CHICAGO — This weekend, Chicagoans can celebrate Earth Day with a North Side neighborhood clean-up and festivities at the Garfield Park Conservatory.
Additionally, enthusiasts can ring in 4/20 with bake sales and bong workshops, and immerse themselves in a two-day Chicago streetwear convention, along with many other exciting activities.
From dance performances to poetry exhibits and various showcases, the city is bursting with events.
Here’s a roundup of 18 things to do in Chicago this weekend.
**All Weekend Events**
**Red Clay Dance Company: Spring Concert Series**
7:30-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan Ave.
This weekend kicks off the Red Clay Dance Company’s Spring concerts, which delve into themes of identity, resilience, and transformation through two performances.
Highlighting the series is the premiere of “Field: New Ground,” a new work by celebrated contemporary dance choreographer Bebe Miller, alongside “Written on the Flesh,” a significant piece by founding artistic director and CEO Vershawn Sanders Ward.
A post-show discussion will follow the performance on Thursday night.
Tickets are free for students at Columbia College Chicago, priced at $10 for non-Columbia students and $30 for the general public.
**Chicago Streetwear Convention**
6-10 p.m. Friday and 2-8 p.m. Saturday
SpaceISH Chicago, 917 W. 18th St. (Suite 102)
Hosted by Chicago native and streetwear enthusiast Khalil Everage, this two-day event is a celebration of local streetwear brands and vendors.
Attendees can expect a mix of fashion and art, food and drinks, live DJs, a Friday night fashion showcase, and a Saturday day party featuring interactive workshops.
Free tickets are available for those interested.
**Thursday Event**
**Arcadia Grey & More**
7:30 p.m. Thursday
Color Club, 4146 N. Elston Ave.
Emo music fans can enjoy a night featuring Wisconsin emo band Tiny Voices, Michigan band The Casper Fight Scene, and North Carolina emo punks Kerosene Heights, with Chicago’s own three-piece emo band Arcadia Grey headlining.
Tickets are available for $18.13.
**Saturday Events**
**Guided Wellness Walk at Garfield Park Conservatory**
9-10:30 a.m. Saturday
Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave.
Led by guest instructor Navraaz Basati, this sensory wellness walk invites participants to explore the vibrant colors and shapes of plants at the Garfield Park Conservatory.
Participants can look forward to a relaxing tea ceremony and a watercolor session where they can create art on seed paper, with all supplies and tea provided.
Registration costs between $16-$20.
**Home Brewers Ball Tap Release Launch Party**
Noon-4 p.m. Saturday
Other Half Ramova Taproom, 3520 S. Halsted St.; Marz Community Brewing, 3630 S. Iron St.
Celebrating the winners of the CHAOS Brew Club‘s Home Brewers Ball challenge, each brewery will have a new beer on tap at Ramova Taproom and Marz Community Brewing.
The launch party features music, food, and beer, with a White IPA at Marz and a Witbier at Other Half’s location, both free and open to the public.
**Ravenswood Clean Up Day**
9 a.m.-noon Saturday
Meet on the corner of Ravenswood and Sunnyside
Neighbors in Ravenswood are invited to join together in an annual clean-up event.
Last year, volunteers removed over 470 pounds of trash from the neighborhood, helping to beautify the community.
Trash pickers, gloves, and bags will be provided.
**Chicago Cutting Board Workshop**
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Rebuilding Exchange, 1740 W. Webster Ave.
This beginner-friendly workshop allows participants to learn how to make their own cutting boards, with no prior woodworking experience necessary.
Registration costs $90.
**Earth Day Fest**
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave.
A free family festival will take place, featuring a wellness walk, an ARTWEST artist talk, Dinosaur Discovery with T-Rexplorers, and a Haiku Happy Hour at noon among other activities.
More details can be found online.
**Chicago Vegan Bakers Market**
Noon-4 p.m. Saturday
Liberation Kitchen, 2054 W. Grand Ave.
A selection of over 10 vendors will be present at the vegan bakers market, offering delicious goods from local bakers and sweet makers, including The Chunky Scone, Mindful Baking, and more.
Details can be found online.
**4/20 Baked Sale**
Noon-5 p.m. Saturday
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, 2717 N. Maplewood Ave.
Celebrating the 4/20 holiday, the bake(d) sale offers pastries, cold brew, beer samples, THC cocktails, and live entertainment.
It’s set to be a fun-filled event featuring flash tattoos and spring flower arrangements.
**Earth Day Community Swap**
1-4 p.m. Saturday
Books4Cause, 2931 N. Milwaukee Ave.
This yearly community swap welcomes neighbors to bring clothes, books, records, and plants in exchange for other items.
Attendees should limit their contributions to one bag of clothing.
**A Musical Tribute to Chicago’s Black Classical Heritage**
2-3 p.m. Saturday
Pullman Chicago Public Library, 11001 S. Indiana Ave.
This performance explores Chicago’s Black classical music heritage, showcasing works by renowned composers like Florence Price and Margaret Bonds.
The National Association of Negro Musicians and Chicago Musical College will be highlighted.
**1/2 Way to the Latina Comedy Festival Comedy Show Fundraiser**
5 p.m. Saturday
The Lincoln Lodge, 2024 N. Milwaukee Ave.
A night filled with laughter awaits as more than a dozen Latina comics take the stage ahead of the 2025 Latina Comedy Festival.
This evening promises comedy, community, and connection with performers like Janice Rodriguez and Alicia Molina.
**Biya Biya Birthday**
7:30 p.m. Saturday
Solidarity Studios, 3323 N. Pulaski Road
Celebrated with live music and zine launches, Yasmin Zakaria is marking the launch of her new creative agency and production house, Biya Biya.
This event features various performances, belly dancing, zine sales, and food from local chefs.
**Sunday Events**
**Gaza Thrift Chicago**
Noon-6 p.m. Sunday
7000 W. Diversey Ave.
This market supports mutual aid relief for Palestinian families while showcasing local vendors.
Expect to find artisan products, live music, and cultural representation from the community.
**The Grass is Greener: A 4/20 Variety Show**
2 p.m. Sunday
4146 N. Elston Ave.
This DIY variety show brings together drag, comedy, and music to celebrate the 4/20 holiday in a lighthearted atmosphere.
**The Thalia Sunday Skate**
6 p.m. Sunday
Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.
Families and Chicagoans aged 12 and up are invited to skate at Thalia Hall’s annual skating event.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own skates and enjoy a night filled with fun, DJs, and live performances.
**4/20 Ceramic Bong Painting**
6:30-9 p.m. Sunday
Color Me Mine, 3849 N. Lincoln Ave.
In a BYOB, 21+ workshop, participants can enjoy painting a functional ceramic bong in celebration of the 4/20 holiday.
The studio fee is $15, with varying prices for the ceramic pieces.
No previous experience is necessary.
Overall, this weekend offers an array of exciting and diverse events for Chicagoans to enjoy while celebrating nature, art, community, and local culture.
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