The start of this weekend will treat us to very warm temps before capping off with a sudden chill! It's Chicago in spring, what else would we expect? Maybe some fantastic events to fill your days! Whether you're looking for some exclusive records, trying to catch a great movie or concert, Chicago has you covered. Also don't forget to check out our monthly Lit event roundup and add some of these great events to your schedule!
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
ART GALLERIES & SPECIAL EVENTS
- All Star Press is constantly putting up new prints for you to decorate your space with! RIGHT NOW they are showing "ParkLife" BY Blake Jones and Friends!
- Chicago Gamespace is the perfect spot to check out the hairy present and future of the gaming realm!
- Rotofugi is the perfect nexus of art and toys! Head over to see what new pieces of art they have in stock and on display in their gallery space! Right Now they're showing Further Isn't Far Enough, Paintings and Prints by Chuck U!
- WNDR Museum is an ever-evolving immersive art and technology experience designed to ignite your curiosity! See exhibits like the Light Floor, Try to Get Higher, and the Digital Gallery.
- Garfield Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens! See what current exhibits are on display now.
- Lincoln Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!
- NOW -5/10 Glow Wild: A Lantern Festival of Hope @ Brookfield Zoo
- NOW - 7/12 David Byrne’s Theater of the Mind @ Reid Murdoch Building
- NOW - 9/7 EmotionAir: Art You Can Feel @ The Fields Studios
- NOW - 6/1 Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color @ The Art Institute of Chicago
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 17 - APRIL 19 & BEYOND
Chicago Latino Film Festival @ Landmark Century Center Cinema, 2828 N Clark St, various times
WHAT: Chicago Latino Film Festival is back for their 42nd year!
SO WHAT: Chicago Latino Film Festival gives audiences a look into the work of filmmakers from Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the U.S. As always the festival will feature a variety of shorts and feature films through the entire spectrum of genre, each giving a special insights to unique themes. You can check out the full lineup of films here andcheck out their program scedule PDF here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now! Standard pricing for the film screenings is $17, $15 for seniors/students/ILCC Members, and Monday/Tuesday screenings are $12. The Film Festival Passport, which includes 10 tickets, is $140!
Chicago Palestine Film Festival @ Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St, various times
WHAT: An excellent film festival
SO WHAT: Chicago Palestine Film Festival returns with an incredible lineup of films. The films in the festival aim to showcase the multifaceted aspects of Palestinian life, allowing viewers to experience a deeper understanding of the Palestinian experience.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are selling out so grab yours ASAP!
The Neo-Futurists’ The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Friday and Saturday 10:30pm, Sunday 7pm, 16+
WHAT: Quick plays live and online!
SO WHAT: The Neo-Futurists' Infinite Wrench is an ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience.
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $15-20! The Infinite Wrench and more is also available over at their Patreon!
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Record Store Day @ Various Record Shops Near You, Various Times (check out our guide for more info!)
WHAT: Record Store Day, a worldwide event that brings record store staff, customers, and artists together in a celebration of the music community.
SO WHAT: Ah, Record Store Day! There's tons of awesome events going on associated with the day, so head over to your favorite record store whether they are participating in the exclusive releases or not and support your local wax dealer!
NOW WHAT: Head out and support your favorite record store! Check out our guide to some of the great record stores participating around Chicago!
Chicago Humanities: New Talks and Video Archives @ Various Locations & Chicago Humanities Festival YouTube channel, your favorite browser or YouTube app, any time you want some inspiration, All Ages
WHAT: Interesting conversations with interesting people!
SO WHAT: Chicago Humanities Festival always brings some of the best ideas to the surface with entertaining programming that captures your imagination. There's tons of talks going on this season, so head over to their website, which is constantly updated with new talks. And be sure to check out their podcast Chicago Humanities Tapes, which features conversations with some of their best presenters and other great humanities-minded minds! Check out their talk with Ed Helms below!
- 4/18 Dr. Ibram X. Kendi: Chain of Ideas @ Ramova
- 4/18 The Infrastructure of Compassion: Rethinking Public Health in the Fentanyl Era @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18 Brick of Chicago Walking Tour: Bridgeport - 11am @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18 Photographer Sandra Steinbrecher: Reimagining The Salt Shed @ Co-Prosperity
- 4/18 Bridgeport Bus Tour With Shermann Dilla Thomas - 1:30pm @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18 Life of Pi’s Yann Martel on His New Novel @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18 Artist Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. in Conversation @ Co-Prosperity
- 4/18 Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon: The Future is Peace @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18 Bridgeport Bus Tour With Shermann Dilla Thomas - 4pm @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18 Andy Beta on the Transcendence of Alice Coltrane @ Co-Prosperity
- 4/18 Tonika Lewis Johnson, Amanda Williams, and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor on Housing Justice @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/18A Retrospective on Musician Charles Joseph Smith @ Co-Prosperity
- 4/18 An Evening with Art Spiegelman: The Comic Artist in Conversation @ Ramova Theatre
- 4/20 Rick Steves: On the Hippie Trail @ Francis W. Parker School
- 4/23 A Night With NPR’s Planet Money @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
NOW WHAT: Head over to take a look at their past events here! You should also sign up for their email list to get updates on upcoming talks in 2025
THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND
Movies on the Big Screen and Home @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, various times
WHAT: A great way to support a great local movie theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre recently underwent some great renovations, and it's ready for all your movie needs with some excellent films like Exit 8, The Stranger (2026), Prison Break!: Films of Escape, The Chicago Film Society Presents and so much more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theaters in the city!
Weekend Shows @ Lincoln Hall & Schubas, 2424 N Lincoln Ave & 3159 N Southport Ave, various times, 18+
WHAT: A full weekend of amazing shows at Schubas and Lincoln Hall!
SO WHAT: Lincoln Hall and Schubas are some of our favorite venues in the city and they always have something great going on. This weekend is the start of their month long festival TNK, so you can check out what those show have going on just above this!
- 4/16 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM and SAM SELBY @ Schubas (Upstairs)
- 4/16 - The Astronomers + BYRNE @ Schubas
- 4/16 - The Nude Party + Tobacco City @ Lincoln Hall
- 4/17 - Mortified Chicago @ Lincoln Hall
- 4/17 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents: Anthony Cruz and Double Dipp Present: Full Circle + Celeste Alexander @ Schubas (Upstairs)
- 4/17 - Cowboy + Neal Belmaus + Luscia Jane @ Schubas
- 4/18 - Breakfield - Formerly Known as Boy Named Banjo + Holy Joke + Maura Streppa @ Schubas
- 4/18- Luna Luna + VALÉ + Justice Hill @ Lincoln Hall
- 4/19 - Oceanic + Borderline + Wall Carpets @ Schubas
- 4/19 - Sports + Chrissy @ Lincoln Hall
NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!
Sor Juana Festival 2026 @ National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W 19th St, 7pm, 21+
WHAT: The National Museum of Mexican Art presents the 32nd annual Sor Juana Festival, honoring one of Mexico’s greatest writers, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
SO WHAT: The Sor Juana Festival brings weeks of special events to the National Museum of Mexican Art! There is a variety of conversations, concerts and special presentations happening every weekend to honor Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 for this 21+ event and drinks are included in ticket prices
University of Chicago Folk Festival @ Your favorite spot in your home, All Ages
WHAT: A fantastic folk festival
SO WHAT: University of Chicago Folk Festival might have come and gone but their digital presence is still around, making sure the wonderful music reaches as many people as possible! You can check out the past few years of performances on their Facebook page and their YouTube channel any time you want! This past year's performers included Gap Civil, High Fidelity, Lissa Schneckenburger & Garrett Cameron, Ethan Leinwand, Jontavious Willis, Luke Huval Band, Mariachi Flor de Primavera, and more!
NOW WHAT: Head over to their Facebook page and their YouTube channel and enjoy the show! We highly encourage you to donate to help support this fantastic folk festival!
