This weekend, dine at some of Chicago’s best restaurants, shop ’til you drop at The Mart, celebrate Arbor Day, go on a bookstore crawl, and try the best in local beers.
James Beard Eats Week
Begins April 27
Various
Before the James Beard Foundation Awards on May 7, more than 130 Chicago-area restaurants will celebrate the city’s excellent food scene (and James Beard himself) with customized dishes and menus. Plus, participating restaurants will donate $100 to the James Beard Foundation Scholarship Fund. Find a complete list of participating restaurants here.
One of a Kind Spring Show
April 27-29
Chicago
Whether you’re looking for that perfect Mother’s Day gift (or want to treat yourself), you’ll find a variety of goods (accessories, bath & body, fashion, home goods, paintings, etc.) at this show, which will return to The Mart for its third year this weekend. More than 300 artists and designers will be on hand, and events like fashion shows and live performances will take place throughout the weekend.
Arbor Day Celebration
April 28
Highland Park
The City of Highland Park and the Ravinia District will host this free family-friendly event that will bring together local organizations and businesses for activities all about planting and caring for trees, a Touch-A-Truck, crafts, and more. Five-hundred oak tree seedlings will also be given away (first come, first served).
Indie Bookstore Crawl
April 28
Various
April 28 is Independent Bookstore Day and local stores are teaming up for the #MyChicagoBookstore Challenge. When you visit 10 of the 27 participating stores (including The Book Bin, The Book Stall, and Bookends & Beginnings) and make an initial purchase of $25 or more at the first store you visit, you’ll receive 10 percent off at all participating bookstores for the entire year. And, if you visit 15, you’ll receive 15 percent off. Plus, each store will have their own activities planned throughout the day. Learn more about rules and participants here.
Craft Beer Festival
April 28
Long Grove
This annual Long Grove festival will return with participating breweries Buffalo Creek Brewing (Long Grove), Half Day Brewing Company (Lincolnshire), Sketchbook Brewing Company (Evanston), Ten Ninety Brewing Company (Glenview), and more as well as food and live music.
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Anna Carlson writes the weekly 5 Things to Do column and monthly Recommended Events. A graduate of Glenbrook South High School and the University of Missouri, her work has been published in Chicago Parent, Inside Columbia Magazine and Central California Parent Magazine. She is a proud supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
