The weekend is upon us and many of you are looking for a good time or at the least somewhere to go and have fun, maybe meet new people or cultivate a new hobby? Keep scrolling as we’ve curated a nice varied selection of things to do from events taking place in and around Chicago this weekend and its a busy one from the Northside to South. You can have a basic weekend in Chicago or a great one when you tap in to our Chicago Weekend Guide.
FRIDAY
WHAT:: WINDY CITY SMOKEOUT 2024
WHERE:: United Center
WHEN:: July 11-14
WHY:: Windy City Smokeout, the nation’s premier outdoor country music and BBQ festival, returns to Chicago from July 11-14, 2024. Windy City Smokeout, the 2022 winner of the Academy of Country Music Awards “Festival of the Year,” will feature an impressive lineup featuring some of country music’s biggest names and up-and-coming talents, along with the best BBQ and craft beer from around the country.
COST:: Starting at $85+ (plus fees). Click here for more info
WHAT:: GUARAV GUPTA X EAST6 TRUNK SHOW
WHERE:: Studio East6 | 1142 W Madison St #407 60607
WHEN:: July 12 – July 14
WHY:: The exclusive Gaurav Gupta x Studio East6 Trunk Show! Shop GG’s latest collection & bestsellers, ranging from party wear to couture. Opportunity to shop straight off-the-rack or custom order the outfit of your dreams! Up to 1-hour appointment for any of the following: finalize & order, try-on any style options in studio, block off a dressing room, answer any questions, and/or guide you through our process. This appointment fee is applicable to 1 person, with 2 accompanying guests
COST:: $50 (1 hour) Click here for RSVP
WHAT:: BRONZEVILLE SUMMER NIGHTS
WHERE:: Bronzeville
WHEN:: July 12
WHY:: Stroll, bike or hop on the BSN trolley to explore local businesses while celebrating Bronzeville community and culture.
COST:: $FREE Click here for more info
WHAT:: ARTHUR JAFA: WORKS FROM THE MCA COLLECTION
WHERE:: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Sylvia Neil and Daniel Fischel Galleries | 200 E. Chicago Avenue 60611
WHEN:: through March 2025
WHY:: Across three decades, artist and filmmaker Arthur Jafa has developed a singularly dynamic practice comprising films and videos, photographs, and sculptures. Through his multidisciplinary work, Jafa seeks to encompass what he describes as “the full complexity, specificity, beauty, and potentiality of what Black folks have made and continue to make out of the bleak existential circumstance we’ve attended to over the past several hundred years.” Utilizing found imagery, music, and artistic techniques such as montage and collage, he has constructed an extensive assemblage of Black expression, layered and arranged in ways that reveal the diverse and complex realities of Black being. Lead support is provided by the Harris Family Foundation in memory of Bette and Neison Harris, the Zell Family Foundation, and Cari and Michael Sacks. Major support is provided by R. H. Defares and Agnes Gund. Generous support is provided by D. Elizabeth Price and Lou Yecies.
COST:: Museum admission $19+ Click here for more info
WHAT:: FLYOVER CHICAGO
WHERE:: Navy Pier | 600 E Grand Avenue Chicago 60611
WHEN:: Now Open
WHY:: Experience Chicago from a whole new perspective at Flyover. Follow your sense of adventure to Navy Pier and rediscover the feeling of absolute awe. Our exhilarating immersive journey connects you with Chicago like never before. Soar over iconic locations, dive into authentic stories and lose yourself to an adventure unlike any other.
COST:: $24.95 (Adult); $14.95(13 and under); $19.95 (military) Click here for more info
WHAT:: WEEKEND AT THE SISKEL FILM CENTER
WHERE:: Gene Siskel Film Center | 164 N. State Street
WHEN:: July 12-14
WHY:: The weekend’s lineup of films at the Siskel Film Center includes: Sunset Boulevard, An Autumn Afternoon, Beau Travail, Spike Lee’s “SchoolDaze,” Bob Fosse’s “Cabaret,” “Last Summer” and more.
COST:: Varies Click here for more info
WHAT:: BOUNCY GAMES
WHERE:: The Exhibition Hub Art Center in Chicago| 2367 W Logan Blvd 60647
WHEN:: Now through September
WHY:: Step into an inflatable paradise at Bouncy Games in Chicago! Make amazing memories with friends and family, as you bounce, flop, and somersault through over 10,000 square feet of giant slides and obstacle courses! Explore endless inflatable activities throughout a 10,000-square-foot space. Crawl through tunnels, climb walls, and zoom down slides at lightning speed. Unleash your inner child, jumping around and laughing the day away. Make amazing memories with friends and family—a fun day out for everyone. Enjoy snacks on site. Combine a trip to Bouncy Games with a visit to the Age of the Dinosaurs – get a bundle ticket to Dinos Alive now!
COST:: $20.90+ Click here for more info
WHAT:: THE SQUARE ROOTS FESTIVAL
WHERE:: Lincoln Square (Lincoln Avenue between Montrose & Wilson)
WHEN:: July 12-14
WHY:: A Real Nice Music & Craft Beer Street Fest! Square Roots brings together the best of Lincoln Square, Chicago, and beyond, with a great lineup of live music, family fun, local restaurants and vendors, and the best craft beer showcase of any Chicago street fest. Join the fun and support non-profit organizations Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and Old Town School Of Folk Music..
COST:: Suggested donation $10 for adults, $5 kids/seniors, $20 families Click here for more info
SATURDAY
WHAT:: PASSPORT VIBES: AFROBEATS STREET FESTIVAL
WHERE:: The Promontory | 5311 South Lake Park Avenue West 60615
WHEN:: July 13
WHY:: Passport Vibes: Afrobeat Street Festival presented by Afrolux and The Promontory. The festival will showcase music from Chicago’s top local & international DJs, food and retail vendors, GAMES , PHOTO INSTALLATIONS and much more!
COST:: $Complimentary with RSVP Click here for more info
WHAT:: BIG10K
WHERE:: Soldier Field
WHEN:: July 13 | 7:30pm
WHY::The 13th annual BTN Big 10K and 5K returns to Soldier Field with school mascots, cheerleaders, and a massive post-race tailgate party. New this year, fans and alumni of Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington will have the opportunity to participate in both the 10K and 5K. Post-race festivities will include food and beverages, music, games, giveaways and photo opportunities with Big Ten mascots and cheerleaders. The Chicago-based Big Ten Alumni chapters will also be on hand to give away school-specific swag to their fans and alumni.
COST:: $55+ Click here for more info
WHAT:: CLICQUOT COURTYARD AT PEACOCK GARDEN
WHERE:: Waldorf Astoria Chicago
WHEN:: July 13 | Seatings at 4 PM – 5:15 PM and 6 PM – 7:15 PM
WHY:: Step into the sun-dappled Peacock Garden at Waldorf Astoria Chicago, a sanctuary of sophistication. Our collaboration with Veuve Clicquot transports you to a world where every sip of champagne is a celebration. The air is infused with the delicate fizz of bubbles, and the golden liquid dances in yellow flutes. As you settle around the bistro table, a symphony of flavors from a charcuterie board lingers on your palate. The verdant Peacock Garden provides the perfect backdrop for this gastronomic adventure. Santé!
COST:: $125 Click here for more info
WHAT:: EEEEEATSCON 2024 CHICAGO
WHERE:: The Salt Shed | 1357 N Elston Ave
WHEN:: July 13 & July 14 | 7:30pm
WHY:: The Infatuation’s EEEEEATSCON Presented by Chase Sapphire® Returns to The Salt Shed Chicago. Chance the Rapper, Chrissy Teigen, Common and more, highlight festival with 20 restaurants from Chicago and across the U.S. including a first ever collaboration between Shake Shack x Zingerman’s Delicatessen (Ann Arbor, MI), PopUp Bagels (NYC), Professor Pizza, Jibaritos Y Más and more! This year, attendees will also have the opportunity to try exclusive menu items from a special, first-of-its-kind collaboration between Shake Shack and Ann Arbor’s legendary delicatessen, Zingerman’s.
COST:: $30.37+fees (ticket does not include food & bev.) Click here for more info
WHAT:: THE CHOSEN FEW DJS PICNIC & FESTIVAL
WHERE:: Jackson Park | 63rd Street at Hayes Drive 60637
WHEN:: July 13
WHY::What started as a small gathering of friends behind Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry in 1990 is now the world’s longest-running event dedicated to House Music, attracting house music fans from around the world each year. The family-reunion-style event features 12+ hours of music from the Chosen Few DJs – Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Alan King, Andre Hatchett, Terry Hunter, and Mike Dunn along with Guest performers. Founded by Wayne Williams in 1977, the Chosen Few Disco Corp., a group of popular DJs from Chicago’s South Side – Williams, Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Alan King and Andre Hatchett – were part of the first wave of DJs and producers in Chicago who created the sound that became known as House Music.
COST:: $Varies Click here for more info
WHAT:: MICHE FEST 2024
WHERE::Oakwood Beach | 4100 S Lakeshore Dr. 60653
WHEN:: June 13-16 |Time varies
WHY::Chicago’s Latino Festival, Miche Fest , is back! What started as an idea to blend together música latina, cultura, y unas sabrosas micheladas has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. Chicago’s Latino Festival is back, and this time, it’s bigger, bolder y más chingón than ever before. New location. Bigger activations. More artists you love. Same unforgettable experience. ¡Nos vemos en la playa! Kali Uchis / Los Angeles Azules / Santa Fe Klan / Junior H / Luis R. Conriquez / Chino Pacas/Ryan Castro / Piso 21 / De La Ghetto / J Santos / Jasiel Nuñez / Hermanos Espinoza / Los Primos Del Este / Los Esquivel / Los K-Bros / El Malo.
COST:: GA $169 | GA Weekend $279 Click here for more info
WHAT:: BASTILLE DAY CELEBRATION
WHERE:: Alliance Française de Chicago | 54 W. Chicago Ave
WHEN:: July 13
WHY:: We invite you and your whole family, from oldest to youngest, to celebrate Bastille Day at the Alliance with us this year! From bubbles and balloons to cookie decorating, arts and crafts, and more, we’ve got lots of activities for children to enjoy. Adults can enjoy rosé while our guest accordionist strolls through our festive courtyard! Whether your young Francophiles like to rip and run or play at a slower pace, they’re bound to have fun with us at the Alliance this summer holiday! Enjoy Fun Activities including: Face Painting, Crêpe Stations, Giant Bubbles, Cookie Decorating, Photo Booth, Waiters Race, Word Games, Live Entertainment
COST:: Free for children under 5 • $10 for children 6 to 12 • $25 for Members • $30 for Non-Members Click here for more info
WHAT:: LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD PLAY
WHERE:: Steppenwolf | 1925 South Michigan Avenue 60616
WHEN:: through August 4
WHY:: Ensemble Member Laurie Metcalf comes home to Steppenwolf to star in Little Bear Ridge Road (formerly Untitled), a comic, cosmic and intimate world premiere, penned by MacArthur Fellow Samuel D. Hunter and directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello.
COST:: $Varies Click here for more info
WHAT:: USTA CHICAGO FREE TENNIS
WHERE:: Gallagher Way | 3635 N Clark Street 60613
WHEN:: June 13
WHY::USTA Chicago is celebrating tennis at Gallagher Way, a community hub right outside Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs Stadium. New or current tennis enthusiasts are invited to try tennis on a standard short court or a grass short court to coincide with Wimbledon. To celebrate Wimbledon, players are encouraged to dress in their bright whites and cheer on the pros on the hub’s big screen. The USTA Chicago staff invites you to join us for a day of tennis and community fun at this free event. Whether you’re eager to play or just soak in the atmosphere with food and drinks, there’s something for everyone.
COST:: GA $169 | GA Weekend $279 Click here for more info
SUNDAY
WHAT:: SUNDAYS ON STATE
WHERE:: State Street in the Loop
WHEN:: July 14 | 11am-6pm
WHY:: The internationally acclaimed, award-winning event series, Sundays on State, transforms Chicago’s most iconic street, State Street, when it closes to vehicular traffic from Lake to Adams on select dates each summer. Neighbors from every Chicago community and beyond unite for a free, interactive block party, while safely enjoying art, culture, active recreation, food, drinks, shopping, and local attractions in the heart of everyone’s neighborhood – the Loop.
COST:: $FREE attendance (food & bev not separate). Click here for more info
WHAT:: HYDE PARK FARMER’S MARKET
WHERE:: 1516 E 54th St – 54th Street and Old Lake Park Ave West (Hyde Park Bank parking lot).
WHEN:: July 14 | 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
WHY:: Shoppers will find fresh produce from local Illinois farms, freshly baked breads and desserts, beautiful plants, packaged foods, personal beauty supplies, and traditional farmers market fare. Several market vendors accept Mastercard and Visa, LinkUp and SNAP payments in addition to cash.
COST:: $FREE TO ATTEND Click here for more info
WHAT:: NORAH JONES WITH SPECIAL GUEST MAVIS STAPLES
WHERE:: Ravinia
WHEN:: June 30
WHY:: Singer-songwriter and pianist Norah Jones sold out her Ravinia debut in 2003, and has since won nine Grammy Awards and been named Billboard’s top jazz artist of the 2000s. Known for her “sterling voice and empathic songwriting” (Variety), Jones first entranced the world with Come Away With Me and its No. 1 hit “Don’t Know Why” and went on to write songs like “Sunrise” and “Carry On.” Jones is now considered an artist beyond genre and will grace the Pavilion with the melded influences of jazz, folk, and and country blues.
The legendary R&B and gospel singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples co-headlines at the Pavilion as she returns to Ravinia. She first appeared with her family as part of The Staple Sisters, recording beloved tracks like “I’ll Take You There” and “Let’s Do It Again.” A recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Kennedy Center Honoree, Staples has released hit albums since 1950 and collaborated with artists like Aretha Franklin, Prince, and David Byrne.
COST:: $49(Lawn); $100(Reserved Lawn Block) Click here for more info
Featured image credit: Ozzie Stern via Unsplash
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