Searching for what to do this weekend in Chicago? Below are the best things to do in Chicago this weekend (January 17-20, 2025)
(If you are planning ahead, you can also find the best things to do next weekend here.)
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Best Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are the best weekend events in Chicago:
TNK Fest – January 15-19, 2025
Chicago Cubs Convention – January 17-19, 2025
Windy City Invitational Gymnastics Competition – January 17-20, 2025
Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival – January 15-26, 2025
Shucked at CIBC Theatre – Through January 19, 2025
Candlelight Concert: A Tribute to Rihanna – Friday, January 17, 2025, 8:45pm
Dining in the Dark: A Unique Blindfolded Experience at Fulton Market Kitchen – Saturday, January 18, 2025, 6:00 & 8:30pm
Candlelight Concert: The Best of Hans Zimmer – Saturday, January 18, 2025, 6:30pm
Marvel Studios’ Black Panther In Concert with the Chicago Philharmonic – Saturday, January 18, 2025, 7:30pm
The Byrne Brothers at Irish-American Heritage Center – Sunday, January 19, 2025, 4-6pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Family Event) at Chicago History Museum – Monday, January 20, 2025, 10am-4pm
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration: Song & Ceremony at The Old Town School of Folk Music – Monday, January 20, 2025, 2-3pm | FREE
Black Being: Chicago Sinfonietta’s annual MLK Tribute Concert – Monday, January 20, 2025, 6:30pm
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, January 17, 2025, 6-9pm
Zhou B Art Center 3rd Fridays – Friday, January 17, 2025, 7-10pm
Day of Service and Learning honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Rainbow PUSH Coalition National Headquarters – Saturday, January 18, 2025, 9am–2pm | FREE
West Loop Beer & Pizza Fest – Saturday, January 18, 2025, 1-4pm
ONE PIECE Music Symphony at The Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Saturday, January 18, 2025, 1:30pm & 7:30pm
NA Day at Loft on Lake – Saturday, January 18, 2025, noon-2pm or 3-5pm – non-alcoholic tasting event
I HAVE a Dream Exhibit at Pose Cultural Art Gallery – Saturday, January 18, 2025, 3-5pm | Donation requested
Hyde Park Handmade Artisan Bazaar – Sunday, January 19, 2025, 11am-3pm
Dream with Ice Cream: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Nitro Nostalgia Cafe – Sunday, January 19, 2025, noon–3pm | FREE
Family Fun Fest at Harold Washington Library Center – Sunday, January 19, 2025, 1-4pm | FREE
Black Creativity Family Day at The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry – Monday, January 20, 2025, 9:30am-2:30pm
King’s Day at Amundsen (Roald) Park – Monday, January 20, 2025, 10am–2pm | FREE – Activities for kids (ages 6-12) include King Day Craft, King Day Trivia, King Day Scavenger Hunt, and other fun.
King Day: Creating a Hopeful Future at The Art Institute of Chicago – Monday, January 20, 2025, 11am–3pm | FREE no registration required
MLK Day 2025 – Echoes of Freedom at Hyde Park Art Center – Monday, January 20, 2025, 11am-4pm | FREE
The North Lawndale Racial Justice Ride – Monday, January 20, 2025, 12:30-4:00pm
Gallery Conversation: Letter from Birmingham Jail at The Art Institute of Chicago – Monday, January 20, 2025, 2:00–3:30pm | FREE
Fight Fear Build Power: MLK, Ali and the Fierce Urgency of Now – Monday, January 20, 2025, 2:30-5:00pm | FREE
MLK Day of Service Events at Forest Preserves – January 18 and 20, 2025
Pegasus Theatre Chicago’s 38th Annual Young Playwrights Festival – Through January 26, 2025
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:
Buddy Guy’s January Residency at Buddy Guy’s Legends
Looking for something fun to do in Chicago at night? January is the only month of the year when you can find blues icon, Buddy Guy, performing in his namesake blues club.
When: Thursdays through Sundays
Where: Buddy Guy’s Legends, 700 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Cost: Tickets start at $85 per person for standing room
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.
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.
Shop at an Indoor Farmers Market
You can find several indoor winter farmers markets in Chicago taking place this weekend:
Green City Market (Avondale) – Saturday, January 18, 2025, 8am–1pm
South Loop Farmers Market – Saturday, January 18, 2025, 9am – 1pm
Edgewater Indoor Market – Saturday, January 18, 2025, 10am–2pm
Ravenswood Community Winter Market – Saturday, January 18, 2025, 10am–2pm
Wicker Park Winter Farmers Market – Sunday, January 19, 2025, 9am-2pm
Winter Farmers Market at Water Tower Place – Sunday, January 19, 2025, 12pm-4pm
Go Outdoor Ice Skating
Both the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink right in front of the Bean and skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park are open and require advance reservations. You can find more places to go outdoor ice skating here.
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 January here.
