Things To Do In Chicago This May
April showers bring May flowers, but in Chicago, Spring brings festival season! The sunshine is here to stay and spring is here! Enjoy the Chicago weather by grabbing a drink at the best rooftop bars in Chicago, many of which are outfitted with heaters in case temps start to dip again. From food and drink events to the MDW celebrations, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in the city this month. If you are looking for fun events happening around the city for May, keep reading.
Feed Your Soul Jazz Brunch
From 11am to 3pm every Sunday, Time Out Market Chicago’s chefs offer a variety of delicious brunch dishes, including Hangover Ramen with shrimp and smoked pork and a stack of Buttermilk Pancakes layered with whipped mascarpone. You can order as much as you want and grab a mimosa pitcher from the bar. Stick around from 1 to 3pm for a set from Chicago Soul Jazz Collective.
Chicago Craft Beer Festival
After moving from Lakeview to Fulton Market in 2021, the Chicago Craft Beer Festival returns to the West Loop this year for a three-day extravaganza of craft brews. The festival will partner with PB&J: Pizza Beer and Jukebox, offering more than 40 different beers from 35 local, regional, and national breweries. Purchase a tasting ticket before you arrive at the fest and feel free to grab a bite to eat before you begin sampling. Buy tickets here.
Newport Peek-Easy: Burlesque, Drag, Variety and More!
Enjoy an evening of burlesque performers and variety of artists at the weekly Night in Tunisia Show at Newport Theater. The show features specialty cocktails and intimate seating arrangements, making this feel like a clandestine speakeasy experience. Tip performers throughout the night with singles! Buy tickets here.
Uptown Farmers Market
Visit the Uptown Farmers Market. It features the region’s best-farmed goods, as well as locally produced foods and happens every Wednesday from 2:30-7:00pm, rain or shine, at the corner of Wilson and Broadway. Accepting SNAP and offering Link Match. Learn more at uptownfarmersmarket.org.
The World Within Dazzling Interiors™ Tour of the Loop
A guide with Inside Chicago Walking Tours can show you the hidden architectural wonders of The Loop that lie beyond the façade. You will be amazed at the beauty of the interior spaces there. With Inside Chicago Walking Tours as your guide, you’ll get to know Chicago as you’ve never known it before!
Navy Pier Fireworks
During the summer, the best fireworks display in Chicago can be seen from Navy Pier. The Chicago attraction hosts twice-weekly shows (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with stunning views available from across the pier’s public spaces.
If you are visiting from out of town and looking to immerse yourself in Chicago’s rich culture, consider visiting Uptown. It is a diverse neighborhood, with a rich history and an international flavor. With its iconic venues, this entertainment hotspot has drawn some of the biggest names in music for almost a century. Read more about Uptown, Chicago here.