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Easter Egg-Stravaganza at the Lincoln Park Zoo
Photograph: Courtesy Lincoln Park Zoo

The best things to do in Chicago this weekend

Find the best things to do in Chicago this weekend with our guide to concerts, exhibitions, festivals and more.

Jeffy Mai
Edited by
Jeffy Mai
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Welcome to another weekend! Take a load off by soaking in a spa or spending some time at the best Chicago attractions. Easter is upon us and you can take the little ones on an egg hunt or a family cruise. Also happening is a margarita fest, screenings for Asian and women-directed films, and Dog Day with the Windy City Bulls. So ready to make the most of your time off? Check out the rest of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend.

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Time Out Market Chicago
  • Things to do
  • West Loop

Hop on over to Time Out Market Chicago for a morning filled with egg-citing activities and delicious treats! Bring the whole family for egg hunts on the second floor, kids' face painting and photos with the Easter Bunny—there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Events and to do this weekend in Chicago

  • Movies
  • Loop

See more than 20 films from China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Canada during the latest edition of the Asian Pop-Up Cinema screening series, which will include in-person and virtual screenings. This season's centerpeice is Good Autumn, Mommy, a story about a rural Chinese mother searching for her missing newborn daughter. For a complete schedule, visit the Asian Pop-Up Cinema website.

  • Things to do
  • United Center

Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny returns to Chicago for three nights as part of his Most Wanted Tour. Supporting his fifth album Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, the shows will hone in on the rapper’s trap roots. For fans of hip-hop en español, there's no bigger show this year. ¡Vamos!

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  • Things to do
  • Lower West Side

The Sor Juana Festival presents a festive night honoring women in Mariachi music at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Enjoy an enchanting evening filled with the soul-stirring melodies of Mariachi Sirenas, Chicago’s first all-women mariachi band.

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  • Things to do
  • Suburbs

Bring your pup to NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates for Dog Day with the Windy City Bulls. Both dogs and their owners alike will get to watch the Bulls tip off against the Wisconsin Herd from a special 200-level section. A dog photo station, on-court dog race and a dog costume contest will all take place during the event. Each pup pass also comes with a collapsible dog bowl.

  • Things to do
  • River North

Margarita lovers, assemble! Hubbard Inn will host Margarita Fest, where guests can sample up to 15 cocktail tastings and have plenty of photo ops. So get your Cinco de Mayo festivities started a little early this year with three hours of tequila-based drinks on March 30.

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  • Things to do
  • Lake View

Head to this indoor pop-up market on the corner of Belmont and Lincoln Avenues to shop goods from a variety of local vendors. From home goods and handmade jewelry to pet accessories, there will be something for everyone.

  • Things to do

Join Read & Run Chicago on a three-mile, easy-paced run while exploring some of the real-life places that inspired the setting in La Grange native Mike Magluilo’s debut novel A Reason to Run. The morning run will stop at three different locations corresponding to the story and finish with light bites and a Q&A with Magluilo at Peak Running, where you’ll be able to meet the author, purchase your copy of the book and other titles from Anderson’s Bookshop, and socialize with other readers and runners.

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  • Kids
  • Quirky events
  • Lincoln Park

There's plenty to do at the Lincoln Park Zoo's annual Easter celebration, where kids can participate in a series of egg hunts tailored to different age groups or snag a photo with the big bunny. Also included in the experience are free carousel and train rides, outdoor games and activities, live music by Mary Macaroni and the Impastas and more.

  • Kids
  • Near South Side

Bring the little ones to Chicago Women’s Park & Garden for the annual South Loop Easter Egg Hunt. There will be 15,000+ eggs for kids to find, as well as an animal petting zoo, face painting, games and prizes to be won. The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance for photos.

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  • Things to do
  • Museum Campus

Hop aboard a three-story, 140-foot luxury yacht for an Easter cruise around Lake Michigan. Kids can bust a move on the dance floor with the Easter Bunny and show off their artistic talents at a coloring station while adults snap pictures of the amazing views and sip on drinks from the fully stocked cash bar.

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  • Things to do
  • Portage Park

Windy City Market hosts an Easter-themed edition of its monthly vintage fest. Shop for clothing, art, home goods, accessories and more during this two-day event at Patio Theater in Portage Park. Over 100 vendors will be on site offering unique treasures alongside delicious bites and live music by DJs. There will also be an egg hunt inside the venue, with surprises for those who find some.

  • Things to do
  • Loop

Who says Easter egg hunts are only for kids? Unleash your inner child by heading over to Wrigleyville for an Easter-themed bar crawl. You can hop from venue to venue while sipping on drinks and hunting for eggs. Admission includes entry into all bars, a free breakfast buffet, bunny ears and gift cards to use on the crawl.

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  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • Loop

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.

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  • Things to do
  • Loop

West Town hosts its own Restaurant Week March 22-30, featuring special deals and prix fixe menus at participating businesses. You’ll be able to enjoy a three-course menu at Frontier, beer specials and a prix fixe menu at Forbidden Root, free cheese pizza with the purchase of mozzarella sticks at Roots, and much more. The full details can be found here.

  • Things to do
  • Hyde Park

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.

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  • Things to do
  • East Garfield Park

Winter is almost over and the Garfield Park Conservatory is here to usher in warmer days with its Spring Flower Show. Make a reservation to explore this year's show, "What's in a Name?" which explains the history and science of botanical nomenclature. You'll find spring bulbs like Tulipa ‘Rococo’, Lilium ‘Josephine,’ Viola ‘Matrix Yellow’ and Anemone ‘Giant Blue Poppy.’ The show only sticks around through Mother's Day weekend, so book your visit soon!

  • Things to do
  • Logan Square

Chicago Gamespace, a video game museum and gallery, opens a new exhibit that explores the unique and ephemeral history of vector (line) graphics in contrast to the dominant raster (pixel) visual displays that reign today. Notable games like Asteroids, Battlezone and Star Wars will be highlighted, as well as a recently-preserved emulation of Moonlander.

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  • Things to do
  • Streeterville

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.

  • Things to do
  • Skokie

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.

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  • Theater
  • River North

Gather a group of friends for this show, an off-the-cuff ode to Jane Austen that has gained a loyal following in the 15 years since its debut. The cast calls upon an audience suggestion to inspire the show’s title (ensuring a totally new performance each time), then creates a long-form, Regency Era "Rom-Com" with Austen tropes and manners of yore. Expect a tale of laughs, love and surprises.

  • Things to do
  • Loop

Escape the frigid cold —at least temporarily—by heading to Cindy’s for a tropical pop-up experience. Sip on a selection of inventive drinks, like the buttery and complex Shake Ya Tailfeather and the fruity and spirit-forward Rum Ham, or nosh on bites such as egg rolls and pork sliders. The bar is open daily from 5-10pm for walk-ins.

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  • Things to do
  • Suburbs

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.

  • Things to do
  • Bucktown

Disney fans, rejoice! A new exhibit showcasing the company’s storied history has come to the 35,000-square-foot Exhibition Hub Art Center in Lincoln Park. You’ll be able to explore 14 interactive installations and see more than 250 rarely-seen artifacts and memorabilia from various Disney franchises, including Marvel Studios and the Pixar Living Archives. There's also the opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise from the gift shop and take photos in front of enticing backdrops.

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  • Things to do
  • Skokie

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.

  • Things to do
  • Skokie

This exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center takes a look at how Jewish immigrants created an entirely new American cuisine through delicatessens. Organized into thematic sections that explore the history of the Jewish deli in America, I’ll Have What She’s Having tells the story of local Holocaust survivors and presents items like a meat slicer, cookbooks and signs from Chicagoland institutions. A film produced by the museum exploring the impact of Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen, Kaufman’s Delicatessen and The Bagel is also featured.

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  • Things to do
  • Grant Park

Explore dozens of prints and drawings from Picasso's rich and varied 70-year career, from his student years in Barcelona to the last years of his life. Picasso: Drawing from Life traces how this celebrated artist’s success was tied to his network of artists, dealers, printers, family members and more.

  • Sports and fitness
  • Yoga & Pilates
  • Streeterville

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 levelsyou 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.

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  • Comedy
  • Sketch shows
  • Lake View

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.

  • Nightlife
  • Cabaret and burlesque

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!

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  • Theater
  • Experimental

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.

  • Comedy
  • Uptown

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.

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