(C2E2 / Facebook)

1. Geek out

Described as the largest pop culture convention in the Midwest, the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo – aka C2E2 – returns to the Windy City. Dress up as your favorite superhero or villain, attend panel discussions and get autographs by celebs.

Details:10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at McCormick Place, South Building, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive. $40-$50 for single-day admission / MAP

Find more fests: 2022 Summer Festival Guide

2. Boogie

The Bronzeville Neighborhood Jazz Fest pays homage to the South Side community’s rich musical history of jazz and blues with performances by local musicians Julia Huff, Reggie Foster, Smooth Willie Fultz and Audley Reed.

Details: Noon-8 p.m. Saturday along Martin Luther King Drive from 39th to 37th streets. Free / MAP

3. Search

Antique, vintage, upcycled and reclaimed wares are for sale at Vintage Days. Live music is also on tap for the open-air street market.

Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Free /MAP

4. Inspect

Let the kiddos get up close and personal with native insects and spiders at Bugapalooza, where they can also watch inspect pinning demonstrations and learn how to dance like a bee.

Details: 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive. $22-$27 for adults; $17-$22 for kids / MAP

5. Smack

Finger lickin’ barbecue is served up alongside a hearty dose of country music at Windy City Smokeout. Headliners include Willie Nelson & Family (Thursday), Tim McGraw (Friday), Sam Hunt (Saturday) and Miranda Lambert (Sunday).

Details: 2-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 1-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the United Center, Parking Lot C, 1901 W. Madison St. Single-day tickets starting at $44.95, plus fees; free for kids 10 and under /MAP

(Photo by Jeff Marini)

6. Gather

The 40th Northalsted Market Days features five stages of live music, DJs, more than 200 arts and crafts vendors, and food and drink along a half-mile stretch in the Northalsted community. Performers include Anastacia, Ginger Minj, Matteo Lane, Ada Vox and Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute.

Details: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday along Halsted Street between Belmont Avenue and Addison Street. $15 suggested donation / MAP

7. Sway

Curated by a collective of Latinx musicians, artists, tastemakers and cultural innovators, the fifth annual LatiNxt Music Festivalfeatures cutting-edge music from the Latin American diaspora.

Details: 2-11:30 p.m. Saturday; 2-8 p.m. Sunday at Navy Pier, Beer Garden and Polk Bros Park Lake Stage, 600 E. Grand Ave. Free / MAP

8. Mangia

Pasta, pizza, Italian sausage and meatballs are on the menu for Festa Italiana. Get your fill of meatballs in an eating contest (5 p.m. Saturday). Live Italian music is also on tap.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. $5-$10; free for kids under 12 / MAP

9. Embrace

“B-You” tells the story of a 16-year-old nonbinary dancer who skips class to follow a break dancer, leading to a daylong journey in Chicago. No dialogue is spoken during the performance, which incorporates hip-hop, contemporary, step and break dance as well as instrumental music and beat boxing. Featuring a cast of diverse local teens, producers say the production strives to empower young artists while emphasizing the importance of embracing one’s authentic self.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday with additional performances Monday and Tuesday at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway St. $30 / MAP

10. Move it

Craft beers and hot tunes will be flowing at Chicago Brewing District’s Dancing in the Streets. Inspired by its namesake Grateful Dead song, the fest will feature a variety of jam bands, including Rock & Rye (Friday), Terrapin Flyer (Saturday) and Steal Your Phace (Sunday). Enjoy sudsy brews from Goose Island, Great Central Brewing Company, Finch Beer Co., On Tour Brewing and Forbidden Root.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday along Hubbard Street between Paulina and Wood streets. $10 suggested donation / MAP

(Courtesy West Town Chamber of Commerce)

Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup?Send us an email.