The Great Chicago Fire Festival turns up the heat this year and moves to Northerly Island. The fest will have a neighborhood bazaar courtesy of Redmoon Theater, live music performances, food vendors and, most importantly, a burning building and blowout fireworks display. Celebrate a devastating historic disaster the only way that can really do justice, by blowing shit up and burning shit down. (Northerly Island, 1400 S Linn White Dr, Sat 5–9pm. Free)
We know. Combining German breakdancing with electro-Bach sounds like it could go one of two ways: really lame or surprisingly awesome. Take it from us, the dance performance Red Bull Flying Bach is definitely the latter. Come see this energetic show when it returns to Chicago this weekend. (Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St, Fri & Sat 8pm, Sun 4pm. $30–$100)
3. Attend a favorite Chicago jazz standard
The Jazz Festival is back, bringing with it a weekend packed with fabulous, free jazz performances all over Hyde Park neighborhood venues. Don’t miss saxophonist Geof Bradfield and guitarist Jeff Parker playing the music of Thelonious Monk or Chicago-born composer Henry Threadgill. Check out the festival’s additional bus route for speedy free transportation between venues so you won’t miss a beat. (Hyde Park, various venues, Sat 1pm–midnight, Sun 2–7pm. $5 suggested donation)
4. Gather the fam for a grand fall fest
Dragging your family to a design festival can be a drag itself, but the Grand Art and Design Festival has enough well-rounded fall and family programming to let you shop easy. The annual autumn fest known for its focus on designer furnishings and home and garden spices up its vendor variety this year, adding local artisans and crafters plus jewelry and clothing designers. Bring your kids to the adjoining Harvest Fest for pumpkin painting, hay rides and a petting zoo. (Grand Ave, between Wood St and Western Ave, Sat & Sun 11am–8pm. $5 suggested donation)
Sunday, from 8:07 to 9:11pm, the Adler Planetarium’s Lunar Eclipse Viewing Party is the place to be for the best way to watch the last total lunar eclipse until 2018. The heavenly bash includes expert lecturers, telescope viewing from the planetarium’s plaza and a simulcast of the lunar eclipse. Don’t space out on this spectacular event. (Adler Planetarium, 1300 S Lake Shore Dr, 7pm. $12, members $7)