CHICAGO — There are a slew of holiday markets this weekend for anyone looking to get a head start on holiday shopping.
There’s also the fifth annual Midway Christmas Cookie Walk, a benefit to support violence prevention in Humboldt Park, the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance’s 27th annual National Cuatro Festival, a group bike ride to support street vendors in Back of the Yards and more.
Here’s a roundup of 20 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
All Weekend
A past edition of the Lycée French Market. Credit: Jeanette Brown
Lycée French Market
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
Lycée Français de Chicago, 1929 W. Wilson Ave.
The 21st edition of the Lycée French Market kicks off this weekend with local and French artisans selling decorative arts, home decor, jewelry, apparel, gourmet food and more. There will also be a bistro with a menu of authentic French recipes and activities for all ages.
There’s a $5 suggested donation upon admission. Learn more here.
Randolph Street Holiday Market
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Plumbers Hall, 1341 W. Randolph St.
Get a head start on holiday shopping with Randolph Street Market’s indoor edition this weekend. There will be vintage and modern decorative objects, furniture, jewelry, fashion, art and more from 125 vendors. There will also be a DJ, bars and food from local eateries.
Tickets are $12 online or $15 at the door. Admission is $5 for students, teachers, first responders, military and seniors. Kids younger than 12 get in free. Learn more and get tickets here.
Friday
The flyer for this whistle building event and pet food drive at Begyle Brewing this weekend. Credit: Provided/Facebook
Whistle Kit Building & Pet Food Pantry Fundraiser
5-7:30 p.m. Friday
Begyle Brewing, 1800 W. Cuyler Ave.
One Tail at a Time, Tanimu Pet Bodega and Begyle Brewing are teaming up to assemble whistle kits and raise money for local pet food pantries. The goal is to assemble 3,000 whistle kits that will be handed out throughout the city. Attendees can also meet dogs that are up for adoption.
Learn more about the family-friendly event and how to make donations here.
The flyer for the International Latino Cultural Center’s 25th anniversary dinner this weekend. Credit: Provided
25th Anniversary Dinner For The ILCC
6 p.m. Friday
CineCity Studios Chicago, 1414 S. Western Ave.
The International Latino Cultural Center is turning 25 and celebrating with an anniversary dinner featuring an intimate live performance by Latin Grammy-winning artist Alex Cuba. There will also be storytelling, food and cocktails and more.
Learn more and get tickets for $150 here.
Fall Exhibition Opening Reception: ALMA
6-9 p.m. Friday
Alma Gallery, 3636 S. Iron St.
Alma Gallery is celebrating the debut of works by featured artists for its ALMA III Fall Exhibition. It’s also welcoming new artists Eric Boyer, Andrew Portwood, Gay Fraker Held, Douglas Gates, Katrin Schnabl and Spencer Gale. Guests can view the exhibit, meet the artists and connect with neighbors throughout the evening.
Learn more here.
ALSO’s Annual Benefit for Peace: Taste for Peace
6-9:30 p.m. Friday
2701 W. Division St.
The Alliance of Local Service Organizations is hosting its annual Benefit for Peace this weekend. Guests can enjoy small bites from local restaurants, sangria, music, games and raffles while connecting with neighbors and supporting violence prevention programs that keep Humboldt Park safe.
Learn more and get tickets starting at $100 here.
Eras After Dark: A Field Museum Homecoming
6-10 p.m. Friday
Field Museum, 1400 S. Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive
This 21-and-older after-hours celebration at the museum blends the “prehistoric era with the pop culture decades you grew up in,” taking guests through the Earth’s history and their own — from the Precambrian to the 1970s and the Cenozoic to the 2000s. Alongside access to museum exhibits, there will be immersive lounges, hands-on science activities and interactive stations, a DJ, light snacks, specialty cocktails, photo opportunities and more.
Tickets are $55 for members and $60 for non-members. Learn more and register here.
Saturday
61st Street Indoor Farmers Market
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone Ave.
Farmers market season continues indoors in Hyde Park with a variety of local, organic and sustainable vendors. People can shop fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs, fish, cheeses, baked goods, hot prepared meals, preserves, jams, honey, salsas and sauces, coffee, tea and more. There will also be a chef demo at 10:30 a.m., and people can get their bike fixed with Blackstone Bicycle Works 10 a.m.-noon.
Learn more here.
Midway Christmas Cookie Walk
10 a.m.-noon (63rd Street) and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Archer Avenue) Saturday
Along Archer Avenue or 63rd Street
The Midway Chamber of Commerce is celebrating Small Business Saturday with its fifth annual Christmas Cookie Walk. There will be two separate walks, one along 63rd Street from 10 a.m.-noon and another along Archer Avenue from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The walks will take neighbors across local businesses, where they’ll get a free cookie from each stop. They’ll also receive a custom Cookie Walk tote bag.
Learn more and register here.
St. John’s Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
St. John’s Lutheran Church and School, 4939 W. Montrose Ave.
Shop wreaths, ornaments, handmade cards, cookies and treats, keychains and more from local vendors at this holiday market. There will also be activities like a bear-building workshop, face painting and raffles.
Learn more here.
Vjosa Market
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Vjosa Cafe and Events, 1010 W. 35th St.
Shop art, jewelry, coffee, fresh-baked pastries and more from dozens of Chicago vendors at this local market.
Learn more here.
Let’s Sketch Salvage One
Noon-3 p.m. Saturday
Salvage One, 1840 W. Hubbard St.
The Chicago chapter of Urban Sketchers is hosting a sketching session at Chicago’s first and oldest architectural salvage store. Attendees can roam the 60,000-square-foot warehouse filled with vintage and salvaged furniture, lighting, building fragments and more.
Learn more here.
The flyer for the Merry Meows Holiday Bazaar at the Harmony House for Cats this weekend. Credit: Provided
Merry Meows Holiday Bazaar
1-4 p.m. Saturday
Harmony House for Cats, 2914 N. Elston Ave.
Shop holiday decor, handmade catnip toys and other gifts while supporting Harmony House for Cats at this market. There will also be home-brewed winter beer from Brewmaster Dan and a raffle.
Admission is free. Learn more here.
Ravenswood Makers Market
1-6 p.m. Saturday
KOVAL Distillery, 4241 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Shop 25 makers with a drink in hand at this local market. There will be handmade and vintage goods, including art, home decor, clothing, jewelry, soap, candles and more.
This is a free, family-friendly event. Learn more here.
National Cuatro Festival
7-10 p.m. Saturday
Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St.
The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance presents its 27th annual National Cuatro Festival this weekend, featuring salsa start Michael Stuart, cuatrista Fabiola “Fabi” Muñoz and the Latin Music Project.
Learn more and buy tickets starting at $65.60 here.
Parachute HiFi, a new concept that brings music and food to the forefront at 3500 N. Elston Ave., opened Sept. 4, 2024. Credit: Andres Recillas
Vinyl Sessions At Parachute HiFi
7-11 p.m. Saturday
Parachute Restaurant, 3500 N. Elston Ave.
At James Beard- and Michelin-star-winning Korean restaurant Parachute, guests can enjoy food and drinks while DJs spin soul, funk, world and R&B records throughout the night.
Learn more here.
Sunday
Chicago Artisan Market
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Morgan MFG, 408 N. Sangamon St.
Shop from more than 115 Chicago and Midwest artisans at this indoor market. There will be food, fashion, home goods, art, coffee, tea, chocolates and pastries, gourmet food and more for sale. There will also be bistro seating areas and a stocked bar.
Tickets are $8-$10 for one or $20 for four. Kids younger than 12 get in free. This is a family- and dog-friendly event. Learn more and get tickets here.
Cycling x Solidarity, a collective of Chicago cyclists, organizes bike tours where participants buy out tamale vendors in Pilsen, Little Village and other neighborhoods so they can return to the safety of their homes. Credit: Instagram/Cycling x Solidarity
Street Vendor Bike Tour: Back Of The Yards
Noon Sunday
Chinatown Square Plaza, 2134 S. Archer Ave.
For the fifth ride of the Street Vendor Bike Tour series, Chicagoans can gather and ride their bikes from Chinatown to Back of the Yards to support street vendors in the neighborhood. Riders will be able to hear the vendors’ stories and break bread together.
Learn more and RSVP here.
A past family event at the Harold Washington Library. Credit: Provided/Facebook
Family Fun Fest
1-4 p.m. Sunday
Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St.
The Harold Washington Library is hosting a dinosaur-themed fall open house with activities, music, art and more in its Thomas Hughes Children’s Library on the second floor.
This is a family-friendly, all-ages event. Learn more here.
Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark St. Credit: Eric Allix Rogers
Scandinavian Jam
2 p.m. Sunday
Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark St.
Musicians and instructors Mary Allsopp and Paul Tyler co-host this monthly jam honoring traditional roots music at the Swedish American Museum. The afternoon kicks off with instruction 1-1:45 p.m., where new tunes are taught through call and response. Then there will be a snack break and a jam session at 2 p.m.
People are encouraged to bring their instruments, share tunes and play along when they can, or they can just sit back and listen. Learn more here. Contact Scandi.Fiddler@yahoo.com or PTyler@ameritech.net with any questions.
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast: