Chicago Travel Professionals Guide - 2025
SUMMER
2025-05-14 10:27:50
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
May – August | Navy Pier
Catch a spectacular fireworks display at lakefront Navy Pier each week from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
June | Millennium Park
A genre with deep Chicago roots, blues is the star of this outdoor summer festival that attracts some of music’s biggest names.
June | Old Town
In the heart of charming Old Town, this art fair showcases more than 200 global artists and their works.
June – September | Citywide
Learn some new moves or enjoy the music when this summer event series turns Chicago parks into open-air dance floors.
July | Jackson Park
This celebration of house music, held in scenic Jackson Park, has been drawing legendary DJs and fans for more than 30 years.
July | Millennium Park
Hear everything from traditional choirs to contemporary gospel groups at this free outdoor festival under the stunning Pritzker Pavilion.
MILLENNIUM PARK SUMMER MUSIC SERIES
July – August Millennium Park
Enjoy free outdoor concerts showcasing a wide range of established and emerging musicians in the stunning Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
August | Grant Park
This iconic music festival amps up lakefront Grant Park with local talent and top acts from around the world.
August | Lakefront
This free lakefront display is one of the largest events of its kind, with astonishing aerial and water demonstrations.
August | Martin Luther King Drive
The largest African American parade in the country, this exuberant procession of bands, floats, and student performers has been taking place since 1929.
CLASSIC CHICAGO FOODS FUN FACTS
BROWNIE
Invented at the Palmer House hotel as a new dessert for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the brownie is still offered at the historic Loop hotel today.
CHICAGO HOT DOG
The classic Chicago hot dog is an all-beef frank nestled in a poppy seed bun and loaded with toppings: yellow mustard, sweet relish, diced onions, tomato wedges, a pickle spear, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt — no ketchup!
CHICKEN VESUVIO
Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse replicates the original version of this dish invented in Chicago in the 1920s.
ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH
Featured on the hit show The Bear, order yours dipped in au jus and served sweet (with peppers) or hot (topped with giardiniera).
JIBARITO
This fried plantain sandwich was introduced in Humboldt Park in the 1990s and is on the menu of many Puerto Rican restaurants in Chicago.
TAVERN-STYLE PIZZA
First served up in Chicago taverns during the 1940s, today you'll find this thin-crust, square-cut pizza in eateries throughout the city.
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