll find two stages of music and, on Sept. 27, a Kinderfest (featuring a train) for the little ones.
5-10 p.m. Sept. 26, noon-10 p.m. Sept. 27, noon-7 p.m. Sept. 28 around St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 1429 W. Wellington St.; details at stalsoktoberfest.com
Louis C.K.
It’s no surprise that Louis C.K. has sold out three shows at the Chicago Theatre. It’s been eight years since sexual misconduct allegations against him surfaced and three since he won a Grammy Award after addressing the allegations in his come-back special, “Sincerely, Louis C.K.” He previously played the Chicago Theatre in 2023.
7:30 p.m. Sept. 26-27 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets at msg.com
RuPaul’s Drag Race “Werq the World Awards”
Forget the Grammys. Hosted by Sasha Velour as both Lady Gaga and Madonna, RuPaul’s Drag Race has reimagined the awards show. Head to Rosemont to see Roxxxy Andrews as Mariah Carey, Derrick Barry as Britney Spears, Morphine Love Dion as Shakira, Jaida Essence Hall as Beyoncė and Jimbo as Joan Rivers.
8 p.m. Sept. 27 at Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont; tickets from $58.25 at rosemont.com
MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP/Getty Images
Mexican band Maná’s Fher Olvera performs during the 54th Vina del Mar International Song Festival on Feb. 24, 2013, in Vina del Mar, Chile. (MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP/Getty Images
Maná
Earlier this year — after nearly 40 years as a band — Maná became the first Spanish-language nominee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their “Vivir Sin Aire” tour rolls into the United Center this weekend for two nights. A portion of ticket proceeds supports Latinas Luchonas, a charity started in honor of vocalist Fher Olvera’s late mother that supports Latina entrepreneurs.
8:30 p.m. Sept. 26-27 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $51.05 at unitedcenter.com
Hyde Park Jazz Festival
Jason Moran, Maurice MoBetta Brown, the Alyssa Allgood Quintet, Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues join dozens of other acts this weekend at The Hyde Park Jazz Festival. Now in its 19th year, the event spans two days and multiple South Side venues. While donations are suggested, the event remains free, offering a fantastic opportunity to dip into live jazz.
1 p.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 27 and 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 28 in various Hyde Park venues; $10 suggested donation; details at hydeparkjazzfestival.org
Hyde Park Jazz Fest
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
A capacity crowd watches poet Nikki Giovanni and saxophonist Javon Jackson perform at Hyde Park Union Church during the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Sept. 23, 2023.
Corinne Bailey Rae
The Grammy Award-winning British soul singer performs in Evanston. Expect her to perform songs from her 2023 album, “Black Rainbows,” inspired by the Theaster Gates-curated Stony Island Arts Bank.
7 p.m. Sept. 28 at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston; tickets from $52.14 at eventbrite.com
Great American Coin and Collectibles Show
Numismatics enthusiasts: Get thee to Rosemont. See California Gold Rush-era artifacts from the “Ship of Gold,” the S.S. Central America, wrecked in 1857 off the coast of North Carolina. And, of course, browse the show, featuring an inventory of an estimated 200,000 coins.
10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sept. 26 and 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sept. 27 in Hall F of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont; tickets from $10 (children 10 and under free) at gacc.show
Rosetoberfest
Start healthy, but then indulge. Rosemont’s inaugural “Rosetoberfest” kicks off with a 5K run or walk. But then, at noon, the food and dancing starts. Expect German music, arm wrestling and stein-hoisting contests.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 27 in Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont; details at rosemont.com
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.