12 Things to Do This Memorial Day Weekend: May 24-28

(Special Events Management)(Special Events Management)

1. Jam

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Celebrate summer at the 34th annual Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest, where you can hear local tribute bands Santeria and Trippin Billies (Saturday); party band Run Forrest Run and cover band Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press (Sunday), among others. A second stage features karaoke, DJs, dueling pianos and martial arts and sword demonstrations. Food, beer and wine vendors and arts and crafts round it out.

Check out more of the season’s upcoming festivals in our 2018 Chicago Summer Festival Guide.

Details: Noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday along Sheffield Avenue, from Belmont Avenue to Roscoe Street. $5 suggested donation / MAP

2. Salute

Honor the men and women who have served at the Chicago Memorial Day Parade. The city of Chicago will honor fallen heroes and Gold Star family members who lost loved ones during the wreath laying ceremony (11 a.m.) and parade (noon). All events are free.

Details: 11 a.m. Saturday (ceremony) at Daley Plaza, Washington and Dearborn streets / MAP. Noon Saturday (parade) steps off at State and Lake streets / MAP

(Courtesy City of Chicago, DCASE)(Courtesy City of Chicago, DCASE)

3. Pedal

Rise and shine cycling enthusiasts! Here’s your chance to cruise along Lake Shore Drive, from Bryn Mawr Avenue to 57th Street, sans cars at the annual Bike the Drive. Cruise the entire 30-mile loop or opt for a shorter route. Three rest stops along the route offer a chance to refuel with water and light snacks. Organizers recommend starting no later than 7 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Active Transportation Alliance.

A post-ride festival (8 a.m.-noon) includes a pancake breakfast ($10) and live music, plus bike industry exhibitors and more.

Details: 5:30-11 a.m. Sunday along Lake Shore Drive. $55-$66; $17 for kids / MAP

(Active Transportation Alliance / Facebook)(Active Transportation Alliance / Facebook)

4. Sláinte

Get your fill of traditional Irish foods (and festival fare) at the Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest, featuring Irish dancing, music and tea, plus carnival rides, petting zoos and dozens of musical acts.

Details: 4-11 p.m. Friday; 2-11 p.m. Saturday, 1-11 p.m. Sunday; 1-8 p.m. Monday at Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 147th St., Oak Forest. $15; $12 seniors and kids / MAP

Chicago Gaelic Park Irish FestChicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest

5. Groove

Dance to the sounds and styles of house music that revolutionized international dance music at the Chicago House Music Festival. Catch DJs spinning and live performances on a trio of stages. New this year: Outside alcohol will be prohibited. And expect increased security, including a bag check.  

Details: 1-9 p.m. Saturday at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. Free / MAP

(Courtesy City of Chicago, DCASE)(Courtesy City of Chicago, DCASE)

6. Strut

Check out the latest music festival-inspired fashions at the Style of Sound. Sip cocktails while admiring more than two dozen looks reflecting the city’s major music fests, including Spring Awakening, Mamby on the Beach, Pitchfork and Lollapalooza. 

Details: 7-10 p.m. Thursday at Disco Chicago, 111 W. Hubbard St. Free. RSVP required; limited seating / MAP

(Ear2Ground)(Ear2Ground)

7. Pay tribute

Honor the 100th anniversary of America’s first key battle in World War I at the Centennial Commemoration of the Battle of Cantigny. Learn more about the 1918 battle through letters from soldiers, hands-on activities and WWI re-enactors, including a living history re-enactment of Col. Robert McCormick’s 1937 speech in Cantigny, France.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Cantigny Park, 1 S 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free / MAP

The Battle of Cantigny took place May 28-31, 1918.The Battle of Cantigny took place May 28-31, 1918.

8. Browse

Ceramics, jewelry, painting and sculptures from more than 130 global artists highlight the Barrington Art Festival. Live music, kid-friendly activities and a community mural project are also on tap.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Cook and Station streets in downtown Barrington. Free / MAP

(Amdur Productions)(Amdur Productions)

9. Taste

Local chefs and restaurants go head-to-head to find out whose version of the Mexican sauce is the best at Mole de Mayo. Wander around an open-air market filled with local businesses as you chow down. Don’t miss the action in the lucha libre wrestling ring where you can expect “high-flying antics” from wrestlers.   

Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Ashland Avenue and 18th Street. $5 / MAP

Chicken enchiladas with mole sauce is just one way the sauce is used in traditional Mexican cuisine. (Jazz Guy / Flickr)Chicken enchiladas with mole sauce is just one way the sauce is used in traditional Mexican cuisine. (Jazz Guy / Flickr)

10. Spark

Seeking to continue an important conversation, the #MeToo Play Festival addresses issues raised by the movement. Staged readings of six short plays are followed by a discussion with the audience, playwrights and guest panelists.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2515 Central Park Ave., Evanston. $22 / MAP

11. Ring

Bells will be ringing this weekend at the Rockefeller Carillon New Music Festival. World-renowned Chicago composer Augusta Read Thomas headlines the event and will premiere a work that culminates in the first-ever 72 bell-cluster chord in which every bell of the Rockefeller tower is rung at once.      

Details: 5-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-12:45 p.m. and 2:45-5:30 p.m. Saturday at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave. Free / MAP

(Eden Sabala / Rockefeller Chapel)(Eden Sabala / Rockefeller Chapel)

12. Play ball

Root for the new baseball team in town at the Chicago Dogs home opener against the Kansas City T-Bones. After Friday's game, kids can run the bases and enjoy a fireworks show.

Details: Games 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1:05 p.m. Sunday at Impact Field, 9850 Balmoral Ave., Rosemont. $9-$25 / MAP

(Daniel Boczarski)(Daniel Boczarski)

Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.


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