Terse Calendar
NOTE: As of 2019 the maintenance of events data here has been largely discontinued now that other systems have finally grown adequate such as FaceBook and Metromix and Reader and Timeout and Do312.
Friday 2024.04.19
- Bicycle Day. Yearly.
- Observes the first experimental testing of the psychoactive properties of LSD, by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, on a bicycle ride on this date in 1943.
tinyurl.com/bicycleday419 SHARE
- Fun Bands at the Beer Garden nightly. All ages. Free UNCONFIRMED
- navypier.org/explore/live-entertainment/live-musicNavy Pier, 312/595-7437 (PIER), 600 E Grand. Miller Beer Garden at the Tip.
navypier.com MAP PHOTOS FIND EVENTS INFO SHARE
- Latino Film Festival (since 1985). Over 100 screenings. -2024.04.19 Yearly. All ages. $10+ Various times. UNCONFIRMED
- chicagolatinofilmfestival.orgVarious locations.
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- STD Awareness Month. -2024.04.30 Yearly.
- Individuals, doctors, and community-based organizations address ways to prevent some of the nearly 20 million new sexually-transmitted diseases that occur in the U.S. annually. Frequency in ages 25-45 has doubled in the last decade.
cdc.gov/std/sam SHARE
- Group Skate. Fridays 21+ Free 7:30p UNCONFIRMED
- Intermediate through advanced bladers come join the monthly group skate. Be able to skate some near traffic and do a distance of 10-12 miles. Helmet required, other protective gear and water recommended. Weather permitting.
Bedno.com/skateDaley Plaza, 50 W Washington. At Dearborn.
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- Blacklight Blackout (since 2011). 3rd Fridays 21+ Free 10p-2a UNCONFIRMED
- Big freakfest in a tiny space. Lots of DJs, cheap beer, UV paints, radiation.
facebook.com/blacklightblackoutexitExit, 312/395-2700, 1315 W North. 2nd Fl.
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Saturday 2024.04.20
- Start of Taurus. Astrological sign, the bull. Yearly.
- astrology.com INFO SHARE
- Gamma Phi Circus (since 1929). Yearly. All ages. $1-12+ Fr 7p, Sa 1+7p UNCONFIRMED
- Performs just three shows a year.
gammaphicircus.illinoisstate.edu/events/showsIllinois State University, Redbird Arena, Bloomington.
ilstu.edu/map MAP TICKETS PHOTOS EVENTS INFO SHARE
- "Twisted" Saturdays 21+ $0 -11p, $5 -1a, $7+ 9:30p-5a.
- "Meet and mingle with a truly diverse crowd. Dress up or dress down... this is the place to be what you want to be!"
Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont. Near Red line Belmont stop.
berlinchicago.com MAP PHOTOS FIND EVENTS INFO SHARE
- Vaudezilla! Saturdays 18+ $20 10:30p UNCONFIRMED
- One-of-a-kind burlesque, drag, and aerial acts ranging from classic Vegas-style showgirls to cutting-edge gender-non-conforming performance artists.
Vaudezilla.comStage 773, 773/327-5252, 1225 W. Belmont. Near Racine.
stage773.com MAP INFO SHARE
Sunday 2024.04.21
- Record Store Day (since 2007). Yearly. UNCONFIRMED
- recordstoreday.comMany locations.
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- Wolff's Flea Market (since 1991). Sundays All ages. $1 Most weeks. 6a-3p UNCONFIRMED
- 500 market spaces. Clean, comprehensive, entertaining, with free parking, food and restrooms.
847/524-9590 wolffs.comAllstate Arena, 847/635-6601, 6920 Mannheim Rd, Rosemont.
allstatearena.com MAP TICKETS PHOTOS EVENTS INFO SHARE
- * Walk&Roll Chicago (since 1973). Walk / skate / bike to fight cancer. Yearly. All ages. 8:30a UNCONFIRMED
- Unique charity event for the American Cancer Society. Pledged Bike (15mi), walk (5mi), or skate (10mi). Dogs permitted. Around 5000 people will participate to raise more than $1,000,000.
312/279-7266 walkrollchicago.orgSoldier Field, 1410 South Museum Campus. Stadium Green just South.
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- Vintage Garage. 3rd Sundays $? 11a-6p UNCONFIRMED
- 100 vintage and antique dealers.
847/579-9079 vintagegaragechicago.com5051 N Broadway Uptown between Foster and Argyle.
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- Model Rocket Launching (since 1963). 3rd Sundays All ages. Free 2-5p UNCONFIRMED
- Deeply validates geekness. All skill levels. BYOL (Bring Your Own Launcher). Northern Illinois Rocketry Association hosted. Held away from population centers, only a few launches a year.
nirarocketry.orgEast Branch Forest Preserve, Off Glen Ellyn Road near Army Trail Road, Glendale Heights. Use I-355.
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- Chicago Bike Polo. Sundays All ages. Free 3-?p UNCONFIRMED
- Pickup games in decommissioned tennis courts.
facebook.com/groups/311538882232633Garfield Park, S Central Park Blvd at W Monroe St.
chicagoparkdistrict.com MAP PHOTOS EVENTS INFO SHARE
- New Fox cartoons. Sundays All ages. Free 6p UNCONFIRMED
- May include Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob's Burgers, Last Man on Earth, more.
thesimpsons.comFOX. fox.com TIMES MAP PHOTOS INFO SHARE
Monday 2024.04.22
- * Earth Day (since 1970). Yearly.
- Reflect on ecological issues and commit to the conservation and reclamation of nature.
earthday.net PHOTOS INFO SHARE
- Monday Night Ride. Mondays All ages. Free 10p UNCONFIRMED
- Extraordinary long and late ride for the young and/or hearty. Leaves about 11pm, unplanned route may exceed 30miles from start point, dissipating near dawn.
facebook.com/MondayNightRideChicagoLincoln Monument, 1601 N Clark. Behind Chicago Historical Museum.
bedno.com/mnr MAP SHARE
Tuesday 2024.04.23
- Talk Like Shakespeare Day. Yearly. All ages. Free.
- Actually proclaimed, also observes the bard's birthday.
talklikeshakespeare.org SHARE
- Chi Hack Night. Tuesdays All ages. Free 6-10p UNCONFIRMED
- "Volunteers create web apps with open data to improve transparency, efficiency, and decision-making for governments and our democracy."
chihacknight.org1871, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza. 12th Floor.
1871.com MAP SHARE
- Millennium Park Movies. Tuesdays All ages. Free 6:30p UNCONFIRMED
- bedno.com/movies/parks?pritzJay Pritzker Pavilion, 312/742-1168, 55 N Michigan. Millennium Park, Downtown.
millenniumpark.org MAP SHARE
Wednesday 2024.04.24
- South Park NEW EPISODE. Wednesdays All ages. Free 9p UNCONFIRMED
- 22nd season.
southparkstudios.comCOM. On cable.
comedycentral.com TIMES MAP INFO SHARE
Thursday 2024.04.25
- Administrative Professionals Day. Yearly. UNCONFIRMED
- Day to honor and be kind to professional administrative assistants.
iaap-hq.org INFO SHARE
- Parental Alienation Awareness Day. Yearly.
- paawarenessday.com INFO SHARE
- * Take Your Child to Work Day (since 1993). 4th Thursday in April Yearly.
- Parent's opportunity to educate their children on the nature of employment.
takeourdaughterstowork.org INFO SHARE
- Disclaimer.
- My mom the attorney would want me to remind you that no Bedno accepts any liability whatsoever for your use of any information presented here, as-is, at your own risk, ad infinitum, etc etc.
bedno.com/terms
Friday 2024.04.26
- Arbor Day. Last Friday in April Yearly.
- A special day set aside for the planting of trees. First proposed in Nebraska in 1872, later became a legal holiday there. Different date by state.
arborday.org INFO SHARE
- Critical Mass (since 1997). Last Fridays All ages Free 5:45p.
- THE monthly gathering of bicyclists making our presence known downtown. Unplanned route gently winds a dozen miles or more. Thousands attend in good weather. Includes music, hipsters, athletes, show bikes, so much more. Skaters welcome.
Bedno.com/bikeDaley Plaza, 773/486-4861, 50 W Washington. Under the Picasso (giant rusty bird), at Dearborn, SW of State&Lake train stop.
chicagocriticalmass.org MAP PHOTOS EVENTS INFO SHARE
Saturday 2024.04.27
- Bittersweet. Monthly. 21+ Free 10p-4a UNCONFIRMED
- DJs Philly Peroxide and Scary Lady Sarah spins goth club classics and new dark alternative music & video.
Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont. Near Red line Belmont stop.
berlinchicago.com MAP PHOTOS FIND EVENTS INFO SHARE
Sunday 2024.04.28
- America's Beauty Show (since 1998). -Monday Yearly. $20-100 UNCONFIRMED
- Renowned event for cosmetology professionals, with vendors, speakers, classes, demos, competitions, parties.
800/883-7808 americasbeautyshow.comMcCormick Place, 2301 S Lake Shore.
mccormickplace.com MAP TICKETS PHOTOS SHARE
Monday 2024.04.29
- MS Walk (since 1989). Yearly. All ages. $50-? 9:30a-12p UNCONFIRMED
- Major charity event, 7-9 lakefront miles. Prizes, parking. Also several suburban walks.
312/423-1101 main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/ILDWalkEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=29795855/372-1331, 1746 N Stockton.
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Tuesday 2024.04.30
- Walpurgis Night. Yearly.
- Also known as witches' sabbath and eve of May Day. Commemorates the 8th century saint and protectress against witchcraft.
pantheon.org/articles/w/walpurgis_night.html PHOTOS INFO SHARE
Wednesday 2024.05.01
- May Day. Also known as Labor Day in Europe. Yearly.
- Honors workers. Gloriously observed in communist nations. Chicago remembers the Haymarket Massacre.
wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Workers_Day INFO SHARE
- * Full Moon Fire Jam. Monthly. All ages. Free 6:30-9:30p UNCONFIRMED
- Gathering for fire spinners, fire jugglers, hoopers, breathers, etc. Practice, networking, and outstanding performances, with drum circle backing. Many hundreds of spectators attend.
Estimated 2021 schedule:
2021.04.27 Tuesday
2021.05.26 Wednesday
2021.06.24 Thursday
2021.07.22 Thursday **
2021.08.22 Sunday
2021.09.20 Monday
2021.10.20 Wednesday.
fullmoonjam.org4960 N Simonds Dr Betwix Foster and Lawrence in grass near lake.
bedno.com/firejam MAP PHOTOS INFO SHARE
- Movieoke (since 2008). 1st Wednesdays Occasionally. 21+ $? 9p UNCONFIRMED
- Read along to perform, over 200 scenes to choose from.
twitter.com/ChicagoMovieokeWhistler, 773/227-3530, 2421 N Milwaukee.
whistlerchicago.com MAP TICKETS FIND EVENTS INFO SHARE
Friday 2024.05.03
- Southside Critical Mass. 1st Fridays All ages Free 5:45p UNCONFIRMED
- A fun, free, group bike ride.
facebook.com/SSCritMassNichols Park Plaza, 1300 E 55th St. At Kimbark.
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Sunday 2024.05.05
- Cinco De Mayo. Spanish for May 5th. Celebrated loudly. Yearly.
- Not an independence day. Commemorates a major victory by the outnumbered and underarmed Mexican army, against the occupying French, on this day in 1862.
vivacincodemayo.orglaraza.com PHOTOS INFO SHARE
- * International Day of the Midwife (since 1992). Yearly.
- internationalmidwives.org/events/idotm SHARE
- *** Kids and Kites Fest (since 1999). Family event, education, expert demos. Yearly. All ages. Free. 10a-4p UNCONFIRMED
- Includes build it yourself tents for kids and massive show kites in the air.
chicagokite.com/madakiandkim.htmlMontrose Park, Montrose and Lake Shore Drive. Cricket Hill.
cityofchicago.org MAP PHOTOS EVENTS INFO SHARE
- Polish Constitution Day Parade. Yearly. All ages. Free 11:30a UNCONFIRMED
- may3parade.orgDowntown. State, from Lake to Van Buren.
tinyurl.com/chiparades MAP PHOTOS EVENTS INFO SHARE
- Madonnarama. 1st Sundays 21+ Free 10p-4a.
- All Madonna music and videos all night with DJ Riley York. Classics, rare tracks, remixes, etc.
Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont. Near Red line Belmont stop.
berlinchicago.com MAP PHOTOS FIND EVENTS INFO SHARE
Tuesday 2024.05.07
- Tributosaurus. Monthly. 21+ $25 7p UNCONFIRMED
- "The Jurassic beast with multiple musical faces. A different band every month, featuring local music celebrities."
tributosaurus.comMartyrs', 773/404-9494, 3855 N Lincoln.
martyrslive.com MAP TICKETS FIND EVENTS INFO SHARE
Wednesday 2024.05.08
- Harry Truman's Birthday. Yearly.
- Day to remember Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the U.S. (1945-1953), who presided during the Cold War and Korean War. Known for the New Deal economic policies. He was born in Lamar MO in 1884 and died on December 26th, 1972 in Kansas City MO.
whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/ht33.html INFO SHARE
- V.E. Day. Yearly.
- Victory in Europe day. Commemorates Germany's surrender in World War II, 1945.
dtic.mil/soldiers/may95/p50.html SHARE
Sunday 2024.05.12
- **** Mothers' Day. Respect and be kind to mothers, especially your own. 2nd Sunday in May Yearly.
- Created in 1914 by a proclamation from President Woodrow Wilson.
THANXX FOR EVERYTHING MOM!!!
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- CircEsteem Spring Circus (since 2002). Sa/Su -2024.05.19 Yearly. All ages. $8-16 2p UNCONFIRMED
- "Watch in awe as the kids of the Chicago Youth Circus share their amazing talents." featuring a variety of classic acts.
circesteem.orgAlternatives, 773/732-4564, 4730 N Sheridan. East of Red Line Lawrence or Wilson Stops.
alternativesyouth.org MAP PHOTOS EVENTS INFO SHARE
Wednesday 2024.05.15
- * FINAL Great Parker Rummage Sale. -Sunday Yearly. All ages. Free Sa 9a-4p, Su 10a-4p UNCONFIRMED
- Winding down after NEARLY THIRTY YEARS!
fwparker.org/page/event-detail?pk=10014745Francis W. Parker School, 773/353-3000, 330 W Webster.
fwparker.org MAP PHOTOS EVENTS INFO SHARE
- *** Ride of Silence. 3rd Wednesday in May Yearly. All ages. Free 6:30-9p UNCONFIRMED
- 12+ mile route quietly passing sites of crash victims, many marked by powerful memorial Ghost Bikes. Held in hundreds of cities worldwide, raises awareness of cyclists legal right to public roadways, and shows respect for fallen comrades. Gather at Eternal Flame.
rideofsilence.org/chicagoDaley Plaza, 312/346-3278, 50 W Washington. Washington and Dearborn.
cityofchicago.org MAP PHOTOS EVENTS INFO SHARE
Ongoing
- WAY too much great theater and comedy and dance to cover.
- Pickup Reader and NewCity and TimeOut magazines.
Hundreds of city locations.
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