July 2023 events calendar for Chicago

Chicago hosts NASCAR’s first ever street race this weekend, sending cars going 120 miles per hour down Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue, Columbus Drive and other downtown thoroughfares. You can purchase tickets to watch all the action from reserved seats and designated viewing areas, and also enjoy concerts by The Chainsmokers, The Black Crowes, Miranda Lambert and Charley Crockett.

Show off your pride on Saturday at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Washington Park. Providing a safe space for Black and Brown members of the LGBTQ+ community, the fifth annual Pride South Side celebration will feature musical performances, a vendor fair with local small businesses, family-friendly activities and more. The event is part of Chicago Black Pride weekend.

The Beer Mile World Classic comes to Chicago this year with more than $15,000 in prize money. The premise is simple: Drink a beer and then run a mile, repeating the process three more times until four beers and four miles have been completed. The event will feature a beer garden, a DJ bumping tunes and loads of other activities to keep the party going after the race. All registrants will receive a custom bib, a bottle opener medal and four beers to compete with.

For three decades, the African Caribbean International Festival of Love has brought reggae and world music performances, Afro-Caribbean food, games, crafts and more to Washington Park. This year, the fest will take place over Independence Day weekend, with performances from I-Octane, Mr. Killa, Heatwave, Roody Roodboy and more. 

Catch live outdoor jazz performances on the first Friday of every month this summer as part of Jazz in the Court, a free performance series hosted at Harper Court in Hyde Park. Performers this year include Joe Marcinek (June 2), Bill McFarland and the Chicago Horns (July 7), the Denise Thimes Quartest (August 4) and Isaiah and Jeremiah Collier and the Gemini Project (September 1).

Revolution Brewing will hold its second annual Freedom Fest in the parking lot of its Avondale taproom on July 8. Bask in the sun while sipping on a variety of sour beers and enjoying live drag performances from local icons Irregular Girl, Chanel Mercedes Benz, Secret Queen and Neutral Gena. There will also be a DJ spinning tunes, face painting and food vendors like Honey Butter Fried Chicken and Happy Lobster.

Local music collective the Chosen Few DJs takes over Jackson Park for a day of house sets from Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Alan King, Andre Hatchett, Terry Hunter, Mike Dunn and special guests. Stop by to watch a crowd of people dancing to the beat, or jump into the fray and show off your moves.

This Hyde Park street festival outside of the Promontory brings together some of the biggest names in Afrobeat music, a genre pioneered by musician Fela Kuti, who fused Nigerian instrumentation and rhythms with contemporary pop, funk and jazz. You'll catch sets from DJs spinning global tunes, plus access to local food, a photo installation, outdoor laser tag and more fun activities.

This midsummer block party staple returns to Lincoln Square brings alt-country, folk and Americana jams—plus craft brews and snacks from local food vendors—to Lincoln Avenue. Admission is free, but consider tossing in a donation to benefit small business workshops, community efforts and scholarship programs at the Old Town School of Folk Music. 

West Town's rollicking street festival returns to Chicago Avenue for three days of music, food and shopping from local vendors. Empty Bottle Presents will curate West Fest's musical lineup, and you can also catch jockeys spinning vinyl on the Bass By the Pound DJ Stage. Plus, browse tons of local vendors and don't miss the Pet Fest area, which features charming attractions like a dog obstacle course and pet painting.

Find the perfect vintage piece to complete your collection at this Andersonville market, where you can shop antiques, home decor, jewelry, clothing, music and much more from over 30 vendors.

Show up to St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church in Edgewater to experience "philoxenia" (Greek hospitality) at this annual festival, where chicken, gyros, pork souvlaki and pastitsio (Greek lasagna) is on the menu all weekend long. Stick around for live Greek music and a performance from '80s cover band The Breakfast Club, as well as fun and games for kids

The Southport Corridor hosts its annual two-day art festival, bringing together a variety of artists and local vendors near neighborhood landmarks like the Music Box Theatre. Guests can peruse pieces, shop at Southport Avenue stores, take kids to an area packed with interactive games or sit down on a patio to enjoy food and drink specials throughout the weekend. All proceeds benefit the Southport Neighbors Association.

It's no secret that we unabashedly love burgers, so you can imagine how much we're anticipating Roscoe Village's annual celebration of succulent, beef patty cuisine. Loosen your belt and prepare to taste grilled creations from local restaurants while enjoying live music and ample libations. Don't forget to vote for your favorite—the most popular burger of the weekend earns the visitors' choice award.

Pack your own popcorn, bring a blanket and enjoy another season of free outdoor movie screenings during the Millennium Park Summer Film Series. You can grab a seat in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion or spread out on the Great Lawn as you watch flicks on a 40-foot LED screen. This year's lineup includes Fast Five, Turning Red, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), Clueless, Top Gun: Maverick, Barbershop and Everything Everywhere All At Once. For the full schedule, check the official site.

SAUCED Night Market is holding its largest event to date with two days of shopping at WNDR Museum, where more than 50 vendors will be selling handmade goods, jewelry, vintage clothing, prints, enamel pins and more treasures. Hungry? Snag food from local eateries, or bust some moves to live beats from DJ Johnny Walker. Plus, you can take a break from the action to snap pics in a Neon Palms Studio photo booth or purchase discounted tickets to experience WNDR Museum's immersive installations.

The latest season of Chicago SummerDance culminates with a three-day event in Grant Park, where you can watch performances from local dance troupes and show off some of the moves you've learned over the past three months. Throughout the summer, take lessons in everything from Bollywood groove to Peruvian folk dance at parks around the city. For the full schedule, check the Chicago SummerDance site.

Spend enough time basking in the smell of barbecued meat, the twangy strains of country music and the sweltering heat at Windy City Smokeout and you might feel like you've been transported to Texas. Taking place in a parking lot outside of the United Center, this annual festival brings together some of the nation's most talented pitmasters and a stacked lineup of Nashville-approved musicians. Headliners for this year's edition of the four-day fest have already been announced, with country stars Zach Bryan, Darius Rucker and Luke Bryan topping the bill alongside the Zac Brown Band. Come for the delicious smoked meats and stick around for the music.

An array of paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography and furniture go on display along a portion of Lake Street in the Loop during the annual Millennium Art Festival. Guests can browse the offerings, speak with more than 120 artists and make purchases during the three-day event—no reservations are required to attend and walk-ups are welcome throughout the weekend.

Dance on the sand at Chicago Sport and Social Club's annual Volleywood festival, which boasts two days of live music, food and interactive experiences on the sands of North Avenue Beach (it's the city's last remaining beachfront music fest). Dutch DJ Don Diablo and electronic producer Dillon Francis headline the EDM-centric event—snag general admission tickets or spring for a cabana for you and 11 of your friends, stocked with beer, refreshments and private restrooms.

Celebrate the anniversary of Colombian independence at this festival at Northeastern Illinois University, where you'll find live music, food vendors, a circus, a kids' area, games and more. Headlining acts on the music stage include singers Yeison Jimenez and Elden Dayan Diaz as well as the "Queen of Merengue" Milly Quezada.

The Chicago Craft Beer Festival moves to Lincoln Park this year for a three-day extravaganza of craft brews. There will be multiple sessions each day, limited to 600 people per session, so snag a tasting ticket to secure your spot and feel free to grab a bite to eat before you begin sampling.

Gaze at neighborhood gardens during this self-guided tour of green spaces around the neighborhood, showcasing the efforts of residents with green thumbs. You can download a map online and make your way through Bucktown gardens—some will even host live music and visual artists creating work throughout the day.

Sundays on State—which shuts down a strip of State Street spanning from Adams to Lake Streets for activations, performances, food and shopping—brings thousands of visitors downtown to check out everything from outdoor dining and browsing opportunities to pop-up karaoke and barre fitness classes. The event returns on two Sundays this year by popular demand. For a full schedule of vendors and events, check out Chicago Loop Alliance's website.

This annual fundraiser to support Horner Park will bring together over 30 local breweries for an evening of beer and cider. Sample more than 60 brews, grab a bite to eat from a food truck and enjoy live music from funk group Bumpus while helping to save the planet. We’ll drink to that!

Pitchfork returns to Union Park during its usual weekend in July—and as ever, the lineups are packed with some of the most of-the-moment indie, hip-hop and electronic acts. Catch headlining sets from indie darling Bon Iver, folk rockers Big Thief and English triplet The Smile, a side project of Radiohead members Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood. Plan on arriving early, discovering some new music and weaving your way through the crowds to find a spot in the shade.

This three-day Pilsen food festival takes its inspiration from the Tianguis, a traditional Mexican and Central American bazaar. As its name suggests, guests are invited to sample plenty of tacos and tamales prepared by local restaurants using techniques from across Latin America. Between bites, cruise vendor stalls, tour stunning art installations, sip a cold one inside the Modelo beer garden and dance to live Latin music.

Local restaurants bring their most famous dishes outside for two days of tastings at this Lincoln Park street festival. You'll find loads of vendors lining Lincoln Avenue, including area businesses and eateries, as well as one main music stage and a kids carnival area stocked with activities, face painting, games and more. Don't forget to try the fest's whiskey tasting, which offer 16 samples of Midwestern spirits curated by Delilah's. 

The stretch of Ravenswood Avenue that's dubbed "Malt Row" hosts this annual festival, which features drinks provided by the neighborhood's diverse craft brewing scene alongside bites from local restaurants, shopping vendors, axe-throwing and live music. The two-day event spotlights beers from Half Acre, Cultivate by Forbidden Root, Dovetail, Spiteful, Hop Butcher for the World, Begyle and more, plus cocktails from KOVAL Distillery—hop heads will want to try some of the special tappings.

The South Side Jazz Coalition is hosting a series of free monthly jazz performances this summer on the steps of the St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Greater Grand Crossing. Bring a lawn chair, some snacks and prepare to hear some top-notch music from the Chicago jazz community—plus, every performance ends with a jam session. 

Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks returns for its 12th year with The Hero Within, an all-ages musical performance that weaves together popular music with scenes and speeches from Shakespeare's plays. The free show will move across neighborhood parks—check out the full schedule on the official site.

River North is home to a diverse collection of restaurants—and you'll be able to try a lot of it at this tasty neighborhood gathering. Sample dishes from Lure Fishbar, Hubbard Inn, Bar Goa and more; while you're digesting, you'll enjoy tunes from local cover bands and plenty of beverages. This year's event will also feature a wine tasting on Friday, and a dog parade on Saturday.

When it comes to street festivals, the annual Wicker Park Fest is usually one of the season's largest (and most crowded) events, attracting thousands of people to a stretch of Milwaukee Avenue that's crowded with bars, chain restaurants, boutiques and shoe stores. This year's lineup includes Built to Spill, The Regrettes, Biig Piig, Say She She, BabyJake and Lido Pimienta, and you'll also find plenty of food from local vendors, well-stocked beer tents, sales at surrounding shops and a dedicated kids area.

The Silver Room's block party bash returns to Oakwood Beach this year. Inspired by the "historic sound system block parties in the Bronx that connected communities through music," the two-day event will feature a lineup of live musical performnances plus local food vendors, artists, a volleyball area and other fun activities.

One of the largest Latino fests in the Midwest returns to the heart of Pilsen, bringing a carnival, delicious food from local vendors and a lineup of traditional music to the neighborhood's streets. The four-day event takes place along a stretch of Cermak Road (between Ashalnd and Morgan) and can draw as many at one million people every year—we recommend showing up early before the crowds stream in during the evening.

Get ready to hunt for some new (and old) treasures! The beloved Randolph Street Market Festival is back for its 20th year with two days of curated, European-style vintage and antique shopping. Browse wares from more than 200 vendors, including This Old Book (for rare novels and coffee table books), Tarkington Antiques (for MCM furniture) and Lottie Dottie Vintage (for fun and funky items), or grab a cocktail and bite to eat from restaurant vendors while tapping your toes to live music. 

The annual Bantu Fest prides itself on bringing people, cuisine and culture from more than 30 different countries together for a two-celebration of Chicago's (and the world's) diversity. When you're not sampling tantalizing dishes from around the globe, you can take in sets from local musicians and enjoy the sights during a summer afternoon on Midway Plaisance.

Chinatown celebrates the arrival of summer at this annual event—featuring food, art and music—which became a two-day fest beginning in 2021. The festival opens with a traditional lion dance procession and continues with performances (including a K-pop breakdance competition), kung fu demonstrations, arts and craft exhibits and cuisine from Chinatown restaurants. 

The oldest music festival in North America plays host to more than 100 shows throughout summer, featuring big-name headliners like Lauryn Hill, Santana, John Legend and Carrie Underwood. Check out the full schedule of artists coming to Highland Park this year and don't forget to pack a picnic.

Head to Pritzker Pavilion on select Mondays and Thursdays from June 22–August 21 for the 10-part Millennium Park Summer Music Series, which showcases a wide range of music from both emerging and well-established performers. The series kicks off on June 22 with a tribute to late jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis; throughout the rest of the summer, catch acts like rapper Big Freedia (July 13); blues, soul and Americana singer Shemekia Copeland (July 31); and Grammy-winning blues guitarist Cedric Burnside (August 10).

Lawn chairs and snacks at the ready! The Chicago Park District's Movies in the Parks program offers enough blockbusters, classic and kid-friendly picks on the roster for you to plan movie nights all summer along—no pricey theater tickets required. From June through September, the annual series brings dozens of free movie screenings to neighborhood parks across the city, from Humboldt Park to the South Shore Cultural Center. Check out the full schedule here.

Spin classes and weight lifting can wait for the winter. This summer, jump start your weekend with free cardio kickboxing, yoga, pilates and Zumba classes on Millennium Park’s Great Lawn every Saturday from May through September.

Each Thursday night from June through August, Argyle Street turns into a market featuring regional farmers, dishes from local restaurants and live performers. The fun takes place on the Argyle Streetscape between Kenmore and Sheridan, welcoming visitors to enjoy an evening of food, shopping and entertainment.

Cinema/Chicago is offering free film screenings all summer long featuring stories set in cities all around the world. Each Wednesday will spotlight a different country’s national cinema, from Japan and South Korea to Sweden and the Netherlands. Check the website to see the full schedule and list of movies.

Wrigley Field-adjacent plaza Gallagher Way is once again showing free outdoor movie screenings this summer. Admission is free and attendees are welcome to bring their own food, enjoy on-site concessions or snag a meal from nearby restaurants like Big Star and Smoke Daddy. VIP seating is also available for $33—check out the Gallagher Way website for more details. Gates open at 6pm for each screening and the movies start at 7:30pm.

• May 17: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
• May 31: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
• June 7: The Mitchells vs. The Machines
• July 5: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
• July 12: Clueless
• July 26: Top Gun: Maverick
• August 23: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
• August 30: The Dark Knight
• September 13: Back to the Future
• September 27: The Blues Brothers

During the summer, one of the best aerial displays you'll find in Chicago originates from Navy Pier. The Chicago attraction hosts twice-weekly fireworks shows (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with stunning views available from across the pier's public spaces. Of course, you can also take in the show from nearby beaches or while cruising along the Lakefront Trail.

Escape the planet with exhibits about the first lunar missions, the solar system and more, plus immersive shows in the dome theater. The Doane Observatory is also home to the largest public telescope in the area, and gathers 7,000 times more light than the human eye. Every Wednesday, the Adler stays open late from 4pm-10pm so that folks can visit after work or school. And best of all, admission is free on those nights for Illinois residents.

Tuesdays on the Terrace returns to the Museum of Contemporary Art's Anne and John Kern Terrace Garden this summer for free weekly concerts. This year's series expands beyond jazz to include hip hop, house, blues, bomba and more. Grab a cocktail or a glass of wine from a bar on the museum's upper terrace and hear tunes from artists like the Victor Garcia, Alysha Monique & The Family Divine and The Jazz Hoofing Quartet, plus tons of others from the local community.

Put on your best pink attire and let your nostalgia run wild at this pop-up inspired by the iconic doll. Fans will enjoy all-day brunch fare from Master Chef semi-finalist Becky Brown and sip on refreshing cocktails while hanging out on a breezy, beach-themed patio. There are plenty of photo ops—including a life-sized Barbie box—plus exclusive merch to pick up. You can even strap on roller skates and glide around an outdoor rink!

Rooftop Cinema Club, the open-air theater perched atop The Emily Hotel, is back for a second season. Guests can catch showings of hand-picked classics, cult films and recent releases while also enjoying sweeping views of the skyline and craft beverages. It’s the perfect summer cinema experience.

Pixar Putt returns to Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier for the 2023 season. The mini golf pop-up presents 18 holes of fun inspired by some of Pixar’s most beloved films, including Toy Story, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Wall-E and more. Looking for a date night activity? Visit Thursday-Sunday from 7pm-10pm for Pixar Putt After Dark, which is reserved for patrons over 18. Illinois residents can save $3.50 off each ticket with proof of residency.

Projecting a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of the Merchandise Mart, ART on THE Mart's summer programming includes a piece by global design and architecture firm Gensler—Building Light—as well as a newly commissioned work by the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project. ART on THE MART's array of 34 digital projectors show the creations at 8:30pm and 9pm every evening. It’s best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.

Originally established in the late 1800s, the Maxwell Street Market brought vendors, musicians and cooks to an open-air flea market where shoppers could find just about anything they wanted. The market introduced the Maxwell Street Polish sausage, provided a venue for rising Chicago blues musicians and was immortalized in a scene in The Blues Brothers. These days, the market sets up on nearby Desplaines Street (between Roosevelt and Howard) every Sunday, where visitors will find vendors hawking their wares, an abundance of delicious Mexican food and occasional performances by local bands and dance troupes. Don't let the cold or wet weather scare you away—the Maxwell Street Market takes place outdoors year-round.

Yer a wizard, Harry! Or at least, you can pretend to be one at this immersive Harry Potter experience that’s popping up at Water Tower Place through September 2023. Visitors are invited to step into Harry’s life at Hogwarts with interactive features like Quidditch lessons, Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, sipping sweet drinks at the Butterbeer Bar, Patronus-seeking in the Forbidden Forest and learning their Hogwarts house via the Sorting Hat, among other magical experiences. FYI: In addition to regular operating hours, the exhibition is open on “select” Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and may offer different hours around holidays. 

From the team that created Immersive Van Gogh, Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius is a new production that brings the famous Classical composer’s brilliant works to life with  captivating visuals built around the auditory experience. Audiences will be surrounded by bustling city streets, ornate royal auditoriums, lavish paintings and otherworldly dreamscapes, all accompanied by some of Mozart’s most beloved melodies. Some of Mozart’s best compositions will be featured, including Symphony No. 40, Requiem, Turkish March, Ave Verum Corpus and selections from his acclaimed operas. Immersive Van Gogh is also currently running in the same space and customers who purchase tickets to Mozart Immersive can watch both shows back to back.

Tap into feelings of childhood nostalgia at the Museum of Science and Industry’s newest exhibit, a colorful glimpse into the world of Mold-A-Rama™ machines. Explore a collection of popular, rare and experimental souvenirs, learn about the history of the machines’ production and breathe in the iconic scent of their plastic toymaking—you can even take home a few new Mold-A-Rama™ souvenirs if you’re looking to expand your collection. 

Chicago Gamespace, a video game museum in Logan Square, is opening a new exhibition dedicated to the game universe of TRON. Visitors will enter through Flynn's Arcade, the immortal arcade owned by Jeff Bridges' Flynn character in the sci-fi classic, and learn about the original TRON arcade game’s history and development before entering an immersive Light Cycle arena featuring other games from the franchise. General admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids, and includes access to the video game history collection.

Delve into the often-mystifying process of death in this surprisingly life-affirming exhibit at the Field Museum, which explores dying through a variety of natural and cultural processes. Attendees can explore highlights like a full-sized ofrenda made by Chicago artist Norma Rios-Sierra, a replica of a whale's body on the ocean floor and check out a variety of interactive media and soundscapes to help ponder some of life's big questions about death. 

The Art Institute of Chicago’s new exhibit showcases more than 75 paintings and drawings from Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries during a period of experimentation in the suburbs of Paris between 1882 and 1890.