There are so many things to do in Chicago this month. July brings a jam-packed schedule of block parties, festivals, concerts, art exhibits, parades, cultural celebrations, outdoor adventures, and more. Check out these top picks for things to do in Chicago throughout the month of July and beyond. Please note that all events are subject to change.
Top events this July
Fourth of July fireworks at Navy Pier (July 2): Catch the spectacular waterfront show from the Pier, at a rooftop bar, or on a boat cruise.
Millennium Park Summer Music Series (through July): The popular Millennium Park Summer Music Series is back, so pack a blanket and a picnic, and settle in for a variety of musical performances at Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
Pitchfork (July 15 – 17): The Roots, The National, and Mitski headline this laidback music festival, which welcomes over 60,000 people to Union Park.
Taste of Chicago (July 8 – 10): Taste of Chicago is returning to Grant Park, bringing over 30 food vendors and food trucks alongside free concerts, dance lessons, and more.
Lollapalooza (July 28 – 31): The massive four-day music fest is headed back to Grant Park with headliners including Metallica, Dua Lipa, J. Cole, and Green Day.
Chinatown Summer Fair (July 30 – 31): This exuberant celebration takes over Chinatown with a lion procession, food and drink samplings, street vendors, children’s areas, and more.
More things to do this month
Chosen Few House Music Fest (through July 3): House music takes center stage for a weekend festival featuring more than 12 hours of music in Jackson Park.
International Festival of Life (July 2 – 4): The 29th annual African and Caribbean International Festival of Life comes to Washington Park with plenty of live musical performances, food, games, and more.
Independence Day at the Chicago History Museum (July 4): This free outdoor event includes a children’s dance party, a Chicago blues jam session, and other family-friendly festivities.
Bronzeville Summer Nights (July 8): Now in its 10th year, Bronzeville Summer Nights is an evening dedicated to shopping local in this historic district.
Afrobeat Street Fest (July 9): Hyde Park will be home to this Afrobeat and African music celebration, which will include food and retail vendors, games, fashion shows, and more.
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Wicker Park Fest (July 22 – 24): This neighborhood festival includes an eclectic music line-up, great local food, arts and crafts, and retail vendors.
Tacos y Tamales Festival (July 15 – 17): It’s all things tacos and tamales at this Pilsen food festival, also featuring music and dance performances, a Modelo beer garden, and more.
Square Roots Festival (July 8 – 10): The annual festival in Lincoln Square brings together live music, local restaurants, family-fun activities, and plenty of local craft brews to the square.
JeffFest (July 29 – 31): Jefferson Park is home to this annual family-friendly fest, featuring live entertainment, food, drink, and lots of kids’ activities, too.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest (July 15 – 17): Burger lovers won’t want to miss the 15th annual Burger Fest in Roscoe Village. This year’s newest contenders include The Stop Along, Lola’s Coney Island, Epic Burger, and Declan’s Irish Pub.
Chicago International Film Festival’s Summer Screenings (starting July 13): Every Wednesday, enjoy a complimentary film screening from the Chicago International Film Festival at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Sundays on State (through July): The iconic State Street will become a pedestrian-friendly festival ground with family-friendly activities, music, games, dance, food and drink vendors, and lots more.
Volleywood at North Avenue Beach (July 16): It doesn’t get much better than live music on the beach, and Volleywood is bringing together 11 different electric artists for a two-day weekend music festival.
Ravinia Festival (through July): There’s so much to love about Ravinia, the sprawling outdoor amphitheater in Highland Park. July brings multiple shows, from Sheryl Crow, Little Big Town, Leslie Odom Jr., and much more.
Annual BIPOC Play Festival (July 9 – 10): Perceptions Theatre hosts this celebration of local playwrights of color, featuring four unique shows at Studio 2226 in South Shore.
Jazz in the Court (July 1): Enjoy live jazz musical performances taking place at the famed Harper Court in Hyde Park.
Millennium Arts Festival (July 15 – 17): A three-day art show and market is coming to Millennium Park with over 130 artists showcasing their work.
Taste of Lincoln Avenue (July 22 – 24): Food, music, arts, crafts, and local vendors are coming together for the Taste of Lincoln Ave between Lincoln and Fullerton in Lincoln Park.
Brick of Chicago Walking Tour (through July): Explore some of Chicago’s most iconic neighborhoods with a specialty walking tour from Brick of Chicago.
Pizza City Festival (July 23 – 24): Sample over 30 varieties of the city’s best pizza at this two-day festival hosted by the pizza king, Steve Dolinsky.
Silver Room Block Party (July 16 – 17): Oakwood Beach is the new home of the Silver Room Block party, bringing live music, beach volleyball, food, drink, artist vendors, and more to the lakefront.
Jazzin’ On the Steps (July 24): The South Side Jazz Coalition kicks off its summer series with a return to free jazz on the steps of St. Columbanus Catholic Church.
ShakesFest (starting July 14): This local pop-up brings Shakespeare in the Park performances through multiple Chicago neighborhoods, including West Pullman, Ukrainian Village, Little Village, and Austin.
Choir Boy at the Steppenwolf Theater (through July 24): Tony-nominated play Choir Boy comes to the Steppenwolf theater for a limited engagement in July.
Movies in the Park (through July): The Chicago Park District is showcasing a variety of films, including Encanto, King Richard, The Rookie, Sing 2, and so much more throughout various parks across the city.
Jazzin’ at the Shedd (through July): Every Wednesday in July, catch a live jazz musical performance at the Shedd, with skyline views to boot.
Art of the Brick at the Museum of Science + Industry (through July): You won’t want to miss the world’s largest display of LEGO art featuring works made from over one million pieces.
SIX the Musical at CIBC Theater (through July 3): The new playful and powerful Broadway musical focused on the SIX wives of Henry VII comes to the CIBC Theater for a limited run.
Return of the Jedi at Chicago Symphony Orchestra (through July 2): The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is home to a variety of performances highlighting the magical score of the classic Star Wars film.
Prince: The Immersive Experience (through July): Step inside the music and life of Prince, from mixing your own song to an audiovisual dance party.
Pixar Putt at Navy Pier (through July): Enjoy a round of mini-golf at this Pixar-themed pop-up featuring 18 holes and plenty of Pixar fun.
Rooftop Cinema Club (through July): The Emily hotel in Fulton Market is now home to rooftop movies including La La Land, Top Gun, Save the Last Dance, The Greatest Showman sing-along, and much more,
Rogers Park Arts + Music Fest (July 8 – 10): Celebrate the community of Rogers Park with music, arts, and food festival with plenty of family-friendly activities.
Joffrey Ballet at Navy Pier (July 9 – 10): Rita Finds a Home is the newest Joffrey creation for young audiences and it will be having its world premiere at Navy Pier’s Polk Brothers Park.
Freedom Fest (July 9): The Kedzie taproom of Revolution Brewery will be showcasing its inaugural Freedom Fest with a beer-filled block party complete with plenty of Revolution brews to go around.
West Loop Summer Fest (July 8 – 10): This island-themed bash includes the neighborhood’s favorite local restaurant vendors, yacht-rock-inspired tunes, tasty drinks, and more.
Southport Art Fest (July 8 – 10): A summer favorite, Southport Art Fest highlights some of the city’s most talented artisans on a tree-lined expanse of the neighborhood’s charming retail corridor.
WestFest (July 8): West Town’s favorite festival is back, bringing plenty of live music, crafts, food trucks, and neighborhood retailers to Chicago Avenue.
Bucktown Garden Walk (July 9 – 10): Enjoy the historic homes and beautiful gardens throughout the Bucktown Garden Walk. This neighborhood fest includes access to over 100 urban gardens, live music, and more.
Tuesdays on the Terrace (through July): The Museum of Contemporary Art offers free live music each week highlighting artists from Chicago’s internationally renowned jazz community.
Bronzeville Art District Trolley Tour (July 15): Explore this vibrant arts district, filled with a diverse array of galleries and art groups.
Chicago Disability Pride Parade (July 23): This downtown parade, hosted by grassroots organizers, travels along Dearborn before ending in Daley Plaza for post-parade activities.
Immersive Monet (through July): Surround yourself with the most iconic works of the Impressionist movement at the new iteration of this popular exhibit.
ART on theMART (through July): Marvel at the moving images that dance across the facade of theMART on the Chicago River.
Chicago Mahogany Tours (July 30): The Bronzeville tours offer a fascinating dive into the area’s rich history.
Nick Cave: Forothermore (through July): The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago hosts the first career-spanning exhibit of the internationally renowned Chicagoan Nick Cave.
Cezanne at the Art Institute (through July): Impressionist French artist Paul Cezanne is on full display at this new exhibit, including his famed “Still Life with Apples”.
Gallagher Way movies (through July): The iconic Music Box Theater and Gallagher Way at Wrigley Field are teaming up for free movie nights, complete with food and drink vendors, and plenty of outdoor family fun.
Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories (through July): Indigenous perspectives and experiences at the forefront in this reimagined exhibit from the Field Museum.
Grant Park Music Festival (through July): Grant Park is home to a jam-packed summer festival of live musical performances, from classical orchestra to Broadway-inspired performances, and a patriotic Fourth of July show.
ChiTown Movies (through July): Pull up to this old-school drive-in movie experience in Pilsen to enjoy screenings of popular movies and family-friendly classics.
