What up, Chicago?! I hope you all have awesome Friday night plans, because I sure do. It’s my cousin’s birthday today, and we are getting littttt at the open bar at Barcocina. Sometimes you gotta get a little messy to have a good time!

Some pretty awesome Friday night plans about a month out from now…

Think Riot Fest ends when the festival gates close? Think again. The official Riot Fest 2026 Late Night Aftershows are here, so you can keep the party going long after the last set. Tickets are on sale now, or you can enter to win a free pair.*

JUST ANNOUNCED

• Got airplane fever from the Air & Water Show? The Auditorium and the Chicago Philharmonic continue the groundbreaking Auditorium Philms series with Top Gun: Maverick In Concert. Win free tix and a VIP pre-party experience.*

• Planes in the sky. Sand between your toes. Bass in your ears. What could be better? BEACH RITUALS: SAM SHURE is back with an Air & Water Show party that’s sure to make other beachgoers jealous. Use code “DO312” for $15 off.*

• Throw on your cowboy boots, flannels, and daisy dukes for the Wrigleyville Country Fest! For one day only, Wrigleyville is turning into Nashville. Want a rootin’-tootin’ deal? Try code “DO312” and see what happens.*

• Grab your crochet hooks and sketchbooks: It's almost time for Adults Night Out: Crafted at Lincoln Park Zoo. Make something, meet new friends, and enjoy the zoo after hours on August 21. Get tix or win a pair.*

• Plus other just announced shows from Steve Lacy, Sweetest Day Comedy Jam, Small Brown Bike, Exhumed, Jarhead Fertilizer, Savage Master, Molder, Missio, Eric Prydz, Yarn, The Palmer Squares, and more!

FREE STUFF FRIDAY

Ahh, our favorite word. Times are tough right now, but you know what would make us feel better? A killer night out that doesn’t break the bank. Our always-growing list of free stuff to do around Chicago never fails to set us up with the best weekend ever, and now, we’re bestowing that gift upon you. We know, we’re the best.

• EVERY FRI - GO GRIND FRIDAY NIGHTS at GRANT PARK

• EVERY SAT - MUSIC BINGO at PUNCH BOWL SOCIAL

• EVERY SAT - ECKHART PARK FARMERS MARKET in ECKHART PARK

• And more!

THIS WEEKEND 🎨

LOCALS ONLY

• You handled the hard part (getting the munchies). We'll handle the rest. Enter to win the Neighborhood Buds Munchies Pack, valued at $300 and packed with an Ivy Hall credit plus local restaurant gift cards. Who’s hungry?*

• Edgewater Music Fest is back August 28–30 with 30+ acts, local eats and brews, a massive vendor market, drag brunch, and more. Three days of music and neighborhood hangs await. Check out the lineup!*

WIN STUFF

FEATURED