G. Love & the Special Sauce at Park West (Friday) 

Join Brian at Park West on Friday for an intimate evening with G. Love & the Special Sauce, who are celebrating their 30th anniversary as a band. Get there early to catch Jakobs Castle, the son of late Sublime frontman, Bradley Nowell. Tickets are available here.

Poison the Well at Metro (Friday) 

Metalcore legends Poison the Well are storming Chicago this weekend with a sold-out show at the Metro on Friday and then a bonus, intimate show at Cobra Lounge on Saturday. These shows are in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the landmark record, You Come Before You.

Chicago Boat Show at McCormick Place (Friday-Sunday)

The 2024 Discover® Boating Chicago Boat Show, in partnership with Progressive® Insurance, a nearly century-old tradition is returning, and tickets to the event make the perfect holiday gift. As one of Chicago’s most iconic events and a Midwest boating destination, the 2024 Chicago Boat Show is ready to welcome boating enthusiasts and newcomers to discover why life is better on the water.  

Cubs Convention (Friday-Sunday)

Join the Cubs as they celebrate the 37th Cubs Con, which brings fans, players, legends and the front office together for three days of festivities and special experiences. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Cubs Charities and its mission to mobilize the power of sport to champion youth, families and communities. Tickets can be purchased here.

Hot Chocolate and Cookie Fest in River North (Friday) 

Indulge your sweet tooth with treats from some of Chicago’s finest dessert makers. Guests will get to enjoy delectable cookies paired with bottomless hot cocoa, courtesy of spots like JoJo’s ShakeBAR, Alliance Bakery, Mochinut and more. Tickets start at $15.

Bulls host the Warriors (Friday) 

The surging Bulls host the struggling Warriors on Friday, but more importantly, the Bulls kick off their Ring Of Honor festivities with a star-studded night. One could argue there are too many stars…

Oliver Tree at the Aragon (Saturday) 

“Professional Weirdo” Oliver Tree is bringing the Alone In A Crowd tour to the Aragon Ballroom on Saturday night for an evening of music, wrestling, scooter tricks, and more. Oliver Tree is one of the greatest performers we have going today. We cannot recommend this show enough. Tickets can be purchased here.

Hold My Own at Sub T (Saturday)

 Chicago music will be proudly represented at Sub T on Saturday night in Wicker Park. Local standouts Si Dios Quiere, Enervate (we count Milwaukee as local), and Hold My Own bring the fury alongside hardcore powerhouses End It and Bulldoze. We here at Q101 want to congratulate Hold My Own on the release of their new EP, In My Way.

Chicago Travel & Adventure Show (Saturday-Sunday) 

In the mood for a vacation? Start planning your next big trip at the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show, which gathers travel experts and ambassadors from destinations across the globe. This year, Phil Rosenthal (from Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil) and travel writer Rick Steves are among the keynote speakers. Guests can attend seminars on how to book cheap flights—an ever-salient issue, given airfare prices these days—get packing tips and snag sweet deals on trips at the convention.

Chicago Bacon Fest at Old Crow (Saturday) 

Picture it…you’re surrounded by your best friends and the savory smell of bacon tickles your nostrils as you press an ice cold beer to your lips. There’s a live band and they’re playing your favorite song! You and your friends all start singing along, taking bites of delicious bacon between verses…are you dreaming? You certainly are not. You’re at Chicago Bacon Fest.

Blackhawks host the Stars (Saturday) 

The Bedard-less Blackhawks limp back home to take on the surging Dallas Stars.