ALL SEASONS GUIDE TO CHICAGO SUMMER June, July, August MUSIC & DANCE In June, an impressive lineup of musicians perform at the Chicago Blues Festival in Millennium Park, the largest free blues festival in the world. Enjoy the sweet sounds of classical music during the free Grant Park Music Festival , which runs from June through August. Pack a picnic and watch free movies and concerts all summer long during the Millennium Park Summer Music & Film Series . Join in free group lessons and dance to live music during Chicago SummerDance in Grant Park from June through August. During July, savor smoky barbecue and jam out to country music during the Windy City Smokeout . The Pitchfork Music Festival features an eclectic range of bands in Union Park. Groove to reggae music and try Afro-Caribbean dishes at the International Festival of Life in Washington Park. House music fans flock to the Chosen Few DJs Picnic & Music Festival , held in Jackson Park. The Square Roots Festival enlivens Lincoln Square with a diverse mix of artists, along with craft beer from local brewers. Catch your favorite artists at the sprawling Lollapalooza music festival, which takes over Grant Park in August with loads of big-name bands. The Chicago Jazz Festival showcases the world’s greatest jazz artists in Millennium Park and at the Chicago Cultural Center in late August. FOODIE FESTS In June, get a taste of one of the nation’s top culinary neighborhoods during Taste of Randolph Street . Get your hands on the best ribs in the city during June’s Ribfest Chicago . Kicking off in June, Chicago Friday Night Flights features craft beer tastings in different neighborhoods throughout the summer. From June through late fall, find farm-fresh goods at the Green City TOP TO BOTTOM: CHOOSE CHICAGO; ADAM ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHY Chicago Friday Night Flights Market in Lincoln Park and the West Loop. Bites from some of the city’s best restaurants, celebrity chef appearances, and concerts make July’s Taste of Chicago a summer must-do. SWIMMING BEACHES Take your group for a dip just steps from The Magnificent Mile at Oak Street Beach . Organize a volleyball game at North Avenue Beach before diving into Lake Michigan. Further south, soak up incredible views of the skyline from 31st Street Beach . You can also rent jet skis, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards from nearby Chicago Water Sport Rentals at 31st Street Harbor . NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS In June, view the works of 250 fine artists and wander the tree-lined streets of historic Old Town during the Old Town Art Fair . Every June, the Puerto Rican People’s Parade marches down Division Street in Humboldt Park in celebration of Caribbean culture. Find food, art, and musical acts from across the country at the July Wicker Park Fest . The July Chinatown Summer Fair features traditional Chinese food, music, and performances. Attend Pilsen’s Fiesta del Sol in July for its lively Latinx music and authentic Mexican street food. Chicago Pride Parade TOP 5 LGBTQ+ EVENTS CHICAGO PRIDE FEST/CHICAGO PRIDE PARADE Each June, Chicago Pride Fest takes over Northalsted (formerly known as Boystown) for an epic two-day celebration, followed by the Chicago Pride Parade on the last weekend of the month. PRIDE IN THE PARK Pride in the Park takes place in downtown Grant Park in June with a stellar lineup of musical acts that include world-famous DJs, drag queens and kings, and a spectac-ular display of Pride-themed fireworks. N ORTHALSTED MARKET DAYS Hailed as the largest street festival in the Midwest, Northalsted Market Days is an August music festival spanning six city blocks, with artisan and food vendors, live performances, and plenty of dancing. REELING FILM FESTIVAL Held in September, the Reeling Film Festival is one of the oldest festivals ded-icated to interna-tional LGBTQ+ films, screening shorts, documentaries, and narrative features. HAUNTED HALSTED HALLOWEEN PARADE Hundreds of goblins, witches, and zombies march in the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade on Halloween night, with prizes awarded for the best costumes, voted on by a panel of drag queens. 11
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