Christina Izzo

Get excited, Chicagoans, because spring in Chicago is officially here. (Bye-bye snow!) The warmer temps are perfect for hiking near Chicago or taking a day trip to enjoy a quick getaway but there’ll be plenty of fun in the city, too. For sports lovers there’s, of course, the Chicago Cubs’ home opener, with Wrigley Field coming alive for the start of baseball season. Diehard fans of comic books and video games will descend upon C2E2, the biggest pop culture convention in the Midwest. Artsy folks can head to Navy Pier for the return of the big EXPO Chicago Contemporary Art Fair, and booze buffs have beverage-focused fests like the Chicago Rum Festival for their swilling and minging pleasure. So celebrate the beginning of the spring season—and all the new beginnings that go along with it—with our list of the best things to do in Chicago this April. RECOMMENDED: Events calendar for Chicago in 2025

We’re huge fans of all things NYC, but sometimes even we need a break from the city and all it entails. Fortunately, New York City provides one of the best bases in the country to use as a jumping-off point for some incredible day trips or even longer road trips. Whether you're taking someone special on a romantic getaway, or are looking to disconnect from your devices with a serious dose of nature, these road trips from NYC serve as an ideal weekend getaway. Maybe you’re looking to escape the heat of NYC in the summer, or you’re just wanting to discover a nearby destination you’ve never been to before. Here are the best road trips from New York City, from the most scenic corners of New England to charming Catskills enclaves. RECOMMENDED: 🚕 See our full guide to weekend getaways from NYC⛰️ The coziest Airbnb cabins near NYC🌳 The best treehouse Airbnbs near NYC🏖️ The best beach houses near NYC🍂 The coziest Airbnbs near NYC

New York’s one of the most literary cities in the world, and that’s never more evident than when wandering through its brilliant independent bookstores and specialty bookshops. And because Amazon’s recommendations have got nothing on a face-to-face chat with a professional bookseller, find the best bookstore NYC has to offer for browsing new fiction or picking up the year’s best books. Here's a list of our favorites—listed alphabetically, of course. RECOMMENDED: The best bookstore cafés in NYC

Brunch is competitive in New York City any time of year, and interest ticks up even higher on especially brunch-y holidays. On Easter Sunday in particular—which helpfully falls late this year on April 20, giving you even more time to plan your spring festivities—demand for mimosas, bloody Marys, eggs Benedict and all manner of pancakes soars higher than the city’s rooftop bars. These are our picks for tthe best Easter brunch offerings in NYC for 2025.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Easter in NYC

Not sure what's happening around the city today? Help is here! Chicago's best attractions, which include beautiful parks, neighborhoods and a free zoo, are always a good place to start. So are Chicago's best museums, from the Art Institute of Chicago to the Shedd Aquarium. Plus—as always—we're keeping track of the top parties, live concerts, museum exhibitions, community events and more interesting stuff blowing into the Windy City day-by-day. Grab your calendar and check out all the best things to do in Chicago today. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Chicago right now 

Is there anything better than a spring weekend? Yes, springtime is officially here, which means a spirited start to baseball season over at Wrigley Field, bloom-filled flower shows at the Garfield Park Conservatory and other returning seasonal events that serve as much-welcome harbingers of warm weather. However, if you'd rather avoid the sun, there are plenty of cool museum exhibitions, film festivals and theater performances to take advantage of, too. So ready to make the most of your time off? Check out the rest of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend. RECOMMENDED: Discover the best things to do in Chicago in April 2025

Looking for fun activities to do this week? You've come to the right place! Spring is officially here (finally!) and with the arrival of warmer temps, it's time to embrace the season. Get your fill of fresh blooms at the annual spring flower show at the Garfield Park Conservatory, celebrate the start of baseball season with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, and check out the final days of a James Bond-themed exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. There’s even more on our list below, so scroll through the roundup of the best things to do in Chicago this week and start planning your calendar. RECOMMENDED: Discover the best things to do in Chicago in April 2025

Time Out Market Chicago, the culinary and cultural destination in the heart of Fulton Market, is your one-stop destination for the city's best bites, drinks and programming. The 50,000-square-foot space houses more than 15 kitchens, three bars and one drop-dead gorgeous rooftop terrace—all spread across three floors. You can enjoy delicious dumplings from Qing Xiang Yuan, creative burgers at Gutenburg, fried chicken from Art Smith's Sporty Bird, irresistible desserts from Molly's Cupcakes and much more under one roof. But the fun doesn't stop there: The Market hosts a variety of events each week, from concerts to art showcases to comedy nights. We're always keeping the calendar packed with exciting things to do, and here's what you can expect in the coming weeks.

Some the best NYC events in April celebrate Earth Day. NYC isn't the greenest city, but we sure know how to give Mother Nature a proper party and some much-needed recognition all Earth Month long. The best Earth Month events in NYC including volunteering to clean up parks in NYC or beaches to ensure they stay litter-free. There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy themed music, sustainable art and natural beauty. Get ready to do some tree hugging and check out fun things to do outside and inside. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Earth Day in NYC

Nowhere does luxury quite like New York City. From swanky lounges with views over the entire city to deluxe spas, high-thread-count linens and sumptuous five-star restaurants, the Big Apple’s R&R is totally world-class. It’s decadent, debauched and indulgent—in all the best ways. And who says that NYC’s most luxurious digs are only for visitors? If you’re a New Yorker craving that stay-cay, the city offers plenty of opportunities for escaping for a night (or two) to a well-earned retreat. And it caters to tastes of all kinds, from sleek, contemporary boudoirs to classic, antique getaways. Read on to find some welcome breaks from the city that never sleeps, right in the heart of it all. Updated October 2024: We're always on the hunt for the very best stays in this dazzling concrete jungle. To prove it, we've recently added two new hotels that have been on our radar for some time. One is a minimalist oasis bang in the middle of Times Square, while the other has been doing upscale luxury since 1904.  RECOMMENDED:🇺🇸 Click here to view our full guide to the best things to do in NYC🏨 Discover the best cheap hotels in NYC🗽 Check out the best hotels in NYC🌉 Explore the coolest Airbnbs in Brooklyn💗 Book one of the best boutique hotels in NYC Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities, and in-depth research to find you the

New York City has tons of things going for it, from incredible buildings to breathtaking parks. But surely, the top of the list includes NYC’s vast array of museums and galleries, covering every field of culture and knowledge: There are quirky museums and interactive museums, free museums and world renowned art institutions like the Met. Between them, they offer so many exhibitions of every variety and taste that it's hard to keep track of them. But if you’ve starting to suffer a sudden attack of FOMA (that's fear of missing art ;)), don't worry! We've got you covered with our select list of the best museum exhibitions in NYC. Don't waste any time—head to NYC's best museum exhibits now! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to museums in NYC

Some of the best (and, graciously, cheapest) clothing stores in NYC happen to be vintage stores. Personally, we think shopping vintage is always a good idea. For one, shopping secondhand helps the planet by reducing excess waste, but it also allows you to scoop up unique duds no one else has. Can’t afford $400 Chanel pumps or high-end retro clothes? No biggie: New York has a ton of economical options to make your wardrome dreams come to true. After making a profit by selling any outdated duds at thrift stores or consignment shops , go back to these prime vintage stores, snag a few unique throwbacks and style an outfit that will make you feel like a million bucks (but for way less). RECOMMENDED: Full guide to shopping in NYC

At this point, it’s unclear just how many “moments” Vietnamese food has had in New York’s gastro timeline. The city’s last pho wave hit in 2013, when buzzy outlets like Rob Newton’s Nightingale 9 and the ramshackle Bunker in Ridgewood, Queens, came onto the scene to unpack and update Far East flavors with farm-to-table finesse and refined techniques. And now Gotham’s in the midst of yet another influx, with high-profile openings such as Chao Chao, a Brooklyn reboot of Bunker, and two East Village additions, Madame Vo and Hanoi House. It’s Hanoi House from Stephen Starr alums Ben Lowell and Sara Leveen—a Vietnamese comfort-food canteen situated at the less-grungy end of St. Mark’s Place—that has stirred the blogosphere’s fresh hopes of pho grandeur. Traditional Vietnamese this emphatically is not: The restaurant’s chef and fellow Starr vet John Nguyen (Storico, Lincoln Ristorante) taps more into the freewheeling Southeast Asian cooking you’d find in his native Orange County, California, which is home to the oldest and largest Little Saigon in the country. Tangles of morning glory come dressed with savory capers and fish sauce spiked with brown butter ($8); nubs of coconut-braised octopus are dotted with perfect little hard-boiled quail eggs ($16); and banh mi is deconstructed as dainty pâté-slathered toasts crowned with sea urchin and pickled vegetables ($18). Not every doctored recipe works: For instance, roasted bone marrow adds little to a plate of shaking beef ($28), and

Bring the little ones to Time Out Market Chicago on Saturday, April 19 for a festive, Easter-themed donut decorating class. 2d Restaurant will teach young chefs how to unleash their creativity on special "Beary Easter" and "Mochi Bunny" donuts with a variety of toppings and sprinkles. All of the necessary ingredients will be provided, and kids will be able to take their delicious sweet treats home.

Made some room in your closets and cupboards during spring cleaning? Then it's time for some spring shopping! Join Time Out Market Chicago for a pop-up marketplace filled with shopping, food and fun on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13. A variety of unique vendors and artisans will be selling their wares, including home decor, candles, jewelry, clothing, skincare, accessories, and much more, perfect if you're looking for gifts or simply want to treat yourself with something new and cool. In between shopping, you can indulge in delicious bites from the market's eateries and soak up the venue's vibrant atmosphere.

Join us for a family-friendly day at the Market celebrating everything Easter! On Sunday, April 20, head to the Market's second floor to enjoy fun-filled activities for the kids, including Easter egg hunts, festive face painting, and photos with the Easter Bunny. But don't worry parents, we've got you covered as well—there will be a for-purchase beverage bar pouring Mimosas and Bloody Marys. 

Florals for spring? Groundbreaking! We kid, we kid, but working with fresh flowers sure is a gorgeous way to celebrate Earth Day. Join Blissful Blooms for an Ikebana-inspired design class where participants will explore the art of Japanese floral arrangement, emphasizing balance, harmony and simplicity. With guidance from experienced instructors, attendees will craft their own exquisite arrangements using seasonal blossoms, all while incorporating Ikebana principles. All materials needed will be provided by Blissful Blooms and your $95 ticket includes not only the workshop itself and your stunning flower arrangement to take home, but also a $25 Time Out Market gift card to use during your class for yummy food and drinks!

No offense to those classic dyed eggs, but we'll take yummy chocolate eggs any day! On Saturday, April 26, head to the Market to join chocolatier Jorge Kauam for a spirited, kid-friendly dessert class, where he'll guide the little chefs and show them how to jazz up their own chocolate eggs with edible paint and fill them with goodies like candies, cookies and gummies. All of the chocolate eggs will be handcrafted and molded by Kraum before the kiddos get free rein to let their creativity flow. Your ticket will include all materials needed to fill and decorate the treats, as well as fine chocolate eggs to take home.

Indulge in a charming afternoon filled with delicious teas and treats during Mother's Day Weekend at the Market. On Saturday, May 10, enjoy an elegant setting with your loved ones while savoring a delightful assortment of savory and sweet bites baked by Molly's Cupcakes, including classic finger sandwiches (cucumber and cream cheese, chicken salad) on house-made bread, mini fruit danishes (strawberry, blueberry), sweet scones, egg frittatas, mini truffles, pretty macarons, flaky croissants and more. Wash it all down with an assortment of teas, served in fine china teapots and matching tea cups. Mom will love it!

Time Out Market Chicago hosts a fabulous afternoon of glitz, glam and jaw-dropping performances! Hosted by Khloe Daniels and with bumping beats spun by DJ Geo Diamond, the drag show will feature performers—Aurora Gozmic, Vanda LaRose and Ari Blakk Diamond—who are ready to slay the stage in dazzling costumes. Tickets include a guaranteed seat to the show as well as bottomless mimosas for the duration of the event. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Bingo Loco, an interactive rave show that takes place in cities around the world, comes to West Loop’s Morgan MFG this spring, with five dates in Chicago (March 28, April 11, April 25, May 10 and May 23.) The traditional game of bingo gets reimagined as a three-hour long immersive experience, complete with epic dance offs, rave rounds, lip sync battles, confetti showers, CO2 cannons, conga lines and prizes ranging from international trips to lawnmowers. One thing’s for sure—this ain’t bingo night at the senior center.

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? Attendees can explore the five Festival Days, full days of programming in a given neighborhood, including in Lakeview on April 27, in Bridgeport on May 10, in Lincoln Park on May 18, and at the Art Institute of Chicago on June 7, as well as thought-provoking discussions and exciting live performances sprinkled throughout the schedule.  Some of the fest’s biggest speakers this season include Broadway star Leslie Odom, Jr., beloved comedian Ed Helms, artist Tonika Lewis Johnson, musicians like Jon Batiste and Jim Jaramusch, podcaster Ezra Kein, TV icon Paul Reiser, bestselling author Ron Chernow and more. You can see a full schedule of programming on the Chicago Humanities Festival website.

Get ready to shake off your seasonal affective disorder with a spring bar crawl inspired by your favorite pop girl, Taylor Swift. There surely won’t be any bad blood as Chicago-area Swifties gather together to bop around the best bars in the Wrigleyville area on Saturday, April 12, enjoying themed drink specials, a brunch buffet, gift cards and giveaways, and, of course, all of the T-Swift tunes you can handle along the way. (Just be sure not to over-imbibe or else you’ll be sob-singing to that 10-minute version of “All Too Well” in no time.) The venues will be announced the night before, but get your sparkly fringe dresses and sweet friendship bracelets ready — this is about to be the bar crawl of your wildest dreams.

Eataly Chicago’s first all-access part of 2025 is here: on Friday, April 11, the Italian food emporium is hosting All You Can Eataly, a one-night-only celebration featuring unlimited food, drink and entertainment. The spread will include more than 40 Italian bites — think spring pea ravioli, lemon risotto, polenta fritta, seafood salad, assorted pizza and much more — and 30 different kinds of Italian wines, spirits and beers. When you’re not snacking and sipping, you can enjoy in-person chef demonstrations and activations, live music, tarot card reading, a glass etching station, a karaoke room, a photobooth and more set throughout the marketplace from 7pm through 11pm.

Good news, speed demons: if you have traffic ticket debt from 2023 or earlier, you may qualify to get those late fees and penalties waived, thanks to Chicago's new Vehicle Violation Debt Relief Program. All motorists can participate in the program, regardless of income, so long as their ticket meets the eligible violations criteria.  RECOMMENDED: New study ranks Chicago as one of the worst cities in the world for traffic From now through Monday, June 30, Chicago drivers can have their penalties and fees temporarily waived for eligible parking, standing, compliance (think expired registration, expired city stickers, etc.), and automated speed and red-light camera violations—they just have to pay those original fines within the next three months and their lingering debt will be wiped clean. Let's be clear: your actual ticket fee will not be waived—only associated late payments will be dismissed. "Penalties and fees eligible for waiver include but are not limited to late payment penalties; collection costs; and returned check, default, tow, storage and boot fees with limited exceptions," reads the city's government website.  Do note, though, that the ticket relief program does not extend to expired parking meter violations or "cases where the city has filed a case in a court or has initiated administrative proceedings to collect the debt." And while you are eligible for the debt relief if your car has been impounded, the "impounded vehicle release fees will not be waived," whic

Though it's known as one of the best places to get a taste of Chicago under one roof, the Time Out Market Chicago is more than just a food hall. The ever-changing venue keeps its social calendar packed with exciting things to do each week, from intimate concerts to art showcases, comedy nights and craft workshops. April 2025 will be no exception—just look at this month's fun-loving lineup of events below for proof.  RECOMMENDED: Your guide to the food and drink at Time Out Market Chicago—and how to order March Madness at the Market Now through Monday, April 7, you can cheer on your school (and bracket) during March Madness at the Market. The Fulton Market food hall is showing every game of the tournament, so bring a crew to catch all of the basketball action over delicious food and drinks. In addition to the games, keep an eye on the Time Out Market Chicago Instagram account during March Madness to vote in a Bar Menu Bracket Face-Off. Throughout the tourney, you can vote on Instagram Stories polls to help determine next month's drink special! Drag Brunch at the Market Hosted by Khloe Daniels and boasting bumping beats spun by DJ Geo Diamond, the glamorous drag show will feature performers—Aurora Gozmic, Vanda LaRose and Ari Blakk Diamond—who are ready to slay the stage in dazzling costumes. Tickets include a guaranteed seat to the show as well as bottomless mimosas for the duration of the event. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. The Market Pop-Up Shop Made some

It’s always an honor to be nominated—but who doesn’t like to actually win? Time Out Market Chicago is among the illustrious nominees for Best Food Hall in USA Today's 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and not to toot our own horns, but toot! A 50,000-square-foot food and cultural epicenter located at 916 W Fulton Market in the heart of the West Loop, Time Out Market Chicago has been welcoming food-loving locals and visitors alike since November 2019 and in the years since, it has become a true monument to the vibrant, energetic and delicious city around it. With all of that in mind, here are five reasons Time Out Market Chicago deserves your vote as the best food hall in America. 1. Because it represents the best and brightest of one of the world’s greatest cities From its food-and-drink scene to its cultural institutions to its lively neighborhoods, Chicago is one of the globe’s most-loved cities. And you can feel that love stretched across all 50,000 square feet of Time Out Market Chicago, which packs in more than 15 eateries, three bars, a rooftop terrace and a video-installation wall into one space that encompasses the best dining, drinks and culture that Chicago has to offer, all under one roof. 2. It’s always changing its lineup, so no two visits are ever the same Chicago is an ever-changing town, which means that its food halls need to be fired up and flexible to keep up with that pace. As such, Time Out Market Chicago is an always evolving concept, with a rotating list

It's like Oscar nomination day, but for foodies: the finalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards' restaurant and chef categories have officially been announced today, April 2 and the Windy City was well-presented among this year's top nominees.  RECOMMENDED: The 25 best restaurants in Chicago you have to try in 2025 The finalist list narrows the field down from the 22 Chicago semifinalists who were previously announced this past January to a fabulous five, including several first-time contenders for the prestigious prize. And the nominees are: Outstanding RestaurantGalit Outstanding BarKumiko Best Chef: Great LakesThai Dang, HaiSousChris Jung and Erling Wu-Bower, Maxwells TradingNoah Sandoval, Oriole Photograph: Sammy Faze PhotographyKumiko Given the sheer quality of these five local spots, we're not surprised at all to see them getting some James Beard Foundation love. First-time nominee Kumiko, Julia Momose’s elegant West Loop bar that pairs Japanese omakase with bespoke cocktails to sublime results, was added to the World's 50 Best Bars list back in 2020. Fellow nominee newcomer Galit—which has been raising the bar for Middle Eastern cuisine in Chicago with a parade of tempting, flavor-packed shareables since it opened its door in April 2019—was previously named Restaurant of the Year at the 2024 Jean Banchet Awards. Maxwells Trading was dubbed one of the Best New Restaurants in America by Esquire last December, and two-Michelin-starred Oriole is among La Liste's 2025 ro

Every night in our dreams, we've wished for this moment: Titanique the Musical is cruising into Chicago! The smash-hit comedy, in which "the music of Céline Dion makes sweet Canadian love with the film Titanic," is gearing up for a Chicago run as a co-production from Porchlight Music Theatre and Broadway in Chicago, with performances set for the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place this spring.  RECOMMENDED: The best theaters in Chicago, from opulent former movie palaces to award-winning performance spaces Led by actress Clare Kennedy McLaughlin, who will play the French-Canadian pop diva herself, Chicago's Titanique will retell the fictionalized story of Titanic's sinking from James Cameron’s 1997 Blockbuster, albeit using Dion's famous power ballads to push the plot forward. Featured tunes include “Because You Loved Me,” “All By Myself,” “To Love You More,” “Tell Him,” “Beauty and the Beast" and two of Dion's most-loved covers, “River Deep, Mountain High” and “I Drove All Night," culminating, of course, in that radio juggernaut “My Heart Will Go On.”  Along with the heightened take on the pop icon, the 100-minute, intermission-free musical parody will feature characters from the Titanic movie, including doomed lovers Jack and Rose, the “unsinkable” Molly Brown and this writer's personal favorite, a figure known only as “Victor Garber.” (Of course, that theater legend famously played shipbuilder Mr. Andrews in the '90s adventure-romance film.) Dion—who, in this fever-dr

'Tis a sad day for pizza fans: Aurelio's Pizza, the national 'za chain born in the Chicago suburbs way back in 1959, will be closing its last Chicago location at 1212 S. Michigan Ave. at the end of May.  RECOMMENDED: The 35 best pizza spots in Chicago, from saucy deep dish to flame-kissed Neapolitan pies Aurelio's will shutter on the south end of Grant Park on Saturday, May 31 after a decade in business. (The two-story, 5,000-square-feet restaurant debuted in the Park Michigan Apartments in 2015.) Recent reports reveal that a “for lease” sign has already been hung on the exterior of the building. The late Joseph A. Aurelio Jr. launched the legendary brand on August 20, 1959, as a small four-table restaurant slinging traditional family recipes at 2041 Ridge Road in Homewood, Illinois. He started franchising in 1970, with Aurelio's becoming the first Chicago pizzeria to expand its concept. At present day, the chain operates 40-plus outposts throughout the United States, the bulk of them in Illinois and nearby Northwest Indiana, but also in destinations like Las Vegas, Atlanta, Minneapolis and Naples, Florida.  Aurelio's menu includes fresh-cooked pasta with house-made sauce (marinara, Alfredo), snacky Italian-American favorites like garlic bread and fried ravioli, and nearly 30 different varieties of pizza, from thick-crust to stuffed. The chain's loaded submarine sandwiches are also the stuff of legend, which the Aurelio family has been serving since the brand's beginnings. (T

Great news, Chicago sweet tooths! Hotel Chocolat, the renowned UK-based cacao grower and chocolatier, is opening its first-ever U.S. locations after three decades in the business—and they're happening in Chicago. RECOMMENDED: The viral Dubai chocolate bar is now available at Time Out Market Chicago Hotel Chocolat will debut its pair of Chicago-based retail shops this month: one at 3334 North Southport in Lakeview and the other at 900 West Armitage in Lincoln Park. The Illinois outposts will join the brand's more than 150 locations, which span Ireland, Japan, St. Lucia, Gibraltar and its native United Kingdom.  "Bringing together the world of chocolate luxury and sustainable cocoa farming," the stores will feature a wide range of Hotel Chocolat offerings—from beverages like chocolate shakes, coffee and tea to bites including chocolatey pastries and confections—as well as the brand's famed hot chocolate machine: the Velvetiser, which makes chocolatier-crafted hot chocolate flakes at the touch of a button. The new shops will serve the brand’s signature drinkable chocolate in eighteen yummy-sounding flavors, like Black Forest Gateau and salted caramel.  Even more exciting for the truly chocolate obsessed: consumers get to add a drizzle of liquid chocolate—on tap, mind you!—to their ice cream or baked goods for an extra-indulgent dining experience. Other immersive touches include a "Wall of Chocolate,]" featuring 100 Hotel Chocolat recipes ranging from fruity lemon curd to nutty p

Yoko Ono might most famously be known as the widow of the late John Legend, but she's a trailblazing artist and formidable activist in her own right. This fall, a new solo exhibition dedicated to her nine decades of life and work is coming to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Chicago, the only U.S. venue to be mounting the remarkable retrospective. RECOMMENDED: The 27 best museums in Chicago for art, science, history and beyond From Saturday, October 18, 2025, through Sunday, February 22, 2026, the MCA will host "Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind" at the Griffin Galleries of Contemporary Art, fresh off a run at the Tate Modern in London, where the exhibition reportedly set attendance records, per The Chicago Tribune.  According to the MCA, "Music of the Mind" will be one of the most comprehensive exhibitions to date of the celebrated artist, musician and peacekeeper, celebrating key moments of Ono's career and showcasing art "driven by ideas and expressed in poetic, humorous and profound ways." Tracing Ono's career since the 1950s, the show will feature over 200 works across a variety of media and genres, including performance footage, music and sound recordings, scores, film, photography, installation and archival materials. "Participatory artworks—a key aspect of Ono’s practice—also feature in the exhibition, and visitors are invited to partake in several interactive, instruction-based artworks throughout 'Music of the Mind,'" reads an official description of the show.   

At least we'll have those May flowers to look forward to, but first we need to get through the April showers that will sadly be mucking up your springtime plans this week. (Speaking of, here's our guide to the best things to do in April 2025 in Chicago for when things are, you know, drier.)  This past Sunday was quite an eventful one weather-wise, with severe thunderstorms raking the greater Chicago area and prompting downed trees, damaged buildings, delayed baseball games (sorry, White Sox fans) and a downpour of rain. Not to mention the subsequent tornado warnings and watches throughout the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana, leading to a brief ground stop issued at O'Hare International Airport. According to NBC Chicago, the rough weather isn't over just yet, despite what this chilly but relatively dry Monday might have you thinking. Another set of strong-to-severe storms are expected to hit Illinois and Indiana Tuesday and Wednesday, with showers reportedly starting around 6pm tomorrow evening. As the severe weather ramps up going into the workday on Wednesday, local meteorologists are reporting that Chicagoans may be seeing a repeat of Sunday's showers, storms and, yes, even tornadoes.  The Chicago branch of the National Weather Service tweeted out: "The potential for severe weather returns as early as Tuesday night (threat level 1 and 2 of 5) as multiple waves of storms life across the area, mainly after midnight. Large hail, gusty winds and lightning are the main hazard

Pop Mart, the Chinese toy company that's world-famous for its collectible "designer" toys and "blind box" format, is officially expanding in Chicagoland. After running a pop-up store at The Shops at North Bridge on Michigan Avenue, the brand debuted its first permanent location in the greater Chicago area this past January, at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont. Now, two more brick-and-mortar outposts are scheduled to blow into the Windy City this spring: one at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg and one at Oakbrook Center Mall in Oak Brook.  Related: The best toy stores in Chicago for rewarding the little ones or just geeking out on your own On January 26, the Woodfield Mall gave Pop Mart devotees a sneak peek of the new digs and some of the location's cute items with a post on their Instagram, writing: "Pop Mart is COMING SOON to Woodfield Mall! @PopMart_US brings imagination to life one figure at a time! From stunning designs to iconic characters, each figure tells a unique story. ✨" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Woodfield Mall (@woodfieldmall) Official opening dates for the Woodfield Mall and the Oakbrook Center Mall have not been announced just yet, but Pop Mart U.S. will no doubt post information on those grand openings on their Instagram account, so we'll be keeping our eyes peeled. The new Chicago locations will join 22 full-staff Pop Mart outlets and 39 "roboshops"—a.k.a. smaller, automated kiosks—throughout the United State

Good news for Chicago's curious youngsters: the One Lawndale Children’s Discovery Center is an in-the-works children's museum that will offer kiddos ages 5 and younger a whopping 25,000-square-feet of space to explore, play in and learn through interactive indoor and outdoor exhibits.  RELATED: The best children's museums in Chicago that kids and adults will love Located at 3140 W. Ogden Avenue in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood, the entertaining yet educational venue will promote early childhood learning subjects, particularly focusing on STEAM (that's science, technology, engineering, art and math) education, as well as social-emotional learning, environmental awareness and healthcare topics, reports Block Club Chicago.  Per the center's website, the museum's mission is "to serve as a vibrant catalyst for positive generational change, fostering early childhood health and development through the transformative power of play." The space will feature a number of different exhibits, including a "Baby Blooms" area dedicated to infants and toddlers, complete with sensory walls and a bird-song soundtrack; a mock "Rainbow Market" grocery store and pretend "Happy Hearts" doctor's office; and a play planting station that will allow young visitors to explore gardening by tending to Velcro fruits and vegetables.  The center will also feature 10,000 square feet of outdoor exhibit space where visitors can further learn about the environment and how best to care for it. A standout

Get your claws up! Mother Monster is officially coming to Chicago: yes, Lady Gaga announced the tour dates for her hotly anticipated Mayhem Ball Tour today in support of her sixth studio album, the synth-happy Mayhem, which dropped on March 7. Luckily for Chicago-area fans, the Grammy-winning singer will be making several stops in the Windy City, one of only five U.S. destinations listed for the forthcoming tour. The North American leg of the tour will kick off in Las Vegas, with shows on Monday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 18. It will then stop all over the U.S., from Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena to New York City's Madison Square Garden to Miami's Kaseya Center, before concluding the America run with a pair of dates in Chicago this September. Europe and UK-based fans will get to see Ms. Germanotta throughout the fall, when she will take on stages in London, Paris, Milan, Stockholm and more.  When does Lady Gaga come to Chicago for her Mayhem Ball Tour? Gaga's first Chicago show will be on Monday, September 15 at 8pm, with a second concert scheduled for Wednesday, September 17 at the same time. Where will Lady Gaga perform in Chicago for The Mayhem Ball Tour? The Mayhem Ball Tour marks the pop icon's first arena tour since 2018, which means she's eschewing larger sports stadiums like Soldier Field for indoor arenas. As such, her Chicago dates will take place at United Center in the city's Near West Side neighborhood. Home to the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks, the