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A guide to fun things to do in Chicago this weekend.

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NBC Chicago's new studio marks end of daytime TV era

The nearly 70,000-square-foot space on the first floor of the NBC Tower is where Springer used to do his syndicated show.

Business

NBC 5&#x27;s new studio at NBC Tower marks the end of Chicago&#x27;s daytime TV production era, but bets big on the future of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local news" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/09/media-future-streaming-fox-nbc-wgn-reader-wbez-2026" data-vars-content-id="6016cc2a-e01c-455e-a923-d90534b3b4d0" data-vars-headline="NBC Chicago&#x27;s new studio marks end of daytime TV era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/09/media-future-streaming-fox-nbc-wgn-reader-wbez-2026" target="_self">local news</a>.Why it matters: The investment boosts local news — but underscores how far Chicago has drifted from its once-dominant role in daytime TV.

Berlin nightclub to reopen as Belmont and Decibel

The sister venues will be called The Belmont and Decibel and open on April 25.

Things to Do

After closing its doors in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="late 2023" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/11/21/berlin-nightclub-closed-drag" data-vars-content-id="a615ada9-ef22-42f3-9027-464119deb73e" data-vars-headline="Berlin nightclub to reopen as Belmont and Decibel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/11/21/berlin-nightclub-closed-drag" target="_self">late 2023</a>, Lakeview&#x27;s Berlin nightclub space will reopen this month as The Belmont, a craft cocktail bar, and Decibel, a dance bar.Why it matters: For 40 years, Berlin hosted a unique mix of LGBTQ and straight clubbers for late-night dance parties in an inclusive environment.<ul><li>Managers tell Axios they want to recreate that special scene.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;The goal is for everyone to feel comfortable here, as long as they&#x27;re comfortable with everyone else,&quot; says Marcus Devin, one of the new club&#x27;s managers, who previously worked at Berlin.<figure><img alt="Two men stand together in a dim venue with purple lighting. Left: glasses, blond hair, black T‑shirt with a circular cat logo. Right: mustache, blue mountain graphic T‑shirt; both wear jeans." height="2539" id="a3f98868-5c9e-427f-948e-bd483868cfa0" src="https://images.axios.com/JGyy2nBr29RJGlOFXwv5gSxvVNk=/2026/04/08/1775688782247.jpeg" width="3941"/><figcaption>Programming manager Austin Neff and manager Marcus Devin in front of the new DJ booth at Decibel, formerly Berlin. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios </figcaption></figure>Driving the news: The Belmont/Decibel (954 W. Belmont Ave.) will open to the public on April 25, pending final city approval.How it works: The club will operate as The Belmont cocktail bar in the early evenings, but pull back a curtain and morph into Decibel after 10pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.Backstory: Berlin owners Jim Schuman and Jo Webster closed the legendary club in 2023 amid union demands that they said they lacked the funds to accommodate. <ul><li>The new owner is HV Entertainment, which owns local LGBTQ clubs including Fantasy, Bobby Loves, The Closet and the Chicago Eagle.</li></ul>What&#x27;s new: Fresh lighting, a new sound system, clean remodeled bathrooms and two twinkling bars.What&#x27;s old: The &quot;retro vibe&quot; that manager and former Berlin staffer Austin Neff says he hopes to recreate with &quot;techno, house, &#x27;80s, &#x27;90s and early 2000s music&quot; spun by Berlin DJ Greg Haus.<ul><li>Berlin&#x27;s elevated dance stages that could host drag performers again in the fall.</li></ul>The drinks: Expect fancy craft cocktails at The Belmont until 10pm, but simpler drinks at Decibel.If you go: The Belmont will be open Tuesday-Saturday and charge a $5-10 cover for Decibel after 10pm.

The Hand & The Eye opens in Chicago

The Hand & The Eye joins a wave of recent openings on or near Michigan Avenue that draw crowds.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Hand &amp; The Eye" data-vars-click-url="https://www.handandeye.com/" data-vars-content-id="9f04c5aa-9004-4c61-a42c-419b9c8d9ec7" data-vars-headline="The Hand &amp; The Eye opens in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.handandeye.com/" target="_blank">The Hand &amp; The Eye</a> — touted as the largest magic venue in the world — opens in Chicago on April 18. Why it matters: Tickets are on sale for the 36,000-square-foot venue that transformed the old McCormick Mansion at 100 E. Ontario St.

Lawmakers weigh human composting in Illinois

The process turns human remains into soil and is legal in 14 states.

Climate

Illinois could soon legalize human composting — a greener death option that&#x27;s currently illegal in state.

Chicago's North Side crushes it on composting

Lincoln Square, Logan Square, Avondale, Irving Park and Edgewater top the list.

North Side neighborhoods continue to dominate registrations for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago&#x27;s food scrap drop off program " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/05/07/food-scrap-compost-drop-off-pickup" data-vars-content-id="8204cd57-0f23-4e83-89b0-e2da9d0a3de7" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s North Side crushes it on composting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/05/07/food-scrap-compost-drop-off-pickup" target="_self">Chicago&#x27;s food scrap drop off program </a>that collects kitchen waste and turns it into compost for gardens and landscaping.State of play: Last October, the Department of Streets and Sanitation added <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="13 new drop off points" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2025/october/food-scrap-drop-off.html" data-vars-content-id="8204cd57-0f23-4e83-89b0-e2da9d0a3de7" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s North Side crushes it on composting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2025/october/food-scrap-drop-off.html" target="_blank">13 new drop off points</a> next to libraries to create a grand total of 33 sites.<div><figure><div id="av-hermesv2/2026-04-08-1330-tons-of-food-WOW12" style="max-width:100%" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="axios-visual" data-vars-asset-id="av-hermesv2/2026-04-08-1330-tons-of-food-WOW12" data-vars-iframe-src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-04-08-1330-tons-of-food/index.html" class="gtmView"><img alt="Tons of food scraps collected by Chicago for compost" class="axios-visual-newsletter-fallback-image" src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-04-08-1330-tons-of-food/fallbacks/2026-04-08-1330-tons-of-food-fallback.png" width="1200" height="404"/><img alt="Tons of food scraps collected by Chicago for compost" class="axios-visual-apple-fallback-image" src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-04-08-1330-tons-of-food/fallbacks/2026-04-08-1330-tons-of-food-apple.png" width="750" height="450"/></div><figcaption>Data: Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation; Chart: Monica Eng/Axios</figcaption></figure></div>

Artemis II is ready for takeoff (weather permitting)

The first crewed Moon orbit since 1972 could launch Wednesday.

Aerospace

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artemis II" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/31/artemis-moon-mission-colorado-aerospace" data-vars-content-id="6ebf6dd7-5409-4dd4-b713-ca123eb3c1d5" data-vars-headline="Artemis II is ready for takeoff (weather permitting)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/31/artemis-moon-mission-colorado-aerospace" target="_self">Artemis II</a> is scheduled to launch Wednesday, no earlier than 5:24pm CT, from NASA&#x27;s Kennedy Space Center in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/30/mosi-to-host-artemis-ii-watch-party" data-vars-content-id="6ebf6dd7-5409-4dd4-b713-ca123eb3c1d5" data-vars-headline="Artemis II is ready for takeoff (weather permitting)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/30/mosi-to-host-artemis-ii-watch-party" target="_self">Florida.</a> Why it matters: This is the first time humans will travel around the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, and paves the way for future missions to Mars.

Neighbors split over $9B Quantum Shore project

The rift is also putting pressure on progressive quantum supporters, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker.

A group of Southsiders launched &quot;Southeast Neighbors for Quantum&quot; this week to support the nascent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$9 billion Quantum Shore campus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/11/20/quantum-computing-hub-south-works-lllinois" data-vars-content-id="f7fb7e66-eb9d-437b-ac19-e5a5dd95d212" data-vars-headline="Neighbors split over $9B Quantum Shore project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/11/20/quantum-computing-hub-south-works-lllinois" target="_self">$9 billion Quantum Shore campus</a> — just days before their neighbors plan to rally for binding benefits from the developers.Why it matters: The dueling camps are putting Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson in a delicate spot, squeezed between progressive allies demanding stronger community protections and neighbors who see the project as a long-overdue economic investment.

Pritzker re-energizes nuclear power in Illinois

Illinois agencies have been directed to start evaluating new sites for power plants.

After lifting a moratorium on new nuclear facilities last year, Gov. JB Pritzker gave the technology another boost this week with an executive order directing Illinois agencies to start evaluating potential sites for them.

Illinois considers glitter ban over microplastics concerns

The new bill would ban glitter in personal care products.

Illinois residents may need to find new ways to glow up as the state legislature considers banning body glitter.Driving the news: A new bill (HB 4175) would prohibit the sale of personal care products that use nonbiodegradable glitter, starting in 2029.

Southwest Siders file the most dibs complaints

Plus: How long it took the city to remove the objects.

After this weekend&#x27;s storm, you may be tempted to dig out a spot and save it with a lawn chair, but think again. Each year, thousands of Chicagoans turn in their dibbing neighbors, who could lose their chairs and even get a fine.🪏 Here&#x27;s some fresh dibs data we dug up through public records requests:

Chicago ranks No. 9 healthiest big U.S. city

Chicagoans prioritize sleep and relationships, helping health ranking.

Health

The home of deep dish and the Chicago dog is actually quite <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="healthy " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/health" data-vars-content-id="d90dc873-c113-4a4b-a8cf-470b30820808" data-vars-headline="Chicago ranks No. 9 healthiest big U.S. city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/health" target="_self">healthy </a>compared to other large cities, cracking the top 10.Why it matters: The study from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mindbody" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mindbodyonline.com/business/education/blog/top-10-healthiest-cities-united-states-2026" data-vars-content-id="d90dc873-c113-4a4b-a8cf-470b30820808" data-vars-headline="Chicago ranks No. 9 healthiest big U.S. city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mindbodyonline.com/business/education/blog/top-10-healthiest-cities-united-states-2026" target="_blank">Mindbody</a>, a fitness, beauty and wellness company, ranked the most populous cities in the U.S. to help determine where residents were prioritizing health and finding balance, factors that can affect overall happiness.

The most climate-friendly foods to buy right now

An ecologist shares his top sustainable grocery picks — and what to avoid.

Now that I&#x27;ve gorged through a weekend of Thanksgiving eating, I&#x27;m trying to get back on track with healthier foods for me and the Earth.Driving the news: I recently toured the South Loop Whole Foods with Mark Easter, ecologist and James Beard-nominated author of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;The Blue Plate: A Food Lover&#x27;s Guide to Climate Chaos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.patagonia.com/product/the-blue-plate-a-food-lovers-guide-to-climate-chaos/BK910.html" data-vars-content-id="fd4d1f20-cc8f-49b3-ae0b-74f7d24df2dc" data-vars-headline="The most climate-friendly foods to buy right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.patagonia.com/product/the-blue-plate-a-food-lovers-guide-to-climate-chaos/BK910.html" target="_blank">&quot;The Blue Plate: A Food Lover&#x27;s Guide to Climate Chaos</a>,&quot; to hunt down the most sustainable foods in the store.<ul><li>Oyster lovers will be thrilled. Shrimp eaters, not so much.</li></ul>

From New Orleans to Chicago: How Katrina reshaped lives

New data shows where New Orleans residents relocated after Katrina.

When <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="72c658f5-dd74-43d2-a6c4-66ce083e3571" data-vars-headline="From New Orleans to Chicago: How Katrina reshaped lives" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> flooded during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, tens of thousands of displaced residents fled across the country, and new data shows for the first time exactly where they went.Why it matters: The data identifies cities that proved stickier than others, researcher Elizabeth Fussell tells Axios.

Climate 🌿

Lawmakers weigh human composting in Illinois

Chicago's North Side crushes it on composting

Artemis II is ready for takeoff (weather permitting)

Neighbors split over $9B Quantum Shore project

Pritzker re-energizes nuclear power in Illinois