Square Roots: Bob Mould, Guided by Voices and Dehd headline the Lincoln Square festival, where you can catch live music, dance workshops and open mics on multiple outside stages and inside the Old Town School of Folk Music. The bash also features kids activities, food from local restaurants and a brew lounge offering special tappings from area breweries. 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at 4400-4600 N. Lincoln Ave.; $10 suggested donation, more information at squareroots.org
BTN Big 10K: Show your school spirit by racing 5K or 10K along Lake Michigan to raise money for ALIVE Rescue, Positive Coaching Alliance and Special Olympics Chicago. Runners receive a race shirt for their favorite Big Ten school and access to a tailgate featuring food and drinks, music and games. 7-11:30 a.m. Sunday at Soldier Field, 1410 Special Olympics Drive; registration $60-$70 at btnbig10k.com
Fan Expo Chicago: Get your geek on at the celebration of fandom, which features a reunion of the four hobbits from “The Lord of the Rings,” a live recording of the true crime podcast “Marginalized Murder: The Case of the 51,” a panel with the English-speaking cast of “Demon Slayer,” a cosplay contest and animé screenings. Actors and comic book writers including Boyd Holbrook, Jon Bernthal, Geoff Johns and Brian Michael Bendis will be signing autographs. Through Sunday at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont; tickets $27-$62 at fanexpohq.com
Taste of Chicago: A “bite-sized” version of the Chicago tradition features 30 food vendors including Original Rainbow Cone and Harold’s Chicken, plus a beer hall, wine tent, cocktail lounge, live music on three stages, dance lessons, karaoke and kids activities. Come at noon Saturday for Eli’s Cheesecake’s birthday celebration, where they’ll be doling out slices of a 1,000 pound cheesecake. Through Sunday at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, 301 S. Columbus Drive; admission is free, more information at tasteofchicago.us
Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe: The heavy metal icons bring their Stadium Tour to Chicago, performing along with fellow ’80s rock legends Poison and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Prepare to sing along to mega hits including “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” “Girls, Girls, Girls” and “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” From 4 p.m. Friday at Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St.; tickets $140-$750 at mlb.com/cubs/tickets/concerts
West Fest Chicago: The West Town Chamber of Commerce’s annual festival features a live music stage curated by the Empty Bottle, a DJ stage emphasizing Chicago house, food trucks, local artists selling their work, and kids activities including pony rides and family friendly music. Bring your dog for Pet Fest Saturday and Sunday, where they can run an obstacle course and paint with their paws to raise money for ALIVE Rescue and One Tail at a Time. 5-10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 1800-2000 W. Chicago Ave.; $10 suggested donation, more information at 312-850-9390 and westtownchamber.org
Southport Art Fest: Nearly 70 artists sell jewelry, sculptures, photographs and more just steps away from Wrigley Field. The bash also features a kids area with interactive games and music from local performers including Lynne Jordan and Dave Hiltebrand. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Waveland and Southport Avenues; admission is free, more information at starevents.com
Bucktown Garden Walk: Visit 99 gardens spread throughout the neighborhood filled with perennials, annuals, herbs, trees, vines and other decorations. You’ll also find kids activities, live art and performances from bands including Windy City Wind and the Sam Robinson Quintet. Pick up a $10 map and guide booklet at Lottie’s Pub (1925 W. Cortland St.), which is hosting a petting zoo and offering specials including $1 lemonade and $10 cheese pizza. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at multiple locations; free, more information at 773-614-7555 and bucktown.org/bucktown-garden-walk
Rage Against the Machine: The Grammy-winning rap rock band’s Public Service Announcement reunion tour comes to Chicago after being postponed for two years by COVID-19. Hip hop duo Run the Jewels performs an opening set. 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets $125 at tour.ratm.com
“It Came From Outer Space”: An amateur astronomer encounters aliens in the desert outside his small town in this new musical comedy adaptation of the 1953 3D sci-fi movie, which was written in part by Ray Bradbury. A small cast uses plenty of physical humor and puns to poke fun at the genre and Cold War anxieties. Through July 24 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave.; tickets $50-$60 at 312-595-5600 and chicagoshakes.com
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