{"id":199737,"date":"2025-09-04T14:21:24","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T14:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/199737\/"},"modified":"2025-09-04T14:21:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T14:21:24","slug":"taste-of-chicago-retro-on-roscoe-renaissance-fest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/199737\/","title":{"rendered":"Taste Of Chicago, Retro On Roscoe, Renaissance Fest"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO \u2014 Kick off September with some of Chicago\u2019s most beloved festivals, including Taste of Chicago, Retro on Roscoe, the Mandala Makers Festival, Printers Row Lit Fest and the 79th Street Renaissance Festival.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also the Black and Bronze Music Fest, Throwback Music Fest, the inaugural Edgewater Music Fest and the Rhinoceros Theater Festival \u2014 the city\u2019s longest-running fringe fest.<\/p>\n

Other weekend events include an opening reception for a new exhibit at Oliva Gallery, a free yoga class at a Black- and Filipina-owned studio in Auburn Gresham and a day of family fun at Douglass Park for Little Lawndale in the Park.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a roundup of 18 things to do in Chicago this weekend:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Taste of Chicago Credit: Taste of Chicago\/Facebook<\/p>\n

Taste Of Chicago<\/p>\n

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday<\/p>\n

Grant Park \u2013 Buckingham Fountain, Jackson and Columbus<\/p>\n

Taste of Chicago is back with food and drinks from some of Chicago\u2019s best culinary spots, including Billy Goat Tavern, Connie\u2019s Pizza, Harold\u2019s Chicken, Hubbard Inn, JJ Thai Street Food, Khmai, Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Porkchop and The Original Rainbow Cone. There will also be a beer hall and cocktail lounge, live entertainment and neighborhood trivia.<\/p>\n

Learn more and find a full list of vendors and performers here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"The flyer for Throwback Music Fest. Credit: Provided\/Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

Throwback Music Fest<\/p>\n

4-10:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday<\/p>\n

6100 N. Milwaukee Ave.<\/p>\n

Enjoy live music, a kid\u2019s carnival, family activities, a pet costume contest, a classic car show, a pin-up contest and more at this three-day festival. There will also be food and drinks and a celebration for first responders Sunday.<\/p>\n

Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Retro on Roscoe returns for its 30th annual edition this weekend. Credit: Provided\/Special Events Management<\/p>\n

Retro On Roscoe<\/p>\n

5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday<\/p>\n

2000 W. Roscoe St. from Damen to Leavitt<\/p>\n

This 30th annual festival in Roscoe Village brings live music, a classic car show, vintage shopping and family-friendly fun across three days. There will be nearly 50 vintage cars on display, a Sunday appearance by the Wienermobile, arts and crafts vendors, wine and spirits and more.<\/p>\n

There is a $15 suggested donation upon entry to support the nonprofit Roscoe Village Neighbors<\/a>. Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"A previous street fest hosted by the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce. Credit: Provided\/Michael Courier<\/p>\n

Edgewater Music Fest<\/p>\n

5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday<\/p>\n

Broadway from Thorndale to Ardmore<\/p>\n

This inaugural street fest features live music, more than 80 vendors, a kid\u2019s zone and more. Among more than 30 performers across two stages are Chicago hip-hop and funk sensation Rick Wilson, Cincinnati-based rockers Foxy Shazam, Chicago rock band Sludgeworth, indie punk rockers Pinksqueeze and more.<\/p>\n

There is a $10 suggested donation upon entry to support the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, Care for Real and the performers. Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mandala Makers Festival<\/p>\n

Various times Friday-Saturday<\/p>\n

Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, 2936 N. Southport Ave.<\/p>\n

Mandala South Asian Performing Arts<\/a> is hosting its seventh Mandala Makers Festival this weekend, celebrating and platforming South Asian artists. This weekend\u2019s schedule features contemporary music and dance performances, an EDM and Bollywood dance parties, folk performances and more.<\/p>\n

Performances are free to attend. Dance parties are $40. Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"The flyer for Lookingglass Theatre\u2019s inaugural GglassFest. Credit: Provided<\/p>\n

GglassFest<\/p>\n

Kicks off 6 p.m. Friday and runs through Sept. 13<\/p>\n

The Joan and Paul Theatre at Water Tower Water Works,\u00a0 163 E. Pearson St.<\/p>\n

For the first time, Lookingglass Theatre is hosting a festival that invites audiences to go behind the scenes and experience its new play development programs, gglassworks. Attendees will get to see how the ensemble proposes new work, preview upcoming stories and participate in the process.<\/p>\n

This weekend\u2019s slots are at 6 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday. Learn more and find the calendar here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"The flyer for the 36th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival. Credit: Provided<\/p>\n

Rhinoceros Theater Festival<\/p>\n

Kicks off 7 p.m. Saturday and runs through Sept. 28<\/p>\n

Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California Ave. (Humboldt Park), Labyrinth Arts Club, 3658 N. Pulaski Ave. (Avondale) and Jarvis Square Theatre, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave. (Rogers Park)<\/p>\n

Chicago\u2019s longest-running fringe theater fest is back for its 36th edition, with dozens of plays, musicals and performances coming to venues citywide throughout the month. The works come from more than 40 companies and artists and have a focus on new Chicago works featuring themes of resistance and rebellion.<\/p>\n

Learn more and find a calendar of shows here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"The crowds at the 2024 Printers Row Lit Fest. Credit: Don Seeley<\/p>\n

Printers Row Lit Fest<\/p>\n

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday<\/p>\n

South Dearborn from Ida B. Wells to Polk<\/p>\n

The two-day Printers Row Lit Fest is back for its 40th year with renowned author Sandra Cisneros, who wrote \u201cThe House on Mango Street,\u201d as well as more than 70 live programs, over 100 independent booksellers and more. There will also be food vendors, literary organizations, publishers and more.<\/p>\n

Admission is free. Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chicago Pottery Market<\/p>\n

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday<\/p>\n

Wilderhouse, 1339 N. Damen Ave.<\/p>\n

This late summer market will spotlight more than a dozen local ceramicists, including Archer Ceramics, Alex Sternberg, Joanne Trestrail, Lucas Lee Ho, Monsoon Pottery, Three Dot Studio, Michael Guy Coates and more.<\/p>\n

Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Friday<\/p>\n

\u2018Holding Space\u2019 Opening Reception<\/p>\n

5-9 p.m. Friday<\/p>\n

Oliva Gallery, 3816 W. Armitage Ave.<\/p>\n

Artists Jan Nakao, Laurie LeBreton and Macus Alonso are coming together for a joint exhibit of painting, sculpture and installation called \u201cHolding Space.\u201d Their influences range from \u201cJungian analysis to multicultural geometry and ritual firework.\u201d<\/p>\n

All artists will attend the opening reception.<\/p>\n

\"\"The Lakewood Balmoral Residents\u2019 Council hosts an annual community yard sale. Credit: Provided\/Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

Lakewood Balmoral Yard Sale<\/p>\n

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday<\/p>\n

5200-5500 North along Magnolia, Lakewood and Wayne (between Foster and Bryn Mawr)<\/p>\n

This annual neighborhood sale features 12 blocks of front-yard sales.<\/p>\n

Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wicker Park Fine Art Fair<\/p>\n

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday<\/p>\n

1425 N. Damen Ave.<\/p>\n

There will be a variety of art on display among Wicker Park gardens for this fine art fair. More than 30 artists will show and sell their work, from paintings and drawings to ceramics and wood block prints.<\/p>\n

This is a free event sponsored by the Wicker Park Garden Club in collaboration with the Park District. Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"YouTube<\/p>\n

79th Street Renaissance Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday<\/p>\n

79th and Racine Avenue<\/p>\n

Hosted by the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, this annual fest draws over 15,000 attendees for a day of live entertainment, food and family fun.<\/p>\n

Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"The flyer for Madison Row Fest. Credit: Provided\/Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

Madison Row Fest<\/p>\n

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday<\/p>\n

Madison Street between Carpenter and Racine<\/p>\n

This family-friendly block party brings together thousands of attendees for food and drinks from some of the city\u2019s best eateries, live entertainment, crafts, games, shopping and more. This community celebration is organized by West Loop Neighbors and West Central Association.<\/p>\n

There is a $10 suggested donation upon entry. Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, 3015 W. Division St. Credit: The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture <\/p>\n

Paseo Boricua & Humboldt Park: Stories, Murals & Monuments With Eduardo<\/p>\n

Noon-2 p.m. Saturday<\/p>\n

National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, 3015 W. Division St.<\/p>\n

Explore Humboldt Park and its murals, monuments and Puerto Rican pride with longtime resident and tour guide Eduardo Arocho. He\u2019s been giving tours for nearly 30 years and runs the Paseo Boricua Tour Company.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $33.85 and include admission to the museum. Learn more and buy them here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Little Lawndale In The Park<\/p>\n

Noon-7 p.m. Saturday<\/p>\n

Douglass Park Flower Hall and Formal Gardens, Ogden and Sacramento<\/p>\n

Little Lawndale in the Park is a community event with live musical performances, interactive art making, local vendors, resources, food trucks and more in Douglass Park. Performers include the Mariachi Sirenas, Rosalba Valdez and La Rosa Noir.<\/p>\n

Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Black & Bronze Music Fest<\/p>\n

1-7 p.m. Saturday<\/p>\n

Armstrong Park, 4433 S. Saint Lawrence Ave.<\/p>\n

Immerse yourself in jazz, soul, hip-hop and poetry performances at the Black and Bronze Music Fest honoring Chicago\u2019s South Side, its history and culture. There will be a variety of vendors and businesses from the South Side and activities like complimentary haircuts for kids 14 and younger, a foot-working dance battle, a stepping competition and more.<\/p>\n

Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Root To Rise: A Fall Yoga Gathering<\/p>\n

3 p.m. Sunday<\/p>\n

Rise Training Academy, 8300 S. Halsted St.<\/p>\n

Rise Training Academy, a Black- and Filipina-owned small business in Auburn Gresham, offers a variety of martial arts, dance and fitness programs \u2014 including a yoga session this weekend. The class is open to all bodies and experience levels and designed to \u201cuplift our underserved South Side community,\u201d said co-owner Lotta Yanong.<\/p>\n

Attendance is free but space is limited. Attendees are asked to bring mats, comfortable clothes and water.<\/p>\n

Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CHICAGO \u2014 Kick off September with some of Chicago\u2019s most beloved festivals, including Taste of Chicago, Retro on…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":199738,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5124],"tags":[960,5386,1818,1072],"class_list":{"0":"post-199737","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-chicago","8":"tag-chicago","9":"tag-il","10":"tag-illinois","11":"tag-things-to-do"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115146475824226281","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/199737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=199737"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/199737\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/199738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=199737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=199737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=199737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}