With long days and warm nights, summer weekends are made for exploring. Whether you’re staying local or venturing out, here are a few events worth adding to your calendar.
Rock Out at Wicker Park Fest
Park Fest returns with three days of local and national acts (50+ bands!), sidewalk art installations, global dance performances, and a deep bench of neighborhood food and drink. Browse vintage shops, pop into record stores, and sample bites from some of the city’s buzziest restaurants without leaving Milwaukee Avenue.
Date: July 25-27
Time: 12PM-10PM
Cost: $10 Suggested Donation
Location: 1346 N Paulina St
More Info: wickerparkbucktown.com
Celebrate Culture at Chinatown Summer Fair
There’s no better way to dive into Chicago’s Far East side than the Chinatown Summer Fair. The 46th annual fest draws tens of thousands for a weekend of lion dances, martial arts demos, Asian pop performances, and food stalls hawking everything from dumplings to bubble tea. Kids can get crafty in the children’s area while grown-ups shop for souvenirs and watch the dragon procession.
Date: July 26-27
Time: Sat 11AM-10PM; Sun 10AM-7PM
Cost: Free
Location: 23rd St and Wentworth Ave
More Info: ccc-foundation.org
Raise a Glass at Summer Wine Fest
Sip pinot among the peacocks. This annual 21+ garden party lets you sample more than 50 wines from 20 wineries while you stroll Lincoln Park Zoo after hours. Grab a souvenir tasting cup, hop on the Endangered Species Carousel, and join a guided tour of the zoo’s lush gardens. Lawn games, live music, and plenty of photo ops round out the summer evening.
Date: July 25
Time: 7PM-10PM
Cost: $57+
Location: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St
More Info: lpzoo.org
Give Cheers at Chicago Summer Tequila Tasting Festival
Galeria Chicago hosts the city’s last tequila tasting of the season, featuring 20+ pours of craft and small-batch tequilas and mezcals. Expect DJ beats, brand ambassadors ready to talk agave, and special deals on food pairings. A portion of proceeds benefits pediatric cancer research, so you can feel good about every sip.
Date: July 26
Time: 2:30PM-6PM
Cost: $22+
Location: Galeria Chicago, 9 W Division St
More Info: eventbrite.com
Light Up the Night at Water Lantern Festival
Wind down summer by lighting up the lakefront. The Water Lantern Festival invites you to design your own floating lantern and release it at dusk, creating a sea of soft lights reflecting on the water. Bring a blanket and a picnic or grab bites from food trucks on site.
Date: July 26
Time: 5:30PM-9:30PM
Cost: $38+
Location: Humboldt Park, 1301 N Humboldt Dr
More Info: waterlanternfestival.com
