Some weekends, you just look at the calendar and think, “Seriously?” This weekend is one of those weekends. Packing in way too many A-list events than you can possibility attend all into one weekend, you can still have a helluva time trying. From Chicago’s classiest food fest and coolest jazz fest to beer fests in mansions and golf courses, to top-flight block parties from Goose Island and The Hideout, one thing is for sure: You’re gonna need a bigger weekend.
Tuesday - Sunday
Sep 19-24
Millennium Park
Chicago’s fanciest food fest celebrates its 10th year with all-star chefs including Rick Bayless and Stephanie Izard, plus tastings, speakers, live demos, and satellite events including a burger dinner on the Harris Theater rooftop, a farm-to-table dinner on The 606, and gourmet fare at The Park at Wrigley.
Cost: $40-$295
Cost: $40-$295
Friday - Saturday
Sep 22-23
Goose Island
The Goose throws down with a ridiculously awesome lineup of bands including Animal Collective, Ted Leo, and Joey Purp, plus food and, of course, beer. Show up early, because the event will fill to capacity quickly.
Cost: $10 suggested donation
Cost: $10 suggested donation
Friday - Saturday
Sep 22-23
Morgan's on Fulton
Brooklyn Brewery throws this beer-soaked extravaganza in a mansion with the help of live bands; local brewers like Marz and Solemn Oath; food from Aloha Poke and Taco in a Bag; booze from McClure's Bloody Mary bar; and more. And you can feel good about it: A portion of ticket sales goes to the Chicago Food Depository.
Cost: $50
Cost: $50
Friday - Saturday
Sep 22-23
Reggie's
You better get hungry for some art with live body painting, a free pancake bar, live bands, and 100+ emerging artists at this legendary, affordably priced throwdown.
Cost: $7-$10
Cost: $7-$10
Saturday
Sep 23
Frontier
Stuff your face with all-you-can-eat house-made sausages, pretzels, and Oktoberfest beers, plus a stein-holding competition and live German music in the Frontier beer garden.
Cost: $25
Cost: $25
Saturday
Sep 23
Sydney Marovitz Golf Course
Chicago’s newest craft beer fest sets up shop on a picture-perfect public golf course on Lake Michigan. There will be food, live music, and beer samples from the Midwest to California, and you don't even need to practice your putting beforehand.
Cost: $15-$69
Cost: $15-$69
Saturday
Sep 23
FFC Lincoln Park
Raise money for bikes donated to Africa at this daylong bike fest with clinics, contests, food, live music, Odell beer, raffle prizes, yoga, and a 42-mile morning group ride.
Cost: $40 donation
Cost: $40 donation
Saturday - Sunday
Sep 23-24
The Hideout
One of the best parties of the year returns to one of Chicago’s best bars with two days of live music celebrating the 60th anniversary of Sputnik and the 20th anniversary of iconic local recording studio Electrical Audio.
Cost: $20 per day
Cost: $20 per day
Saturday - Sunday
Sep 23-24
Various locations
Jazz pops up all across Hyde Park from banks and churches to shops and museums, plus art installations, storytelling, and a benefit gala at The Promontory.
Cost: $5 donation
Cost: $5 donation
Saturday - Sunday
Sep 23-24
Granville Avenue from Kenmore to Broadway
One of Chicago’s coolest under-the-radar hoods hosts this up-and-coming arts fest with 100+ exhibiting artists, three stages of live music, Lagunitas beer, and food from Fireside Restaurant and Mas Alla del Sol plus workshops, art classes, and dog paw art.
Cost: $5 suggested donation
Cost: $5 suggested donation
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