Things to do this Memorial Day weekend in the Chicago area

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The Memorial Day weekend has arrived! Where has the time gone? It marks the unofficial start of summer.

Looking to kick off the season with some fun? WBBM has you covered, compiling the best holiday weekend activities that the city and suburbs have to offer. From parades to Italian Beef giveaways, there are countless adventures to be had.

Things to do in the Chicago area, Memorial Day weekend, 2023:

The North Siders host their NL Central foe for a three-game set beginning Friday and Culminating Sunday.

When: Friday, May 26- 1:20 p.m.;
            Saturday, May 27- 6:15 p.m.;
            Sunday, May 28- 1:20 p.m.

Where: Wrigley Field

Price: Tickets still available

Windy City Amusements presents the four-day festival. The carnival will include rides, games and food.

When: Friday, May 26- 6-10 p.m.
           Saturday, May 27- 1-9 p.m.
           Sunday, May 28- 1-9 p.m.
           Monday, May 29- 1-5 p.m.

Where: Q-Bar Lot, 8109 S. Cass Ave.

Price: Unlimited Ride Specials- $30- Saturday, Sunday, Monday- 1-5 p.m.
           Prime Time Unlimited Ride Specials- $35- Friday and Saturday 5:30-9 p.m.

The traditional Mexican sauce is the star of this three-day fest, taking place in the heart of Pilsen, on the city's Lower West Side. The annual event began in 2009 and has local chefs and restaurants competing in a mole cook-off. The festival will also include a bevy of local merchants and crafters, as well as live music.

When: Friday, May 26- 5-10 p.m.
           Saturday, May 27- Noon-10 p.m.
           Sunday, May 28- Noon-9 p.m.

Where: 18th Street, between Ashland and Blue Island Aves., Chicago, IL

Price: Admission is free, however donations are suggested - $5 for individuals, $10 for families.

Illinois Craft Beer Week culminates with this event. Participants will be able to sample beer from over 120 Illinois craft breweries.

When: Friday, May 26- 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Union Station, 225 S. Canal St., Chicago IL

Price: General admission tickets- $50
          One-hour early entry- $60

The annual 10 mile race will start early in the morning inside Soldier Field and then on to the Lakefront trail. Runners are encouraged to donate to the race's charity partner, the Road Home Program at Rush Hospital, which provides wounded veterans with healthcare.

When: Saturday, May 27- Corrals will close at 6:45 a.m. for the 10 mile and 7:15 a.m. for the 10K; post-race tailgate- 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Where: Race begins at Soldier Field- 1410 Special Olympics Dr, Chicago, IL; post-race tailgate at Stadium Green outside Soldier Field.

Price: Registration is closed

The day begins at 11 a.m. Downtown, with the Wreath Laying Ceremony followed by a parade stepping off at noon. The ceremony and parade is dedicated to fallen heroes and Gold Star family members who have lost a loved one from the U.S. Armed Forces killed in the line of duty. This year’s Grand Marshal will Major General Rodney Boyd, a South Side native and assistant adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard.

When: Saturday, May 27- Wreath Laying Ceremony- 11 a.m.; Parade- Noon

Where: Wreath Laying Ceremony- Daley Plaza- 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL; Parade- marching south State St. from Lake St. to Van Buren St.

The lively Latino music festival returns to Grant Park for a second straight year following 2022’s great success.  Roughly 45,000 people are expected to attend. This year’s headliners are Wisin Y Yandel, Grupo Firme, Feid, and Nicky Jam. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

When: Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28- Noon-10 p.m.

Where: Grant Park, Chicago, IL. Fastest way to enter: northeast corner of S. Michigan Ave. and 11th street, half a block north of Roosevelt Rd.

Price: Note 95% of tickets sold out as of Friday. One-day general admission passes available for $199.

The two-day event will feature over 100 fine-artists from 13 different mediums, including clay/ceramics and oil painting. All displayed art will be available for purchase. A variety of art activities, such as painting a car, will also be available to show goers.

When: Saturday, May 27- 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday May, 28- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Riverside Avenue, between Main St. (Route 64) and Illinois Ave., St. Charles, IL

Price:  Free admission

The 14th annual event will have 130 artists on hand, displaying and selling their works, which will include paintings, sculptures, and jewelry.

When: Saturday, May 27, Sunday May, 28- 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Where: Downtown Barrington- Cook and Station Sts.

Price: Free admission

The best Midwest cover bands perform in Lakeview. The all-day affair is a guaranteed good time, with not only live music and deejays, but food and drink from top neighborhood spots.

When: Saturday, May 27- 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Where: 3200 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago, IL

Price: $10 for admission

Celebrating Chicago’s beloved sandwich, several area restaurants are participating in a sandwich giveaway. Over 500 Al’s Italian beef sandwiches will be given away as part of day-long celebration at the Downtown Chicago’s Food Stop. Buona Beef is also offering free sandwiches at all 27 of their locations, one day only. Customers will need to download the Buona App in order to receive the sandwich.

When: Saturday, May 27

Where: Chicago Food Stop- 875 N. Michigan Ave. and all Buona Beef locations

The national inflatables tour makes a stop in the western suburbs. This kids’ wonderland features the world’s largest ball pit and a 600-foot obstacle course.

When: Saturday, May 27, Sunday May 28

Where: Chicago Premium Outlets- 1650 Premium Outlets Blvd., Illinois

Price:  Admission is $24 per person

The new exhibit, which will run spring 2025, will be open this holiday weekend. Visitors will see five large-scale sculptures made of repurposed and pruned tree branches and other natural materials.

When: Friday, May 26, Saturday May 27, Sunday, May 28, Monday, May 29

Where: Morton Arboretum- 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL

Price: $17 admission fee for adults, $15 for seniors

Navy Pier kicks off its bi-weekly free fireworks displays this weekend. Shows will occur on Wednesdays and Saturdays until Labor Day weekend.

When: Saturday, May 27- 10 p.m.

Where: Navy Pier- 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL

Price: Free

The singer visits the Chicago area this weekend as part of her North American  tour, “Janet Jackson: Together Again.”

When: Saturday, May 27- 7:45 p.m.

Where: Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre- 19100 Ridgeland Ave, Tinley Park, IL

Price: Tickets still available

The county will be holding a ceremony to remember DuPage County residents who were killed in military conflicts at home and abroad, starting with the Black Hawk War in 1832.

When: Sunday, May 28- 2 p.m.

Where: DuPage County Government Complex, 421 N County Farm Rd, Wheaton, IL

Many of Chicago’s suburbs will be remembering our country’s fallen military heroes with parades.

Here are some notable ones:

Arlington Heights
When: Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m.
Where: Memorial Park-  N Chestnut Ave. & W Fremont St.

Aurora
When: 10-11:30 a.m.
Where: Downtown Aurora- 1 E. Benton St.

Naperville
When: Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Ceremony will take place at noon.
Where:  Parade starts Jackson Ave. and West St. Ceremony takes place at Central Park.

Elk Grove 
When: 10:45 a.m.
Where: Elk Grove Village Park District Gymnasium- 1000 Wellington Ave.

The best team in baseball pays a visit to the Friendly Confines, the beginning of a 3-game series.

When: Monday, May 29- 1:20 p.m.

Where: Wrigley Field- 1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL

Price: Tickets still available 

This is the nightcap of a rare two-team gameday in Chicago. Superstars Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout come to the South Side.

When: Monday, May 29- 7:10 p.m.

Where: Guaranteed Rate Field- 333 W 35th St, Chicago, IL

Price: Tickets still available 

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