Weekend Best Bets: Celebrate a Milestone, Salute the Season

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

The big event

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. marched through Marquette Park to protest housing segregation and fight for equal rights as part of the Chicago Freedom Movement. On Saturday, hundreds of area residents will trace a seven-block stretch of King’s march to promote peace and justice while celebrating King’s legacy. Registration for the march is now closed, but you can commemorate the 1966 event at a post-march festival at 10 a.m. in Marquette Park (6700 S. Sacramento Ave.), featuring music, dance, talks, a bazaar and family activities.

Don’t miss a just-unveiled memorial to King designed by Chicago Public Art Group at the corner of 67th Street and Kedzie Avenue. Read more about the memorial and the 1966 march.

Free pick of the week

Circa Ceramics are one of the many vendors participating in this weekend's Made in Chicago Market.Circa Ceramics are one of the many vendors participating in this weekend's Made in Chicago Market.

Made in Chicago Market (Sunday)
Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd.

Browse handmade gifts, clothing, jewelry, housewares and more from local vendors at this market presented by the Reader. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.

Also on tap ...

Beer & BBQ Challenge (Saturday)
Parking lot at St. Viator Elementary School, 3644 N. Kedvale Ave.

What’s better than an afternoon spent slurping barbecue and beer? An invitation to opine after you lick your chops clean. Sample food and beer pairings from 18 teams of local pit masters and brewers who vie for your votes at this outdoor event. Tickets include one barbecue sample and beer pairing from each team, plus one additional beer and a commemorative glass. 1-5 p.m. $55; $80 VIP.

Beer and barbecue pairings are on the menu in Old Irving Park on Saturday. (Photos, from left: Quinn Dombrowski / Flickr; Beer and BBQ Challenge)Beer and barbecue pairings are on the menu in Old Irving Park on Saturday. (Photos, from left: Quinn Dombrowski / Flickr; Beer and BBQ Challenge)

Tacos and Tamales Festivale (Saturday-Sunday)
16th and Peoria streets
Speaking of things that go well together: This inaugural food fest in Pilsen takes its cue from a traditional Mexican market, called a tianguis, and features popular fare, a beer garden, artwork and other market items; plus live music and dance performances, featuring Latin rock at night. $5 suggested donation.

‘Toruk – The First Flight’ (through Sunday)
United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.

See Cirque du Soleil’s new family friendly touring show inspired by James Cameron’s 2009 sci-fi fantasy film “Avatar” as it makes its weekend stop in Chicago. 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $42. 

"Toruk -- The First Flight" comes to the United Center. (Photo: Jesse Faatz Costumes: Kym Barrett  © 2015 Cirque du Soleil)"Toruk -- The First Flight" comes to the United Center. (Photo: Jesse Faatz Costumes: Kym Barrett © 2015 Cirque du Soleil)

We Are Hip-Hop Youth Festival (Saturday)
Dvorak Park, 1119 W. Cullerton St.

The 11th annual event organized by youth involved in the ElevArte organization aims to showcase the "positive aspects of hip-hop culture" with a celebration of local talent, including MCs, street artists, break dancers (don't miss the battle at 5:30 p.m.) and more. Lilly Be and Frencha host. 1-7 p.m. Free.

Taste of Lincoln Avenue (Saturday-Sunday)
Lincoln Avenue, from Fullerton to Wrightwood avenues

The 33rd annual Lincoln Park fest includes two live music stages, dozens of vendors and a kids carnival. Headliners include March Fourth, Marianas Trench (Saturday); and G. Love and Special Sauce, Blues Traveler (Sunday). New this year: A daily wine tasting (2-5 p.m.) costs $30 and includes samples of up to 15 varietals from the U.S. and abroad. Noon-10 p.m. $10 suggested donation.

Kids get their own Taste of Lincoln Avenue at this weekend's fest. (Special Events Management)Kids get their own Taste of Lincoln Avenue at this weekend's fest. (Special Events Management)

Stitches Midwest (Thursday-Sunday)
Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 Thoreau Drive N, Schaumburg

Thanks to office and grocery store air conditioning, we can now wear our favorite handmade cozy sweaters and scarves year-round. Stock up on the latest knitting and crochet designs when this four-day stitching extravaganza comes to town. Highlights include a market, more than 110 classes for all skill levels, and a fashion show. Market hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. $8 daily entrance fee; extra fees for classes and special events.

Wrigleyville Summerfest (Saturday-Sunday)
Seminary Avenue and School Street

The annual party returns with live music, food and drink vendors, and a special play zone for kids. Headliners include Too White Crew (Saturday) and Hairbangers Ball (Sunday). Noon-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday. $5 suggested donation.

EdgeFest (Saturday-Sunday)
Broadway, between Thorndale and Ardmore avenues

A relative newcomer to the summer festival rotation, this Edgewater event, now in its fifth year, highlights local restaurants and vendors, plus live music on two stages. Headliners: Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press, Trippin Billies (Saturday); Sixteen Candles, Too White Crew (Sunday). Noon-10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. $5 suggested donation.

Taste of Orland Park (Friday-Sunday)
14700 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park

Nearly two dozen restaurants offer signature fare at this annual festival in the south suburb. Sunday highlights include a car show (1-3 p.m.) and talent show finals (2-4 p.m.). Live music headliners: One of These Nights (Friday); 7th Heaven (Satuday); American English (Sunday). 5-11 p.m. Friday; 1-11 p.m. Saturday; 1-9 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. See the full entertainment lineup here.

Chicago Hot Dog Fest (Friday-Sunday)
Stockton and LaSalle drives

It’s a snack. It’s a meal. It’s deliciously portable. This weekend, the utilitarian hot dog gets its day in the sun as local vendors serve up new and traditional versions of the encased meat. Kids’ activities and live music from American English (Friday), JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound (Saturday) and Catfight (Sunday) round it out. Free admission.

Dogs of all stripes will be waiting for you at this weekend's Hot Dog Fest. (jeffreyw / Flickr)Dogs of all stripes will be waiting for you at this weekend's Hot Dog Fest. (jeffreyw / Flickr)

Wheaton Brew Fest (Saturday)
Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton

Sample various brews in the park at this annual event. Tickets include up to 32 two-ounce samples and a commemorative pint glass. The event also features live entertainment and food vendors. 1-4:30 p.m. $45; $20 “designated driver” tickets available; VIP tickets range from $35-$75. Rain or shine.

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.


Sign up for our morning newsletter to get all of our stories delivered to your mailbox each weekday.


Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors