Chicago News and Information

"Windy City Weekend: Festivals, Flair, and Funky Finds Galore in Chicago"


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Welcome, legendary listeners, to “Things to do in Chicago,” blasting your ordinary Sunday, September 21, 2025, with enough energy to light up every slice of deep-dish pizza from Lincoln Park to South Shore! Oly Bennet here—the world’s quirkiest sports fanatic—and today, I’m on a quest to uncover the wildest, most jaw-dropping happenings in the Windy City.

The vibe right now? Utterly spectacular. It’s early fall with that *just-right* dose of crisp sunshine, perfect for outdoor adventures and festival hopping. The streets are buzzing with post-Cubs game fans flaunting Oktoberfest bratwurst smiles, jazz notes drifting like autumn leaves, and folks power-walking to catch those last rays along the Chicago Riverwalk. According to Chicago Patch’s events calendar, today is officially one for the memory books, with a smorgasbord of culture, music, and spectacular weirdness flooding every block.

So let’s dial it up! For you flavor chasers, don’t miss the Clink & Sip Festival at Morgan MFG from 3–8 pm, hosted by Sip & Empower Foundation. It’s the wine and spirits party of the year, featuring BIPOC makers, bites from award-winning chefs, and enough samples to warrant a shoelace change at sunset. This isn’t just sipping—it’s a community celebration led by Joyce Dawkins and Chrishon Lampley. Raise your glass and cheer for representation!

If your taste runs less grape and more groovy, Bassline is the spot for Reggae Sunday: The #1 Caribbean Party in the city launches tonight at 9:55 pm. This marathon bash brings together global sounds, world-class DJs, live dancers, and Caribbean cocktails—nothing says Chicago in September like sweating it out to afrobeats and reggae rhythms until 2 in the morning.

Family in tow? Take your little explorers to the Uptown Live Street Festival, exploding with live performances, kid-friendly activities, and artist demos on North Broadway. Or check out the Old Town Oktoberfest at 1300 N Wells, serving up polka bands, steins the size of small birds, and the kind of sausage selection that dreams are made of. Theater aficionados get their fix with Remy Bumppo Theatre Company’s “Wish You Were Here” at Theater Wit—don’t just spectate, immerse yourself in Chicago’s dramatic pulse.

As dusk rolls around, chase some culture high notes at the Candlelight Ballet at Thalia Hall or groove through Sinatra Under The Stars at AIRE rooftop. And for you collectors—yes, you with 2000 vinyls under the bed—hit the Chicagoland Record & CD Collectors Show for rare finds and fellow music maniacs.

Now, for Oly’s update on the local scene! Hold your baguettes, because word on the street is a new Parisian-inspired bakery just opened in West Loop—expect lines and croissants so buttery, they come with a public service warning. On transit: the CTA Green Line has added extra trains for weekend festival crowds, so leave the car, grab a Ventra card, and channel your inner commuter superhero.

Can’t decide what to do? Try these must-dos: stroll the Riverwalk for unbeatable sunset views, snap a selfie at Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate (aka the Bean), let loose on the Magnificent Mile, and hunt out eccentric neighborhood pop-ups—Chicago’s mysterious side is alive and thriving. For a hidden gem, bike the 606 Trail at dusk; you’ll see mural magic, food trucks in full force, and locals who’ll give directions with actual enthusiasm.

Local tip for you cool cats: If it rains, duck into the MCA Chicago for mind-bending contemporary art, or grab a jitter juice at one of the city’s indie coffee roasters—Chicagoans are legally required to debate the best roast at least once a week.

Before I let you go, tomorrow’s shaping up wild: look out for rooftop cinema screenings and new gallery pop-ups. I’ll be back with more adventures, so keep those laces tied tight!

Thanks for listening, please subscribe, and remember—this episode was brought to you by Quiet Please podcast networks. For more content like this, please go to Quiet Please dot Ai.

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For more on Oly check out https://www.instagram.com/olybennet/

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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Chicago News and InformationBy Inception Point Ai