Searching for what to do next weekend in Chicago? Below are the top things to do in Chicago next weekend (May 9-11, 2025) including the best events and activities.
(You can find the best things to do this weekend here.)
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as I will be updating it regularly with new events and activities.
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Next Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are the best next weekend events in Chicago:
Sauced Night Market at Half Acre Beer Co. – May 9-10, 2025 – Roving night market dedicated to emerging chefs, artists, and artisans with a live DJ, food, and all-local goods.
Chicago Humanities Spring Festival Bridgeport Day – Saturday, May 10, 2025
Switch on Summer & Night Out Kick-Off at Buckingham Fountain – Saturday, May 10, 2025, 11:30am-1:00pm | FREE – The official turning on of Buckingham Fountain.
National Science Foundation (NSF) STEM Day at The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry – Saturday, May 10, 2025, 9:30am-2:30pm
Bridgehouse Museum or McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum Opening Day – Saturday, May 10, 2025, 10am-5pm
32nd Annual Chicago River Day – Saturday, May 10, 2025, 9am-12pm, After Party from 12- 3pm – At this watershed-wide cleanup, thousands of community members, families, and companies work in and along the 156-mile Chicago-Calumet River system at over 75 locations throughout the city and suburbs.
Civic Orchestra of Chicago at the Indian Boundary Park Cultural Center – Saturday, May 10, 2025, 2-3pm | FREE
Saturday Night at the Zoo – An Adults Only Evening at Lincoln Park Zoo – Saturday, May 10, 2025, 6:30-10pm – A 21+ after-hours event with live music, a live DJ, karaoke and adult beverages.
House Party at Shedd Aquarium – Saturday, May 10, 2025, 7-11pm – A local DJ will be spinning beats as guests come face-to-face with aquatic animals and captivating exhibits.
Illinois Craft Beer Week, Beer Under Glass – May 9-16, 2025
Chicago Cabaret Week – May 9–18, 2025
More Next Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are more weekend events taking place next weekend in Chicago:
Special Olympics Spring Games at Dunbar (Paul Laurence) Park – May 5-9, 2025 | FREE
Sensory Feast: A Magical Dining Experience – May 9 & 10, 2025, 6pm & 8:30pm
Cornelia Arts Building May Open Studios – May 9 & 10, 2025 | FREE
Chicago Vintage Mothers Day Edition – May 10-11, 2025
Candlelight Concert: A Tribute to Coldplay on Strings (Oak Park) – Friday, May 9, 2025, 6:30pm & 8:45pm
Out In The Open Comedy – Friday, May 9, 2025, 7-9pm | FREE – Stand-up under the stars at Humboldt Park.
Spiral Into Spring – A Flourishing Soirée (Rogers Park) – Friday, May 9, 2025, 7-9pm
MCA Family Day | Playoffs – Saturday, May 10, 2025, 11am-3pm | FREE – Designed for children under 12.
The Newport Peekeasy: Burlesque and Variety Show – Saturday, May 10, 2025, 7:00–8:30pm – See a combination of burlesque, belly dance, drag and other live dance performances with a speakeasy vibe.
Bingo Loco: The Ultimate Bingo Party – Saturday, May 10, 2025, 8pm
Logan Square Farmers Market Outdoor Season – Sunday, May 11, 2025, 8:30am-3pm – First day of the outdoor season of the Logan Square Farmers market at N. Kedzie Blvd. between Logan Blvd. & Fullerton Ave.
The Jury Experience: An Immersive Courtroom Case – Sunday, May 11, 2025, 6pm & 8:30pm
Maxwell Street Market – Sunday, May 11, 2025, 9am–2pm | FREE Admission
29th Annual Plant Sale at Kilbourn Park – May 10 & 11, 2025, 9am-1pm | Free Admission, $4 Plants
Hadestown at CIBC Theatre – May 6–18, 2025
Sapphopalooza Film Series at the Music Box Theatre – Opens May 10, 2025
Once Upon a Symphony: Abiyoyo at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Through May 10, 2025
Berlin at Court Theatre – Through May 11, 2025
More Things to Do in Chicago Next Weekend
In addition to the weekend events listed above, below are more of the best things to do in Chicago next weekend:
Spring Flower Show at the Garfield Park Conservatory
Through May 11, 2025, see the annual Spring Flower Show, “Rooted in Mystery” at the Garfield Park Conservatory, which explores the different types of roots and the cool stuff they do plus a marvelous display of spring plants, including azaleas, pansies, snapdragons, astilbe, baptisia, hydrangeas, and 26 different varieties of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths.
Spring Flower Show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory
Through May 11, 2025, see the annual Spring Flower Show, “Spectrum of Spring” at the free Lincoln Park Conservatory which highlights the color families of plants and flowers and offers a unique design and color scheme.
Colors in Bloom at the Color Factory
Through May 12, 2025, immerse yourself in joy, color, and spring in limited-time Colors in Bloom confetti installation at the Color Factory. Stroll through larger-than-life tulips and participate in their scavenger hunt to win a reward.
Take an Architecture River Cruise
Chicago has amazing architecture and the best way to enjoy it is joining an architecture river cruise.
See Beautiful Tulips In and Around Chicago
Tulip season is here! There are several places in Chicago and the suburbs where you can admire these beautiful spring flowers.
Every year thousands of tulip bulbs are planted in Michigan Avenue medians from Oak Street to Roosevelt Road. Although not as many as tulips as Michigan Avenue, you can also find some tulips on State Street in the Loop between W Wacker Drive and Monroe – including right across the Chicago Theatre.
You can see beautiful outdoor tulip gardens at various parks and gardens in the suburbs including Cantigny Park in Wheaton and the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.
You can also walk in and take photos in large tulips fields at Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove, Illinois and Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park, Illinois.
Read Best Places to See Tulips in and near Chicago for more places to see tulips in and near Chicago.
Look for Street Art
See Chicago’s many murals by joining a street art tour.
Take a Spray Paint ‘n’ Sip Urban Art Workshop
Grab some spray paint and unleash your inner street artist at a Spray Paint ‘n’ Sip Urban Art Workshop. This interactive spray paint workshop will teach you the ins and outs of working with spray paint and other elements of graffiti and street art as you create your own painted mural.
Where: Studio W.I.P. – Uptown, 1047 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Cost: $45 per person for adults. Click here to purchase tickets.
Watch a Drunk Shakespeare Play
Join The Drunk Shakespeare Society for an unforgettable evening of Shakespearean revelry. Set within a speakeasy, five actors attempt to perform a Shakespearean play after one of them downs multiple shots of various alcohols. Every show is different depending on who is drinking and what they’re drinking. Must be 21+ with valid ID.
Where: The Lounge At The Lion, 182 North Wabash Avenue
Cost: Prices start at $29 per person. Click here to purchase tickets.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago next weekend. If you are looking for things to do during the week, here are more things to do in Chicago in May.
