Windy City Ribfest returns this weekend (Credit: Special Events Management)

Barbecue ribs, vegan burgers, Brazilian samba and hot-air balloons usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

“Dorkumentary” co-creators Adria Dawn and David Tarleton.

Dorky personas, holiday lights, fine art, gliding acrobats and seasonal brews usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Head to Naperville for fireworks and finger-licking food. (Naperville Ribfest / Facebook)

Fireworks, festivals and plenty of live music usher in the holiday weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago. 

(Quinn Dombrowski / Flickr)

Frank Lloyd Wright homes, outdoor festivals, comfort food and a giant garage sale usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

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

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

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

Celebrate spring weather and the planet with a bounty of events, from feminist films to fireworks and a culinary smackdown to classical music.

Less than half of the plant life found in the Chicago region is native to the area. As the Morton Arboretum's tree improvement specialist, it's Joe Rothleutner's job to make sure those native plants are protected.