CHICAGO — There’s no shortage of festivals this weekend in Chicago.
The Englewood Jazz Festival is back for its 26th edition, Riot Fest returns to Douglass Park, the World Fashion Festival turns Macy’s into a pop-up runway, the Reeling Film Festival kicks off with a screening of “Lesbian Space Princess” and there’s an Oktoberfest celebration with the Cubs.
There’s also the West Loop Music and Art Fest, the Filter Photo Festival, Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble’s Full Circle Festival and the Jerk, Seafood and Vegan Fest.
Here’s a roundup of 18 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
All Weekend
Englewood Jazz Festival
Various times through Saturday
Hamilton Park and Cultural Center, 513 W. 72nd St.
The 26th annual Englewood Jazz Festival presented by Live the Spirit Residency is back on in Hamilton Park this week with five days of free music performances. Founded in 1999 by saxophonist and composer Ernest Dawkins, the fest “has become a viral platform for creative expression and cultural unity on Chicago’s South Side” and this year also marks the 60th anniversary of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians.
The fest features Ernest Dawkins, Adegoke Steve Colton, Renee Baker, The Young Masters, Jovia Armstrong, Isaiah Spencer and more. Learn more here.
World Fashion Festival
Various times through Saturday
Macy’s, 111 N. State St.
The eighth annual World Fashion Festival is transforming Macy’s into a pop-up runway this weekend, highlighting fashion from seven countries: Argentina, Spain, Ethiopia, Jordan, Palestine, Mongolia and Indonesia. Attendees can also attend workshops and buy garments from international designers.
Learn more and buy tickets for shows and classes here.
Filter Photo Festival
Various times through Sunday
Columbia College Chicago Student Center, 754 S. Wabash Ave.
The 17th annual Filter Photo Festival kicked off Wednesday and runs through Sunday. It features a variety of artist talks, photography workshops, exhibitions and portfolio reviews with photography curators, collectors and critics. Attendees will be able to casually share work and connect with peers.
Learn more here.
Full Circle Festival
Kicks off Friday, runs through Sept. 28
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, 1650 W. Foster Ave.
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble’s Full Circle Festival is back on this weekend, spotlighting physical, fringe and dance theater works. Pieces are 30-60 minutes in length and feature REIdance, Whispering Theatre Collective, Michelle Stine, CIRCA-Pintig, HGBIC Productions, Emma Jean Eastling and Broken Planet.
Learn more and buy tickets for performances for $10-$15 here.
“Lesbian Space Princess” is one of the selections at this year’s Reeling Film Festival. Credit: Provided
Reeling Film Festival
Kicks off 7 p.m. Friday, runs through Sept. 28
Screenings at Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St., and Chicago Filmmakers, 1326 W. Hollywood Ave.
Reeling, the world’s second-longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival, is back this weekend for its 43rd edition. It opens Friday with “Lesbian Space Princess,” an animated “Adult Swim meets Sailor Moon joyride” filled with “sapphic jokes, addictive pop songs and candy-colored animation.” There will be a post-screening party in the theater lounge with drinks and bites, and costumes are encouraged.
Learn more, find the full film schedule and buy tickets starting at $15 for general admission here.
Czech Heritage Week
Kicks off Saturday, runs through Sept. 28
Organized by local Czech-American associations, Chicago’s Czech Heritage Week offers music, theater, history and food programs. There will be 15 events, including concerts, film screenings, lectures and family-friendly activities, kicking off with the 86th Moravian Days festival.
Learn more and find the full program here.
Chicago Exhibition Weekend
Friday-Sunday
Various galleries across Chicago
Chicago Exhibition Weekend is an annual event that spotlights Chicago’s galleries and artistic spaces, attracting about 10,000 attendees last year across three days. For its third edition this year, there will be workshops, artist talks, exhibit receptions, flash tattoos, a poker night and more across 50 locations.
Learn more and find the schedule here.
Festival goers cheer and sing as Flogging Molly performs during the last day of Riot Fest in Douglass Park on Sept. 17, 2023. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Riot Fest
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Drive
Alternative music festival Riot Fest is back with headliners Blink-182, Weezer and Green Day this weekend. Other acts across the three-day fest include Jack White, Idles, Alkaline Trio, The Pogues, The Hold Steady, Bad Religion, Jawbreakers, All Time Low, James, Dropkick Murphys and Rilo Kiley.
Learn more about the fest, including ticket information and transportation tips, here.
Oktoberfest With The Cubs
Friday-Sunday
Toyota Camry Lot, 1126 W. Grace St.
This new three-day, all-ages event in Wrigleyville will have tribute bands, DJs, a dachshund parade, stein-holding events, carnival rides, crafts and more. Local food pantry Nourishing Hope will collect non-perishable items, which attendees can drop off upon entry.
Tickets start at $15. Children 10 and younger get in free. Learn more and get tickets here.
Old Town Oktoberfest
5-10 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
Wells Street between Schiller and Evergreen
This Oktoberfest celebration features three days of live music, German beers and bites — including bratwurst, pretzels, potato pancakes and fudge — and games like stein-holding contests. Performers include Four Star Brass Band, Die Musikmeisters, Dancing Queen: An Abba Salute and more.
Learn more and get VIP tickets here.
A past edition of the Jerk, Seafood and Vegan Fest in Washington Park. Credit: Provided/Facebook
Jerk, Seafood & Vegan Fest
11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday
1500 W. Washington Blvd.
This ninth annual festival serves up Caribbean jerk, grilled seafood and plant-based cuisine and features popular restaurants and culinary artists from around Chicago. There will also be live music, vendors and family-friendly fun.
Learn more and get tickets starting at $10 here.
West Loop Music & Art Fest
Noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
1100 W. Fulton Market
The West Loop Music and Art Fest transforms five city blocks into a family-friendly festival with live music, over 100 artists and makers, crafts, workshops, food and drinks.
Learn more and find the schedule of performances here.
Saturday
Vintage cars will be on display during the Logan Square Preservation’s 35th Biennial House Walk, which will line the north side of Palmer Square, bringing together two collector groups from the area to display over 50 vintage and collectible cars. Credit: Provided
Logan Square Preservation’s 35th Biennial House Walk
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Starts at Old Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church, 3062 W. Palmer Square
Logan Square Preservation’s Biennial House Walk lets people explore some of the neighborhood’s “most stunning historic homes and beautifully maintained gardens.” There’s a special focus this year on the Palmer Square area, plus a vintage car show.
Learn more and buy tickets starting at $50 here.
Lake Effect Brewery: End Of Summer Art Market
1-7 p.m. Saturday
3074 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Lake Effect Brewing and Avondale Artists Collective are hosting an end-of-summer market featuring local artists, live music and food. Neighbors can shop artwork and handmade crafts while enjoying craft beer made onsite and food from the Urban Dining League.
Learn more and RSVP for free here.
Barktoberfest
Noon-4 p.m. Saturday
The Dog Stop Bucktown, 2627 N. Western Ave.
This dog-friendly Oktoberfest celebration features Maplewood Brewery craft beer (plus a canine-safe beverage for your pup), photos, games, photo opportunities, raffles, treats and more.
Learn more here.
Anubhava: An Evening Of Indian Dance
6 p.m. Saturday
Academy of Music of the Paderew Symphony Orchestra, 5400 N. Lawler Ave.
This evening of Indian dance will tell the story of an Indian maharaja who sheltered hundreds of Polish refugee children during World War II. Acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer Apeksha Niranjan will bring it to life alongside Gregorian chants, Polish folk melodies and more.
This event is free of charge, though donations are accepted to help cover costs. Indian and Polish consuls and state Sen. Ram Villivalam will be in attendance. Seating is limited, and reservations can be made by calling 773-467-9000.
Sunday
Hopleaf’s Specialty Glassware & Swag Sale
9-11 a.m. Sunday
Hopleaf Bar, 5148 N. Clark St.
Edgewater bar Hopleaf acquires a variety of “cool branded glassware and swag” over time, and this weekend it’s hosting its third charity sale to get it out of storage and into the hands of neighbors. There will be collectible items and specialty glasses to fill your cupboards, especially ahead of the holidays.
Proceeds will be donated to local public radio station WBEZ, including 50 percent of profits on food and drink sales during the day.
Sun Day Solar Fest
Noon-4 p.m. Sunday
Montrose Beach, 610 W. Lawrence Ave.
Enjoy live blues, folk and jazz music, hands-on science activities for all ages, a parade, games under a giant sun parachute, plant and seed giveaways and more at this family-friendly festival along Lake Michigan. Over 30 groups, including solar installers and nonprofits, will share ways to go solar and offer advice.
Learn more and RSVP here.
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