The best things to do in Chicago this weekend

Local hip-hop blog and music video production house Lyrical Lemonade brings its Summer Smash festival back to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview for another year, hosting a lineup of both established and rising rappers. Cactus Jack (Travis Scott), Playboi Carti and Chief Keef headline the fest. Other highlights on the lineup include Big Sean, Kodak Black, Denzel Curry and Lil Yachty. As usual, the undercard is filled with rising acts—for those looking for a glimpse of the future of hip-hop, you'll probably see it at the Summer Smash.

Taking place on the same street occupied by some of Chicago's best-known restaurants, this West Loop fest boasts six blocks of food, drinks and music. You'll find bites from more than 16 restaurants (on Randolph Street and beyond) as well as two stages packed with performances throughout the day. This year's lineup includes Local H, Lucky Boys Confusion, Ramona Flowers, Phantom Planet and more. Proceeds from the festival support the West Loop Community Organization.

Grant Park's Bulter Field hosts one of the biggest art fairs of the summer, with 250 juried artists show off paintings, ceramics, jewelry, sculptures and more in tents set up throughout the park. Plus, curious art enthusiasts can make their own masterpieces during live painting classes.

Head to North Center to dig into more than 50,000 pounds of ribs and barbecue across the streets of Lincoln, Damen and Irving Park. The annual celebration of saucy pork brings together more than 20 vendors, lounges where you can sit down to eat and live music to keep you entertained while you're digesting your second rack of ribs. New this year is a whiskey tasting, where guests can sample sample up to 16 local and international spirits.

The Back of the Yards neighborhood knows how to throw a party, shutting down two blocks to make room for carnival rides, games, food vendors and live music. Head down to 47th Street and Ashland if you want to eat a taco, take a ride on a Ferris wheel and win a gigantic stuffed animal.

Celebrate Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S., with a free family-friendly festival hosted by It Takes A Village Family of Schools at Douglass Park. The day will be filled with games, rides, delicious food and live performances from Common, Dead Prez, Domani and more.

The 21st annual African Diaspora Film Festival showcases a selection of international films that explore the experiences of people of color from all over the world. This year's lineup opens with White Like the Moon and Negrita, films centered on identity and race issues within Latino communities. Also featured is historical documentary Walter Rodney, What They Don’t Want You to Know and 2023 Cannes Official Selection Nome, a drama that portrays Guinea-Bissau's intense struggle for independence and the post-independence nation building process. Visit the festival's website for the complete schedule.

With performances taking place in the Navy Pier Beer Garden and at Polk Bros Park, the Chi-Soul Fest returns to the lakefront for two days of free music. The lineup includes artists that embrace classic and contemporary interpretations of soul music, including Ariel Posen, New Black Renaissance, Meagan McNeal and more.

Every year, residents of Rogers Park and folks from throughout the city gather to paint sections of a 600-foot-long wall located by the lake near Loyola Beach. The Artists of the Wall Festival has been taking place since 1993, when neighbors banded together to cover up graffiti on the wall. As usual, there will be live music and plenty of activities for kids. You'll have to register for a spot to paint, but viewing is free.

The Chicago Book & Paper Fair sets up shop for the 61st time with antiquarian, rare and collectible books for sale from both local sellers and merchants from across the U.S. Pick up prints, maps and brush up on your local history by picking up titles from the fair's "Chicago History & Authors" field. (But by no means are you limited by subject. See the fair's website for more details.)

Pack a picnic and head to the Great Lawn of Millennium Park for a day of free performances courtesy of the Joffrey Ballet. The program will showcase pioneering choreographers from around the globe, including Cathy Marston, Justin Peck, Yuri Possokhov, Christopher Wheeldon and 2024 Winning Works Choreographer Manoela Gonçalves. Arrive early at 4:15pm for free family-friendly movement classes.

Half Acre celebrates 15 years of its signature beer, Daisy Cutter, with a full-scale bash. Visit the brewery’s taproom for a day of live music by Lipschitz, Crisis Actress and Astrobite, food by Half Acre and Nettare, flash tattoos, coffee and more. All ages are welcome, as well as dogs.

Jog (or walk) through Humboldt Park at this 5K that starts in front of the Puerto Rican flag landmark. Once you cross the finish line, relax with live tropical beats, refreshing drinks and snacks. If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate Father’s Day, this is it!

The ninth annual Craft Brews at Lincoln Park Zoo invites guests to sample more than 100 beers and ciders while wandering around the premises after hours. You'll get to see amazing animals, listen to music, play lawn games and purchase delectable bites to complement the alcohol. General admission includes tickets for 20 three-ounce tastings and a souvenir glass.

Sundays on State—which shuts down a strip of State Street spanning from Adams to Lake Streets for activations, performances, food and shopping—brings thousands of visitors downtown to check out everything from outdoor dining and browsing opportunities to pop-up karaoke and barre fitness classes. The event returns on two Sundays this year by popular demand. For a full schedule of vendors and events, check out Chicago Loop Alliance's website.

Comics and small press artists and publishers from across the country will come together for a fest at Grace Church of Logan Square. Check out vendors, talks and workshops throughout the day, then enjoy the biggest Zine Not Dead reading beginning at 8pm. Zine Not Dead is a performative comics reading series in Chicago, running quarterly since 2015.

Late-night funnyman Seth Meyers comes to town for an evening of standup comedy at the Vic Theatre. You’ll have two opportunities to catch him on June 14: 7pm and 9:30pm.

Head to Pioneer Court for a day of free programming, courtesy of Italian marketplace concept Eataly. Attendees can sit in on complimentary cooking demonstrations and taste dishes made by Eataly’s expert chefs, including housemade mozzarella, casarecce al pesto trapanese and panino con salsiccia e giardiniera. Plus you’ll be eligible to win swag, gift cards and more.

Based on the family-favorite board game, this immersive and interactive experience puts guests into the roles of beloved CLUE characters as they try to solve the murder of estate owner Boden "Boddy" Black. The mystery starts at Block 37, where detectives are greeted by the Butler before being sent on their way to gather clues from popular Chicago sites and shops. You’ll be tasked with finding long-lost antiques and figuring out who did it, where and with what.

The Lost Kingdoms, an exhibit featuring creatures from the Jurassic Period and Ice Age, makes a stop in Chicago this summer at Washington Park. Visitors can check out more than 50 life-size animatronic dinosaurs and prehistoric beasts, like the Tyrannosaurus rex and sabretooth tiger, as they journey through excavation sites and engage in hands-on fossil digging activities. A host of local vendors will offer food, drinks and souvenirs along the trail.

The oldest music festival in North America plays host to more than 100 shows throughout summer, featuring big-name headliners like James Taylor, Violent Femmes, Ben Platt and Samara Joy. Check out the full schedule of artists coming to Highland Park this year and don't forget to pack a picnic.

Curious Theatre Branch's Rhinoceros Theatre Festival, which bills itself as Chicago's longest-running fringe festival, returns for its 35th outing with a slate of new theater, music performances, art and more. Visit rhinofest.com for the complete schedule.

The JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival returns this year with in-person screenings for the first time since the pandemic. The new lineup features 23 documentaries, dramas and comedies from around the world that explore Jewish identity and experience. Spread across three weeks, the showings will take place at Wayfarer in Highland Park, The Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago and Landmark Century Centre in Chicago, alongside a special premiere of 999: The Forgotten Girls at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie.

Sportsman's Club's backyard BBQ series is back for another year, bringing local restaurants to the bar's patio to cook a meal that's usually paired with a beverage. For the uninitiated, the takeovers are first-come, first-served, with the featured chef holding court over the bar's grill and menu. Food is priced a la carte. Check out the full lineup below and start planning your Sunday afternoons accordingly.

Starts at 4pm.

During the summer, one of the best aerial displays you'll find in Chicago originates from Navy Pier. The Chicago attraction hosts twice-weekly fireworks shows (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with stunning views available from across the pier's public spaces. Of course, you can also take in the show from nearby beaches or while cruising along the Lakefront Trail.

Enjoy outdoor live music all summer long at the Navy Pier Beer Garden. The free series will feature local, regional and national acts performing countless genres and musical styles every weekend. Check the official Navy Pier website for the full schedule.

Check out all sorts of cool trinkets, wares and eats at this indoor market highlighting artisan makers from Chicago’s South Side. Taking place on the second floor of the Promontory, the family-friendly event will feature new and returning vendors, a cocktail bar, lounge areas and tunes by DJ Sean Alvarez of We Love Soul.

Rooftop Cinema Club, the open-air theater perched atop The Emily Hotel, is back for another season. Guests can catch showings of hand-picked classics, cult films and recent releases while also enjoying sweeping views of the skyline and craft beverages. It’s the perfect summer cinema experience. Check the official website for the full schedule and lineup.

Navy Pier, in partnership with the Design Museum of Chicago and The Vintage House Show Collective, presents a new exhibit exploring the history of the home-grown artists, clubs and labels that have built House music. The exhibit will be open and free to the public during all Pier operating hours through the end of October.

If dozens of vendors aren't enough of a draw for you to come to the lively Sunday market at this West Town neighborhood’s namesake park, maybe the weekly complimentary market programming—which includes free yoga, meditation and storytime for kids—will be. The market is also committed to sustainability, with plastic-free vendors and composting.

If you can withstand the roar of O'Hare traffic and incoming 747s (plus, you know, the trek on Chicago's most horrible freeway), you'll find some of the best deals in greater Chicagoland at this flea market outside Allstate Arena. Pick up odd trinkets or bulk candy and potato chips, plus clothing, housewares, furniture, jewelry and collectibles. Boasting over 700 sellers, this flea market is a favorite of vintage buyers themselves, so you know there are some great finds to be had at the fraction of city prices. Bring your best bargaining skills.

One of Chicago's most popular farmer's markets, Green City Market welcomes vendors selling regional produce to the south end of Lincoln Park (between Clark Street and Stockton Drive) on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Amid the rows, you’ll find farm-fresh eggs from Michigan, cheese from Wisconsin and scrumptious pies baked by Chicago’s own Hoosier Mama Pie Co.

This annual festival assembles luminaries from the fields of politics, journalism and the arts for a multi-week series of programming across the city, with events ranging from lectures and discussions to screenings and musical performances. Not sure which events to hit? Some of the fest’s biggest speakers this season include former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, architect Jeanne Gang, musician Kathleen Hanna and comedian Reggie Watts. You can see a full schedule of programming on the Chicago Humanities Festival website.

The Museum of Science and Industry debuts a new exhibit dedicated to the science and technology behind the world’s longest-running film franchise, James Bond. Fans can check out 13 vehicles and over 90 additional artifacts, including the prototype jetpack used in Thunderball, an MI6 Retina Scanner from GoldenEye and the Parahawk snowmobile hybrid from The World Is Not Enough. You’ll also be able to step into a lab space inspired by “Q” and test your skills developing the perfect vehicle for spy activities, designing stunts and more.

Navy Pier’s newest attraction is here, transporting guests to some of Chicago’s most epic places via exhilarating flights. The multi-sensory experience incorporates drone technologies with aerial shots and first-person views to showcase the city like never before. Guests will swoop, dip and turn in motion seats as they climb up skyscrapers, check out iconic landmarks, float through fireworks and more.

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition makes its way to Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, giving fans an opportunity to step into the world of the hit series. The immersive experience showcases the elaborate sets, detailed costumes and luxurious jewelry of Downton Abbey’s high society inhabitants, and transport visitors to the grand home of the Crawleys and those who served them. From Mrs. Patmore’s hectic kitchen and Carson’s office to the family’s glamorous dining room, the exhibition provides a fascinating look into the post-Edwardian period.

The largest and most immersive touring Titanic exhibition comes to Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie. Visitors will experience a narrative journey that brings to light the fates of the passengers and crew aboard the famous ship. Marvel at hundreds of artifacts that survived the sinking, plus props and costumes featured in James Cameron’s blockbuster film Titanic. Music from the era will play as patrons walk through detailed recreations of the ship’s interiors, including the grand staircase, while the Discovery Gallery will simulate what discovery teams saw during dives to the Titanic’s wreckage site.

Sony Pictures Entertainment has brought its first immersive entertainment destination to Oakbrook Center, inviting guests to enter the worlds of popular franchises like Uncharted, Ghostbusters, Jumanji, Bad Boys, Zombieland and more. The 45,000-square-foot space is home to a variety of activities, ranging from escape rooms to virtual reality and racing simulators to bumper cars. When you need to refuel, drop into the Commissary Restaurant for a full menu of food, desserts and cocktails. Entry to Wonderverse is free, with attractions priced separately.

Displaying a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of THE MART, ART on THE MART is the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, with programming that changes seasonally. ART on THE MART's array of 34 digital projectors show the creations after dusk every evening. It’s best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.

Head to 360 Chicago on Saturdays for yoga with a killer view. Instructor Britta Eumann will lead an hour-long class on the 94th floor of 875 N Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center) that’s suitable for all ages and skill levels—you just need to bring your own mat and arrived properly dressed. Registration is $55 and includes a cocktail or coffee, plus admission to the observation deck so you can stick around and snap some photos after you're done striking poses on the mat.

Bye Bye Liver combines two robust Chicago traditions: comedy and heavy drinking. The show opened over a decade ago for a three-week run, then kept getting extended. A cast of four to six performers portray characters at the fictional "Franks Bar," telling stories that explore the city's robust drinking culture. Each show incorporates interactive audience drinking games, allowing you to sip a cocktail or beer while taking cues from the cast. And if you're up for a nightcap after the performance, you can stick around for the official after party and mingle with the cast.

For more than 30-years, the Neo-Futurists have been delighting late-night crowds with performances that pack 30 miniature plays into a 60-minute show. The company's signature show is more unpredictable than ever these days, with a handful of compact new plays premiering every week. Within the span of 10 minutes, you may be treated to a poignant monologue about everyday life or an irreverent diatribe delivered by a pantsless member of the cast—all inspired by the experiences of the performers on stage. Always changing and evolving, it's the rare show that truly offers something different everytime you show up to see it.

This weekly “live magazine” is a cavalcade of culture, politics and wit featuring journalists, actors, comedians and musicians offering idiosyncratic reports on the news of the day. Head to Uptown’s iconic Green Mill for drinks, hot takes and laughs; the longstanding Saturday afternoon edition tends to run about two and a half hours.