Travel the world this weekend without leaving the city. From a Louisana-style crayfish boil to a festival with food from up and down Italy’s boot, the events on our weekend to-do list will keep you busy.
1. Try food from around the world
Dozens of languages are spoken in Albany Park on the city’s Northwest Side, and that diversity will be celebrated at the community’s second World Fest. Neighborhood restaurants will sample dishes from Latin America, Central America, the Middle East, Polynesia, Korea and more; dig in while grooving to music as varied as merengue and cumbia to West African folkloric and Greek guitar. $5 suggested donation. Noon to 10 p.m Saturday, Aug. 20; noon to 9 p.m Sunday, Aug. 21, at the Kimball Brown Line station at Lawrence and Kimball avenues.
2. Get cray(fish)
West Loop seafood mecca Smack Shack hosts its inaugural Crayfest, an all-you-can-eat Louisiana-style crayfish boil. Break out your bibs and get ready to get messy; the feast also comes with red potatoes, corn, slaw, griddled milk bread and one of the restaurant’s colorful hurricane cocktails. $20. 3-10 p.m Saturday, August 20 at 326 N. Morgan St., 312-973-1336, www.smack-shack.com
3. Indulge in la dolce vita
Now in its 10th year, Festa Italiana returns to a stretch of Taylor Street in Little Italy with plenty of food amid its cultural offerings. Dig into pasta from nearby family-owned restaurants, wolf down as much cannoli as you can manage, hit the meatball-eating contest and wash it all down in the festival’s wine garden. If you need a break from the food, get moving with tarantella dance lessons and more. $5 suggested donation. 5-10 p.m Friday, Aug. 19; noon to 11 p.m Saturday, Aug. 20; noon to 10 p.m Sunday, Aug. 21, at Taylor Street and Ashland Avenue, www.starevents.com/festivals/festa-italiana
4. Explore wines from Down Under and New Zealand
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Expand your wine knowledge at Eno’s in-depth wine class spotlighting the wines and grapes of Australia and New Zealand. The sommeliers of Enoversity will lead a session exploring shiraz and sauvignon blanc, two of each country’s most important varietals, respectively. Each ticket includes a number of pours paired with cheeses, charcuterie and chocolate. $55. 3-6 p.m Sunday, Aug. 21, at 505 N. Michigan Ave., 312-321-8738, www.enowinerooms.com
5. Toast to the Air & Water Show
One of summer’s marquee events — the Air & Water Show — returns this weekend with aerial acrobatics from pilots, parachuters and more. Our guide gives you the scoop on the bars and restaurants throwing viewing parties with ample food and drink.
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