Welcome To Hyde Park

The Hyde Park Kenwood Food Pantry
2025-09-13 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-09-20 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Hyde Park Union Church, 5600 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637
The Hyde Park Kenwood Food Pantry
The food pantry, located at Hyde Park Union Church, provides nonperishable groceries and limited refrigerated and frozen foods to 500 to 800 people every month on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm.
We serve the area of 39th – 63rd St., Cottage Grove east to Lake Michigan, and patrons can come twice a month. All will be served on their first visit, regardless of residency. If you are looking for food outside of our service area or hours, you can visit the website of the Greater Chicago Food depository to find additional services.
​
Volunteers order food, unload deliveries, pre-pack bags and distribute food. ​If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Church Office or Margy Mitchell, the Food Pantry coordinator.
Time and Location
Every Saturday (including Christmas, New Year’s Day, and July 4th) from 10 am to 1 pm;
Hyde Park Union Church
5600 S. Woodlawn — enter by the side door at 1169 E. 56th St.
Chicago, IL 60637

Webs, Wings and Wonder Bugs!
2025-09-13 10:00 - 14:00 | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 60637, United States
Discover the amazing world of spiders and insects, up close and personal!
Meet local entomologists and the bugs they study in our Insect Zoo. Learn about crawling critters’ incredible skills like web-spinning and wall-climbing. And don’t forget to swing into Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing — The Exhibition to see the superhero inspired by arachnids’ amazing abilities.
The Griffin MSI team will be joined by community partners such as:

The Butterfly Company
The Chicago Public Library
Field Museum
The Insect Asylum
Peggy Notebaert Museum
Poems While You Wait
University of Chicago, Department of Ecology & Evolution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Entomology
Urban Rivers
And so many more!

Webs, Wings and Wonder Bugs! is included with General Admission.

Destination Discovery Story Time at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
2025-09-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 60637, United States
Join Librarian Megan as she explores the wondrous world of insects and arachnids as part of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s Webs, Wings and Wonder Bugs. Spin stories, chirp tunes, share rhymes in this special story time for our littlest patrons!

For kids 0 to 5 and their caregivers.

How to Attend
This event is available in person and online. Only online attendees need to register for the Zoom link. Register here: chi.gov/ddstmsisep

Attend in person at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Farm Tech Exhibit
5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637

Learn more here: chi.gov/ddstmsisep

Attend online via ZoomOnly one registration per household is needed. You’ll receive an email with a link to the secure Zoom meeting about 24 hours before the meeting. Questions about attending online events? Check out our Events FAQs.

AccessibilityNeed sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Ja' Grill Sunday Brunch
2025-09-13 11:00 - 16:00, 2025-09-20 11:00 - 16:00 | Ja’ Grill, 1510 E. Harper Court, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Ja’ Grill Sunday Brunch
Hyde Park’s Ja’ Grill, located at 1510 E. Harper Court, began a new Sunday brunch service on Sunday, January 26.
The weekly Sunday brunch hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with all-you-can-eat options served family-style for $30 per person. Cocktail options include carafes of everyone’s favorite Ja’ Rum Punch, a Ja’ Mimosa, and Ja’ Bloody Mary.
Brunch menu items will rotate periodically, but diners can look forward to Jerk Chicken & Waffles, Ackee & Saltfish, Scrambled Eggs & Jerk Chicken Sausage, and more.
Ja’ Grill owner Tony Coates celebrated the restaurant’s 10th anniversary in August 2024, reflecting to the Hyde Park Herald, “We were well received well beyond what I would imagine. We opened the doors and, I say this without any hesitation, the Hyde Park community really embraced us and that’s why we’re open today.”
Coates commented, “Our regular customers have asked about adding a brunch menu many times, and we’re very excited to try out this new offering. Ja’ Grill is the perfect place to enjoy your Sunday morning and afternoon with our authentic Jamaican cuisine and extensive drink menu.”
Ja’ Grill is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. There’s a Tropical Happy Hour Monday through Thursday from 4-6 p.m. During NFL season fans can enjoy an Extended Happy Hour from 4 p.m. until closing time on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday. Don’t miss Wine Down Wednesday with 1/2 price bottles of white, red, and sparkling wines.
Visit the Ja’ Grill website and follow on Instagram for more information about specials and events.

Fashion Geek - Soft Launch
2025-09-13 11:00 - 19:00 | Fashion Geek, 5241 S. Harper Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Fashion Geek – Soft Launch
Soft Launch Event Scheduled for Saturday, September 13, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Chicago’s own streetwear pioneer Alonzo Jackson, founder and creative force behind Fashion Geek, is proud to announce the opening of his new retail store at 5241 S. Harper Avenue in Hyde Park. A soft launch event is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., marking a major milestone for the iconic Chicago fashion brand.
The new Hyde Park location offers fans an immersive Fashion Geek experience, with exclusive product drops, limited-edition collaborations, and the brand’s signature mix of streetwear and artistry.
“Hyde Park has always been a hub for culture, creativity, and style,” said Jackson. “Opening Fashion Geek here is about more than just a store — it’s about celebrating Chicago, building community, and giving people a space where fashion feels alive.”
Since launching in 2000, Fashion Geek has grown from a homegrown streetwear brand into a cultural mainstay, known for its bold graphics, vibrant colors, and authentic Chicago origins — while rooted in creativity, individuality, and authenticity. Jackson’s designs have been embraced by celebrities, athletes, and tastemakers nationwide — while always remaining true to the brand’s South Side origins.

UChicago Library Community Day
2025-09-13 12:00 - 15:00 | University of Chicago Regenstein Library, 1100 East 57th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Join us at the UChicago Library Community Day event, which will bring the South Side and UChicago communities together for a free, fun-filled day for all ages to explore library resources, services, and spaces. This family-friendly event features activities including building tours, storytime sessions, arts and crafts, face painting and a DJ! Enjoy delicious picnic treats, meet our staff, and explore our library collections and services.
Registration is strongly encouraged: https://events.uchicago.edu/event/249675-uchicago-library-community-day-open-house-and?fbclid=IwY2xjawMuezdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFGWWVPbW9qYklTaldjOTRzAR4CToopBgjyJA1BfUs-EzrIWkSCc_JRrf7I_lylqh89WruNEBinowkBm3exTg_aem_e0wfeBGDEMrFJGGtatcG2Q

Tiny Shelf Concert: MOYANA
2025-09-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Call and Response Books, 1390 E Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago, 60615
Tiny Shelf Concert: MOYANA
Join us for a Tiny Shelf Concert featuring Chicago-based singer-songwriter MOYANA! Held in collaboration with Angel Idowu’s Concerts & Conversation series.
Following a conversation with WTTW correspondent Angel Idowu, MOYANA will be bringing great music and great vibes to our storefront, so be sure to pull up to unwind after a long week!
MOYANA is passionate about making music that makes a difference. Blending jazz, R&B, and neo-soul, she engages in intimate storytelling through song. MOYANA released her debut album PTCHWRK, produced by 7VNTH, in 2025 with a headliner show at Beat Kitchen. Her sound is currently shaped at studioSHAPES in Lincoln Park. In 2024, she received the Black Music Action Coalition’s Victoria Monet x Music Maker Grant, and in 2023, she received the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award from CITIBank and the Music Forward Foundation. MOYANA’s work has been featured by These Days Magazine, Vocalo, the Chicago Reader, GLAAD, the ACLU, and many film festivals including the 2022 DIYDS Festival at Harvard Art Museums. She offers private vocal coaching and is a teaching artist in residence with the Lyric Opera.
Angel Idowu most recently served as the first Art Correspondent for PBS Chicago, as a TV Anchor and Reporter, working to bridge the gap between art and accessibility. Some of her most notable interviews include Marlon and Tito Jackson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Theaster Gates. As a full-time media entrepreneur, she currently is the Executive Producer and Host of the food series “Eats from the Streets.” She is also an independent commercial filmmaker and journalism educator. You can follow Angel and her work at @artwithangel on Instagram.

Chicago Bears Game Day Specials at Mesler
2025-09-14 | Mesler Kitchen | Bar | Lounge, 1411 E. 53rd Street, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Chicago Bears Game Day Specials at Mesler
Mesler Kitchen | Bar | Lounge is the place to be every Chicago Bears game day through September.

Pre- and post-game Sanctuary Hours
Weekly Wing Specials
Complimentary “Bear Down” Cocktail (while supplies last)
Watch the game on our 85″ television

View the complete Chicago Bears schedule HERE.

Hyde Park Farmers Market
2025-09-14 09:00 - 14:00 | Hyde Park Bank Parking Lot, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Hyde Park Farmers Market
The South East Chicago Commission and Special Service Area #61 proudly present the Hyde Park Farmers Market, thanks to the partnership of Hyde Park Bank. The new market reveals an entirely fresh look with all new logistics, giving residents and visitors a chance to shop on the weekends and experience an infusion of healthy food, lifestyles, arts and culture.
Shoppers will find fresh produce from local Illinois farms, freshly baked breads and desserts, beautiful plants, packaged foods, personal beauty supplies, and traditional farmers market fare. Several market vendors accept Mastercard and Visa, LinkUp and SNAP payments in addition to cash.

The Hyde Park Farmers Market:

Each Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
1516 E 54th St – 54th Street and Old Lake Park Ave West
(Hyde Park Bank parking lot)
Facebook Page
Instagram Page

The Market begins with the grand opening on Sunday, June 1 and the season continues through Sunday, September 28, 2025. You are invited to experience the new energy, entertainment, community engagement and a fantastically-curated collection of vendors.

Six Dollar Tuesdays at ACX Harper Theater
2025-09-16 | Harper Theater, 5238 S. Harper Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Six Dollar Tuesdays at ACX Harper Theater
Don’t miss $6 Tuesdays at the ACX Harper Theater in Hyde Park!
Movie tickets are just $6/person and a small soft drink, small popcorn, or hotdog are just $3 each.
Visit the ACX Harper Theater at 5238 S. Harper Avenue. Check showtimes HERE.

Committed Knitters
2025-09-17 11:00 - 15:00 | UChicago Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Boulevard, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Committed Knitters
Committed Knitters meets bi-weekly at the Arts Incubator Flex Space for a cozy, creative gathering open to all skill levels.
Committed Knitters invites you to our bi-weekly gatherings at the Arts Incubator Flex Space. Whether you’re a longtime knitter or picking up needles for the very first time, you’re welcome here. Come spend time in community, exchange ideas, and make steady progress on your projects in a relaxed, creative setting.
Supplies are provided—just bring yourself.
Drop in anytime.
Registration is not required, but encouraged to receive email updates and reminders about the other dates in this series.

Sunset Yoga
2025-09-17 19:00 - 20:00 | The Arts Lawn, 335 E. Garfield Blvd, Chicago, 60637
Sunset Yoga
Unwind with a gentle Hatha yoga flow as the sun dips below the horizon. This slower-paced take on the classic sun salutation is designed to ease you into the summer night and is open to all experience levels. The experience includes offerings to engage all your senses: herbal iced teas and fruit waters to support hydration and the immune system, essential oil blends informed by herbalism and Ayurveda to calm the nervous system, and Tibetan singing bowls to transition you out of śavāsana and back into a peaceful evening. Led by yoga instructor Rhya Moffitt, with special guest offerings in alignment with the themes of each month.
Sunset Yoga will be offered for three months, each with a specific focus:

July: “Root” will focus on grounding and creating home and stability within the body and mind

August: “Express” meditates on the power of the voice and its necessary connection to the heart to communicate truth authentically and courageously

September: “Imagine” explores the importance of the imagination within a world that strives toward oppressive conformity, emphasizing the freeing power of seeing the world anew as a necessary first step to worldbuilding and collective transformation

Drawing on connections between yoga and Black liberation struggles (ex. Rose Parks’ and Angela Davis’ yoga practices in prison), artistic practice (Alice Coltrane), and personal sustenance (Harriet Jacobs’ movement and meditative practices during her seven years in the garret while enslaved), this unique program supports self care by invoking Black radical ancestors and contemporaries (ex. Cole Arthur Riley of Black Liturgies).
Sunset Yoga will take place rain or shine! In the case of inclement weather, we’ll move the session indoors so you can still enjoy your practice in a calm and welcoming environment. Keep an eye on your email or our social media for any location updates.

32nd Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival
2025-09-18, 2025-09-19, 2025-09-20 | Harper Theater, 5238 S. Harper Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
32nd Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival
🪲 Weds., Sept. 17 @ Gene Siskel Film Center⁠
🪲 Thurs., Sept. 18 @ Harper Theater⁠
🪲 Fri., Sept. 19 @ Harper Theater⁠
🪲 Sat., Sept. 20 @ Harper Theater⁠
🪲 Sun., Sept. 21 @ Harper Theater / Closing Film @ Gene Siskel Film Center⁠
✧ 100+ Films⁠
✧ 5+ After-parties⁠
✧ Filmmaker Q&As⁠
✧ Workshops⁠ + Special Events⁠
✧ The Gene Siskel Film Center & Harper Theater⁠
✧ Wednesday, September 17 – Sunday, September 21, 2025⁠ ⁠

Palace of Machinery
2025-09-18 12:00 - 18:00, 2025-09-19 12:00 - 18:00, 2025-09-20 12:00 - 18:00 | Connect Gallery, 1451 E. 53rd Street, Chicago, Chicago, 60615, United States
Created by Stephan Moore & Jenny Boles | USA | 29 min loop | 4-channel video & 8-channel sound | Installation
A haunting multi-screen reanimation of archival films shot inside Pittsburgh’s Westinghouse factories and first exhibited at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Four floor-to-ceiling images span a single wall while eight channels of sound fold the room into a living echo chamber. Visions of progress and spectacles of orchestrated labor return as disorienting afterimages, asking what our own modern “palaces” demand of us today.
Previously exhibited: FEED Media Art Center, Erie, PA (Mar–Jun 2025)
Artist Bios
Jenny Boles makes films and moving-image works that interrogate labor, infrastructure, and ecology through historical inquiry. She holds a PhD in History (Indiana University) and an MFA in Documentary Media (Northwestern). She is Assistant Professor in the School of Film & Photography at Montana State University.
Stephan Moore is a sound artist focused on the creation and perception of sonic environments across installation, performance, spatial audio, and custom instrument design. He holds an MFA (RPI) and PhD (Brown) and has collaborated and toured with Pauline Oliveros.

Sip & Sing
2025-09-18 17:00 - 21:00 | Sip & Savor, 78 E. 47th Street, Chicago, IL, 60653, United States
Sip & Sing
Be Bold. Be Heard. Let’s sing to our heart’s desires. Sip & Sing is every Third Thursday at Sip & Savor. Handcrafted beer By Turner Haus Brewery and Kocktails 4 da Krib for purchase.

DuSummer Thursdays Outdoor Music Series
2025-09-18 18:00 - 20:00 | The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
DuSummer Thursdays Outdoor Music Series
Join us for a summer of unforgettable sounds at the DuSummer Thursdays Outdoor Music Series at the DuSable Museum! From jazz to soul and everything in between, enjoy an exciting lineup of Chicago’s finest talent—live and outdoors on the Roundhouse Plaza.
Doors open at 5:00 PM
Show starts at 6:00 PM
Free Admission Register Here
Performance Lineup:

June 26 – Josiah Maddox, Ox Jam, and Vince Adams
July 10 – Thaddeus Tukes
July 24 – Hector Silveira
August 7 – Joyce Hurley with Park and Ride
August 21 – Simone Green
September 7 – Marqueal Jordan
September 18 – The J Grant Experience

Let the music move you this summer at DuSable!

Big White Fog
2025-09-18 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-09-19 19:30 - 21:30 | Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Big White Fog
Theodore Ward’s Big White Fog is the big shoulders on which A Raisin in the Sun stands. First completed in 1938, funded by the Federal Theatre Project, and influenced by the South Side Writers Group that cultivated such iconic talents as Richard Wright and Margaret Walker, Big White Fog drove American realism forward by contending with discontent.
The United States is on the cusp of the Great Depression and, like many, the Mason family is struggling. Between the precarious economy and racial violence on Chicago’s segregated South Side, something’s got to give. As different generations strive to secure the Mason family’s future, catastrophic decisions are made, leading to a heartbreaking twist and a blistering condemnation of America’s Big White Fog.
Court Theatre Resident Artist and the nation’s preeminent director of August Wilson, Ron OJ Parson, opens the 2025/26 season with this rich portrayal of Black life on Chicago’s South Side.
Accessible Performances:

Touch Tour: Saturday, October 4 at 12:30pm
Audio Description and ASL Interpretation: Saturday, October 4 at 2:00pm
Open Captioning: Sunday, October 5 at at 2:00pm

Artwork by Ed Watkins.

Ja' Grill Summer Patio Series
2025-09-19 16:00 - 21:00 | IL
Ja’ Grill Summer Patio Series
Don’t miss Ja’ Grill every Friday for vibe-filled nights on the patio! ☀️🌴
Good food, tropical drinks, and the smooth sounds of DJ Mark Flava spinning R&B, reggae, and soul 🎶🍹
Tropical Happy Hour 4–6 PM • Patio Party 4–9 PM
Tell a friend and pull up! 🔥

FINALE BEACH YOGA 2025: YogaSix Hyde Park @ Promontory Point
2025-09-20 08:00 - 10:00 | Promontory Point, 5491 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
YogaSix Hyde Park invites you to 1 hour of FREE Beach Yoga on the Lakefront. Come One, Come All! Let’s Celebrate Summertime Chi.

Outdoor Meditation in the Garden of the Phoenix
2025-09-20 08:00 - 11:00 | Garden of the Phoenix, 6401 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Outdoor Meditation in the Garden of the Phoenix
Join us for summer outdoor Introduction to Zen Meditation sessions at the historic Garden of the Phoenix located on Wooden Island in Jackson Park in Hyde Park. These sessions are held every other Saturday and are open to anyone interested in learning the basics of Zen meditation (zazen).
Each session covers basic information about Zen, including posture, breathing, and the mental aspects of meditation. There will also be time for questions and discussion. No experience is required. A limited number of cushions will be provided—participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible.
A signed waiver is required to participate. Click here to complete the waiver.
Additional info: Always be respectful of the space, the practice, and other practitioners. Wear plain, dark-colored, loose clothing so you can sit for the entire period of teaching and practice without discomfort; most jeans are unsuitable. Shorts, short skirts, and revealing clothes are not allowed. Silence cell phones so as not to disturb others. Move around the space mindfully, and do not make unnecessary noise. Participants should expect to sit cross-legged for extended periods. Please arrive at the event start time or slightly before it so as not to disturb others.
We look forward to practicing with you.

Hyde Park Garden Fair - Bulb & Mum Sale
2025-09-20 09:00 - 16:00 | Kimbark Plaza, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Hyde Park Garden Fair – Bulb & Mum Sale
Don’t miss the Hyde Park Garden Fair – Bulb & Mum Sale on Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Kimbark Plaza – 53rd Street and Kimbark Avenue.
The annual autumn Bulb and Mum Sale takes place on Saturday, September 20, in 2025, and only lasts one day, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. It focuses on two main offerings: bulbs for colorful spring bloom and chrysanthemums for autumn color. The huge variety of bulbs are divided into 4 departments: Daffodils, Tulips, Crocuses & Hyacinths, and Specialty Bulbs (including aliums and irises).
But this sale isn’t limited to just bulbs. Most years, we manage to offer a variety of house plants, especially those that are easy to care for. We also try to provide an eclectic mix of perennials that can be planted in the fall (such as anemones, peonies, irises, and grasses) and colorful autumn ornamentals such as colorful varieties of kale, cabbage, and peppers.
Be sure to check out our NEW location in Kimbark Plaza (53rd and Kimbark), between CVS and Hyde Park Produce!

Learn to Crochet - Granny Square
2025-09-20 13:00 - 16:00 | Fiber Friends Studios, Inc., 1744 E 55th Street, Chicago, 60615
Learn to Crochet – Granny Square
Discover the art of crocheting the classic granny square! No prior experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm for this traditional craft.
In this three-hour class, you’ll learn how to hold the yarn and hook and create a simple granny square using the chain 4 method and double crochet. You’ll also understand how to change colors and finish the square. This class is designed to be engaging and enjoyable, making it a family-friendly experience for children (7+) and adults alike!
Level: Beginner. No prior experience needed.
Pre-requisites: None
Included in class: 3 balls of Happy Yarn (47 yds / 20g), a 5mm crochet hook, and a darning needle.

Open Produce 4th Annual Block Party
2025-09-20 13:00 - 17:00 | 5500 Block of S. Cornell Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Open Produce 4th Annual Block Party

JOIN US in Hyde Park this September 20th for Open Produce’s 4th Annual Community Block Party

We are excited to return this year with even more FREE food, games, and other family-friendly entertainment & festivities, all made possible by the support of our wonderful neighborhood.

1 pm to 5 pm on the 5500 block of S. Cornell Avenue! We look forward to celebrating with you all once again!
