30 Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend: Mole De Mayo, WingOut, Memorial Day Parades And More (2024)

CHICAGO — Spend this long weekend at a slew of music and street festivals, tasting dozens of wings in the heart of Wrigleyville, shopping at Randolph Street Market and so much more.

There are also Memorial Day parades and ceremonies through the weekend — like a wreath-laying ceremony in Daley Plaza and a parade in Lakeview — to honor soldiers who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

Here’s a roundup of 30 things to do in Chicago this weekend:

Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival

5-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

3200 N. Sheffield Ave.

Tribute bands, DJs, food, libations and more will fill the streets during the 39th annual street fest in the heart of Lakeview.

There is a $10 suggested donation upon entry. Learn morehere.

Mole De Mayo

5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday

On 18th Street between Morgan and Halsted streets

At thisannual Pilsen street fest, local chefs will face off to make the best mole, the Mexican sauce known for its layered flavor profile of hot, sweet and sour ingredients. There will also be art, music and dance, lucha libre wrestling, local artisans and more.

There is a $5-10 suggested donation upon entry. Learn morehere.

Sueños Music Festival

Noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Grant Park, 331 E. Randolph St.

Rauw Alejandro, Peso Pluma and Maluma are headliners of this year’s Latino music fest, Sueños.

Tickets are sold out, but hopefuls can sign up for a waitlist online. Learn morehere.

Memorial Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony & Parade

11 a.m. Saturday

Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., and along State Street

Every year for Memorial Day, Chicago honors U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces with a wreath-laying ceremony at 11 a.m. and a parade that kicks off at noon.

Learn morehere.

Randolph Street Market

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

1341 W. Randolph St.

A biannual European-style fest, Randolph Street Market returns with over 100 vendors selling antiques, vintage art, handmade decor and more. There will also be live music and multiple bars.

Tickets are $5-15. Learn more about the market and buy ticketshere.

Soldier Field 10 Memorial Day Run

7 a.m. Saturday

Soldier Field – South Lot, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive

In honor of Memorial Day, Chicagoans can run 10 miles or kilometers through the heart of Chicago. This 20th annual event kicks off with a pre-race playing of taps and a military salute to honor U.S. soldiers who died serving in the armed forces. There will also be a post-race tailgate with complimentary beer, live music and more.

Learn more and register for $89 online.

Mayfestiversary

11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

At the corner of Ravenswood and Belle Plaine avenues

Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery are back with their annual spring party. There will be music, food trucks, pop-ups and more to celebrate warm weather and Dovetail’s ninth anniversary.

SaveStreetBall Tournament & Clinic

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

Avalon Park, 1215 E. 83rd St.

Chicago youth aged 7-19 can compete in a basketball tournament and enjoy a live DJ, food, a video game truck and prizes at the second edition of SaveStreetBall by My Block, My Hood, My City. There will also be a free youth basketball clinic so kids aged 7-12 can learn skills.

The three-on-three tournament reached capacity, but attendees can still sign up for the youth clinic here. Adults and neighbors can also swing by to watch and join in on the festivities. Admission is free.

There is a $5 suggested donation upon entry. Learn morehere.

WOOGMS Memorial Day Parade

11 a.m. Monday

500 W. Wellington Ave.

Since 1963, the WOOGMS Memorial Day Parade (which stands for the Wellington-Oakdale Old Guard Marching Society) has been a Lakeview tradition. Neighbors can march around the neighborhood with the Jesse White Drum Corps and watch tumblers perform at the end of the parade. There will also be a raffle to win an official parade T-shirt signed by Jesse White.

Learn more about the family- and pet-friendly event here.

Alejandro Meola

7 p.m. Thursday

Comfort Station, 2579 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Argentine-American songwriter Alejandro Meola is playing his first Chicago show in Logan Square. The show is free to attend and part of his tour across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Spain.

Learn more here.

Norwood Park Memorial Day Parade

11 a.m. Monday

Onahan Elementary School, 6634 W. Raven St.

This 101st annual Memorial Day parade includes a flag-raising ceremony, a performance of the National Anthem and a musical prelude by a local band and choir.

Learn morehere.

WingOut Chicago

2-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St.

From classic buffalo and honey chili to jerk and wood smoked, WingOut patrons can indulge in dozens of wings just steps away from Wrigley Field. There will also be cold drinks and live music to enjoy.

Tickets online are sold out, but walk-up tickets are still possible to get. Learn more here.

Brazilian Festival Chicago

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday

Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Ave.

Celebrate Brazilian culture near the Chicago River with food, music, small businesses and more.

Admission is free. Learn morehere.

Dim Sum & Drag: Mulan Dining Experience

6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Furama, 4936 N. Broadway

Dim Sun & Drag is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with an immersive Mulan dining experience, in which Asian drag performers will bring Mulan’s story to life.

Learn more and buy tickets for $35 online.

Memorial Day Parade

10 a.m. Monday

On Rosehill Drive near Ashland Avenue

Organized by the American Legion Tattler Post and Rosehill Cemetery, this Memorial Day parade has been a tradition for over 50 years. It features a band, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps units, Boy Scouts and military veterans.

There will also be a post-parade memorial ceremony with free food provided by American Legion Post 973 and a 2 p.m. pig roast at Tattler Post, 4355 N. Western Ave.

Learn more here.

‘The Making Of A Queen’

8 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

“The Making of A Queen” is a burlesque and dance performance hosted by the Body Confidence for Queens troupe, which debuts at the Steppenwolf this weekend. The group aims to take audiences “on a journey of finding body confidence, self love and inner peace” through dance.

Tickets are $40 online.

‘Bolero’ Film Screening

Noon, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday

National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.

“Bolero,” a documentary following Mexican musician Ángela Aguilar’s exploration of Bolero music in Cuba, is making its U.S. premiere at the National Museum of Mexican Art this weekend as part of its annual Sor Juana Festival. The film is in Spanish.

Learn more and RSVP for free here.

Bon Femmes Birthday Party

Noon-6 p.m. Saturday

Bon Femmes, 4917 N. Damen Ave.

Ravenswood gift shop Bon Femmes, which exclusively features women-owned brands, is celebrating its 5th anniversary this weekend.

Founder Omotola Akinbiyi is throwing the store a birthday party with a Chunky’s Treats pastry pop-up, a special gift with every in-store and online purchase, complimentary nail art from Legendary Spa, snacks and beverages.

Ramova Community Market

10 a.m. Sunday

Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St.

The Ramova Theatre is hosting a monthly community market where neighbors can shop goods from local artists, makers and farmers in the Bridgeport theater and its beer garden. There will also be local non-profits and kids activities.

Learn more about the family-friendly market and how to become a vendor here. Admission is free, but guests can RSVP online for reminders and a chance to win a tote bag.

Learn more and buy tickets for $10 online. Tickets will also be at the door for $15.

Dog Day Party

1-5 p.m. Saturday

Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St.

Northalsted bar Sidetrack is hosting a Memorial Day weekend “playdate with the pups.” Guests can bring their pets and enjoy dog-friendly Tito’s Handmade Vodka, dog swag, treats, drinks (for humans) and more.

There’s no cover, and you don’t need to bring a dog to attend. Learn more here.

Queer Crafting

2-5 p.m. Saturday

Comfort Station, 2579 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The Artistic Alphabet Mafia, a group of crafty queer people, is hosting a queer crafting potluck. Attendees can bring their own food and items so that people can feast and create art with fellow LGBTQ+ Chicagoans. There will be a communal scrapbook and cookbook that people can contribute to.

This month’s crafting event also features a clothing and art supplies swap in partnership with Out of the Closet Charity, a free pop-up shop for transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming individuals.

Mental Health Forum

11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday

Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski Road

Chicago-based nonprofit Public Equity is holding a mental health forum discussing “Pathways to Building and Sustaining Healthy Communities.” There will be panel discussions, life coaching, wellness practitioners, food and more. Participants include a variety of experts, including a professor, a psychotherapist, an anti-violence advocate, state representative Lindsey LaPointe and more.

Learn more about the event here, and register for free here.

Learn more here.

Kent Rose & The Remedies

6 p.m. Saturday

The Northman Beer & Cider Garden, 233 E. Riverwalk

Embrace the warmer days along the riverwalk with Chicago country music royalty, Kent Rose & The Remedies.

Learn more here.

Fetish Film Screening: ‘Cruising’

7-9 p.m. Saturday

Leather Archives and Museum, 6418 N. Greenview Ave.

The Leather Archives and Museum is celebrating International Mr Leather weekend with a screening of classic and controversial leather thriller “Cruising” (1980). The movie stars Al Pacino as Officer Steve Burns, investigating a potential serial killer in New York City’s gay leather bars.

Learn more and buy tickets for $10 here.

Ritmo Del Mar

7-11 p.m. Saturday

Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr.

Dance to salsa, cumbia, merengue and Latin jazz in an aquarium while enjoying food, drinks and cultural activities.

Tickets are $14.95-$39.95 online, which includes admission to all aquarium exhibits.

The Vampire Rave

8 p.m. Saturday through 1 a.m.

Stylish Sin, 2773 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Dress in dark attire and don red accessories for this underground vampire-themed rave and burlesque show.

Neo Song-Making

Noon-3 p.m. Sunday

The Neo-Futurists Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave.

Led by Joanna Jamerson, Chicagoans can learn what counts as a Neo-Futurist song, how to make it theater and ways to make a song Neo-Futurist. The workshop is open to all experience levels, “whether you’re an experienced songwriter/musician or have never even hummed before.”

Tickets are $60 online and include admission to “The Infinite Wrench,” in which the Neo-Futurists ensemble performs 30 original plays in one hour. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Peace Love Forgiveness: Poetry & Comedy On The Block

Noon-3 p.m. Sunday

DuSable Black History Museum, 740 E. 56th Place

Peace Love Forgiveness is a celebration of poetry and comedy featuring international spoken word artist Blaq Ice.

Learn more about the event and how to participate here.

The Asian Persuasion Comedy Showcase

8 p.m. Sunday

iO Theater, 1501 N. Kingsbury St.

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, iO Theater is hosting a comedy variety show with The Foundation For Asian American Independent Media. The show will include host Jerry Tran, improv from Asian Takeout and Stir Fryday Night, stand-up from William Paik and Sonal Aggarwal, music from Shawn Shakya and more.

Tickets are $22.80 online.

The All White Experience

3-9 p.m. Sunday

Offshore Rooftop, 1000 E. Grand Ave.

Spend Memorial Day on Chicago’s largest rooftop for Offshore’s first annual All White Experience. There will be sweeping views of the city, live DJs, food, drinks and more. Tickets start at $40 online.

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