What's On Tap in Chicago This Weekend: May 17-19, 2024

Chicago has finally entered festival season. With summer unofficially underway, it's time to get out and enjoy the city, so let's dive into What's On Tap in Chicago This Weekend: May 17-19, 2024.

Events

Chicago Mayfest

Kick off Chicago’s summer festival season at Mayfest ! The event will feature music, food, drinks, and more. There will be two performance stages with more than a dozen acts.

There is a $10 suggested donation for entry. Learn more about this free festival here .

Where: Armitage Ave. from Sheffield to Racine
When: Friday, May 17 @ 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Saturday, May 18 @ noon - 10 pm | Sunday, May 19 @ noon - 9 PM

Margarita Fest

This is the first year of the street festival featuring more than 15 margarita flavors, Latin food, local vendors, live DJs, and musicians. Headliners include Fuze, a Santana cover band, and Revolución de Amor, a Maná cover band.

The festival is free, and there's a $5 suggested donation upon entry.

Where: 1800 S. Peoria Ave.
When: Friday, May 17 @ 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Saturday, May 18 @ noon - 10 pm | Sunday, May 19 @ noon - 9 PM

Reggie's Crawfish Boil

Reggie's is one of Chicago's premier concert views with multiple stages. Local acts and bigger names alike have taken the stage at Reggie's. To kick off summer, the venue is putting on an all-you-can-eat crawfish boil accompanied by live music, of course.

Admission is $50, which includes entry all-you-can-eat crawfish.

Where: Reggie's Rock Club, 2105 S. State St.
When: Sunday, May 19 @ 1:00 PM

Concerts

Chicago is always a great host city for the music industry. Find your jam and vibe out.

Heart and Cheap Trick

Heart formed in 1973 and has rocked on through the years under the sibling core of Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group has released early rock staples such as “Crazy on You,” "Barracuda” and “Magic Man” which gave way to greater mainstream success in the ’80s with the group’s first Hot 100 chart-toppers.

Heart's opener will be Cheap Trick, a local act hailing from up I-90 in Rockford. Their classics such as "Surrender" and "The Flame" are always fan favorites and will make for a great show.

Where: Allstate Arena
When: Friday, May 17 @ 8:00 PM

Megan Thee Stallion

Three-time Grammy award-winning superstar Megan Thee Stallion is bringing her "HOT GIRL SUMMER TOUR" with special guest GloRilla to the United Center. She's currently one of the top female hip-hop artists.

Where: United Center
When: Friday, May 17 & Sunday May 19 @ 8:00 PM

Social Distortion and Bad Religion

An iconic punk band for over two decades, Social Distortion came out of Los Angeles's active hardcore scene of the late '70s and early '80s. Since then, Social Distortion has further developed its mix of punk and rockabilly with such songs as "Ball and Chain," "Bad Luck" and "Reach for the Sky."

Paired with major punk band Bad Religion this will be a show not to miss. On Saturday they are at the Salt Shed and then Monday are at the Riviera Theater.

Where: The Salt Shed (Shed) & The Riviera Theater
When: Saturday, May 18 @ 7:00 PM & Monday May 20 @ 7:30 PM

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib

Freddie Gibbs is set for another big year. Coming from Gary, Indiana, Gibbs' demos caught the attention of Interscope execs in the mid-'00s, prompting a brief 2006 move to Los Angeles for the recording of his first album. His rise continues with each album he puts out.

Madlib, who has kept his name in the hip-hop scene for decades with his phenomenal production, will also be on the ticket.

Where: The Salt Shed (Fairgrounds)
When: Sunday, May 19 @ 7:00 PM

Billy Idol and Effect

Billy Idol, known for iconic singles including “Rebel Yell,” “White Wedding,” “Dancing With Myself,” and “Eyes Without A Face” among others, is hitting up the Hard Rock Casino in Gary. Idol brings a unique sound, and his influence on rock and punk is worth seeing in an intimate venue.

Where: Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
When: Sunday, May 19 @ 7:00 PM

Comedy

Chicago, which is home to Second City, has always been a hotbed for comedy. Most comedians make Chicago a must-stop on their tours.

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes has an impressive resume. She's an Emmy-winning stand-up comic, writer, actress, and producer for over 20 years. Sykes has ranked among Entertainment Weekly’s “25 Funniest People in America” and her peers have called her “one of the funniest stand-up comics” in the field.

Where: Chicago Theatre
When: Saturday, May 18 @ 7:30 PM

Sports

MLB

Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

• Friday, May 17 @ 1:20 PM at Wrigley Field on Marquee Sports Network
• Saturday, May 18 @ 1:20 PM at Wrigley Field on Marquee Sports Network
• Sunday, May 19 @ 1:20 PM at Wrigley Field on Marquee Sports Network

The Cubs opened their homestand against the Pirates with a narrow 5-4 defeat . They'll look to string together a few wins in this series to maintain or improve their place in the NL Central divisional race.

Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees

• Friday, May 17 @ 6:05 PM in New York City on NBC Sports Chicago
• Saturday, April 20 @ 12:05 PM in New York City on NBC Sports Chicago
• Sunday, April 21 @ 12:35 PM in New York City on NBC Sports Chicago

The White Sox notched another series win against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. The Sox look to keep the streak alive when they head to the Bronx to take on the New York Yankees.

MLS

Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew

• Saturday, May 18 @ 7:30 PM at Soldier Field on Apple TV

The Fire return to Soldier Field to face the Columbus Crew on Saturday. They're winless this month , so a win at home could get things back in order on the pitch.

NWSL

Chicago Red Stars at Gotham FC

• Sunday, May 19 @ 4:00 PM in New Jersey on Marquee Sports Network

The Red Stars are coming off a 3-1 victory over the Utah Royals last week. They'll look to continue the win streak on the road against the Gotham FC.

Golf

PGA Championship

• Thursday, May 16 - Sunday, May 19 at Valhalla Golf Course on ESPN and CBS

The PGA Championship is one of the biggest golf tournaments of the year. Valhalla Golf Course in Louisville, Kentucky plays host to the event. Be sure to tune into Golf On Tap for weekend updates.

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