Chicago Events
April 2018
Easter restaurants
April 1, 2018
Chicago locations
OpenTable lists restaurants that offer special menus for Easter. Also see Easter Bunny Brunches.
Easter brunch with a view
April 1, 2018 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
0.8 miles north
Easter Brunch includes a buffet, an entree, desserts, and a visit from the Easter Bunny at The Signature Room at the 95th.
Easter dining cruise
April 1, 2018
1 mile east
Odyssey Cruises offers a brunch cruise with the Easter bunny, and a dinner cruise departing from Navy Pier.
Easter at the zoo
April 1, 2018 (begins March 24)
14 miles SW
Breakfast with the Bunny is an all-you-can-eat buffet and a visit with the Easter Bunny on March 24, 25, and 31 at Brookfield Zoo. Easter Champagne Brunch is April 1.
Easter in the garden
April 1, 2018
24 miles north
Enjoy a festive Easter Egg Brunch and bring a basket for the Easter egg hunt at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.
Easter at Cantigny
April 1, 2018 (begins March 31)
27 miles west
Breakfast with the Bunny on Saturday includes a breakfast buffet, the Easter Bunny, face painting, and a balloon artist. The elegant Easter Brunch is Sunday. Both events are at Cantigny Park in Wheaton.
Easter at the arboretum
April 1, 2018 (begins March 30)
27 miles west
Enjoy a breakfast buffet or a fine brunch, plus a visit with the Easter Bunny at Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
- March 30 – Breakfast with the Bunny
- April 1 – Easter Brunch
Films from Europe
April 1 – 5, 2018 (begins March 9)
0.5 miles SW
Chicago European Union Film Festival screens 62 new feature films from the 28 nations of the European Union at Gene Siskel Film Center.
Flower show
April 1 – 8, 2018 (begins March 25)
0.5 mile south
Macy’s Flower Show features flowers and exotic topiaries in landscapes, plus scheduled events at Macy’s on State Street. Free.
Attractions
April 1 – 30, 2018 (also March)
multiple locations
These discount prices include all taxes and fees.
- Aquarium + SkyDeck + Field Museum + more
- Chicago History Museum
- Segway Tour of Downtown Chicago (2 hours)
Latino film festival
April 5 – 19, 2018
Chicago locations
See 100+ films from Latin America, Brazil, South America, Spain, Portugal, and the U.S. during the Chicago Latino Film Festival at AMC River East 21 theaters and venue partners throughout Chicagoland.
Baconfest
April 6 – 7, 2018
3 miles SW
Chicago’s best chefs serve bacon dishes and drinks for lunch and dinner at Baconfest Chicago in UIC Forum.
Blues dance
April 6 – 8, 2018
multiple locations
BluesShout includes weekend workshops and dances with live music that go late into the night.
Comic and Entertainment Expo
April 6 – 8, 2018
3 miles south
Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) is a convention for fans of comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and pop culture at McCormick Place.
Asian film festival
April 6 – 19, 2018
0.5 miles SW
Asian American Showcase screens independent dramas and documentaries, including selected screenings with filmmakers in person, at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
Beer tasting
April 7, 2018 (12 to 4 p.m.)
0.7 miles west
Sample 25 beers at Chicago Beer Fest [formerly River North Beer Fest] at Moe’s Cantina & Old Crow Smokehouse. Repeats in Nov.
Festival of colors
April 7, 2018
32 miles west
Wear white and buy brightly colored organic flour for $2 to throw at friends and foes to celebrate Holiand mark the arrival of spring, with music and Indian food for sale at the Grand Pavilion in Naperville.
Superhero convention
April 7 – 8, 2018
17 miles NW
Heroes & Villains Fan Fest celebrates comics, sci-fi, TV, and movies with guest actors, panel discussions, costume contests, role-playing, and vendors in the Rosemont convention center.
Zombie, horror, sci-fi convention
April 7 – 8, 2018
17 miles NW
Zombie lovers unite at Walker Stalker Con for panels, celebrities, vendors, and a costume party at the convention center in Rosemont.
Gluten-free expo
April 7 – 8, 2018
28 miles NW
Sample and purchase products from 100 vendors at Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo, which also offers classes at the Schaumburg Convention Center.
Robots at the museum
April 7 – 15, 2018
8 miles south
Celebrate National Robotics Week by viewing robots on display, interacting with some, hearing talks by robotics professors, and watching a live robotics competition at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Pig feast
April 8, 2018 (5 p.m., VIP 4 p.m.)
1.2 miles south
Cochon is a stand-up tasting featuring dozens of chef-made dishes plus wine, cocktails, and beer at Hilton Chicago for age 21+.
African fashion show
April 12, 2018 (6 to 9 p.m.)
0.4 miles south
The $150 Fashion Challenge is a designer runway show that highlights scarves made by African women, followed by a $40 party with drinks and dessert at Chicago Cultural Center. Attend either or both.
Quilt festival
April 12 – 14, 2018
17 mile NW
Shop for quilts and take mini-classes at Quilt Festival Chicago in Rosemont convention center.
Teen literature festival
April 13 – 14, 2018
1 mile south
Teenagers express themselves and attend workshops at ChiTeen Lit Fest on Saturday at Columbia College Chicago. The Friday night kick-off party is at a nearby library. Free.
Audio expo
April 13 – 15, 2018
26.8 miles NW
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) features 400 vendors of high-end audio (headphones, speakers, turntables, musical instruments, amps, and vinyl), plus 125 listening rooms, live concerts, and lectures by industry leaders at Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center.
Diabetes expo
April 14, 2018
3 miles south
Learn how to prevent and manage diabetes at the American Diabetes Association Expo, which has health screenings, cooking demonstrations, experts, and exhibitors at McCormick Place. Free.
Rum tasting
April 14, 2018 (3:30 p.m., VIP 2:30 p.m.)
6.8 miles NW
A ticket to Chicago Rum Festival (formerly Midwest Rum Fest) gets you 1/4 ounce pours, snacks, music, a souvenir snifter, mellow music, and brand seminars at Logan Square Auditorium for age 21+.
Silent films + live music
April 14, 2018 (7 and 9:30 p.m.)
8 miles north
Watch modern silent films as a new score is played live at Sound of Silent Film Festival at Davis Theater. The late show is R-rated.
Beer and wine festival
April 14, 2018
28 miles SW
Tinley Park Brew & Vine Festival features breweries, vintners, restaurants, and live entertainment at Tinley Park Convention Center.
Cheese tasting
April 15, 2018 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
3.4 miles NW
Taste cheesy foods like pizza, grilled cheese, poutine, and macaroni & cheese from restaurants and cheese vendors during Say Cheese Fest at Concord FiftyFive. Held in April and October.
Roaring Twenties musical
April 16 – May 27, 2018
4.8 miles north
It’s 1928, the world is at peace, and the stock market is booming, but issues of life and death face diverse characters we meet as they share their hopes and dreams in the lobby of the Grand Hotel at Theater Wit.
Cocktail evening
April 19, 2018
1.7 miles NW
A ticket to Chicago Cocktail Social gets you premium cocktails made by bartenders from 17 establishments, gourmet food, and live music at Galleria Marchetti.
Villa Park arts & crafts
April 20 – 22, 2018
21 miles west
See hundreds of craft booths at Spring Festival, An Arts & Crafts Affair in the Odeum Expo Center. Children age 10 and younger are free.
Modern pop festival
April 20 – 28, 2018
10 miles north
International Pop Overthrow (IPO) is a cutting-edge pop and rock music festival based in Los Angeles that brings dozens of the latest bands to The Red Line Tap.
Brunch walk
April 21, 2018 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
0.9 miles west
A ticket to Brunch Bites lets you sample brunch food and drink at 8 restaurants in River North for age 21+.
Mexican children’s day
April 21, 2018
2.8 miles SW
Celebrate Mexican culture and family health at Día del Niño Family Festival. Begin with a two-mile walk from the National Museum of Mexican Art to UIC Pavilion. Continue with games, art, and activities. Free.
Chocolate & wine
April 21 – 22, 2018
2.5 miles west
Chocolate, Wine & Spirits Expo promises 50 vendors displaying products for you to sample and purchase, with wine and spirits tasting, and chef demonstrations at Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium.
Home show in Wheaton
April 21 – 22, 2018
21 miles west
Find renovation help at The Western DuPage County Home Improvement Expo at Odeum Expo Center in Wheaton. Free.
Money week
April 21 – 28, 2018
Chicago locations
Money Smart Week is a series of classes and activities designed to help you better manage your personal finances. Search for events near your zip code. Free.
Films about Palestine
April 21 – May 3, 2018
0.5 mile SW
The Chicago Palestine Film Festival exhibits and promotes films by Palestinian directors as well as films about Palestine at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
Greek parade
April 22, 2018
1.5 miles west
The annual Greek Independence Day Paradebegins at N. Halsted Street & Randolph Street. Free.
Famous speakers
April 24, 28, 29, 2018
Chicago locations
Hear today’s leading authors, thinkers, and fashion icons speak at the Springfest organized by the Chicago Humanities Festival.
Wine tasting
April 26, 2018
8 miles NW
Sample wine plus hors d’oeuvres on the Spring Wine Stroll in the shops of Lincoln Square and Ravenswood. Repeats in Nov.
Adventure race
April 27 – 28, 2018
1.9 miles SW
Questival is a 24-hour race that begins with a check-in party at Brooklyn Boulders. Your team completes the challenges assigned by a smartphone app to win prizes. Video.
Crafts fair
April 27 – 29, 2018
1 mile west
One of a Kind Show and Sale features handmade crafts by 300 artists, food, and entertainment at the Merchandise Mart. Repeats in Dec.
Bach festival
April 27 – May 4, 2018
Chicago locations
Bach Week Festival is a series of three classical music concerts in North Chicago and Evanston.
J.C. Superstar
April 28 – May 20, 2018
1 mile SW
Jesus Christ Superstar is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s epic rock musical with unforgettable songs, high-energy dance, and powerful storytelling at Lyric Opera House.
Whiskey tasting
April 28, 2018 (1 p.m., VIP noon)
0.7 miles west
Chicago Whiskey Festival [website has sound] offers 30 varieties of whiskey, bourbon, and scotch at Old Crow Smokehouse for age 21+.
Japanese children’s festival
April 28 – 29, 2018
24 miles north
Learn about children’s celebrations in Japan at Malott Japanese Garden Spring Festival. Listen to koto harps and shakuhachi flutes, hear folktales, and watch a tea ceremony at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Free except parking. Repeats in Aug.
