Outdoor farmers market
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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
Contributor: Christina Izzo
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Is there anything better than a spring weekend? Yes, springtime is officially here, which means it's time for the best farmers markets in Chicago, 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 this weekend's predicted precipitation, there are plenty of cool museum exhibitions 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 right now

Time Out Market Chicago

Best events in Chicago this weekend

  • Things to do
  • East Garfield Park

Winter is almost over and the Garfield Park Conservatory is here to usher in warmer days with its annnual Spring Flower Show. Make a reservation to explore this year's theme, "Rooted in Mystery," which explores the critical part of plants we don't see hidden underground. You'll find spring bulbs like azaleas, pansies, snapdragons, astilbe, baptisia, hydrangeas and more. The show only sticks around through Mother's Day weekend, so book your visit soon!

  • Things to do
  • Streeterville

The South Loop Farmers Market heads indoors for the season, bringing more than 75 vendors each Sunday to the fourth level of Water Tower Place. Shop for fresh produce, preserved veggies, cheeses, meats and more while enjoying live entertainment. Guests can also check out a kids' play zone, capture special moments with family and pet photography, and play some virtual reality games.

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  • Things to do
  • Suburbs

A musical based on the 2007 film of the same name, Waitress follows Jenna, a waitress at a cafe who’s in an abusive relationship with her husband, Earl. After becoming pregnant, Jenna starts an affair with her doctor and enters a pie-baking contest, hoping to win the grand prize in order to fund her escape.

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  • Things to do
  • Hyde Park

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry has debuted an 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.

  • Sports and fitness
  • Yoga & Pilates
  • Streeterville
  • Recommended

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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  • Experimental
  • Uptown

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
  • Recommended

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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