Shannon Shreibak

We’re probably not alone in saying that the weekend is always on our minds here at Time Out Chicago HQ. Like you (probably), we spend the workweek daydreaming about the next restaurant to obsess over and obsessively updating our concert calendars. Whether you’re museum-hopping, plotting a day trip to escape the city, or ready to ghost your original plans for something spontaneous, you’ll find plenty of ways to make the most of your weekend in Chicago. Every week, we curate a Chicago weekend itinerary packed with the city’s best concerts, culture and cuisine. This weekend, trek up to the Chicago Botanic Garden to feast your eyes on their new exhibit “Patterned by Nature,” a celebration of the patterns and prints that adorn the natural world. For those yearning for drama, check out the Neo-Futurists’ signature show The Infinite Wrench. If you find yourself battling a Sunday slump, macrodose some coffee and cumbia at Drip Collective’s Hot Drip Sessions or catch The Paper Machete at The Green Mill. RECOMMENDED: Discover the 50 best things to do in Chicago right now

A spot on the pine bleachers at Drip Collective has become one of the most coveted seats in the city, thanks to the cafe's adventurous beverage menu (hello, mango sticky rice matcha latte!) and hyper-local event programming. Aside from piping hot coffee, Drip has been bringing a different kind of heat this summer with Hot Drip Sessions, a weekends-only DJ pop-up. August marks Hot Drip Sessions' last installment of the summer, featuring house, cumbia and afrobeat sets from locals like Aced Spade, ADONIA and more. Can't make it to West Loop? Drip Collective has been uploading past Hot Drip Sessions onto their YouTube channel. Dive into the archive here.   

With its latest exhibition, the Chicago Botanic Garden showcases the patterns and prints that adorn the natural world. Through meticulously planted gardens and nature-inspired art installations, Patterned by Nature highlights the intersection between graphic design and horticulture. Exhibition highlights include colossal embroidered flowers by Raquel Rodrigo, a collection of upcycled fashion sourced from garden materials by Columbia College Chicago’s School of Fashion and a paisley patterned succulent garden. 

Bonsai & Brew Studio sprouted from co-founder Carmeanna Eberly’s childhood obsession with The Karate Kid. After hearing Mr. Miyagi explain meditation through a bonsai tree metaphor, she began amassing her own collection of pint-sized shrubs. Fast forward a couple decades, and Eberly now brings that love for bonsai to bars, breweries and cafes throughout Chicagoland.  During a two-hour workshop, Bonsai & Brew attendees choose their own bonsai tree and learn how to plant and prune like a pro. Attendees of the Konbini & Kanpai workshop are eligible for an exclusive treat: you can add a sake tasting to the bonsai experience for just $25. 

Mix, stir and shake your way toward speakeasy-worthy cocktails with hands-on guidance from the founders of Aged & Infused, a Chicago-based alcohol infusion kit company. During each workshop, you’ll build two cocktails from scratch using stunning barware plucked from the shop floor. Spirit tastings will be offered throughout the night, leaving time to sip and savor between recipes. If you’re not in the mood for a boozy night out, non-alcoholic substitutes are offered for each cocktail.

Founded on the belief that anyone can build furniture with the right tools and training, the Little Craft School offers Chicagoans the chance to design and construct their own wooden masterpieces. While classes are usually offered in a group format, founding teachers Lesley Jackson and Daniel Rosa are flipping the script this summer with a special workshop-for-two format, available through the end of August. Participants will learn how to design, build and paint their own tables—walking away with a priceless, handcrafted addition to their home.

If you’re craving a deeper kind of calm (and really, who isn’t these days?), try a 75-minute yoga session inside the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum’s Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. Here, your vinyasa flow finds quiet company among hundreds of fluttering butterflies and the occasional exotic bird. After class, wander through lush flora and tropical trees that will make Chicago feel half a world away—if only for a little while. Just remember to bring your own mat, a water bottle and a mind ready to drift someplace lighter.

Wanna relive the thrill of punishing a captive audience like you did during grade school show-and-tell? Then Show & Tell for Grownups is the place for you! Once a month, comedians, storytellers and everyday passionate folks gather to share their quirky, heartfelt or downright fascinating interests. Each presenter gets five minutes on the clock to wax philosophical about their obsession, then it’s the audience’s turn with a quick Q&A. Think of it like falling down a Reddit rabbit hole—only live, and way more fun. Feeling especially brave? Sign up for your five-minute show-and-tell slot here.

Paying homage to Japan’s convenience stores (konbinis), Konbini & Kanpai melds grab-and-go convenience with the warmth of a friend’s living room. The shop offers bevies for any and every occasion, from premium sakes and Japanese wines to local craft beers and tallboys of Guinness. For non-imbibers, Konbini & Kanpai also offers a wide selection of non-alcoholic drinks and Asian snacks.

Little Craft School was founded in 2023 by artist/teacher Lesley Jackson and woodworker Daniel Rosa. Little Craft School’s offerings are designed to democratize industrial design, making the craft approachable to anyone and everyone. Classes are eclectic and year-round, with projects ranging from art objects (“Wooden Sculptures in the spirit of Louise Nevelson”) to quirky—but no less functional—furniture (“Crazy Stools”).

After meeting through Wisconsin’s graffiti scene in the 1990s, world-acclaimed tattooers Mario Desa and Gordon McCloud reunite for a one-night visual art exhibit featuring new works on paper and wood. While Chicago-based Desa and McCloud—who now resides in Hawaii—have built formidable careers in the American traditional tattoo scene since crossing paths 30 years ago, they’ve both continued creating visual art inspired by their street and folk art roots. “Hey You! Who Me?” will showcase two artists’ shared creative foundation while celebrating creative evolution, the power of subculture, and the endurance of a cross-country friendship.