Chicago Celtic Music Festival
Saturday-Sunday
Can’t wait until St. Patrick’s Day to get jiggy? This gigantic salute to Celtic music and dance in Grant Park includes entertainment on more than 10 stages, a Scottish heavy athletics competition in Butler Field, a bagpiping circle–even a tent devoted to harp music. Highlights include female Irish folk group Cherish the Ladies at 3 p.m. Sunday at Petrillo Music Shell. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Free. Grant Park, 300 S. Columbus Dr., 312-744-3370.
Taste of Romania
Saturday-Sunday
This event has game–lots of it. Lamb, sausages and other meat are cooked on an outdoor rotisserie at this fest presented by Romanian restaurant Euro Cafe. Also features live music and folk dancers from Greece, Poland and Romania. Don’t miss the grape stomping each day at 3 p.m. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. $7. Corner of Barry and Ashland Avenues, 773-929-8640.
Wells Street Wine Festival
Saturday
Rowdy street fests have their charm, but sometimes it’s nice to go someplace where you know you won’t get beer dumped on your head. That’s why we’re excited about this inaugural fest, which is geared toward a more civilized food and wine lover. Sample 50 wines from around the world, eat your way through the food pavilion, watch cooking demonstrations and sample cheese. Plus, catch live music from Anne Harris (4:30 p.m.), Anna Fermin (6:30 p.m.) and Alice Peacock (8:30 p.m.). 11 a.m.-10 p.m. $5; additional $10 for souvenir wine-tasting glass. Wells Street between Schiller Street and North Avenue, 773-868-3010.
Osaka Garden Festival
Saturday-Sunday
Celebrate 30 years of the sister city relationship between Chicago and Osaka, Japan, at this stunning garden located just south of the Museum of Science and Industry. Highlights include martial arts demonstrations, traditional Japanese dance performances, taiko drumming and a performance by Yoko Noge’s Jazz Me Blues band. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 5800 S. Lake Shore Dr., 312-744-8074.
Elmwood Park Fall Harvest Fest
Friday-Sunday
Elmwood Park’s fire department takes on the police department at a grape-stomping challenge (12:30 p.m. Sunday) in one of the stranger events on this fest’s schedule. Shop for fruit, vegetables, honey and flowers at the farmers market, dig into the pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. Sunday or chow down on taffy apples, brats and Polish sausage. And if you’re looking for campy entertainment, you can’t beat the talent show at 2 p.m. Sunday. 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Free. Central Park, Fullerton and 75th Avenues, Elmwood Park, 773-625-0506.
River North Bash
Saturday-Sunday
This inaugural block party features food and drinks from area restaurants Jay’s, Corn Shack and Greek Tasty, plus live music by Agave, Band Called Pharisee, Rhumbuzzz and others. Noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-7 p.m. Sunday. $2-$5. Erie and Sedgwick Streets, 773-868-3010.
