(Courtesy of Chicago Craft Beer Fest)
1. Toast
With more than 35 craft brews, there’s a little something for everyone at the Chicago Craft Beer Fest. Each two-hour tasting session includes at least 12 samples and a keepsake tasting glass.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday at 1001 W. Wrightwood Ave. $35-78 / MAP
Looking for more events? The Windy City Smokeout, Millennium Art Festival, Colombian Fest and iFest all return this weekend. Check out those and more of the season’s upcoming festivals in our 2023 Chicago Summer Festival Guide.
2. Wander
Explore hidden gems and community green space at two garden walks. The 63rd annual Dearborn Garden Walk takes you into private gardens on the Near North Side; tickets include guided architecture tours, gardening seminars and the chance to ask master gardeners all your gardening questions. The Bucktown Garden Walk and Block Party, meanwhile, offers up access to 90 gardens, a petting zoo, live music, bar hop trolley and kids’ activities.
Details for the Dearborn Garden Walk: noon-5 p.m. Sunday starting at Latin Middle School, 45 W. North Ave. $35 for adults; children under 16 are free / MAP
Details for the Bucktown Garden Walk: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free
Details for the Bucktown Garden Walk Block Party: Events vary Friday to Sunday at Cortland Street and Winchester Avenue. Suggested $5-10 donation / MAP
The courtyard garden at 60-70 E. Scott St. (Courtesy of Dearborn Garden Walk)
3. Tune in
Musical artists from Illinois are on display at The State of Sound: A World of Music from Illinois. The exhibit showcases every musical genre, from jazz to house, and features artists like Muddy Waters, Chance the Rapper and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Details: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through Aug. 27 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. Free / MAP
4. Go green
The Trashy Summer Market features one-of-a-kind goods from makers who transform reclaimed materials and promote zero-waste activities. You can shop everything from home goods and planters to fashion and accessories. Koval Distillery is crafting a specialty cocktail for 21+ shoppers.
Details: noon-5 p.m. Saturday at Koval Tasting Room, 4241 N. Ravenswood Ave. Free / MAP
5. Clap
Local talent is on display at the Black Playwrights Festival. Catch staged readings of new works in plays about Teena Marie, Sam Cooke and long-lost love.
Details: Performances vary through Saturday at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. $25 / MAP
The cast of “Dreams & Fantasies: The Dorothy Dandridge Story.” (Courtesy of the Black Ensemble Theater)
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.
