Weekend Events: Mayfest, Wine Fest Usher in Festival Season

THURSDAY (Jump to FRIDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY)

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Chicago Craft Beer Week (through May 29)
Various locations
More than 300 bars, restaurants, breweries and other spots across the city celebrate craft beer during the seventh annual festival. Enjoy special pricing for rare beers and other events throughout the week, like a Good Island dodgeball tournament and a 1-mile run for mental health awareness. Check out the schedule, or download the app. Times and prices vary.


FRIDAY (Jump to THURSDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY)

Mayfest (through Sunday)
3100 N. Ashland Ave.
Kick-off the summer festival season with this 21st annual event, featuring live music under a big-top tent, food vendors, kids activities and the requisite beer garden. 5-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday. $10.

Ferris Fest (through Sunday)
Various Locations
Skip out on work or school for this three-day festival celebrating the 1986 classic “Ferris Buehler’s Day Off.” Visit a recreation of Ferris’ room, attend a screening of the film followed by a Q&A with cast members, take a bus tour and get special deals at some of the places Ferris, Cameron and Sloan visited on their day off (like the Art Institute or the Sky Deck). And what Ferris celebration would be complete without a recreation of the “Twist and Shout” parade? Times vary. $50-$175.

Chicago Critics Film Festival (through May 26)
Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.
Back for its fourth year, the festival created by the Chicago Film Critics Association in 2013 features works from a variety of filmmakers, including award-winners and newcomers. Some screenings include special guest appearances. Times vary. $10-$15 per film; $150 for festival pass.

Anime Central (through Sunday)
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont
This anime and manga convention celebrates Japanese animation and culture. Attend panels, guest signings, collect anime and manga merchandise, play games and more. Times vary. $10-$70.


SATURDAY (Jump to THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SUNDAY)

Lincoln Park Wine Festival
Jonquil Park, 1001 W. Wrightwood Ave.
Sip and swirl in the park at this second annual event, which features an open-air market stocked with wine and food pavilions, plus live music and artists. Wine experts and brand ambassadors are on hand to help connoisseurs find the perfect pour (or two). 1-6 p.m. $50-$75 per day; $90 weekend admission; $20 designated driver ticket.


Also on tap:

Wright Plus: The Great American Housewalk
Various locations in Oak Pak and River Forest
Get rare interior tours of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes and public buildings in Oak Park and River Forest, two suburbs that have the most Wright-designed houses in the world. Tickets include a hop-on, hop-off trolley to tour stops. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $95-$110.

Skokie Festival of Cultures
Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie
This celebration of diversity is billed as one of the largest culture festivals in Illinois since its beginning in 1991 and features ethnic folk music and dance, food, crafts, beer tasting and more. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free.

'Go Run (every Saturday through July 9)
Various Locations
Hosted by the Chicago Area Runners Association, this series of free, timed weekly group runs kicks off this weekend. Runners, joggers and walkers can gather in Humboldt Park, Warren Park or Washington Park to volunteer, go for the challenge with a competitive race or just get active to kick off the weekend with a nice runner’s high. There are 1-mile and 5K options. 9 a.m. Free.

Destination Devon Festival
Devon Avenue, between Kinzua and Minnehaha avenues
Explore the Northwest Side neighborhood of Edgebrook as local businesses offer special deals. Music and kids' activities round things out. 1-5 p.m. Prices vary.


SUNDAY (Jump to: THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SATURDAY)

(Peter Miller / Flickr)(Peter Miller / Flickr)

Karen Reimer: Shoretime Spaceline (through August 13)
Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave.
A new exhibition features the work of fiber artist Karen Reimer, who created a large-scale installation of fabric and sand. Over 200 yards of hand-dyed indigo fabric divides the gallery and mimics the sky, land and water. The exhibit is meant to explore time and space “where directions are reversed and present experiences are based on a fictional past.” 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Free.


Also on tap:

Kevin Nealon
City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St.
The former “Saturday Night Live” and “Weeds” cast member performs stand-up. With special guest Adam Burke. 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. $45-$60.

Marc-Andre Hamelin
Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.
This pianist, who the Los Angeles Times called a “one-of-a-kind concert artist,” offers his original interpretations of classical arrangements from Mozart, Debussy and Schubert, as well as his original work. 3 p.m. $31-$95.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds
SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston
The Grammy-nominated band has been at it for over 30 years, starting as a blues group but evolving to incorporate a variety of American musical styles. 8 p.m. $25-$55. 


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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