No Memorial Day travel plans? No problem. The city's the place to be this weekend, as two perennial summer favorites return with even more entertainment, beer and shopping. On Saturday and Sunday, West Loop vintage mecca Randolph Street Market toasts its 10-year anniversary while Lakeview packs in more cover bands than you ever thought possible during Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest. Bonus: A Monday holiday means you'll have an extra day to recover from the springtime shenanigans. kbernot@tribune.com @redeyeeatdrink
Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest
Where: Sheffield Avenue between Belmont Avenue and Roscoe Street
When: Saturday and Sunday, noon-10 p.m.
How much: $5 suggested donation benefits the Central Lakeview Merchants Association
Getting there: Take the CTA Brown or Red lines to the Belmont station, use the No. 77 Belmont bus or walk from the No. 22 Clark bus
Don't miss: Prepare to scream "I know all the words to this song!" with a full two-day lineup of cover bands, including Trippin' Billies (Dave Matthews cover band, 8 p.m. Saturday), Journey Recaptured (Journey cover band, 3:30 p.m. Sunday) and Wedding Banned (pop/rock cover band, 8:30 p.m. Sunday). Beer and fest food also will be available for purchase.
Mini-detours: Escape the crowds while still taking in some rays at a coveted picnic table in Sheffield's (3258 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-281-4989) beer garden, where craft beer and barbecue are served all day. If seafood's more your style, nothing says warm weather like a lobster roll at Fish Bar (2956 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-687-8177).
Randolph Street Market outdoor debut
Where: Washington Boulevard and Randolph Street between Ada Street and Ogden Avenue
When: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
How much: $8 in advance; $10 at the gate
Getting there: Take the CTA Green or Pink lines to the Morgan station, then hop aboard a free bicycle cab that will shuttle shoppers to the market throughout the day. The No. 20 Madison bus is another option.
Don't miss: The market's 10-year anniversary bash includes a new beer garden with four brews available for purchase from House of Glunz, plus glitter body painting, carnival games and expanded food options that include vegetarian and gluten-free choices. The real draw, though, is the shopping. Antiques, vintage housewares, records, fashion and furnishings from more than 200 vendors sprawl across the indoor-outdoor space. If you're a serious treasure hunter, consider buying the new "early shopper" ticket, which grants you admission at 8 a.m. ($20 in advance; $25 at the door).
Mini-detours: Fuel up with an iced coffee or flavored latte from Jupiter Outpost (1139 W. Fulton Market 312-226-5768), a hidden gem of a coffee shop just blocks from the market. If you haven't blown your budget while shopping, plan on sipping cocktails at nearby Belly Q (1400 W. Randolph St. 312-563-1010) or order a glass of a refreshing white at Spanish wine bar Vera (1023 W. Lake St. 312-243-9770).
Upcoming fests: Monday, May 27: Downtown Sound debuts in Millenium Park; May 30-June 2: Maifest in Lincoln Square; May 31-June 2: Do-Division in Ukrainian Village; May 31-June 2: Eastside Millenium Arts Festival in the Loop