Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
Chicago River Swim
Hundreds of swimmers will plunge into the Chicago River this weekend for the first competitive open-water river event in nearly a century. Assuming water quality meets standards, one- and two-mile races will kick off in the main channel at the Dearborn Street Bridge and finish below the Clark Street Bridge. Olivia Smoliga, a Glenview native and Olympic gold medalist, and Natalie Hinds, an Olympic bronze medalist and advocate for water safety in underserved communities, will compete. Swim registration is closed, but spectators can watch from the Riverwalk. Proceeds benefit A Long Swim, an organization that helps to fund ALS research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine as well as local learn-to-swim programs.
6:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Sept. 21 in the main branch of the Chicago River, Dearborn Street Bridge to Clark Street Bridge; details at chicagoriverswim.org
Riot Fest
Blink-182, Green Day, Weezer, Jack White, Weird Al Yankovic, Dropkick Murphys, The Pogues, The Hold Steady, Bad Religion and more than 80 other acts will rock out in Douglass Park, marking the 20th installment of Riot Fest. Beyond the music, check out carnival rides, vendors, food and arcade games.
Through Sept. 21 in Douglass Park, the entrance and box office are located at the intersection of Ogden Avenue and Sacramento Boulevard; tickets and more information at riotfest.org
Lorde
Rolling Stone declared that the New Zealander “is brilliantly reborn on ‘Virgin,’ ” her latest album, offering “nearly 40 minutes of undeniable pop bangers and jagged synth flashes where Lorde wipes parts of her past clean and makes room for the adult she has crystallized into.” See for yourself when her “Ultrasound” tour rolls into the United Center. The Japanese House and Chanel Beads open.
7 p.m. Sept. 19 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets at unitedcenter.com
Kali Uchis
You’ve got two nights to catch Kali Uchis, the Grammy Award-winning Colombian American singer who attracts more than 35 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Her latest album, “Sincerely,” was called a “phantasmagoria of pleasure” by Pitchfork. Thee Sacred Souls, an 11-piece band from San Diego, opens.
8 p.m. Sept. 22-23 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $73.65 at unitedcenter.com
Reeling 2025
The 43rd Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival kicks off this weekend with “Lesbian Space Princess,” an animated film featuring the voice of Shabana Azeez of “The Pitt.” The festival features more than 40 screenings of feature-length films, documentaries and shorts designed to offer a diverse portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community. Organizers promise: “Watch and feel seen.”
Through Sept. 28 at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St., and Chicago Filmmakers, 1326 W. Hollywood Ave.; tickets from $15 at reelingfilmfest.org
“Trial in the Delta”
Reflect on Emmett Till’s legacy, 70 years after his lynching, Collaboraction Theatre performs “Trial in the Delta: The Murder of Emmett Till,” a Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award-winning show reenacting the 1955 Mississippi court proceedings against Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam. The two men were acquitted on Sept. 23, 1955, despite later confessing to the crime in a Look magazine. The show will be preceded by a student creative showcase, featuring high art from the inaugural Till Institute Summer Academy.
10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (performance at 12:30 p.m.) Sept. 20 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St.; free tickets at ticketfalcon.com
Social Justice Stage
Combining entertainment and activism, Chicago Urban Art Retreat is calling on Chicagoans to come together for justice this weekend. Poet Blaq Ice will host a lineup featuring the 64th Street Beach Drummers, the Legendary Sax Preacher, Vision the Poetic Storm and more. Justin Blake will also speak; his nephew, Jacob Blake, was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
1-5 p.m. Sept. 20 at 1959 S. Kedzie Ave.; more details about the free event at urbanartretreat.com
Logan Square Biennial House Walk
Glimpse the inside of Logan Square’s historic homes and gardens. For the 35th year, the Logan Square Preservation hosts the Biennial House Walk, focusing this year on seven architecturally significant Palmer Square residences and the 1910 Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church. You know you’re curious.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 20, starting at Old Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church, 3062 W. Palmer Square; tickets from $50 at logansquarepreservation.org
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Old Town Oktoberfest
Old Town hosts its first Oktoberfest this weekend, promising a combo of Bavarian culture and local spirit. Indulge in German fare and dance the polka. Or, test your talent for Masskrugstemmen: How long can you hold that stein?
5-10 p.m. Sept. 19, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 20 and 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 21 in the 1300 block of North Wells Street, between Schiller Street and Evergreen Avenue; $5 suggested donation; details at oldtownchicago.org
Labubu Pop-up
Or, little monsters storm West Town. Sure, you should go to Gangnam Market for the delicious food. But this weekend, Labubus are taking over. The market is partnering with Build Your Collectibles to offer a weekend dedicated to the Chinese Pop Mart plush toys made famous by Blackpink’s Lisa. (And if you needed that explainer, this event is not for you.) Bring your wallet and get ready for meet-and-greets with costumed Labubu characters, clothing and accessories, and the opportunity to have your Labubu tattooed by L.A. artist Hunter Choa.
11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 20-21 at Gangnam Market, 1001 W. Chicago Ave.; details on the free event at instagram.com