In Need of Weekend Plans?

It’s that time of the week again and since there are no sub-zero temperatures in the forecast, even more reason to get out of the house this weekend! From concerts to cooking classes to St. Patty’s Day festivities, we have compiled a list of noteworthy events and fun activities to fill up your planner!

Thursday:

Bourbon Bracket (Bub City) All Day

Spark Chicago's Third Annual Sugar Rush Benefit (171 W. Randolph) 6pm-9pm

Elements Girls’ Night Out (Bloomingdales’s, 900 N. Michigan) 6pm-8pm

Imagine Dragons (Allstate Arena) 7pm

Friday:

Demi Lovato (Allstate Arena) 7:30pm

Borris Powell “Freedom” Show (108 N. State St.) 8pm-12am

Women in Travel Summit (17 E. Monroe) 7pm-12am

Rock of Ages (Bank of America Theatre) 7:30pm

Saturday:

Chicago Flower and Garden Show (Navy Pier) All Day

St. Pat’s Trolley Crawl (Lion Head Pub, 2251 N. Lincoln) 8am

Tap O’ The Morn’ (400 N. State St.) 8am-12pm

Spectacle Lunatique (2120 S. Jefferson St.) 8pm-2am

Sunday:

Nick Sturms (Bub City) 12pm-1:30pm, 2pm-3pm

Columbia College Big Band with Special Guest Petet Saxe (Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct.) 4pm and 8pm

The Irishman Cooking Class (4747 N. Lincoln) 5pm-7pm

Drop-In Improv Class (Donny’s Skybox Theatre, 1608 N. Wells) 6pm

How are you spending your St. Patrick’s Day? Share us by leaving a comment or by tweeting us at @MonikaDixonPR!

By Marisa Coulter, MDPR Contributor

Beat the Cold This Weekend

With all of the amazing events this weekend, even the cold can’t keep you at home! Between charity events, comedy shows and music, the city is overflowing with fun and entertaining possibilities. Not sure which events to choose? Let us help with a list of noteworthy events that should be added to your weekend calendar!

Thursday:

Thresholds Charity Poker Tournament 2014 (315 N. LaSalle) 5pm

L.K. Bennett Styling and Shopping Event (900 N Michigan) 6pm-8pm

LUNAFEST (360 N. State) 6pm-9pm

Corey Cox (Bub City) 10pm

Friday:

Tickled Pink for Bright Pink (108 N. State) 7pm-12am

PAWS Chicago's 8th annual Animal Magnetism Event (816 W. Erie) 8pm

Wayne Brady (Chicago Theatre) 8pm

Ballroom Dance Party (3868 N. Lincoln) 8pm

Carnival 2014 (325 W. Huron) 11pm-2am

Saturday:

Being a Chef: Fat Tuesday (810 N. Dearborn) 10am-1pm

Broadway in Chicago Historic Theater Tour (24 W. Randolph) 11am

NHL Stadium Series (Soldier Field) 7pm

CHICAGO (Bank of America Theatre) 8pm

Sunday:

Chicago Polar Plunge (1600 N. Lakeshore, North Ave. Beach) 10am

Texas Independence Day at Bub City (Bub City) 11am

Chicago Jazz Composers Collective (Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway Ave.) 2pm-4pm

Cheeky + Untitled Red Carpet Oscar Bash (111 W. Kinzie) 6pm-12am

What are your favorite ways to spend your weekend? Share them with us by leaving a comment or by tweeting us at @MonikaDixonPR!

By Marisa Coulter, MDPR Contributor

Brighten Up Your Weekend

Don’t let this drab weather strand you inside this weekend when our beautiful city has plenty of events to offer! Start by brightening up your weekend with Get Planty at Doc B’s and then see where our list of fun-filled events will take you.

Thursday:

Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen Goes Planty (Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen, 100 E. Walton) 5-10pm

Concert for a Cause (House of Blues Chicago) 7-11pm

Phantom of the Opera (Cadillac Palace Theatre) 7:30pm

32 Below (Bub City) 10pm

Friday:

Gypsy (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier) 7:30pm

Jason Aldean with Florida Georgia Line (US Cellular Coliseum, Bloomington, IL) 7:30pm

Frank Catalano Sextet (Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway Ave.) 9pm-1am

Second City’s 102nd Mainstage Revue (Second City) 11pm

Saturday:

Country Brunch (Bub City) 10am-3pm

Makeup for the Museum (Edith Hart Boutique, 1917 N. Damen Ave.) 1-5pm

The Field of Screams Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt (Field Museum) 1:30pm

Sushi Workshop at The Chopping Block (222 Merchandise Mart Plaza) 7pm

Sunday:

The Nosh Chicago (Logan Square Farmers Market Grassy Knoll) 10am-3pm

Christopher Wool Exhibition (Art Institute Chicago) 10:30am-5pm

CHICAGO The Musical Brunch (Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club, 3700 N. Halsted St.) 11am-4pm

Ice Skating at Lincoln Park Zoo (Lincoln Park Zoo) 12pm-8pm

What fun events are on your agenda for the weekend? Share them with us by leaving a comment or by tweeting us at @MonikaDixonPR!

By Marissa Coulter, MDPR Contributor

Never A Dull Moment In The Windy City

The cold days of Chicago winters can make you reluctant to leave the house. Our lovely city lends plenty to do even on a cold weekend. We’ve found some fun events that are worth bundling up for. Music, theater, ice skating, you pick! Get out and have some fun before the hectic holiday week ahead.

Thursday:

Your Go-to Holiday Cocktails at Epic (Epic, 112 W. Hubbard St.) 6pm-9pm

Adler After Dark (Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.) 6pm-10pm

Miracle on Wells St. (Second City) 8pm

Alan Gresik (Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway) 9pm-1am

Friday:

Elizabeth and James Trunkshow (Krista K Boutique, 3458 N. Southport Ave.) 11am-7pm

Andrew Belle (Space, 1245 Chicago Ave.) 8pm

Photo via Goodman Theatre Facebook

A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.) 8pm

Blue Man Group (Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halstead) 8pm

Saturday:

Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier (Navy Pier) 10am-10pm

What the Tour Guide Didn’t Tell You: A Chicago Revue (Second City) 4pm

LivingSocial Chicago Beerfest (Union Station Great Hall, 500 W. Jackson Blvd.) 7pm-10pm

Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl (420 W. Diversey Pkwy.) 8pm

Sunday:

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light (Museum of Science and Industry) 9:30am-5:30pm

The Bad Plus (Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct.) 4pm

Dinner at Vie (Vie, 4471 Lawn Ave.) 6pm-8pm

Hey Cowboy (Bub City) 9:30pm

Which hot spots will you hit this weekend? Share them with us by leaving a comment or by tweeting us at @MonikaDixonPR!

By Marisa Coulter, MDPR Contributor

Get in the Holiday Spirit

Having a hard time thinking of things to do during these frigid winter weekends? We’ve found some fun and interesting options to pass the time whether you want to spend it inside or out. Between Second City and Christkindlmarket, these events cover the whole spectrum of entertainment!

Thursday

Holidays 2013: Open Something Greater (Art Institute Chicago) 10:30 am - 8 pm

Let Them Eat Chaos (Second City) 8 pm

Colt and Wylde (Bub City) 10 pm

Sofia Boutique Fashion Show (56 W. Illinois) 10 pm

Friday

Christkindlmarket (Daley Plaza) 11 am - 9 pm

Good Times Historic Bar Tour (Starting at Argo Tea, 435 N Michigan) 5 pm - 7 pm

Zoo Lights (Lincoln Park Zoo) 5 pm - 9 pm

Miracle on State Street (The Chicago Theatre) 7:30 pm

Thirsty (Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.) 10:30 pm

Saturday

A Holiday Fantasea (Shedd Aquarium) 9 am - 6 pm

Frank Lloyd Wright Interior Tour (Oak Park) 10 am - 4 pm

The Biggest Artist Sale EVER (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza) 10 am - 7 pm

Chicago Beer Experience (Lincoln Park/Lakeview) 11 am

Dysfunctional Holiday Show (Second City) 4 pm

Wicked (Ford Oriental Theatre) 8 pm

Sunday

Game Day Sundays at ZED451 (ZED451, 739 N. Clark) 10 am

Celebrate Christmas the Swedish Way (Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark) 11 am - 4 pm

Joffrey Ballet The Nutcracker (Auditorium Theatre) 2 pm

Other Earth Ensemble (Hungry Brain, 2119 W. Belmont) 10 pm

Soul Jazz Night (Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway) 11 pm

What fun plans do you have this weekend? Share them with us and tweet us at @MonikaDixonPR!

By Marisa Coulter, MDPR Contributor

It’s Holiday Time in Chicago

With many of the Chicago’s favorite markets opening this weekend, including the Millennium Park Ice Rink and the Randolph Street Holiday Market, all we can think about are the holidays!  Be sure to hit up some of these great markets and shopping events to check some people off your shopping list.

Thursday

Tru Bloom and Twig Designs Launch Party (910 N Damen Ave) 6 – 8 pm

“TALL” Fashion Event (Ann Taylor, 600 N Michigan Ave) 6 – 9 pm

Chicago Food Film Festival (900 Branch St) Visit website for various times

John Pinette (Park West, 322 W Armitage) 8 pm

Corey Cox (Bub City) 10 pm

Friday

‘Tis the Season to be Artistic (4401 N Ravenswood) 10 am – 6 pm

McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink (Millennium Park) 12 pm – 10 pm

Selena Gomez (Allstate Arena) 7:30 pm

Let Them Eat Chaos (Second City) 8 pm and 11 pm

Saturday

Purely Fashion Pop-Up Shop (900 N Michigan Shops) 10 am – 6 pm

Randolph Street’s Holiday Market (Beaux Arts Plumber’s Hall) 10 am

An Evening with Y.O.U. (Loft 644) 8 – 11 pm

Keeping It Real with Loni Love (230 W North Ave) 8 – 10 pm

Sunday

Holiday Hub (108 State St) 10 am

Medieval Craft Beer Festival (2001 Roselle Rd.) 1 pm

A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre) 2 pm

Paramore (UIC Pavillion) 7 – 9 pm

Do you have any extra special plans this weekend? Share them with us by leaving a comment or by tweeting us at @MonikaDixonPR!

By Ashley Siech, MDPR Contributor

Fall is in Full Swing

Fall is in full swing and with it comes a lot of events. From galas to festivals and everything in between, this weekend will be anything but boring! One event that piqued our interest is Dining By Design, where guests will be wined and dined in a Renaissance themed atmosphere which includes a cocktail party, dinner party, gala and multiple silent auctions. This is one themed party you don’t want to miss out on!

Thursday

DIFFA’S Cocktails By Design 2013 (Merchandise Mart) 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Cooking up Change (Bridgeport Art Center) 6 pm

Tru Blooms 2014 Fragrance Launch Party (The Green Goddess Boutique) 6 – 8 pm

FASHION Forward 2013 (Neiman Marcus, Northbrook) 6:30 – 9 pm

Trivia Night (Rockit Burger Bar) 8 pm

Friday

Science Storms (Museum of Science and Industry) 9:30 am

DIFFA’S Public Viewing and Silent Auction (Merchandise Mart) 10 am – 2 pm

7^th Annual Lift a Glass (Kendall College) 6 pm

Art and Appetite (Art Institute of Chicago) 6 – 9:30 pm

All Girl Frankenstein (Zoo Studio) 8 pm

Saturday

Lori Mesa Fine Jewelry Trunk Show (The Perfect Thing – Wheaton, IL) 10 am

DIFFA’S Table Hop & Taste (Merchandise Mart) 11 am – 3 pm

Alyce Paris Spring Fashion Show (Untitled) 2 – 5 pm

The Wheel (Steppenwolf Theatre) 3 pm and 7:30 pm

Barbie in Chicago (108 N. State St.) 6 pm

Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chef Ball (Zhou Bart Center) 6:30 pm

DIFFA’s Dining By Design Gala (Merchandise Mart) 7 – 11:30 pm

Sunday

Second Sunday (Hyde Park Art Center) 1 – 4pm

Chicago Humanities Festival: Rainpan 43 (Museum of Contemporary Art) 3 pm

Sleeping With Sirens Concert (House of Blues) 5:45 pm

Uptown Poetry Slam (The Green Mill) 7 pm

Umbrella Music Festival (Constellation: 3111 Western Ave) 8 pm

Do you have any extra special plans this weekend? Share them with us by leaving a comment or by tweeting us at @MonikaDixonPR!

By Ashley Siech, MDPR Contributor

What's Happening This Weekend

It’s the weekend before Halloween and Chicago is gearing up for the holiday in all sorts of spooky ways. From haunted houses to pumpkin farms, you never know what creepy things the city might have in store for you! 

Thursday

Fright Fest (Six Flags Great America) 6 pm - 10 pm

Michael Cristiani’s October Interactive Cocktail Class (Epic) 6 pm

2013 Barley’s Angels (Public House) 6 – 8 pm

Horror Movie Night (Delish Diner & Bakery) 7 pm

We Will Rock You (Cadillac Palace) 7:30 pm

Rod Stewart Concert (United Center) 7:30 pm

Friday

Youth Pumpkin Patch (Park Ridge Community Church) 3:30 pm

The Macaroon Bible (Embeya) 6 – 8 pm

The Fear Haunted House (Navy Pier) 7 pm - 11 pm

Haunted Barn at Sonny Acres (Sonny Acres Pumpkin Farm) 7 pm

Bill Cosby (Chicago Theatre) 8 pm

Saturday

Pumpkins in the Park 5K (Lincoln Park South Field House) 2 pm & 4 pm

Gurhan Trunk Show and Personal Appearance (Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue) 10 am – 5 pm

Cheese Extravaganza (Standard Market) 1 pm – 4 pm

Chicago Haunt Tour (The Hop Haus) 5:30 pm – 12:30 am

The Massacre Haunted House (Naperville) 7 pm – 12 am

Halloween Mind Shivers Starring Mentalist Sydney Friedman (Davenport’s Piano Bar and Cabaret) 8 pm

Sunday

Thriller 5K (Schiller Woods North) 10 am

Trick or Treat on Southport (Southport in Lakeview) 1 pm - 4 pm

Open House Chicago (Multiple Locations) 9 am – 5 pm

Click, Clack, Boo! A Tricky Treat (Lifeline Theatre) 11 am

Celestial Bodies at Chicago Artists Month (Multiple Locations) 12 pm – 4 pm

Screams in the Park (MB Financial Park at Rosemont) 7 pm

Do you have any extra special, or should I say spooky, plans this weekend? Let us know by leaving a comment or tweeting us at @MonikaDixonPR!

 By Ashley Siech, MDPR Contributor

A Fashion Focused Weekend

It’s that time of year again, where Millennium Park is filled with beautiful models and the latest trends in fashion. From shopping events to runway shows, Chicago has it all this weekend.  Stop by the Chase Promenade to see what fall fashion has to offer and don’t be surprised if you see the MDPR team taking a peek!

Thursday

Chicago International Film Festival (AMC River East 21) Visit website for showtimes

Aquatic Show (Shedd Aquarium) 10 am

The Killer Angels (Lifeline Theatre) 7:30 pm

Fashion Focus: Urban Shapeshifters (Millennium Park Chase Promenade North) 7:30 pm

Unbridled Thursday (Untitled) 10 pm

Friday

3rd Friday Open Studios (Bridgeport Art Center) 6:30 pm

Haunted Barn at Sonny Acres (Sonny Acres Pumpkin Farm) 7 pm

The Art of Fashion Runway Show (Millennium Park Chase Promenade North) 7:30 pm

Crazy for Swayze: A Swayzical (Studio BE) 10:30 pm

Saturday

Family Pumpkin Carving (Bock Neighborhood Center, Shaumburg Park District) 10 am – 12 pm

Northern Grade Shopping Event (Millennium Park Chase Promenade North) 11 am – 7 pm

Half Acre Beer Company Tour (Half Acre Beer Company) 11 am

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (United Center) 6:00 pm

2nd Annual Via Del Corso Masquerade Affair with Jaslene Gonzalez (Parliament) 6:30 pm

Sunday

Open House Chicago (Chicago Architecture Foundation) 9 am – 5 pm

Vintage Garage Chicago (Broadway and Argyle, Uptown) 9 am

FashionChicago (Millennium Park Chase Promenade North) 10 am – 6 pm

Boo at the Zoo (Brookfield Zoo) 11 am – 4 pm

Have any extra special weekend plans we need to know about? Tweet us at @monikadixonpr or comment below!

By Ashley Siech, MDPR Contributor

A Sports Filled Weekend

Sports fans, this is the weekend you've been waiting for. It is going to be an athletic filled weekend in the Windy City. We can't wait to cheer on the Bears Thursday, the Blackhawks Friday and the Chicago Marathon runners on Sunday. We just hope we have energy left over for work on Monday!

Thursday

Compassion, Fashion and Cocktails (Frontier) 5:30 pm-10 pm

Chicago International Film Festival (AMC River East 21) Visit website for show times

Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants (Soldier Field) 7:30 pm

Franz Ferdinand (The Vic Theatre) 7:30 pm

Trivia Night (Rockit Burger Bar) 8 pm

Friday

Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Islanders (United Center) 7 pm

John Oliver (Chicago Theatre) 8 pm

Paint Your Face (Chicago Children's Museum) 11:15 am

Chicago Arts District 2nd Fridays (Halsted and 18th Streets) 6 pm-10 pm

Saturday

ACappellaFest (The Reynolds Club) 9 am-10 pm

American Flower Show Series (Chicago Botanic Garden) 10 am-4 pm

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Fall Series (Harris Theater for Music and Dance) 8 pm

Sunday

Bank of America Chicago Marathon (Start and finish in Grant Park) 7:30 am

Creatures of Light: Nature's Bioluminescence (The Field Museum) 9 am-5 pm

American Flower Show Series (Chicago Botanic Garden) 10 am-4 pm

Knocking Out Breast Cancer Fashion Show (Venue One) 5 pm-11 pm

Hanson (House of Blues) 8pm

Have any extra special weekend plans we need to know about? Tweet us at @monikadixonpr or comment below!

By Allison Sickert, MDPR Publicist