Stories by rebecca palmore

(Todd Rosenberg Photography / The Second City)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Dec. 21-25

Treat family and friends to a Chicago-style Christmas. Here are 10 things to do in and around the city.

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Dec. 15-18

Taiko drummers, holiday cheer, bird watchers and Beethoven usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.

Cyclocross racers, including one in costume, take part in Afterglow 2011. (Steven Vance / Flickr)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Dec. 8-11

Neighborhood holiday markets, outsider art, cyclocross and Jerry Seinfeld usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Santa swaps his sleigh for a motorcycle this weekend. Spot him along Western Avenue. (Jack Voss / Chicago Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Dec. 1-4

Holiday markets, an enormous motorcycle parade, World AIDS Day, Cuban rhythms and more usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

ZooLights kicks off Friday at Lincoln Park Zoo. (Courtesy of Lincoln Park Zoo)

10 Things to Do This Holiday Weekend: Nov. 23-27

Helicopter tours, helium balloons, Amy Schumer and Julie Andrews usher in the Thanksgiving weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Light up your weekend at the “Illumination” show starting Friday. (Courtesy of the Morton Arboretum)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Nov. 17-20

Holiday lights, a giant mouse, punk rock and a comedy legend usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Sample sale: 50 varieties of whiskey, scotch and bourbon await your palate in River North.

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Nov. 10-13

Comedians, whiskey and a meteor shower usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Ali Brice appears as the title character in “Graeme of Thrones” at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. (Paul Wilkinson / Broadway in Chicago)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Nov. 3-6

Strange foods, fall benefits, a “Game of Thrones” parody and massive art show usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Retail therapy comes with vintage flair at this weekend's Randolph Street Market Festival. (Courtesy Randolph Street Market)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 27-30

Halloween parties, scary movies, vintage finds and even some creatures of the night usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Artists of the New York-based company Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns can spend up to 15 hours on a single gourd. (Courtesy of Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 20-23

A plethora of pumpkins, eerie mind games and Dr. Ruth usher in the weekend – and Halloween. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

The Yale Building in Englewood is one of 200 sites participating in this year’s Open House Chicago. (Eric Allix Rogers / Flickr)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 13-16

International films, behind-the-scenes access and migrating hawks usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 6-9

Live music, fall festivals and skateboarding felines usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Lorenz Holder of Germany was the overall winner of the 2016 Red Bull Illume contest. The photo shows Senad Grosic ride his bike over a bridge in an autumnal Gablenz, Germany. (Lorenz Holder / Red Bull Illume)

Weekend Best Bets: Glowing Photos, Vegan Food, Cat Videos

Events in and around Chicago the weekend of Sept. 29-Oct. 2

From a glowing photo exhibition to vegan chefs and cat videos on the big screen, this weekend’s roundup includes fun fall events both indoors and out.

Sound the horns: The 10th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival returns to the neighborhood this weekend. (Marc Monaghan / Flickr)

Weekend Best Bets: Gourmet Fare, Jazz Fest, Day of the Dead

Events in and around Chicago the weekend of Sept. 22-25

Chicago Gourmet returns with Rick Bayless at the helm, the 10th annual Hyde Park Jazz Fest offers a weekend soundtrack and the National Museum of Mexican Art celebrates its 30th Day of the Dead exhibition. Those events and more in this weekend's roundup.

Fall color is on display this weekend in Oak Park and other area locations. (Quinn Dombrowski / Flickr)

Weekend Best Bets: Live Music, Fall Color, Indie Bookstores

Events in and around Chicago the weekend of Sept. 15-18

Morrissey comes to Douglas Park, craft beer spills in Oak Park and Elmhurst, a global jam unites musicians from India and Chicago, book fans toast Quimby's, lovers of the grape head to North Kenwood and DIY types search for treasure in Andersonville. Those events and more in this weekend's jam-packed roundup.

More than 400 vendors set up camp along Division Street in Wicker Park this weekend. (Courtesy Renegade Craft Fair)

Weekend Best Bets: World Music Fest, Oktoberfest, Renegade, Bears Bash

Salute the season with an authentic Oktoberfest celebration, get crafty in Wicker Park, gear up for the Bears, stay up late for an all-night concert of classical Indian music and more this weekend.

Pack a picnic and settle in at Millennium Park for this weekend's Chicago Jazz Festival. (Courtesy City of Chicago)

Weekend Best Bets: Labor Day Festivals, Music, More

Soak up the long summer weekend with cool jazz, world beats, Polish beer and a picnic or two. We've got top picks for city and suburban events this holiday weekend.

A wave of swimmers start their race in Lake Michigan at the 2015 Chicago Triathlon. (Courtesy of Transamerica Chicago Triathlon)

Weekend Best Bets: Chicago Triathlon, Dog Show, Bucktown Art Fest

Cheer on Chicago athletes, shop for fall accessories, take in an outdoor movie, sip sangria on a sprawling lawn, run through mud, watch dashing dogs and more this weekend.

Take in the high-flying sights at this weekend's annual Chicago Air and Water Show. (Courtesy City of Chicago)

Weekend Best Bets: Air and Water Show, Wright Ride, Black Harvest

Turn your eyes to the skies for this weekend's annual air show, explore Bronzeville galleries, hear global rhythms in Albany Park, take in a film festival, ogle Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Oak Park and more.

Lee “Scratch" Perry performs this weekend at the inaugural Reggae Fest Chicago. (Courtesy Reggae Fest Chicago)

Weekend Best Bets: Reggae Fest, Bud Billiken, LATE Ride, Wine Fest

Take in live music, pedal through city streets in the wee hours, line up for an iconic parade and sip wine in the suburbs. Get details on those events and more things to do this weekend.

President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Martin Luther King Jr. in the White House Cabinet Room in 1966.

Weekend Best Bets: Celebrate a Milestone, Salute the Season

Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. marched through Marquette Park to protest housing segregation and fight for equal rights. On Saturday, hundreds of area residents will trace a seven-block stretch of King’s march. Details on that and more in this weekend's roundup.

Tall Ships Chicago at Navy Pier returns this weekend. (Jeff Brown / Navy Pier, Inc.)

Weekend Best Bets: Tall Ships, Lollapalooza, Poetry Fest

Celebrate Lolla's 25th anniversary in Grant Park, sip bloody marys in Highwood, celebrate local poets in Bronzeville, eat tacos in Pilsen, tour tall ships at Navy Pier and other notable events for your perfect summer weekend.

From flowers to brews, this weekend's Sheffield Garden Walk and Craft Beer Fest is are about the bouquets. (Courtesy Special Events Management)

Weekend Best Bets: Garden Walk, Craft Beer in Lincoln Park

Stroll through gardens, sample craft beer, watch movies under the stars, tour "green" homes and more this weekend.

Iceage performs at Pitchfork in 2015. (Ellie Pritts / Pitchfork)

Weekend Best Bets: Pitchfork Music Festival Returns to Union Park

A Chicago park in West Town plays hosts to dozens of indie music acts this weekend. In the Loop, Pokémon GO players hit the streets en masse, while lions dance in Chinatown and Morris Day and The Time strike a pose in Chatham. Plus: Lumberjack athletes arrive for a U.S. championship in Tinley Park.

Taste of Chicago (Courtesy City of Chicago)

Weekend Best Bets: Taste of Chicago

Eat your way through 200 menu items at the 36th annual mega-fest in Grant Park, where Billy Idol and Sheila E. are among this year's musical guests. Get details on that event and others in this week's roundup.

Best Bets: Fourth of July Weekend

Go out with a bang this weekend as fireworks, parades and festivals offer plenty of ways to celebrate across the city and suburbs.