April in Chicago is full of incredible events that celebrate and highlight the arts, culture, music, fashion, food, and overall community in the city. From shopping that is truly One of a Kind to a Chicago Culture Ball that honors some of Chicago’s most
Fashion:
The WasteShed’s Spring Craft Fair
Sunday | April 14th | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Wasteshed | 2842 W Chicago Ave. | Free
Join the sustainable movement in fashion, beauty, and home this month in Chicago. The WasteShed, a creative reuse center located in Ukrainian Village hosts an annual spring craft fair, spotlighting over a dozen creative vendors in the community and the sustainable works they make. From bags, made out of fabric scraps to functional art objects, this alternative to shopping in Chicago is where you will find unique and local goods this spring. For more details, including participating artists, visit the event page here.
One of a Kind Spring Show
Friday – Saturday | April 26th – 28th | Time Varies
Merchandise Mart | 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza | $0 – $75
If it is in the name, then you are guaranteed to find it. Shop the 4th annual Spring show of One of a Kind as it returns to The Mart this month. With more than 300 talented artists and makers from across North America, the One-of-a-Kind show is a truly unique experience of shopping a variety of categories of handmade work. To purchase tickets to the weekend-long event, visit the website here.
Panel discussion with Highsnobiety: From Chicago to the World
Tuesday | April 2nd | 7:00 p.m.
The Hoxton | 200 N Green St. | Free
This panel explores street culture’s roots in Chicago and how it grew to have a global impact. Meet some of the creative minds that had a hand in bringing the city’s energy across the world including Ben Gott, David Robinson (Saint Alfred), and Vic Lloyd (Fat Tiger Workshop). The discussion moderated by Editorial Director Jian DeLeon of Highsnobiety, the online publication for fashion, art, and global lifestyle trends. Registration does not guarantee admission, so be sure to arrive early.
The Black Women’s Expo 25th Anniversary
Friday – Sunday | April 12th – 14th | Time Varies
McCormick Place | 1752 W 35th St. | $5 – $25
The Black Women’s Expo turns 25 this year. And, it is going to be a celebration to remember. The Black Women’s Expo, founded in Chicago in 1993 was created as a forum for women by women, to celebrate their aspirations and achievements and to discuss and explore solutions to the issues they confront in their daily lives. 25 year later, The Black Women’s Expo has become the nation’s longest running, most respected exposition targeting the all-important African American consumer market. The expo continues to showcases trends, products, services, and seminars where she can be informed, empowered, and enlightened. Join in the celebration of 25 years by attending this year’s expo. Visit the event page for more details.
Food + Drink:
Chicago Cocktail Social
Thursday | April 18th | 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Galleri Marchetti | 825 W Erie St. | $45 – $65
Sample some of the best cocktails in the city by the best bartenders around at the Chicago Cocktail Social. The 6th annual event will provide the opportunity for guests to get close with these talented individuals as they create and prepare craft cocktails that are second to none. This year, the cocktail-focused event will feature talented bartenders representing bars such as Good Measure, The Heavy Feather, Leviathan, Ludlow Liquors, Merchant and more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website here.
Chicago Vegan Test Kitchen: Spring Fling Market
Sunday | April 7th | 11 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Emporium Arcade Bar, Logan Square | 2365 N Milwaukee Ave. | Free
If you are looking for vegan-friendly options in Chicago—you must check out the Chicago Vegan Test Kitchen market. The Chicago Vegan Test Kitchen is a community of local plant-based chefs and vendors of cruelty-free goods, and beauty and wellness products. The event hosts over a dozen vendors of artisanal goods, food, fashion, drinks, and more. Celebrate Spring with this favorite Vegan Collective Market this April. For a full list of participating vendors, visit the event page.
Bacon Fest
Friday – Saturday | April 5th – 6th | 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
UIC Forum |725 W Rooselvet Rd.| $85 – $160
Do you go ballistic for bacon? Then you have to go to the 2019 Bacon Fest in Chicago. This April, taste the best bacon-based dishes, drinks, and deserts, crafted by some of Chicago’s hottest chefs and local restaurants. The unlimited bacon dish-driven event will feature over 50 chefs, locally crafted bacon and bacon-related products from brews to baked goods. Tickets are still available for the bacon lovers oasis. Grab your tickets by heading over to the website here.
Garfield Park Neighborhood Market at The Hatchery
Saturday | April 13th | 10:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Garfield Park Community Council | 300 N Central Park Ave. | Free
Join local community entrepreneurs and members of The Hatchery Chicago for the indoor Garfield Park Neighborhood Market this April. Shop local products and goods from the entrepreneurial community of the West Side and support the Garfield Park Garden Network. The indoor market will host over thirty vendors based primarily on the West Side of Chicago. For more details on this event, visit the Facebook page.
Community:
2019 Chicago Culture Ball
Saturday | April 20th | 7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago| 163 E Walton Pl.| $50 – $125
Celebrate Chicago’s purveyors of the culture—those who have demonstrated excellence in fashion, arts, music, business or entertainment at the first Chicago Cultural Ball. The event honors Chicago’s most influential people who are making changes locally and around the world. For more information, and to attend the event, visit Chicago Culture Ball.com.
Gray Matter First Annual Fundraiser
Thursday | April 18th | 6:00 p.m.
mHUB | 965 West Chicago Ave. | $100
Gray Matter Experience, will host its first annual fundraiser this April at
Night in the Stacks
Friday | April 5th | 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center | 400 S. State St. | $125
Night in the Stacks is another popular April event in Chicago that raises funds for continuing education and development through the public library. Led by the Chicago Public Library and its Foundation Associate Board, Night in the Stacks, will feature food, drinks, entertainment and more. Who would have thought that an evening at the library could be this fun! Tickets are available for purchase here.
Arts + Culture:
35th Chicago Latino Film Festival
Sunday – Saturday | March 28th – April 11th | Time Varies
AMC River East | 322 E. Illinois St. | $10 – $20
Experience Latin-based filmmaking during the 35th Annual Chicago Latin Film Festival. The Chicago Latino Film Festival (CLFF) is a two-week festival showcasing 63 feature-length films and 47 shorts from Latin America, Spain, Portugal, and the United States, and this year is no different, with topics exploring subjects such as the Afro-Latino experience and the U.S. Latino diaspora. Join the cinematic festival and learn more about Lain-based filmmaking. Visit the
Power: 2019 Chicago Humanities Spring Festival
Thursday – Saturday | April 4th – May 4th | Time Varies
Location Varies |$15 – $39
The Chicago Humanities Festival is a yearlong Festival dedicated to exploring what it means to be human in the 21st Century. This April, the organization kicks off its spring series Power and 30th
Waldos Forever Fest with Big Freedia
Saturday | April 20th | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
W Arglye and N Clark St. | Free
Do312 presents the 2nd annual Waldos Forever Fest. The street festival takes place on the block of Argyle and Clark in Andersonville, providing a full day of music, education, and fun for cannabis lovers – and anyone that loves a good time. From morning ‘til night, the event will feature a curated cast of vendors, musicians, cultivators, educators, and munchie food truck court. For more details and history about this cannabis inspired culture event, visit the event page.
Chicago Dance Month
Monday – Sunday | April 1st – 30th | Time Varies
Location Varies | Free
Every day is all about the celebration of dance in Chicago. See Chicago Dance hosts the 7th annual Chicago Dance Month from April 1 – April 30, 2019. Chicago Dance Month features over 70 free or low-cost performances, classes, and events throughout April. No matter your style or preferences of dance, Chicago Dance Month has something to offer all of the expected thousands of attendees and dance enthusiasts throughout Chicago. For full details about this event, visit See Chicago Dance.com.