(Courtesy of Chicago Defender Charities)
1. Cheer
Now in its 94th year, the Bud Billiken Parade is the largest African American parade in the country — drawing in nearly 300,000 people on a route that stretches almost three miles. The back-to-school bash showcases marching bands, drill teams, dance teams and tumblers. Learn more about this year’s theme on “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices.” And for a limited run, Art on the Mart is displaying “Billiken,” a video projection highlighting the youth dance groups and marching bands that participate in the parade.
Details for the Bud Billiken Parade: Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, running along Martin Luther King Drive from 35th to 55th streets. Free / MAP
Details for “Billiken” at Art on the Mart: Projection begins at 9 p.m. nightly through Saturday. Best viewed on the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells and Lake streets. Free / MAP
(Courtesy of Art on the Mart)
Looking for more events? Retro on Roscoe, My House Music Festival, Printer’s Row Art Fest and the Lincolnshire Art Festival all return this weekend. Check out those and more of the season’s upcoming festivals in our 2023 Chicago Summer Festival Guide.
2. Light up
Grab your friends for a grown-up playdate at Glow in the Park, where you’ll find neon and black lights and glow-in-the-dark decorations. Oversized Jenga, LED cornhole, giant Connect Four, mini golf and axe throwing are just some of the planned activities at the 21+ event.
Details: 7 p.m.-midnight Saturday at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton. $30-100 / MAP
3. Immerse
After a three-year hiatus, the Ginza Holiday Festival returns with Japanese-themed entertainment and cultural exhibits. Check out the Midwest Buddhist Temple and watch Waza, master artisans from Japan, create handmade crafts following 300-year-old traditions. Expect martial arts demonstrations, drumming and dancing; treats include udon, chicken teriyaki, snow cones and Japanese beer.
Details: 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the Midwest Buddhist Temple, 435 W. Menomonee St. $5 suggested donation / MAP
(J Matsumoto)
4. Discover
For nearly 30 years, Chicago-based photojournalist Alex Garcia has been documenting Cuba. Now, a collection of his photographs is on display in “Enduring Ties: Resilience and Longing in Cuba.” Learn more on “Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices.”
Details: noon-7 p.m. Thursday, 2-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon-6 p.m. Wednesday through Sept. 15 at the Chicago Center for Photojournalism, 1226 W. Wilson Ave. $5 suggested donation / MAP
“Two Country Future” is featured in the new show “Enduring Ties” at the Chicago Center for Photojournalism. (Courtesy of Alex Garcia)
5. Dance
Northalsted Market Days delivers nonstop live music across five stages. The half-mile festival features more than 250 vendors, plus dance exhibitions, drag performances, food and drinks.
Details: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on Halsted Street from Belmont Avenue to Addison Street. $20 suggested donation / MAP
(Aaron Ehinger / Northalsted)
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.
