April is here in Chicago. We’re experiencing longer days, warmer weather, and a calendar full of can’t-miss events across the city.
From theatre and live music to cultural experiences and community gatherings, we’ve rounded up events to help you step into the season and make the most of spring.
If you value our work and want to support the mission behind Chicago Southsider, be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and share this guide with a friend.
Southside Critical Mass Chicago Bicycle Ride
Date: Friday, April 3
Location: Nichols Park (south end, 55th & Kimbark) 1300 E. 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615
Cost: Free
Learn more about Southside Critical Mass Chicago Bicycle Ride here.
Crafted Stories: Patch Party
Date: Friday, April 3
Location: Da Book Joint, 6900 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL 60649
Cost: Free
Learn more about Crafted Stories: Patch Party here.
Lil Rel Howery at The Comedy Bar
Date: Friday, April 3
Location: The Comedy Bar, 162 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611
Cost: Varies
Learn more about Lil Rel Howery at The Comedy Bar here.
Yoga Tolteca
Date: Saturday, April 4
Location: Casa Ilumina, 2032 West 18th Street, Chicago, IL 60608
Cost: Varies
Learn more about Yoga Tolteca at Casa Ilumina here.
The Wiz
Date: Now playing until Sunday, April 5
Location: James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. Chicago, IL, 60603
Cost: Varies
Learn more about The Wiz here.
The EXPO CHICAGO South Side Night
Date: Tuesday, April 7
Location: The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 East 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637
Cost: Free
Learn more about The EXPO CHICAGO South Side Night here.
The Making History, Making Change Lecture Series
Date: Thursday, April 9
Location: 740 East 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637
Cost: FREE
Learn more about The Making History, Making Change Lecture Series here.
Crafternoon @ Dan Ryan Woods
Date: Friday, April 10
Location: Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, 8500 S. Western Ave.
Cost: Free
Learn more about Crafternoon here.
Chicago Electronic Music Conference
Date: Saturday, April 11
Location: Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St.
Cost: Varies
Learn more about Chicago Electronic Music Conference here.
Junta Ensemble Live Jazz
Date: Saturday, April 11
Location: Yassa African Restaurant, 3511 S. King Drive
Cost: Varies
Learn more about Junta Ensemble Live Jazz here.
Once Upon A Rhyme
Date: Saturday, April 11 – Sunday, April 12
Location: Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr Martin Luther King Jr Drive Chicago, IL 60615
Cost: Varies
Learn more about Once Upon A Rhyme here.
420 Green Steam Fest
Date: Friday, April 17 – Saturday, April 18
Location: 1213 Community Center, 1213 W. 63rd Street, Chicago, IL 60636
Cost: Varies
Learn more about 420 Green Steam Fest here.
Safronia
Date: Friday, April 17 – Saturday, April 18
Location: Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606
Cost: Varies
Learn more about Safronia here.
‘I Used To Live In Chicago’ Opening
Date: Saturday, April 18
Location: Blanc Gallery, 4445 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL, 60653
Cost: Free
Learn more about the ‘I Used To Live In Chicago’ Opening here.
THE ONE 2026 Street Dance Showcase
Date: Saturday, April 18
Location: Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60653
Cost: Varies
Learn more about The ONE Street Dance Showcase here.
2026 Housing Fair & Community Trolley Tour
Date: Saturday, April 18
Location: 835 W. 115th Street, Chicago, IL 60643
Cost: Free
Learn more about the 2026 Housing Fair presented by Far South Community Development Corporation here.
Clothing Swap
Date: Saturday, April 18
Location: The Unwaste Shop, 1915 W. 103rd Street, Chicago, IL 60643
Cost: Free
Learn more about the Clothing Swap here.
Spring into Love Animal Adoption Event
Date: Saturday, April 18
Location: Chicago Animal Care and Control, 2741 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60608
Cost: Adoption Fees Waived
Learn more about the Chicago Animal Care and Control Spring into Love Animal Adoption Event here.
My Block, My Hood, My City 4th Annual Hoodie Ball
Date: Saturday, April 18
Location: Morgan MFG, 401 N Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60642
Cost: Varies
Learn more about the My Block, My Hood, My City 4th Annual Hoodie Ball here.
Montu Dance Theatre Community Class
Date: Saturday, April 25
Location: Kennedy-King College, 6301 S. Halsted Streer, Chicago, IL 60621
Cost: Varies
Learn more about the Monu Dane Theatre Community Class here.
Craft Micro-Expo
Date: Saturday, April 25
Location: Skylark, 2149 S. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60608
Cost: Varies
Learn more about the Craft Micro-Expo here.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Date: April 24 – April 26
Location: Auditorium Theatre – 50 East Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, IL, 60605
Cost: Varies
Learn more about Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater here.
Bronzeville Trail Day Block Party
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 11-2pm
Location: 39th & Federal, Chicago, IL 60609
Cost: FREE
Learn more about the Bronzeville Trail here.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Date: Now playing until Sunday, May 3
Location: The Goodman, 170 N Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60601
Cost: Varies
Learn more Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom here.
Windfall
Date: April 9 – May 31
Location: Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL, 60614
Cost: Varies
Learn more about Windfall here.
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