National Gin and Tonic Day

National Unicorn Day

National Name Yourself Day

National Chicken Little Awareness Day

International ASMR Day

Travel Wisconsin: The crown jewel of Wisconsin farmers’ markets returns outdoors this weekend at the State Capitol, just over a two-hour drive from Chicago. It’s the perfect day trip from the Chicagoland area.

The Dane County Farmers’ Market in Madison, WI is the largest producer-only farmers market in the country, meaning every item is grown, raised or produced in Wisconsin by the person behind the stand. You are getting the region’s highest-quality products straight from the source.

Vendors line the sidewalks around the State Capitol, where you’ll find incredible vegetables, flowers, meats, cheeses and specialty products from around 275 vendors. There are also arts and crafts vendors, concession stands and street musicians right across the street that add to the atmosphere.

The outdoor market is free to attend and takes place at Capitol Square in Madison on Saturdays from April 11 through Nov. 14 from 6:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. It’s one of the biggest and best farmers markets we’ve ever been to!

Be sure to check out the Dane County Farmers’ Market, along with hundreds of other local Wisconsin farmers markets this spring!

Cherry Blossoms: Cherry blossom trees have officially started to bloom at Jackson Park, and it’s shaping up to be a potentially “robust” season this year thanks to steady rainfall and relatively mild temperature swings this spring. The trees are currently in varied stages of bloom, with the park’s oldest “mother tree” already at Stage 4 to 5 and many of the pink trees approaching full bloom, while some of the white flower trees are slightly behind. Peak bloom is expected within the next five days, but keep an eye on the bloom status as conditions can always change.

The Hand & The Eye: The Hand & The Eye, a new five-story venue, is officially opening on April 18 inside the McCormick Mansion, just off Michigan Ave., after a $50 million investment into the space that was home to Lawry’s The Prime Rib for decades. It will feature 37 rooms that double as performance spaces for magicians from around the world. The three-hour experience is designed around close-up magic, drinks and dining. Public ticket sales begin April 18.

Angel Reese: It was a major week for Chicago basketball news. The Chicago Sky traded star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for two first-round picks after just two seasons with the team. Reese, who was selected 7th overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, made the All-Star team in both of her seasons in Chicago. On the NBA side, the Chicago Bulls shook up their front office by parting ways with EVP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas and GM Marc Eversley.

Metra Tickets: Metra is testing a new ticketing system that changes how riders board trains. As of this past Monday, passengers at downtown stations now need to show their Ventra app or paper ticket on the platform before boarding during off-peak hours, instead of after getting on. The pilot is being tested at Millennium Station, Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center as officials look to reduce delays and speed up boarding. Conductors will also begin using handheld scanners to check tickets at the doors.

Dos Toros: Dos Toros is officially returning to Chicago after leaving the Midwest in 2022. The New York-based burrito chain, known for its Mission-style burritos similar to Chipotle, is set to reopen its original location at 1 N. Dearborn St. in the Loop this May, marking its first Chicago location in over three years. The brand first entered the city in 2017 and says the timing now feels right to come back as downtown continues to rebound.

White Sox Promos: The Chicago White Sox have unveiled their 2026 theme night lineup, and it’s packed with everything from Pokémon Go Night and Emo Night to Pride at the Park, Toy Story 5 Night and Nickelodeon Day. But the promo that’s getting the most attention is a limited-edition Pope hat giveaway on Aug. 11. See the full list of 2026 Chicago White Sox theme nights.

Summer Concerts: Two different summer concert series have been announced across Chicago. The 2026 Budweiser Concert Series at Gallagher Way will feature Mayday Parade (May 17), OK GO (June 13) and Guster (June 26). Meanwhile, the Chicago Fire Summer Concert Series will bring Lupe Fiasco (May 23) and Two Friends (July 16) to Soldier Field following matches.

Art Pop-Ups: A couple of unexpected art installations popped up downtown this week. A giant floral Mockingjay sculpture appeared in Millennium Park with no branding, just a sign that read, “All the birds I’ve encountered are vicious.” Separately, an artist on the Riverwalk has been using a fly rod, yes like the kind used for fly fishing, to paint the Chicago River.

50 Best Bars: Three Chicago bars have been ranked among North America’s best in a newly released extended list for 2026. Meadowlark in Logan Square came in at No. 65, followed by Nine Bar in Chinatown at No. 76, with Queen Mary in Wicker Park also making the list. The rankings highlight standout cocktail spots across the continent. See the rankings from No. 100 to 51, with the top 50 set to be revealed later this month.

Portillo’s: Portillo’s has brought back its Lemon Cake and Strawberry Lemon Cake Shakes for a limited time. The lemon cake is baked fresh daily and topped with a thick layer of sweet lemon frosting, while the Strawberry Lemon Shake blends that same frosting with fresh strawberries. You can also turn it into a Cake Shake by mixing in a full slice of lemon cake.

The Everett Group | Compass: Thinking about making the move to Chicago’s Western Suburbs? A free webinar called So You Want to Move to the Western Suburbs is coming up, offering an inside look at what it’s really like to live there, just in time for spring moving season.

Learn everything you need to know about buying a home in towns like Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs, La Grange, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Naperville and more from local real estate agents who grew up in these suburbs and now work in them.

You will get the inside scoop on the key differences between towns that many people do not realize until it is too late. From home styles and downtown vibes to commute times and day-to-day lifestyle, you will get a clear picture of what sets each suburb apart.

Sign up here for the free virtual webinar on April 15 at noon. It is designed for anyone considering a move outside the city. Even if you cannot attend live, be sure to register and a recording will automatically be sent to you after.

EXPO Chicago: The 13th edition of EXPO Chicago is taking place this weekend from April 9 to 12 at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall. The contemporary art fair brings together leading galleries from around the world, showcasing works from both established and emerging artists. In addition to the exhibitions, there will also be talks, installations and special programming.

Chicago Sports: It’s a packed weekend for Chicago sports with the Cubs, Bulls, Blackhawks and Fire all playing at home. The Bulls wrap up their season with their final home game Friday against the Orlando Magic, the Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game series, the Fire host Atlanta United on Saturday night and the Blackhawks begin the final stretch of their season with games tonight and Saturday.

The Other Art Fair: 115 independent artists are coming together this weekend at The Other Art Fair Chicago. The event will feature thousands of original pieces of artwork, interactive experiences, performances, DJs, a fully stocked bar and more. It takes place at Artifact Events in Ravenswood beginning tonight and running through Sunday.

Tea Festival: The Chicago Tea Festival takes place April 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Copernicus Center. The event invites guests to explore a wide range of teas through tastings, discover new flavors and connect with vendors from around the world. There will also be workshops and presentations for those looking to expand their tea knowledge.

LEGO Star Wars: A first-of-its-kind, life-size LEGO Star Wars experience is coming to Chicago this weekend. Target is partnering with LEGO to host a complimentary outdoor pop-up on Sunday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its Logan Square location (2656 N. Elston Ave.), where adults and kids can step into their own interactive LEGO Star Wars adventure.

Sunrise: 6:19 a.m. (12 minutes earlier)

Sunset: 7:24 p.m. (7 minutes later)