Searching for what to do this weekend in Chicago? Below are the best things to do in Chicago this weekend (March 21-23, 2025) including the best weekend events and activities.
(If you are planning ahead, you can also find the best things to do next weekend here.)
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as it is updated regularly with new events and activities.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you make a booking using my links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Best Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are the best weekend events in Chicago:
Chi-Town Jazz Festival – March 18–21, 2025 – Annual multi-day celebration including vibrant live jazz performances at venues across the city.
West Town Restaurant Week – March 21-29, 2025
Candlelight Concert: Rings and Dragons at Theater on the Lake – Friday, March 21, 2025, 8:45pm
Black Creativity Night Out at The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (21+) – Friday, March 21, 2025, 6-10pm
Holi at Navy Pier – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 1-5pm | FREE
Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac on Strings – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 6:30pm & 8:30pm
The 19th Annual Chi-Town Blues Festival (Features King George, Tucka, Pokey Bear, West Love, Theodis Ealey and Ronnie Bell) at the Arie Crown Theater – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 7pm
Shamrock Shuffle – Sunday, March 23, 2025
The Wabash Avenue Music Collective at Northeastern Illinois University – Sunday, March 23, 2025, 3pm | FREE but reservations are required
Chicago City Wide Symphony Orchestra Concert at the Jefferson Park Field House – Sunday, March 23, 2025, 3-4pm | FREE
Asian Pop-Up Cinema – March 20-April 13, 2025
More Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are more events taking place this weekend in Chicago:
Third Friday Art Walk at Marz Community Brewing Co. (Bridgeport) – Friday, March 21, 2025, 6-9pm
Zhou B Art Center 3rd Fridays – Friday, March 21, 2025, 7-10pm | FREE
Open Studios (3rd Fridays) at Bridgeport Art Center – Friday, March 21, 2025, 7-10pm | FREE
Commemorative Day | Women’s History Month at Chicago History Museum – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 11am-3pm – Celebrate Women’s History Month by honoring women in the arts. The day includes family-friendly arts activities highlighting women in history, musical performances by local women singers, interpreter-led gallery tours and more.
RiverLab: World Water Day at the River Park Boathouse – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 11am-1pm | FREE – Celebrate World Water Day with South Asian folk-art traditions under the guidance of artists Indira Johnson and Catherine Schwalbe.
Beer and Basketball at Gallagher Way – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 12–4pm | FREE – Family-friendly fun while watching March NCAA Men’s Basketball on the Gallagher Way videoboard. There will also be beer and festive drinks, basketball lawn games, kids activities and more.
Women’s Makers Market at Navy Pier – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 12-6pm
Spring Eggstravaganza at Caldwell Woods – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 1-3pm | FREE
Giving Her Her Flowers Workshop at Navy Pier – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 1-5pm | FREE
Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition Finals (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 2pm | FREE
Fresh Handmade Pasta class – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 5pm
The Newport Peekeasy: Burlesque and Variety Show – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 7:00–8:30pm – Combination of burlesque, belly dance, drag and other live dance performances.
Hamlet at Chicago Shakespeare Theater – Through March 23, 2025
Fool for Love at Steppenwolf Theatre Company – Extended through March 23, 2025
A Raisin in the Sun at Court Theatre – Extended through March 23, 2025
Chicago Flamenco Festival at the Instituto Cervantes – Through March 24, 2025 – Annual event is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the multi-cultural art form of flamenco.
More Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend
In addition to the weekend events listed above, below are more of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend:
St. Patrick’s Day Escape: The Golden Shamrock
Still not over St. Patrick’s Day? Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Escape: The Golden Shamrock is an interactive city-wide adventure where you become the detective and race against time to restore Chicago’s luck. Explore 12 key locations to retrieve all seven pieces that are hidden across the city, protected by puzzles, riddles and enchanted objects. You can play solo or invite friends.
When: Daily through March 23, 2025
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: $40 per person for adults. Click here to purchase tickets.
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.
Spring Flower Show at the Garfield Park Conservatory
Visitors can 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
Visitors can 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.
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.
Shop at an Indoor Farmers Market
You can find several indoor farmers markets in Chicago taking place this weekend:
Green City Market (Avondale) – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 8am–1pm
South Loop Farmers Market – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 9am-1pm
Edgewater Indoor Market – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 10am–2pm
Ravenswood Community Winter Market – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 10am–2pm
Winter Farmers Market at Water Tower Place – Sunday, March 23, 2025, 12pm-4pm
Take an Architecture River Cruise
An architecture river cruise is a must do Chicago experience.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago this weekend. If you are looking for more things to do in the Chicago area, you can find the best things to do in the suburbs here. If you are looking for things to do during the week, you can find more things to do in Chicago in March here.
