What's Happening In Chicago This Summer

Forbes

19 hours ago

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Summer in the Windy City is chock full of street festivals, lakefront concerts, movie nights and plenty of yummy food. From the sizzling bites at Taste of Chicago to the eclectic sounds of over 170 artists at Lollapalooza, there are no shortage of events in the city's vibrant neighborhoods. Here's what you can expect for summer 2025.
The Millennium Park Summer Music Series will take place Mondays and Thursdays, June 26–August 7 from 6:30-9:30pm. Gates open at 5 pm. The series is held at Millennium Park at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Admission is free. The program features a wide variety of music from established and emerging artists.
All movie buffs are welcome to Millennium Park Summer Film Series on Tuesdays from July 1–August 19. The movies start at 6:30 pm, gates open at 5 pm. It's free admission and the event is held at Millennium Park at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
When you think of a big city, you don't normally think of street racing, but Chicago is looking to change that. The city is planning NASCAR's only street race on July 5-6. The Chicago Street Race will be located in around portions of Grant Park, a large urban park of 319 acres in the Loop community area of the city. Located within the city's central business district, Grant Park includes Butler Field, Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art Institute of Chicago, and a portion of the Museum Campus. Access to Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park, the Art Institute of Chicago and Museum Campus remains available throughout the event.
Also in July is the Messi Experience, an immersive and interactive multimedia exhibition inspired by the life and career of Lionel Messi. As part of its world tour, The Messi Experience is making its way to Chicago, offering fans a unique opportunity to step into the world of one of the greatest footballers of all time. The Messi Experience will take place at Chicago's Exhibition Hub Art Center.
On July 12th, the Chicago Gospel Music Festival will be happening. This free inspirational music festival brings audiences of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate the power of gospel. The event will be held at Millennium Park from noon to 9pm. Grammy winner Chandler Moore will be headlining.
The Windy City Smokeout Country Music and BBQ Festival Nancy Edwards
The Windy City Smokeout Country Music and BBQ Festival is taking place July 10-13 at United Center (the main entrance is at the intersection of Madison and Wood). Live musical performances from some of the country's top artists and rising talents will perform. Award-winning BBQ from some of the best pitmasters in the country will all be in one place. There will be multiple cashless bars, concessions, and activities throughout the festival grounds. Kids aged 10 and under are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.
The famous Maxwell Street in Chicago will be hosting several street fairs throughout the summer. Visitors will experience an eclectic mix of foods and finds—including handmade crafts, resale housewares, and clothing. This year's edition will also feature live entertainment and programming from cultural partners, and will incorporate nearby businesses and restaurants. Several Maxwell Street originals with longstanding ties to the neighborhood will be present including: Express Grill, Jim's Original Hot Dog, Lalo's Mexican Restaurant and Bar Louie. The event will be held on select Sundays: July 13, August 10, September 14 & October 5 on Maxwell Street between S. Halsted St. and S. Union Ave from 10 am– 3 pm. Admission is free.
July 31-August 3, 2025 Chicago's Grant Park will host The Windy City Smokeout Country Music and BBQ Festival There will be over 170 artists across eight stages. There will also be food, drinks and sweets from favorite Chicago restaurants.
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Explore a collection of boats and yachts, meet industry leaders, and experience hands-on boating demos on Lake Michigan from August 21 - 24 2025 at the return of the Chicago International Boat Show. This is where the marine world converges. The show will take place at Navy Pier Marina (600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611). There will be workshops and panels, live entertainment and interactive demos. Local Chicago food and drinks will also be available. Kids under 12 are free.
From September 25-28, the Windy City hosts Chicago Gourmet one of the nation's most distinguished food festivals. The event celebrates the city's diverse dining scene with a dynamic line-up of epicurean events that showcase the city's top chefs, food, and drinks. The upscale culinary celebration hosts a series of diverse happenings, from a high-end tasting to a competition for the city's best gourmet burger. Chicago Gourmet is held on the Harris Theater Rooftop in Millennium Park.