Events Happening in Chicago This Weekend

Chicago, the “Windy City,” is a bustling metropolis known for its culture, history, and art. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States. This vibrant city is home to countless attractions, theaters, restaurants, and events offering something for everyone. From the iconic Navy Pier to the beautiful lakefront parks and beaches, there’s plenty to do in Chicago no matter what time of year. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities or an exciting nightlife scene, there’s always something to do in the city.

Chicago History

The city of Chicago has a long and storied history. The area has been inhabited since around the mid-1700s when the Potawatomi, Miami, and Illinois Native American tribes were the primary inhabitants. In the early 1800s, the US Army built Fort Dearborn at what is now the site of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. This fort was destroyed during an Indian attack in 1812, but a new fort was soon built in its place.

The city was officially founded in 1833 by a group of businessmen led by John Kinzie. The first permanent settler was Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a trader of African and Native American descent. By the 1840s, the population was nearing 4,000, and the city became an important center of commerce and transportation. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed more than 3.3 square miles of the city, but it was quickly rebuilt and continued to grow in population over the next several decades.

Today, Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States with more than 2.7 million people living in its metropolitan area. The city is home to some of the most recognizable landmarks in the country, including the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and The Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago also has a thriving theater district, dozens of museums, and some of the best cuisine in the world.

Things to Do in Chicago

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or longer, there’s always something to do in Chicago. From outdoor activities like biking and kayaking along the lakefront to exploring museums and attending cultural events, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Chicago:

Explore Navy Pier

Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most iconic attractions. Located on Lake Michigan near downtown Chicago, it features more than 50 acres of parks, shops, restaurants, and attractions. At Navy Pier you can take a ride on the iconic Ferris wheel, enjoy live entertainment at the Pepsi Skyline Stage, explore the Children’s Museum or take a boat tour on Lake Michigan. Navy Pier also hosts year-round events such as festivals, concerts, fireworks shows and more.

Experience a Baseball Game

Chicago is home to two major league baseball teams: the Cubs and White Sox. Whether you’re a fan of either team or not, attending a baseball game is an exciting experience you won’t soon forget. Grab some peanuts and Cracker Jacks and cheer on your team from the stands! If you can’t make it to a game during your visit, check out one of Chicago’s many sports bars for a great atmosphere and lively crowd.

Enjoy Nature at Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is one of Chicago’s most beloved parks — it’s even larger than New York City’s Central Park! Spanning 1,208 acres along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, Lincoln Park offers plenty of activities for nature lovers including biking and running trails, beachfront access, bird watching, golfing and even an outdoor zoo. It’s also home to gorgeous gardens such as the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool and North Pond Nature Sanctuary.

Visit Millennium Park

Millennium Park is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions with more than 25 million visitors each year. Located in downtown Chicago near Lake Michigan, Millennium Park features lush gardens and public art installations such as Cloud Gate (also known as “The Bean”) and Crown Fountain. It’s also home to Jay Pritzker Pavilion which hosts free concerts throughout the summer months.

Experience Culture at The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s premier art museums with more than 300,000 works of art from all over the world spanning centuries of art history. The collection includes pieces from artists such as Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Cezanne among many others. The museum also hosts special exhibitions throughout the year featuring works from both established and up-and-coming artists.

Weekend Events in Chicago

There’s always something exciting happening in Chicago on any given weekend. Whether you’re looking for concerts or festivals, here are some popular events happening this weekend:

Chicago Jazz Festival

The annual Chicago Jazz Festival takes place at Millennium Park over Labor Day weekend each year and features some of the best jazz musicians in the world performing free concerts for visitors. With five different stages offering performances throughout the weekend, there’s something for everyone from traditional jazz and blues to Latin jazz and fusion jazz. Admission is free for all shows and visitors can also purchase food and drinks from nearby vendors.

Pitchfork Music Festival

The Pitchfork Music Festival is an annual music festival held at Union Park each summer featuring some of the best indie and alternative rock acts from around the world. This year’s lineup includes headliners such as Tame Impala, Robyn, Charli XCX and many more. The festival also offers food vendors selling a variety of cuisines from around the world as well as local craft beers and cocktails.

Chicago Air & Water Show

The Chicago Air & Water Show is an annual event held along Lake Michigan’s shoreline each summer featuring world-renowned aerial stunt pilots performing incredible feats with their planes as well as daring aquatic shows from water skiers and divers. This year’s show runs from August 17th-18th from 10am-3pm each day at North Avenue Beach with plenty of food vendors selling delicious snacks throughout the show.

Popular Tours in Chicago

Chicago is full of unique attractions that are best experienced with a local tour guide by your side. Here are two popular tours you won’t want to miss out on during your visit:

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

If you’re looking for an inside look into some of Chicago’s most iconic buildings then book yourself a spot on a Chicago Architecture River Cruise — one of the city’s most popular tours. On this 1-hour tour you’ll get to see some of Chicago’s best architecture up close including Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears Tower), The Wrigley Building, Trump Tower and much more. You’ll also learn about each building’s history from your knowledgeable guide along with facts about Chicago’s skyline. Book a Chicago Architecture River Cruise today for an unforgettable experience!

Chicago Pizza Tour

If you’re a fan of pizza then you won’t want to miss out on a Chicago Pizza Tour — one of the city’s most popular food tours! On this 3-hour tour you’ll get to visit four beloved pizza spots throughout the city while learning all about how Chicago-style deep dish pizza came to be. You’ll also get to sample classic slices of deep dish pizza at each location so come hungry! Book a Chicago Pizza Tour today for an unforgettable culinary experience!