French celebration
July 14, 2017 (5:30 p.m.)
8.3 miles north
Bastille Day has French music, entertainment, beer & wine for sale, a kids’ corner, and an outdoor movie at Lycée Français de Chicago in Ravenswood. Free.
French Restaurant Week
July 14 – 16, 2017
multiple locations
French Restaurant Week includes special deals at a dozen restaurants on the days between America’s Independence Day and France’s Bastille Day.
Half marathon & fitness expo
July 14 – 16, 2017
Chicago locations
The free Health and Fitness Expo is Fri. & Sat. at McCormick Place. The 5K is Saturday, and the Rock ’n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon & 10K are Sunday in Grant Park, followed by an after-festival at Butler Field.
Country BBQ
July 14 – 16, 2017
1.5 miles NW
Windy City Smokeout features barbecue, country bands, and beer at 560 W. Grand Ave. on the river.
Pitchfork Music Festival
July 14 – 16, 2017
2.5 miles west
The free-spirited Pitchfork Music Festival features alternative rock, rap and hip-hop, electronica, and dance music in Union Park.
Family festival
July 14 – 16, 2017
6 miles NW
BenFest serves food, beer, music, and activities for kids on the grounds of St. Benedict’s parish, with a vendor market on the adjacent street. Donation.
Greek festival
July 14 – 16, 2017
15 miles NW
The Big Greek Food Fest of Niles features authentic Greek food, live music, and dancing in Niles.
Hard-core rock festival
July 14 – 16, 2017
15.4 miles SW
Chicago Open Air brings an all-star lineup of 40 rock & heavy metal artists to Toyota Park, including KISS, Korn, Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, and Megadeth.
Coming-of-age comedy
July 14 – 23, 2017
0.5 miles SW
Relive the fireworks of first-time love in Ah, Wilderness! a delightful tale of adventure, angst and young romance by Eugene O’Neil at Goodman Theatre.
French films
July 14 – Aug. 2, 2017
0.5 miles SW
Journeys Through French Cinema screens nine great films that built France’s cinema legacy, all with English subtitles at Gene Siskel Film Center.
Classical music festival
July 14 – Aug. 19, 2017
Chicago locations
Grant Park Music Festival is an outdoor classical music series at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The rear seats are free, or bring a blanket or lawn chairs.
Adult variety show
July 14 – Aug. 26, 2017 (10 p.m.)
7 miles north
Kiss Kiss Cabaret is a fun mix of burlesque, off-color comedy, music, magic, and variety acts at Uptown Underground for age 21+ on Fridays and Saturdays.
Magic show
July 14 – Aug. 28, 2017
0.7 miles south
The Magic Parlour is an evening of close-up magic by an award-winning magician in the beautiful Palmer House Hilton Hotel.
Attractions
July 14 – Aug. 31, 2017
multiple locations
These discount ticket prices include all taxes and fees.
- Aquarium + SkyDeck + museums and more
- Chicago History Museum
- Sunset Segway Tour
Movies in the Parks
July 14 – Sept. 9, 2017
Chicago locations
See 250 Movies in the Parks, if weather allows. Free.
Ravinia music festival
July 14 – Sept. 17, 2017
23 miles north
See nationally known performers at Ravinia Festival, billed as America’s oldest outdoor music festival at Ravinia Park in Highland Park.
Parade of boats
July 15, 2017 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
1 mile east
Watch hundreds of boats leave for the ritzy Race to Mackinac at the Ashore Thing with a cash bar at the east end of Navy Pier. Free.
Electronic music at the beach
July 15, 2017
2.9 miles north
Volleywood is an electronic beach party with a bar and a volleyball tournament at North Avenue Beach for age 21+.
Ale festival
July 15, 2017
36 miles west
Naperville Ale Fest showcases 200 craft beers with live music and restaurant food on the beautiful grounds of Naper Settlement.
Southport street fair
July 15 – 16, 2017
6 miles north
Southport Art Festival is a mellow event with live music, artists, food, and a kids’ area on N Southport Ave. at Waveland. Donation.
Festival of Colombia
July 15 – 16, 2017
8.2 miles NW
Colombian Fest has top musicians, DJs, arts & crafts, cultural exhibits, vendors, a kids’ zone, food, beer, and wine at Kelvyn Park. Children 12 and younger are free.
World arts festival
July 15 – 16, 2017 (12 to 7 p.m.)
13 miles north
Evanston World Arts & Music Festival (formerly Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival) offers international songs, dance, art, and food in Dawes Park. Free.
Thomas Train ride
July 15 – 16, 2017
67 miles NW
Day Out With Thomas includes a 20-minute train ride, stories, videos, music, and crafts for kids at Illinois Railway Museum in Union.
Sketch comedy
July 15 – 29, 2017
2.1 miles north
The Second City’s Fast, Loud & Funny promises an “in-your-face indictment of the modern condition” including social media, dating, and auto-tuned relationships at Up Comedy Club.
Family play
July 15 – Aug. 27, 2017
1 mile east
Madagascar brings the movie vividly to life on stage with high-energy dancing and singing by everybody’s favorite zoo refugees at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Renaissance fair
July 15 – Sept. 4, 2017 (weekends)
49 miles north
Watch knights joust, shop an artisan market, mingle with costumed minstrels, play games, and attend shows at Bristol Renaissance Faire in 16th century England (i.e. Kenosha, WI).
Comedy dinner show
July 15 – Sept. 9, 2017
5.8 miles north
You’re invited to fictitious Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding at Resurrection Church, followed by a real Italian dinner at Chicago Theater Works, with plenty of comedy improv and audience interaction.
Dearborn Garden Walk
July 16, 2017
2 miles north
Dearborn Garden Walk admits you to 20 award-winning gardens (some with live jazz or classical music), a garden exhibition, and an architectural walking tour of historic Dearborn Street.
Chinatown Summer Fair
July 16, 2017
3 miles south
Chinatown Summer Fair features a lion dance procession, food vendors, artisans, live music, martial arts, and a children’s area on S. Wentworth Ave. at Cermak Rd. Free.
Wine & dessert walk
July 16, 2017 (3 to 6 p.m.)
5.2 miles north
A ticket to Lakeview East Wine & Sweets Stroll includes 12 wine samples and sweet bites in neighborhood shops for age 21+.
African book fair
July 16, 2017 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
10 miles south
Soulful Chicago Book Fair “is a celebration of literacy and literary arts found throughout the African Diaspora” with food vendors on E. 61st Street (from Cottage Grove Ave. to M.L.K. Drive). Free.
Kayaking
July 16 – Aug. 31, 2017
multiple locations
Kayak with a guide on Lake Michigan during the day or on the Chicago River in the evening.
- Lake Michigan Wed. to Sun. (daytime)
- Chicago River Wed., Sat., Sun. (6 or 7 p.m.)
- Chicago River Friday (8 p.m.)
Millennium Park music
July 17 – Aug. 21, 2017
0.7 miles SE
Millennium Park Summer Music Series features great music artists Monday and Thursday evenings in Millennium Park. Free.
Millennium Park movies
July 18 – Sept. 5, 2017
0.5 miles south
Get a seat or sit on the lawn to see films on a 40-foot screen at Millennium Park Summer Film Series on Tuesdays plus Aug. 24. Free.
Dinner cruise
July 19 & 21, 2017
1 mile east
Enjoy a buffet meal aboard the Spirit of Chicago Dinner Cruise, with views of the Chicago skyline and DJ dance music, departing from Navy Pier.
Magic Cabaret
July 19 – Aug. 30, 2017 (8 p.m. Wednesdays)
3.3 miles north
The Magic Cabaret entertains with mind-boggling sleight of hand and audience participation in small Greenhouse Theater Center.
Jazz at the aquarium
July 19 – Sept. 13, 2017 (Wed. 5 to 10 p.m.)
2 miles south
Hear musicians and vocalists, see views from the terrace, buy cocktails & food, and visit the aquarium at Jazzin’ at the Shedd at Shedd Aquarium.
Adult night at the planetarium
July 20, 2017 (6:30 to 10:30 p.m.)
2.5 miles SE
Adler After Dark: All-Star explores “the intersections of sports and science” including sports on other planets at Adler Planetarium for age 21+.
County fair
July 20 – 23, 2017
41 miles west
Kane County Fair is an old-fashioned fair with farm animals, a petting zoo, midway, live music, bull riding, truck pull, and fair food in St. Charles.
International festival
July 20 – Aug. 17, 2017 (Thurs. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
0.7 miles west
Celebrate the cultures of Chicago’s 28 sister cities with food, drink, and music at Unifest on the River on the Chicago Riverwalk (from Wells to Franklin). Free.
Fresh Peter Pan
July 20 – Aug. 20, 2017
26 miles NW
Peter and the Starcatcher is a swashbuckling prequel to Peter Pan, a madcap adventure with music, pirates, orphans, and secret agents at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights.
Art festival
July 21 – 23, 2017
0 miles
Shop for a wide variety of art made by 100 juried artists at the new Artfest Michigan Avenue. Free.
Taste of River North
July 21 – 23, 2017
1.5 miles NW
Enjoy food from local restaurants, shop from local vendors, and hear live music at Taste of River North at Ward Park (Kingsbury & Erie). Donation.
Festival in Forest Park
July 21 – 23, 2017
11.7 miles west
Forest Park Music Fest offers two stages of bands, arts and crafts, food vendors, beer gardens, carnival games, and Saturday family activities on Madison Street (from Des Plaines to Circle Avenues).
Disability Pride Parade
July 22, 2017 (11 a.m.)
1 mile south
Disability Pride Parade goes from behind the library to Daley Plaza for a 12:30 post-parade event. Free.
Family art festival
July 22, 2017 (10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
1 mile south
Make art and explore special activity stations during Kaleidoscope Family Festival in the Ryan Education Center at the Art Institute of Chicago. Free.
Gospel music
July 22, 2017
7.9 miles south
Taste of Gospel promises 25 gospel artists on stage and 23 restaurants selling food in Washington Park.
BBQ in south Chicagoland
July 22, 2017 (11 a.m.)
21.2 miles south
Pig City Challenge is a barbecue competition and music festival with a bar and food for sale (chicken, brisket, ribs, and pulled pork) in Merrionette.
Green home tour
July 22 – 23, 2017
Chicagoland
See 13 sustainably built and energy-saving homes on the self-guided GreenBuilt Home Tour.
Beer festival
July 22 – 23, 2017
4 miles NW
Chicago Craft Beer Festival features beer tasting and live music at Sheffield Ave. and Webster Ave. on the same weekend as the nearby Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk.
Sheffield Avenue festival
July 22 – 23, 2017 (some events Friday)
4 miles NW
Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk features two stages of live music, self-guided tours of 80 gardens, guided architectural tours, food and drink, and kids’ activities at N Sheffield Ave. & Webster. Donation.
Pet expo
July 22 – 23, 2017
28 miles NW
Windy City Pet Expo has vendors, adoptions, and demos at Schaumburg Convention Center. Free entry.
Romantic musical
July 25 – Aug. 13, 2017
0.5 miles SW
An American in Paris tells the romantic post-war story of an American soldier and a mysterious French girl with music by Gershwin at Oriental Theatre.
Latino festival
July 27 – 30, 2017
4 miles SW
Fiesta del Sol delivers live entertainment, local art, diverse cuisine, and carnival rides at 1400 W. Cermak Road. No alcohol. Free.
Prairie festival
July 27 – 30, 2017
26 miles NW
Wood Dale Prairie Fest offers live music, carnival rides and games, food vendors, bingo, and fireworks (9:15 p.m. Sat.) at the ballfields in Wood Dale. Free.
Addams Family musical
July 27 – Aug. 13, 2017
6.9 miles NW
In this “lost” episode of The Addams Family TV show, the daughter falls in love and invites a “normal” boy and his parents to dinner, live onstage at Prop Thtr. All tickets include a free beverage or concession item.
Watch football practice
July 27 – Aug. 13, 2017
59 miles south
Register online to visit Chicago Bears Training Camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais. Free.
Tasting party
July 28, 2017 (5 to 11 p.m.)
3.6 miles SW
Bites & Booze Festival features drinks paired with food, a mixology stage, a craft cocktail corner, a rooftop bar, and a dance floor on three floors of Lacuna Artist Lofts.
Music and beer party
July 29, 2017 (4 to 9 p.m.)
2.4 miles SE
Tour de Fat is “a mix of musicians, circus performers, vaudeville acts, magicians, comedians, and mind-blowing provocateurs” with Fat Tire beer and music by “The Roots” (as seen on the Tonight Show) at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island. Children 12 and younger are free.
Sustainable food festival
July 29, 2017 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
8.6 miles SW
Closed Loop Food Fest features food trucks, DJs and live bands, yoga, and workshops about growing food in environmentally friendly ways at The Plant. Donation.
Barry Manilow
July 29, 2017 (7:30 p.m.)
18 miles NW
Barry Manilow, the best selling adult-contemporary artist of all time, belts out his hits (Copacabana, Mandy, Ready to Take a Chance Again) at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
July 29 – 30, 2017
3.5 miles north
Hear 20 music acts on two stages, see juried art, shop vendors, visit SausageFest, taste wine, and take the kids to an afternoon carnival on Altgeld Street with games, pony rides and petting zoo at Taste of Lincoln Avenue from Fullerton to Wrightwood. Donation.
Wicker Park music festival
July 29 – 30, 2017
3.5 miles NW
Wicker Park Fest brings cutting-edge local and national acts to three stages on Milwaukee Ave. from North Avenue to Paulina Street. Go early if you want to avoid crowds. Donation.
Glencoe art festival
July 29 – 30, 2017
24 miles north
Glencoe Festival of Art offers fine works from 110 artists, live music, kids’ activities, and food vendors in downtown Glencoe. Free.
Kids’ concert
July 30, 2017 (3 p.m.)
2.4 miles SE
High-energy Kidz Bop performs kid-friendly versions of today’s hottest pop hits in a concert for all ages at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island.
Bloody Mary festival
July 30, 2017
28 miles north
Buy samples and then vote for your favorite at Bloody Mary Fest, which has food vendors and live music at Everts park in Highwood. Free admission.