THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Kicking Off Arrival of Autumn Season!
This weekend we kick off the arrival of our “official” autumn season! Not to fret though, as Chicago’s summer festival season is still winding down this weekend as well.
The big news for this weekend is that Riot Fest is back in Douglass Park (1401 S. Sacramento Blvd.) in the North Lawndale neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.-10 p.m.). It’s always one of the biggest music fests of the season with five large stages of punk, alt rock, metal, and emo artists consisting of both legacy acts and emerging newcomers; exclusive VIP and Deluxe lounges; Deluxe viewing areas near the stages; RiotLand featuring Logan Arcade; the Riot Pop!! Skate ramp; and other surprise attractions for you to experience. This is a fest that should be on your bucket list!
Returning for its fourth year to Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday, Chicago Live! will be featuring its biggest edition yet with over 100 local groups performing back-to-back performances across five stages. In addition, this year’s packed line-up also includes Chicago-grown dance troupes, orchestras, theatre companies, and DJs celebrating the city’s rich and diverse artistic spirit. Afterall, it is the largest free performing arts festival in the Midwest!
Come join us as we celebrate the glory of the dumpling in its many forms at this year’s World Dumpling Fest this Saturday (12 p.m.-9 p.m.) at Logan Square Park (3150 W. Logan Blvd.) in the Logan Square neighborhood. This all-ages event features diverse cultural dumplings from neighborhood-based restaurants in and around Chicago. Plus enjoy some music, cultural dance performances, and local small businesses offering their respective crafts. Admission is free but you’ll have to purchase tickets for those yummy dumplings!
Oktoberfest at Lincoln Park Zoo takes place this Saturday (6:30 p.m.-10 p.m.) at the Lincoln Park Zoo (2001 N. Clark St.). Your Oktoberfest-themed evening will feature local brewers pouring their take on Oktoberfest and German-style craft beers (seven samples included with your ticket), concessions will be serving up giant pretzels and bratwursts, a live polka band will be performing on the zoo’s Main Mall, various lawn games will be available as well as after-hours viewing of the Zoo’s gardens and animal habitats. It’s a great way to tap into fall with a Bavarian flair!
Oktoberfest at Time Out Market Chicago takes place this Saturday at Time Out Market Chicago (916 W. Fulton Market) in the West Loop. The day starts at 11 a.m. with a keg tapping by Gutenberg chef, Jorge Kauam who will then begin grilling on the front patio (1 p.m.-5 p.m.) offering a variety of pretzels, brats, and even foot-long sausages. In addition, there will be a stein hoisting competition, half-litre beer steins courtesy of Sam Adams, and live entertainment from German band Frankkmusic (2 p.m.-5 p.m.). This is a day you won’t want to miss – Prost!
Bavarian Block Party takes place this Saturday (11 a.m.-10 p.m.) at Washington Boulevard and Sangamon Street in the West Loop. This event features popular German foods such as bratwurst and pretzels along with traditional American fare, a variety of German beer or non-alcoholic drinks, live music from a mix of German polka bands as well as local rock and pop groups, and kids’ activities. Time to pull out your Drindl and Lederhosen while celebrating the arrival of autumn!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
