All good things must come to an end, even warm weather in Chicago.
Make the most of the last few weeks of summer with these events, which make up the last installment of our 99 Days of Summer series.
August 1-3: Lollapalooza
Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago
It’s a new month, and it all kicks off with one of the country’s biggest music festivals. This year’s lineup includes Kings of Leon, Lorde, The Avett Brothers, and Eminem. Can’t find a babysitter? No problem! Kids 10 and under get into Kidzapalooza for free.
August 2: Highwood Craft Beer Festival
Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood
Sample 80 beers from 40 breweries and food from some of Highwood’s top restaurants.
August 2-3: Lakeshore Arts Festival
Centennial Park, Sheridan Road at Church Street, Evanston
Shop the wares of 125 artists while enjoying live jazz, blues and folk music, among other genres. Kids can stop by the Children’s Craft Tent to create their own art to bring home.
August 2-4: CowaLUNGa
Gurnee Mills, 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee
Start training now to bike 65, 130 or 190 miles to support the fight against lung disease. The ride begins at Gurnee Mills Shopping Mall and travels into Wisconsin.
August 5: Starlight Movies in the Park: “E.T.”
Penny Park, 1500 Lake St., Evanston
The Starlight Movies in the Park series begins with this science fiction film by Steven Spielberg. This year’s movies include “The Music Man,” “Goonies,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and yes, “Frozen.” The series ends September 13.
August 5-6: Lake Forest Day
West Park, 850 N. Summit Ave., Lake Forest
Deerpath Community Park, 400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest
For two days, enjoy carnival rides, live music and food, or take part in the 5K Fun Run and parade on Wednesday.
August 7-17: Illinois State Fair
Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., Springfield
Travel to our state capital before August 17 for fair food, rides, horse racing and concerts by Pitbull, Florida Georgia Line, Boston, Hunter Hayes, and more.
Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Fair.
August 8-10: Ginza Festival
Midwest Buddhist Temple, 435 W. Menomonee St., Chicago
This celebration of Japanese culture has been around for 59 years, but if you’ve never been, make this the summer where you take it all in.
Begins August 9: “Fiddler On the Roof”
Light Opera Works, 516 Fourth St., Wilmette
Don’t miss this classic musical, which won nine Tony Awards in 1965. The show runs through August 24.
Photo by Rich Foreman.
August 10: Serosun Farms’ 5K Farm Run and Health Fair
Serosun Farms, 45W489 Berner Road, Hampshire
Take in Serosun Farms’ beautiful prairie scenery as you walk or run 3.1 miles. Afterward, learn about healthy living while enjoying refreshments and a concert featuring folk and blues harmonicas.
August 11: Opening the Vaults: Wonders of the 1893 World’s Fair
Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
You have until September 7 to visit this exhibit, but don’t wait until then to walk through an impressive amount of historical artifacts.
August 12: Gallery Talk: Highlights of the Art Institute
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Spend a relaxed afternoon at the museum with this guided tour. You just might learn something new.
August 13: Humming House
SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston
We don’t want to be reminded about the brutal winter we survived, but this band’s song “Cold Chicago” will get you moving—and make you thankful you don’t have to bundle up after the show.
Photo courtesy of Paradigm Talent Agency.
August 14-17: Festa Italiana
Taylor Street at Ashland Avenue, Chicago
A meatball-eating contest? Grape stomping? Cooking demonstrations? Live music? Tons of Italian food? Magnifico!
August 16-17: Chicago Air and Water Show
North Avenue Beach, 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
It’s one of the city’s most popular—and coolest—events, so grab your sunglasses and look to the sky.
Photo courtesy of City of Chicago.
August 18: Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert
Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
This free concert, with performances by the casts of “Annie,” “Million Dollar Quartet,” “Newsies” and “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” cannot be missed!
August 19: Buddy Guy
Ravinia, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park
Enjoy an outdoor concert at Ravinia, a venue that should always be on your summer bucket list.
August 20: Highwood Garlic Fest
Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood
Highwood’s Everts Park is once again the place to be with this festival of classic dishes (pastas and butter) and more unusual treats (ice cream and cupcakes), all using garlic.
August 20-23: Chicago Dancing Festival
Various locations, Chicago
This is a different kind of festival, and it’s taking place at four venues across the city. Wherever you see a show, it will be a breathtaking display of artistry and strength.
Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
August 21: Father/Son Baseball Stadium Tours—Wrigley Field
Winnetka Park District Community Room, 540 Hibbard Road, Winnetka
Your husband and son can spend a day together getting a behind-the-scenes look at the Friendly Confines. If you prefer to visit U.S. Cellular Field (or both!), sign up for the August 15 tour.
August 21-24: American Craft Exposition
Henry Crown Sports Pavilion, 2311 N. Campus Drive, Evanston
Feel good about buying just one more handbag—this fine craft show supports breast and ovarian cancer research at NorthShore University HealthSystem.
August 21-24: Chicago Comic Con
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont
Are you a fan of “Doctor Who,” “Bones” or “The Walking Dead”? Then don’t miss the chance to see actors from those shows and other favorites during Comic Con Chicago.
August 22-24: Taste of Highland Park
Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave., Highland Park
Downtown Highland Park is the place to be as this tasty fest occurs alongside the Port Clinton Art Festival.
August 25: “On the Town”
The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire
In 1944, three American sailors have 24 hours to explore New York, and maybe even fall in love, in this musical comedy.
August 26: Make It Better’s “Best Of 2014” Celebration
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Join us as we celebrate our “Best Of 2014” winners at the Chicago Botanic Garden! Enjoy food, wine and music on the Esplanade, and mingle with the business owners you chose as the best of the best.
August 26 and 27: Arcade Fire
United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago
This Grammy Award-winning indie rock band is performing not once, but twice this summer in Chicago.
August 28-31: Chicago Jazz Festival
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago
Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
Spend your Labor Day weekend with Terence Blanchard, Rufus Reid, Cecile McLorin Salvant and more great jazz musicians.
Photo courtesy of City of Chicago.
September 1: Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
Chicago’s First Lady Boat Dock, 112 E. Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago
You don’t have to be a tourist to enjoy this guided look at more than 50 buildings on the Chicago River, so spend the unofficial last day of summer soaking up a few more rays before those Chicago winds turn cold.
