CHICAGO — The new year is in full swing with plenty of activities to keep busy this weekend, including a Chinatown food tour, a Wicker Park and Bucktown art walk, a clothing swap hosted by the Chicago Public Library and theater performances — both improvised and scripted.

Plus, indoor market season is back, with different markets to explore all over the city while shopping local and staying warm. The Chicago Bears also play a high-stakes game this weekend against their archrival Green Bay Packers in the opening round of the NFL playoffs.

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

Friday

Best Of Bridgerton On Strings Candlelight Performance

6:30 p.m. Friday

Stan Mansion, 2408 N. Kedzie Blvd.

Fans of the hit Netflix show “Bridgerton” can enjoy an evening at Stan Mansion with the latest rendition of Candlelight Concerts. A live string ensemble will perform the series’ most popular classic music hits complete with a whimsical candle display. Although there’s no dress code, guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite Bridgerton-inspired style.

Learn more and find tickets for $70.50 here.

Wicker Park Bucktown’s First Fridays Art Walk

6-8 p.m. Friday

Jackson Junge Gallery, 1389 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce is back with their January edition of First Fridays Art Walk — a monthly event showcasing the neighborhoods’ arts scene — this time with flat-rate tattoos at Mario Ink, a special exhibition at Jackson Junge Gallery and an open mic at the Flat Iron Building. Stop by for a special look at the neighborhoods’ art galleries and stay for refreshments and chats with gallery owners and artists. 

This is a free event. Learn more here.

January Staged Reading: A New Works Mini-Festival

7:30 p.m., Friday

Augustana Lutheran Church, 5500 S. Woodlawn Ave.

Hyde Park Community Players is putting on their first New Works Mini-Festival showcasing new and short plays written, directed and performed by Hyde Park residents. The fast-paced theater pieces span from “Swifties” in a dystopian future to shoemakers and elves. Stay after the performances for a chat with the actors and homemade treats.

Tickets for $5 are available at the door.

DMen Tap, 2849 W. Belmont Ave.

Shoegaze/Dream Pop Dance Party

9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Friday

DMen Tap, 2849 W. Belmont Ave.

The Shimmer dance party — a monthly shoegaze and dream pop Chicago tradition which has been running for over 15 years — is back this weekend at DMen Tap featuring tunes from longtime club DJ Scary Lady Sarah and Philly Peroxide. Friday’s party will celebrate ethereal music complete with plenty of room to dance along with food and drinks.

This is a free event.

Evan Plus One: Party Animals

7:30 p.m. Friday

Cornservatory Theater, 4210 N. Lincoln Ave.

Improv lovers can join the winners of season 38 of the Original Improv Gladiators, an annual competition between Chicago improv teams. Winning group Evan Plus One will host its second of four January shows at the BYOB Cornservatory Theater featuring special guests and Chicago comedians for a night of improv and laughs from the city’s very best.

Learn more and find tickets for $12 here.

Saturday

NFC Wild Card Round: Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

7 p.m. Saturday

Soldier Field, 1410 Special Olympics Drive

Chicago Bears fans have been celebrating a season like no other, most recently with a playoff clinch and a big win against their most heated rivals, the Green Bay Packers. As playoff season begins, watch the rivals again in the NFC Wild Card Game at your favorite dive bar or the Bears’ home stadium, Soldier Field.

Learn more and find tickets starting at $391 here.

The Edgewater Chamber of Commerce hosted the inaugural indoor market in 2025. Credit: Provided/Edgewater Chamber of Commerce

Edgewater Indoor Market

10 a.m. Saturday

Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N. Broadway

The Edgewater Indoor Market is back for a second year with a new location and even more vendors, featuring more than 70 small businesses offering everything from baked goods and seasonal produce to candles and coffee. The market will return four more times on select Saturdays this winter.

This is a free event. Find a full list of vendors here.

‘The Bear’ Inspired Food Tour

11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday

363 W. Erie St.

Lovers of the Chicago-based hit TV show “The Bear” can get an exclusive look into the restaurants that inspired the series with a foodie tour that hits some of Chicago’s most famous spots.

Warm up with a hearty Italian beef at Mr. Beef, get a glimpse into fine-dining eateries and enjoy a sweet treat at the famous Margie’s Candies, all while exploring Chicago’s restaurant scene across different neighborhoods.

Learn more and find tickets for $139 here.

Orpheus Vasilopita Event

5:30 p.m. Saturday

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2727 W. Winona St.

Join the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church community for its annual Orpheus Vasilopita Celebration hosted by the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society. The event will include food and a night of Greek folk dances accompanied by live music celebrating Greek traditions.

Tickets are $75 for adults (13+), $35 for children and free for infants under 3. Learn more and buy tickets here.

61st St. Indoor Farmers Market

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday

6100 S. Blackstone Ave.

The 61st St. Farmers Market is hosting the January edition of its indoor winter market inside of Experimental Station. The produce-only market offers local and sustainable food from vendors selling items like fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and cheese and coffee. The 61st St. Market also accepts Link (SNAP) and offers Link Match.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Family Day At MCA

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

Musuem of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting the latest edition of its Family Day program, a bilingual and free museum event for Chicago families to explore art and culture. This weekend’s family day is hosted in partnership with the Consulate General of Peru in Chicago and will feature Ana De Orbegoso, an Peruvian artist now based in New York. Join the museum for family-friendly activities to learn more about Peruvian culture and contemporary art.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

The Bucktown-Wicker Park public library branch, 1701 N. Milwaukee Ave. Credit: Quinn Myers/Block Club Chicago

Adult Clothing Swap

1-3 p.m. Saturday

Bucktown-Wicker Park Library, 1701 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The Chicago Public Library is hosting an adult clothing swap this weekend. Come by with your own bag of adult-sized clothes and accessories that are in good condition, and leave with a new wardrobe for the new year. There will also be a free mending station, and if you don’t have clothes to contribute, you’re still invited to stop by to take items. Leftover clothing will be donated.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Nature Museum Founders Day Celebration

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannnon Drive

Celebrate the founding of the Chicago Academy of Sciences as it celebrates its 169th Founders Day at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Chicago’s first public museum will offer an interactive scavenger hunt to celebrate the Chicago Academy of Sciences’ mission to study and share knowledge about local nature.

Admission is free for museum members, $15 for adult Illinois residents, $10 for senior and student Illinois residents and $8 for Illinois resident children. Non-residents can purchase tickets for $17 for adults, $12 for students and $10 for children. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Vjosa Market

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

1010 W. 35 St., Suite 102

Explore local artists and businesses at the Vjosa Market, a free, one-day pop-up event hosted by Vjosa Cafe. The market will celebrate Chicago creativity and community while offering vendors selling fine art, prints and paintings, jewelry plus coffee and pastries for a Saturday morning treat.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Chicago’s Chinatown in the Armour Square neighborhood last December. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

The Chinatown Adventure Food Tour

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday

Triple Crown, 2217 S. Wentworth Ave.

Explore Chinatown with a food tour including seated dining at five authentic restaurants.

Munch on spicy Szechuan food, Hong Kong dim sum and sweet milk tarts while learning traditional Chinese etiquette and customs, all without leaving Chicago. This tour takes you through the neighborhood’s hidden gems and famous landmarks while providing a glimpse into Chinatown’s renowned food scene.

Tickets are $99 for ages 11 and older and $79 for ages 6-10. Age 5 and under are free admission. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Sunday

MCP Pawsitivity Pilates Class

11 a.m. Sunday

Morgan Manufacturing, 410 N. Morgan St.

Mission Compassion Paw is hosting a Sunday morning pilates class alongside Tito’s Handmade Vodka to support the Chicago-based animal shelter. After a 60-minute pilates session, bloody marys will be served alongside a chance to win special Tito’s prizes. This is a 21-and-up event.

Learn more and find tickets for $40 here.

Hamburger Mary’s at 1055 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. in Edgewater on Aug. 5, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

HamBINGO For Edgewater Mutual Aid

7 p.m. Sunday

Hamburger Mary’s, 1055 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

Hamburger Mary’s Chicago, which regularly hosts “HamBingo Mary’s,” events, is holding a drag bingo Sunday in support of Edgewater Mutual Aid. Bingo-lovers can compete for different prizes every week while supporting a local grassroots organization. Come ready to play for charity and fun.

There is a $20 suggested donation for bingo sheets.

The Thrift Chicago Pop-Up Market

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

600 W. Cermak Rd.

The Thrift Chicago is hosting another Sunday pop-up market in Pilsen with more than 20 small business and Chicago-based vendors. This weekend’s event will include a live DJ and a wide variety of food options to choose from while browsing handmade creations, vintage clothes and self-care products.

Support local businesses with this free, BYOB pop-up event.

Ferris Bueller Movie Tour

11:30 a.m. Sunday

The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.

Lovers of the classic 1986 Chicago film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” can get an exclusive tour at the Art Institute that guides guests through the iconic art featured in the film. “The Art of Ferris Bueller” will take visitors through the Modern Wing and features work from artists like Chagall and Seurat.

Learn more and find tickets for $40 here. Tickets for the guided tour do not include admission to the museum.

The Chinatown Chicago Public Library branch has been closed for renovations, as seen on July 11, 2024. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Book Swap

1:30-3 p.m. Sunday

Chinatown Chicago Public Library, 2100 S. Wentworth Ave.

If your New Year’s resolution is to read more, explore new titles at the Chinatown Chicago Public Library book swap Sunday. Adults are invited to bring up to three books that they’re willing to part with to trade with other participants. Be ready to write a few lines about the book you brought, chat with other readers and browse new books.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

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