The best things to do in Chicago this weekend

Put on your best pink attire and let your nostalgia run wild at this pop-up inspired by the iconic doll. Fans will enjoy all-day brunch fare from Master Chef semi-finalist Becky Brown and sip on refreshing cocktails while hanging out on a breezy, beach-themed patio. There are plenty of photo ops—including a life-sized Barbie box—plus exclusive merch to pick up. You can even strap on roller skates and glide around an outdoor rink!

The hottest house music fest takes over Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island for two days of scorching beats. Now in its second year, Heatwave will be headlined by GRiZ, Kx5, Gryffin, Slander, Tiësto and more. If that’s not enough, a host of afterparties at venues across the city will keep the good times going.

Chicago honors its legacy as a city of 12-bar melodies and wailing guitar solos by hosting this annual blues music festival, bringing living legends and local players to Millennium Park for four days of electrifying performances. This year's lineup includes headlining sets from rockers Los Lobos, gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama with Bobby Rush, and singer Mud Morganfield. Plus, new this year is a a blues-inspired smokehouse, dubbed Wally's BBQ Pit, where guests can feast on delicious barbecue in between acts.

Vegandale returns to Chicago this summer with over 150 vendors from around the world. Check out over-the-top plant-based eats—including products not yet available in stores—as well as interactive art installations, free samples and a performance by Rick Ross.

Andersonville's beloved summer street fest returns to Clark Street for its 57th year of Swedish-themed festivities. Catch live entertainment across six stages from dozens of musical and entertainment acts. Plus, shop local vendors for gifts and food. And of course, don't miss out on Swedish heritage activities, including a traditional dance around the Midsommar Maypole.

Celebrate Humboldt Park's vibrant Puerto Rican culture and history at this annual fest, which returns to the park of the same name this year with music, food, carnival rides and other community-centric festivities. You'll find attractions like a dominoes tournament, music stage, merengue dance performances, a shopping market, street food stands and more; plus, don't miss the 45th annual Puerto Rican People's Parade Day along Division Street on Saturday. PSA: Tickets are free for community day on Thursday. 

Have you hopped on the hard seltzer craze? Mosey around the grounds The Lot at Plumbers Hall during this hard seltzer tasting event, where you'll have the chance to sample countless sparkling bevvies, from Vizzy to the the iconic White Claw. Varying entry times for each ticket ensures space between groups; a premier ticket will also net you complimentary snack bites, a take-home can of seltzer, a commemorative tasting cup and other goodies. 

Take a stroll and browse the work of more than 200 artists on the streets of Old Town at this annual two-day art fair. Attendees can also take a self-guided tour of more than 50 local gardens, enjoy live music from local performers and explore a selection of food and drinks provided by area restaurants and vendors. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

See the work of more than 200 juried artists and purchase original photography, paintings, jewelry and more at this two-day fest in Old Town. Food options include fare from local restaurants, and live entertainment will play throughout the weekend.

Vinyl & Vittles is back for a second year at Englewood Plaza. The event, which takes place once a month from June-October, brings together a host of record vendors for a day of music and fun. You can peruse through crates of vinyl, enjoy delicious bites from food vendors and dance to tunes spun by local DJs.

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 Farley "Jackmaster" Funk, Aniba & The Sol Starz and Isaiah Sharkey.

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church hosts this annual fest, complete with authentic Greek food and pastries, live music, a Greek dance troupe and a Hellenic market.

Chicago Chefs Cook, the local philanthropic organization, is teaming up with the National Italian American Foundation to support farmers in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna who lost their crops and homes to devastating “once in a century” floods. Some of the most notable Italian restaurants in the city will host chef-curated dining experiences from June 8-12, with proceeds benefitting the Italian American Relief fund. Participating spots include Gibsons Italia, Monteverde, Gene & Georgetti, Alla Vita and more. Check the Chicago Chefs Cook website for the full lineup and reservations.

Macy's opulent Walnut Room will host a series of drag brunches this summer. Starring local performer Lucy Stoole, the brunch themes will include Totally '80s, '90s Pride and Taylor Swift. While you watch, you'll be treated to raspberry-stuffed French toast, mimosa flights and other colorful snacks.

Spin classes and weight lifting can wait for the winter. This summer, jump start your weekend with free cardio kickboxing, yoga, pilates and Zumba classes on Millennium Park’s Great Lawn every Saturday from May through September.

The Lyric Opera captivated audiences with its 2019 debut of this Broadway classic—and they’re bringing that magic back for three weeks this June, when we’re once again in the world of Sharks and Jets—and of Maria and Tony. Leonard Bernstein's music and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics soar as strongly as ever, reminding spectators that even in the midst of power battles and familial strife, love perseveres.

Rooftop Cinema Club, the open-air theater perched atop The Emily Hotel, is back for a second 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.

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.

Originally established in the late 1800s, the Maxwell Street Market brought vendors, musicians and cooks to an open-air flea market where shoppers could find just about anything they wanted. The market introduced the Maxwell Street Polish sausage, provided a venue for rising Chicago blues musicians and was immortalized in a scene in The Blues Brothers. These days, the market sets up on nearby Desplaines Street (between Roosevelt and Howard) every Sunday, where visitors will find vendors hawking their wares, an abundance of delicious Mexican food and occasional performances by local bands and dance troupes. Don't let the cold or wet weather scare you away—the Maxwell Street Market takes place outdoors year-round.

Jump for joy when the largest touring inflatable festival makes its way to the Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora from May 27 through June 18. This colorful and immersive family attraction features eight bounce houses, including a 600-foot obstacle course, a bottomless ball pit, a silent disco dome with live DJs and more. Tickets start at $24 for a 90-minute pass.

Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz, a Northwestern Hospital/University physician and professor, is back with a new version of his hit production Physician Magician. Blending magic and medicine, he captivates audiences with mesmerizing illusions in an intimate setting. The new show includes several never-before-seen numbers and brings back many signature classics. 

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 $50 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.

Pixar Putt returns to Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier for the 2023 season. The mini golf pop-up presents 18 holes of fun inspired by some of Pixar’s most beloved films, including Toy Story, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Wall-E and more. Looking for a date night activity? Visit Thursday-Sunday from 7pm-10pm for Pixar Putt After Dark, which is reserved for patrons over 18. Illinois residents can save $3.50 off each ticket with proof of residency.

Projecting a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of the Merchandise Mart, ART on THE Mart's 2023 programming kicks off with a new piece by internationally-renowned artist Derrick Adams—“Funtime Unicorn: Ruby Rides Through Four Seasons”—which will be on display from April 14 to July 5. The spring season will also feature artwork from soon-to-graduate Chicago Public School students, officially titled “Select Works from the CPS Class of 2023.” ART on THE MART's array of 34 digital projectors show the creations at 8:30pm and 9pm every evening. It’s best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.

From the team that created Immersive Van Gogh, Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius is a new production that brings the famous Classical composer’s brilliant works to life with  captivating visuals built around the auditory experience. Audiences will be surrounded by bustling city streets, ornate royal auditoriums, lavish paintings and otherworldly dreamscapes, all accompanied by some of Mozart’s most beloved melodies. Some of Mozart’s best compositions will be featured, including Symphony No. 40, Requiem, Turkish March, Ave Verum Corpus and selections from his acclaimed operas. Immersive Van Gogh is also currently running in the same space and customers who purchase tickets to Mozart Immersive can watch both shows back to back.

Yer a wizard, Harry! Or at least, you can pretend to be one at this immersive Harry Potter experience that’s popping up at Water Tower Place through September 2023. Visitors are invited to step into Harry’s life at Hogwarts with interactive features like Quidditch lessons, Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, sipping sweet drinks at the Butterbeer Bar, Patronus-seeking in the Forbidden Forest and learning their Hogwarts house via the Sorting Hat, among other magical experiences. FYI: In addition to regular operating hours, the exhibition is open on “select” Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and may offer different hours around holidays. 

Chicago Gamespace, a video game museum in Logan Square, is opening a new exhibition dedicated to the game universe of TRON. Visitors will enter through Flynn's Arcade, the immortal arcade owned by Jeff Bridges' Flynn character in the sci-fi classic, and learn about the original TRON arcade game’s history and development before entering an immersive Light Cycle arena featuring other games from the franchise. General admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids, and includes access to the video game history collection.

Tap into feelings of childhood nostalgia at the Museum of Science and Industry’s newest exhibit, a colorful glimpse into the world of Mold-A-Rama™ machines. Explore a collection of popular, rare and experimental souvenirs, learn about the history of the machines’ production and breathe in the iconic scent of their plastic toymaking—you can even take home a few new Mold-A-Rama™ souvenirs if you’re looking to expand your collection. 

Delve into the often-mystifying process of death in this surprisingly life-affirming exhibit at the Field Museum, which explores dying through a variety of natural and cultural processes. Attendees can explore highlights like a full-sized ofrenda made by Chicago artist Norma Rios-Sierra, a replica of a whale's body on the ocean floor and check out a variety of interactive media and soundscapes to help ponder some of life's big questions about death. 

Working in partnership with the Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico, the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture is bringing a stunning selection of paintings to Chicago—some of which have never been shown outside of Puerto Rico—for an exhibition highlighting several of the island's most important artists. Centered around three curatorial themes (“My Home,” “My People” and “My Island”), the works span from the 18th century to the first half of the 20th century, showcasing artists like José Campeche, Francisco Oller, Miguel Pou and Myrna Báez, among others. Tickets to the exhibition are free, but you might consider a small online donation to the Museo de Arte de Ponce, which is still recovering from damage sustained in a 2020 earthquake.  

Bye Bye Liver combines two robust Chicago traditions: comedy and heavy drinking. The show opened 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.

Settle in for an evening of burlesque performers, belly dancers, drag artists and variety entertainers during this weekly show at Newport Theater. The hour-long show features speciality cocktails and intimate seating arrangements, making this feel like a clandestine speakeasy experience. Bring some singles so that you can tip performers throughout the night!

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. Returning to in-person programming (attendees must be vaccinated and masked) after more than a year spent in the virtual realm, the company's signature show is more unpredictable than ever, 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.