Puppets, Patios & Local Pride: Edgewater's Community Spirit Is in Full Bloom This Month

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Edgewater · May 23, 2026

Edgewater's rich community calendar and small-business backbone are both getting a well-deserved spotlight this week, and there's plenty for neighbors to get excited about heading into the long Memorial Day weekend.

First up: mark your calendars for Thursday, May 28, when the Edgewater Historical Society hosts its May Salon: Puppets and Masks — a free, engaging evening dedicated to the art of puppetry and mask-making in Chicago theatre. The monthly Salon series, held at the Edgewater Historical Society, has become one of the neighborhood's most beloved low-key cultural traditions, drawing curious residents together around local arts topics. June's installment will tackle Parody and Camp in Theatre on June 25, so there's plenty more to look forward to all summer long.

Meanwhile, if you run a restaurant or café along Broadway, Devon, Bryn Mawr, or Granville, there's financial good news courtesy of Special Service Area #26: the SSA is currently offering rebates to cover the cost of the City of Chicago's Sidewalk Café and Patio permits for businesses located within its boundaries. With patio season now officially here, it's a timely opportunity for local eateries to expand outdoors without the permit sticker shock. Check edgewater.org for details on eligibility and how to apply — and then pull up a chair at one of Edgewater's fantastic outdoor spots this weekend!

Sources:
1. https://allevents.in/chicago/edgewater
2. https://www.edgewater.org/
3. https://chamber.edgewater.org/communitycalendar