27 Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend: West Fest, Tacos Y Tamales And Chicago Climate Week

CHICAGO — A weekend of festivals, live music and other events is on deck to help Chicagoans cool down after this week’s scorching temperatures.

West Fest is coming to West Town with a weekend of live music, Tacos y Tamales Fest is headed to Pilsen for a celebration of Hispanic culture and Burger Fest is back in Roscoe Village to crown the best burger in Chicago.

There are also sidewalk sales in Lincoln Park, Hyde Park and Avondale where you can score deals and take home a unique find.

Chicago is also celebrating its first Climate Week, with events starting this weekend — including a sustainable collage workshop, a back-to-school clothing swap and a specialty recycling event at Bevapalooza.

Here’s a roundup of 27 things to do in Chicago this weekend:

All Weekend

Hyde Park Summer Sidewalk Sale

Thursday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Hyde Park Shopping Center, 1524 E. 55th St., Hyde Park

Head to the Hyde Park shopping center to score deals from some of the neighborhood’s most popular businesses. Enjoy discounts from restaurants like Mahari and La Boulangerie & Co., and shops such as the toy store *Play and Wesley’s Shoe Corral. This is a free event.

Learn more about participating businesses and deals here.

Tacos y Tamales Festival

5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Blue Island Ave. between Walcott Street and Ashland Avenue, Pilsen

The ultimate celebration of Chicago’s Hispanic and Latin cultures is coming to Pilsen for a weekend of authentic food, street cantinas, live music, performances and more. A portion of proceeds benefits local organizations Pilsen Arts & Community House and Frida Community Organization.

There is a suggested $10 donation upon entry. Learn more here.

Taste Of River North

5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday

627 N. Wells St., River North

Stop by the Taste of River North to discover the neighborhood’s vibrant restaurant scene. Enjoy bites from local restaurants like Avli, Fishbar, Seoul Taco and more. There will also be live music, DJs, a local merchant market and a family fun area. On Friday, enjoy wine pairings and tastings, while Saturday highlights include a dog parade.

There is a suggested $10 donation upon entry. Learn more here.

West Fest

Friday-Sunday

West Chicago Avenue between Damen Avenue and Wood Street, West Town

One of Chicago’s most popular local summer music festivals is headed back to West Town this weekend with a stacked lineup of live music from local bands and musicians, a market featuring food and retail vendors and a Kid Fest with bounce houses, pony rides and more. There is a $10 suggested donation upon entry.

Learn more about the festival’s lineup and more here.

Burger Fest

5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

2000 W. Belmont Ave., Roscoe Village

Roscoe Village Burger Fest is celebrating its 19th year in the neighborhood by bringing together the city’s top resturants to serve up their take on the traditional burger. Eat your way through the festival while also enjoying live music from local bands, a vendor market, a kids’ zone and more. Don’t forget to cast your vote for the festival’s most mouth-watering burger.

There is a $10 suggested donation upon entry. Learn more here.

Colombian Fest

Saturday-Sunday

Humboldt Park, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave., Humboldt Park

The Midwest’s largest Colombian celebration is returning to Humboldt Park with a weekend full of events honoring culture, community and traditions. There will be an international lineup of live music, a showcase of local Colombian businesses, authentic food and plenty of fun for the whole family.

Learn more and browse ticket options here.

Ravenswood On Tap

Saturday-Sunday

North Ravenswood Avenue and West Berteau Avenue, Ravenswood

Discover Chicago’s “Malt Row” as the Ravenswood Craft Beer & Music Fest returns to the neighborhood. The two-day outdoor festival is focused on all things local beer, where you can try out brews from a variety of breweries. Plus, there will be street food, a local artist market, mini golf and more activities, complete with a lineup of live music all weekend long.

There is a $10 suggested donation upon entry, and bundle options available. Learn more here.

Armitage-Halsted-Webster Sidewalk Sale

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

West Armitage Avenue from Racine to Howe Streets, North Halsted Street from Armitage to Webster Avenues, West Webster Avenue from Magnolia to Halsted Streets, Lincoln Park

Stroll various residential and retail corridors around Lincoln Park as the Chamber of Commerce welcomes back its sidewalk sale. Enjoy deals from stores like Marine Layer, Rock N Rags and more while taking advantage of discounts from local restaurants like Homeslice and Don Pez.

This is a free event. Learn more about participating businesses and discounts here.

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Renegade Craft Fair

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

North Kedzie Boulevard between Fullerton Avenue and West Palmer Square

Explore local small businesses and artists as the Renegade Craft Fair heads to Logan Square to celebrate Chicago creatives. Shop everything from jewelry to aura photography and enjoy a weekend of creativity and community.

There is a suggested $5 donation upon entry. Learn more here.

Illinois Vintage Fest

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand St., Downtown

More than 170 vendors are headed to Navy Pier for the largest Illinois Vintage Fest event to date. There will be an endless selection of vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, collectibles and other one-of-a-kind items.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Friday

Horner Park Brew Fest

6-10 p.m. Friday

Horner Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave., Irving Park

Beer lovers can sip on brews and ciders from over 35 of Chicago’s local breweries while supporting Horner Park sustainability initiatives as Brew Fest returns to the North Side this Friday. Proceeds will go toward the park’s 2026 sustainability goal — to continue the pursuit to become an internationally accredited arboretum. There will also be local food trucks serving up bites and live music from Soul Daddy, bringing horn-driven funk and rock to the park.

Tickets are $54.20. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

James Hall Art Opening

6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday

Project Onward, 1200 W. 35th St., 4th floor, Bridgeport

“My Little Pictures,” a solo exhibit from multimedia artist James Hall, is coming to Project Onward. The exhibit features over 500 drawings, spanning Hall’s creative process which is based on his experiences with schizophrenia. There will also be collages and other works from Hall’s decades-long art career. Stop by later in August for a book signing and artist talk when Hall debuts his full-color publication.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Saturday

Back To School Kids’ Clothing Swap

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

Chicago Fair Trade Museum, 4704 N. Broadway, Uptown

Parents can donate gently used clothing for infants all the way up to teenagers for the Fair Trade Museum’s back-to-school clothing swap. As a part of Chicago’s first-ever Climate Action Week, the museum is encouraging repair, reuse and ethical consumption this back-to-school season. There will also be root beer floats, kids’ crafts and different giveaways.

Tickets are $10. Learn more here.

Free Cardio Kickboxing

10 a.m. Saturday

Millennium Park Great Lawn, 201 E. Randolph St., Loop

Start off Saturday with a workout as fitness guru Seobia Rivers teaches a free cardio kickboxing class. Rivers suggests that participants bring water to stay hydrated, while mats and towels are optional. This is part of DCASE’s free summer workout series.

Learn more information here.

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Avondale Garage Sale

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

Various locations, Avondale

Avondale neighbors have come together to host the neighborhood’s first all-day garage and sidewalk sale. Centered in a pocket in southwest Avondale, the sale offers one-of-a-kind finds from antique furniture to clothing from over 70 participating sellers. The organizers have also built an online map, so you can make sure you hit all the right spots.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Bevapalooza

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday

99th and 103rd Street Metra Corridors, Beverly

Neighborhood businesses and the Morgan Park Beverly Hills Business Association are coming together for an afternoon festival with music, shopping and more. With more than 25 participating businesses and eight live performers, the Bevapalooza open-air festival is complete with sidewalk sales, good vendors and treats from local breweries. You can also drop off your hard-to-recycle items at a Chicago Climate Week activation.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Pupapalooza Adoption Event

Noon-6 p.m. Saturday

Chicago Animal Care and Control, 2741 S. Western Ave., Lower West Side

Meet and take home a furry friend as Chicago Animal Care and Control hosts a music-inspired adoption event for dogs and cats. There will be live music, community partners and, most importantly, hundreds of adoptable cats and dogs. Plus, all adoption fees will be waived through July 26.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

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From The ‘Go Fest

Noon-7 p.m. Saturday

DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Place, Hyde Park

From the ‘Go Fest is celebrating emerging Chicago creatives in this afternoon of local music and performances. The festival, specifically curated for youth, features artists like Mr. Scubaa, Lil M.U. and more. There will also be food, raffles, giveaways and a vendor village.

This is a free event. Learn more and RSVP here.

Collage In Community Event

1-3 p.m. Saturday

Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange, 2124 W. 82nd Place, Auburn Gresham

Participate in a collage workshop led by Amanda Murphyao in celebration of Chicago Climate Week. The workshop will explore reuse collage, where participants can make up to five miniature collages to assemble into a chapbook. All materials will be provided.

Tickets are $20. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

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Summer Solstice Wine Stroll

2-5 p.m. Saturday

6088 N. Northwest Highway, Norwood Park

Shop and sip around Norwood Park in the neighborhood’s annual summer wine stroll. Tickets include tastings at participating businesses, a goodie bag and a commemorative glass.

Learn more and purchase tickets for $55 here.

PBS Spice Road Live

7-9 p.m. Saturday

South Asia Institute, 1925 S. Michigan Ave., South Loop

PBS’s acclaimed food television series “Spice Road” is debuting a new season with the first two episodes featuring beloved South Asian restaurants in Chicago. Catch the episodes on the big screen this weekend, complete with a post-screening conversation with creators Rupak Ginn and Sami Khan.

Tickets are $28.52. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Summer Wine Fest

7-10 p.m. Saturday

Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Lincoln Park

Sip on wine while enjoying the scenery of the Lincoln Park Zoo in this 21-and-over summer wine festival. Tickets will include an open-air wine flight experience within the botanical garden and arboretum. Enjoy wine, dancing, a drop-in ballroom dance workshop, free carousel rides, a specialty food menu and more.

Tickets are $64.43. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Sunday

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

1523 W. Jarvis Ave., Rogers Park

Browse vintage treasures at this Rogers Park flea market. With a lineup of unique vendors, discover hidden gems and bargains in an open-air shopping experience.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

La Vintage Pilsen

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

1857 S. Western Ave., Pilsen

A variety of Chicago-based vintage vendors are joining forces for an outdoor vintage sale in Pilsen. Browse unique clothing, find new vinyl or bring home a new antique from over 25 vendors while enjoying coffee, a DJ and more.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Trinket Fest

Noon-8 p.m. Sunday

Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave., Ravenswood

More than 100 trinket vendors will be at Artifact Events this Sunday, allowing guests to browse a wide selection of trinkets, jewelry, apparel and more. There will also be live caricatures, yard games and a private courtyard.

Tickets are $7.18. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Arepas & Open Mic Fundraiser

1-3 p.m. Sunday

Cedillo’s Fresh Produce, 325 W. 70th Place, Englewood

Stop by the Cedillo’s farm in Englewood as they host a fundraiser for communities in Venezuela impacted by the recent earthquake. MESA Chicago is serving homemade Venezuelan dishes like arepas while Venezuelan writer Renny Milano and Chicago poet Kameryn Carter will be doing readings.

There is a suggested $25 donation. Learn more and RSVP here.

Grant Slam Fest

3-7 p.m. Sunday

AIDS Garden, 3003 N. Lakefront Trail, Lakeview

Grant Slam is bringing another lineup of local music to Lakeview on Sunday as the festival originally started by a DePaul student continues its concert series throughout Chicago. Enjoy lake views and performances by This House is Creaking, Hannah Frey and Sundew, plus local vendors.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

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