As young Chicagoans slink back to school and the rolling rainstorms begin to eclipse our sunny summer days, this weekend is primed for heatstroke-free entertainment. Whether you prefer it in a shipping crate, in the nude or in Klingon, here are our picks for the as for one of the last summer weekends as August gets underway.
Let us know if there's anything we missed and be sure to pack an umbrella!
All Weekend
Comic Con
If you’ve dreamed of talking time travel with Doc Brown or brushing up on your Klingon with Captain Picard, haul your Betazoid behind to the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con in Rosemont. Christopher Lloyd and Patrick Stewart are only appearing Friday and Saturday, but they’re joined by a cast of sci-fi celebrities including Vivica Fox, LeVar Burton and Mimi Rogers. Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan stops in his hometown from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday. Fingers crossed he enters the costume contest.
Where: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont - (847) 696-2208
When: 12 - 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday
Price: $35 for a per day, $60 for a 4-day pass
Friday, August 12
Built Festival
Watch Chicago artists and collectives take a Midas touch to ordinary shipping containers at Built Festival, a city constructed of art-filled storage units in Wicker Park. The containers will serve as art galleries and music venues, hosting performances by The Black Tape, White Mystery and more. Catered by the Beat Kitchen and PBR/Oldstyle, it’s certain to rival any other shipping container-based events hitting the city this weekend.
Where: 1767 N. Milwaukee ave. Chicago IL, 60647
When: 5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Friday, 12:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Saturday
Price: $10
Silent Film Festival
The Silent Film Society of Chicago continues its 6-week summer film festival spotlighting the leading ladies of the silent era with “Sunrise,” the first American film by German expressionist director F.W. Murnau regarded as one of the top 10 films of the silent era. The screening will feature live photoplay accompaniment by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.
Where: Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue
When: 8 p.m.
Price: $15
Sex Worker Film Festival
Try to contain your excitement over three days of films on sexuality, empowerment and destigmatization of the sex trade at the Sex Worker Film Festival, sponsored by Sex Workers Outreach Project Chicago and Sex+++. Screenings include “Mutantes: Porn Punk Feminism” and “The Happy Hooker: Portrait of A Sexual Revolutionary,” and a host of NSFW titles. The BYOB fest will include light snacks and nightly prize giveaways
Where: Everleigh Social Club, 939 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL
When: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Price: $10 donation
Saturday, August 13
Bud Billiken Parade
Parade and picnic at the oldest and largest African American parade in the United States, the 82nd annual Bud Billiken Parade. The second largest annual parade in the United States is hosted on Chicago’s South Side and will concludes in Washington Park. This year’s theme is “Education: Now More Than Ever.”
Where: 39th Street and South Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Bronzeville
When: 10 a.m.
Price: Free
Kite Festival
Embrace the Windy City’s blustery nature at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Seventh Annual Kite Festival. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own kites, or whip some up at kite-making workshops from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. But amateurs will be asked to clear the skies for a series of stunt kite performances set to music by the Chicago Fire Kite Team and the Kite Society of Wisconsin & Illinois.
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
When: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Price: Free
Sunday, August 14
StreetFood Artistry Festival
Foodies, unite! The inaugural StreetFood Artistry Festival combines Chicago’s culinary and artistic circles for a celebration of Chicago’s eclectic street food scene. Cruise pop-up restaurants, street-inspired dishes, gourmet food trucks and old-school carts, set to the music of Chicago street performers. A VIP ticket includes a cooking demonstration, mixology lesson and a chance to win a free private wine tasting in The Cork Chronicles Tasting Room.
Where: Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie Street, Chicago, Illinois
When: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Price: $40 regular admission, $70 VIP