The best things to do in Chicago this weekend

Say a hearty hello to (almost) summer at Mayfest, the annual street party in Lincoln Park that's outfitted with the usual selection of local vendors, tasty food, cover bands and ice-cold beverages. This year, the event will feature the Armitage Art Show, letting attendees experience Chicago’s top artists as they showcase and sell their works and present interactive art demonstrations.

Renegade Craft Fair's flagship event returns to Andersonville, taking over a stretch of Clark Street spanning from Bryn Mawr to Edgewater Avenue. Attendees will be able to shop the handmade wares of more than 250 vendor booths, selling everything from candles and screenprints to jewelry and pottery. The fair also boasts food and drink from local restaurants, so you won't have to go hungry (or thirsty) while you shop.

Taking place on Lincoln Avenue between Roscoe and School Streets, this two-day event will present more than 75 vendors selling handmade art—including paintings, sculptures and fiber pieces—as well as jewelry and decor. The weekend will also have live music, festival food and a selection of brews for purchase curated by Bitter Pops.

Get an inside look at eight Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings—including private residences normally closed off to the public—as part of this one-day touring event run by the iconic architect's trust, during which visitors will get to walk around the structures and hear detailed tours about their history. Take a peek inside everything from the Robie House in Hyde Park to the gorgeous homes lining Oak Park streets, and learn about one of America's most cherished architects. 

This inaugural Margarita Festival in Pilsen promises three days of tasty Latin bites, live music, local art and (of course) refreshing cocktails. You’ll have over 15 varieties of margs to try, from classic to unique options, and be able to browse goods from local merchants. The entertainment lineup boasts cover bands Fuze (Santana), Revelacion de Amor (Mana) and local DJs.

Woodwinds and brass instruments often take the spotlight, but jazz is an adaptable genre of music that welcomes all kinds of players—even those who perform using stringed instruments. The Chicago Jazz String Summit highlights the work of experimental string players, featuring three days of performances.

The 10th edition of the Summit returns with live performances at Constellation Chicago and the University of Chicago’s Logan Center for the Arts, featuring sets from cellists Dorothy Carlos and Janel Leppin, violist Joanna Mattrey and Malian master kora player Yacouba Sissoko. Find a complete schedule on the Chicago Jazz String Summit website.

Bacon, bourbon and arcade games—what more could one need? Headquarters Beercade hosts this fest dedicated to the impeccable pairing of whiskey and swine-y goodness, offering attendees tastings from brands like Judson & Moore, Koval, Bull Young, Jeppson’s and more. Once you’ve had your fill of brown spirits, enjoy bites such as bacon-wrapped dates and BLT sliders and try to set a new high score at Pac-Man.

Besides abundant handfuls of the world's favorite antioxidant, this annual north suburban fest includes live music, a pie eating contest, shopping and even a carnival. Vendors and local restaurants feature chocolate-themed items and inspirations, like the Apple Haus' famous Johnny Pop, an apple cider donut smothered in chocolate.

Say hello to spring with a half marathon or 10K along the waters on the Lakefront Trail. Afterwards, celebrate your efforts with a post-race party at Maggie Daley Park, complete with live music, pick-your-own-flowers, a beer garden and a hot brunch.

Documentaries, dramas and shorts make up the 27th edition of the Asian American Showcase, which highlights new works by established and emerging Asian American filmmakers. This year's lineup includes Sean Wang's Sundance Award winner Dìdi, Ashima by director Kenji Tsukamoto, Smoking Tigers by So Young Shelly Yo and many others.

After dark, things get a little wild and crazy at Lincoln Park Zoo. This no-kids-allowed, 90s-themed evening—complete with cash bars, food and DJs—will offer a chance to explore the zoo in a whole new way. Dance the night away on the Main Mall, sing your heart out with karaoke at Foreman Pavilion, play lawn games, listen to ‘90s hits from live bands or ride the carousel—there’s no shortage of activities for you to check out (along with the animals, of course).

Families are invited to Parkway Bank Park in Rosemont for an afternoon of free spring festivities, such as bounce houses, balloon sculpting, face painting, a petting zoo and live tunes by Jeanie B. and the Jelly Beans.

Navy Pier transforms into a hub for sports fans looking to get their swings in. Folks will be able to try their hands at pickleball, wiffle ball, baseball, softball and golf; coaches and trainers will be stationed throughout the Pier to offer instructions. A mini golf competition will also take place at the new Pier Park Mini Golf Course.

Vinyl & Vittles is back for another year. The event brings together a host of record vendors for a day of music and fun. You can peruse through crates of vinyl, enjoy delicious bites from food vendors and dance to tunes spun by local DJs.

Local vendors affected by the recent closures of Dom’s and Foxtrot are coming together for a pop-up market at Ándale Market. You can shop goods from Duck Inn Dogs, Downstate Donuts, Realsy, Droosh and more, with 100% of the sales going to the businesses.

Check out all sorts of cool trinkets, wares and eats at this indoor market highlighting artisan makers from Chicago’s South Side. Taking place on the second floor of the Promontory, the family-friendly event will feature new and returning vendors, a cocktail bar, lounge areas and tunes by DJ Sean Alvarez of We Love Soul.

Fans of the hit show will enjoy this theatrical rendition from Robert Leleux and director Eric Swanson, who together consider what Miami’s iconic quartet would be up to nowadays. Grab some friends for a night of throwbacks and laughs.

Rooftop Cinema Club, the open-air theater perched atop The Emily Hotel, is back for another season. Guests can catch showings of hand-picked classics, cult films and recent releases while also enjoying sweeping views of the skyline and craft beverages. It’s the perfect summer cinema experience. Check the official website for the full schedule and lineup.

Mamma Mia! Here we go again. My, my, it really does persist, whew. Mamma Mia! It's that show again. My, my, how can this have missed you? In case it somehow has, the indefatigable ABBA jukebox musical makes its umpteenth Chicago stop on its 25th anniversary tour. It's just here for a few weeks, but bye-bye doesn't mean forever.

Navy Pier, in partnership with the Design Museum of Chicago and The Vintage House Show Collective, presents a new exhibit exploring the history of the home-grown artists, clubs and labels that have built House music. The exhibit will be open and free to the public during all Pier operating hours through the end of October.

Chicago Writers’ Bloc puts on this festival featuring staged readings of five new plays and five new musicals from local playwrights, lyricists and composers. The works range from comedy and drama to documentary theatre, including Hearts in the Wood, Hell is Canceled and No Kind of Hero.

If dozens of vendors aren't enough of a draw for you to come to the lively Sunday market at this West Town neighborhood’s namesake park, maybe the weekly complimentary market programming—which includes free yoga, meditation and storytime for kids—will be. The market is also committed to sustainability, with plastic-free vendors and composting.

If you can withstand the roar of O'Hare traffic and incoming 747s (plus, you know, the trek on Chicago's most horrible freeway), you'll find some of the best deals in greater Chicagoland at this flea market outside Allstate Arena. Pick up odd trinkets or bulk candy and potato chips, plus clothing, housewares, furniture, jewelry and collectibles. Boasting over 700 sellers, this flea market is a favorite of vintage buyers themselves, so you know there are some great finds to be had at the fraction of city prices. Bring your best bargaining skills.

One of Chicago's most popular farmer's markets, Green City Market welcomes vendors selling regional produce to the south end of Lincoln Park (between Clark Street and Stockton Drive) on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Amid the rows, you’ll find farm-fresh eggs from Michigan, cheese from Wisconsin and scrumptious pies baked by Chicago’s own Hoosier Mama Pie Co.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Displaying a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of THE MART, ART on THE MART is the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, with programming that changes seasonally. ART on THE MART's array of 34 digital projectors show the creations after dusk every evening. It’s best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.

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 levels—you 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.

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.

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.

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.