Searching for what to do this weekend in Chicago? Below are the best things to do in Chicago this weekend (March 14-16, 2025) including the best St. Patrick’s Day 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:
Chicago River dyeing – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 10am
St. Patrick’s Day parade – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 12:15pm
3rd Annual Avondale St. Patrick’s Parade – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 10am
Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Saturday, March 15, 2025, noon – Family-friendly parade on Archer Avenue east from Oak Park to Merrimac.
Shamrock’n the Block – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 11am–5pm
The Devil in the White City: A Haunting History Tour – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 2pm
St. Patricks Day Green River Afternoon Booze Cruise – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 5pm
Bingo Loco: The Ultimate Bingo Party – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 8pm
St. Patrick’s Fest at Irish American Heritage Center – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 1-11pm –
Traditional and contemporary Irish music, dance, food and drink for purchase and children’s activities.
Southside Irish Parade – Sunday, March 16, 2025, 12pm – Western from 103rd to 115th in the Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood.
Northwest Side Irish Parade – Sunday, March 16, 2025, 12pm
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Gallagher Way – Sunday, March 16, 2025, 11am-3pm | FREE – Festive fun for all ages on including live music, Irish dancing performances, face painting and balloon artists, Irish giveaways, lawn games, festive drinks including green draft beer, Irish coffee and Guinness.
Maple Tree Festival at North Park Village Nature Center Park – March 15 & 16, 2025, 10am-3pm | FREE – Celebrate maple trees and observe (and taste) the maple syrup process.
More Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are more events taking place this weekend in Chicago:
Hamlet at Chicago Shakespeare Theater – March 13–23, 2025
15th Annual Winning Works at The Joffrey Ballet at Museum of Contemporary Art – March 14-23, 2025
Candlelight Concert: From Bach to The Beatles – Friday, March 14, 2025, 6:30pm
Dancing With Chicago Celebrities – Friday, March 14, 2025, 6:45pm – “Dancing Through the Decades” fundraiser at Aon Grand Ballroom, Navy Pier to raise money for breast cancer research and support.
Candlelight Concert: A Tribute to U2 – Friday, March 14, 2025, 8:45pm
Urban Kayaks St Paddy’s Day Chicago River Kayak Tour – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 9:30-11:30am
Women’s Makers Market at Navy Pier – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 12-6pm
Pretty Paper Flowers Workshop at Navy Pier – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 1-5pm | FREE
Ravenswood Makers Market – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 1-6pm
Candlelight Concert: A Tribute to Queen and More – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 4:30pm & 6:30pm & 8:45pm
The Newport Peekeasy: Burlesque and Variety Show – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 7:00–8:30pm – A combination of burlesque, belly dance, drag and other live dance performances.
JoJo at the Ramova Theatre – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 7pm
Hyde Park Handmade Artisan Bazaar at the Promontory – Sunday, March 16, 2025, 11am-3pm – Monthly showcase of south side Chicago craft, fashion and food makers.
Chandni Chowk To Chicago Holi Special – Sunday, March 16, 2025, 1-6pm – Holi Fest With Colors, Bollywood, Tollywood, Punjabi, Top 40 & EDM DJ.
Beetlejuice at Cadillac Palace Theatre – March 11-16, 2025
La Bohème at Lyric Opera – March 15–April 12, 2025
Synth Fest (21+) – Through March 15, 2025 | FREE
The Chicago European Union Film Festival Spotlight: Poland – Through March 20, 2025
Chicago Flamenco Festival at the Instituto Cervantes – Through March 24, 2025 – Now in its 23rd year, this 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:
Join a St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl
Join a St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl this weekend including the following:
St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl – March 14 & 15, 2025
Shamrockin’ at the Pier Bar Crawl – March 15, 2025
Kiss Me, I’m Irish! Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl – March 15 & 17, 2025
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.
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 farmers markets in Chicago taking place this weekend:
Green City Market (Avondale) – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 8am–1pm
South Loop Farmers Market – Saturday, March 15, 2025, 9am-1pm
Wicker Park Winter Farmers Market – Sunday, March 16, 2025, 9am-2pm
Winter Farmers Market at Water Tower Place – Sunday, March 16, 2025, 12pm-4pm
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.
