We’re a month in, but there’s still plenty to do this season.
As we continue our 99 Days of Summer, you’ll find something to do every day in the month of July. If these events are any indication, summer is just heating up.
July 1: Model Railroad Garden: Landmarks of America
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Take your kids to see model trains running on 1,600 feet of track around miniature replicas of beloved local and national landmarks. Trains will operate through October 26.
July 2: Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC
Toyota Park, 7000 Harlem Ave., Bridgeview
Cheer on our local Major League Soccer team while enjoying $2 hot dogs.
July 3-6: Ribfest
Knoch Park, S. West St., Naperville
Break out the wet wipes, because this festival is going to be messy (in the best way possible). As you dive in to slabs of ribs from the best local and national joints, enjoy a magic show, bags tournament, ice-cream contest, and live music from Love and Theft, Million Dollar Quartet, and more.
July 5-6: Travel America Summer Festival
Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
Celebrate Independence Day weekend with a trip around the country—without racking up all those miles on the car. This festival’s food, live music, games and more will highlight different regions of the country as well as eras.
Photo courtesy of Morton Arboretum.
July 7: Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives
Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
This exhibit was extended through August 3 due to popular demand, so check out these Disney artifacts while you still can.
July 8: The Second City’s Incomplete Guide to Everything
UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., 3rd Floor, Chicago
If you haven’t seen this take on world history and current events, make time this summer. Shows take place Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
July 9-13: Taste of Chicago
Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago
No summer events list would be complete without this annual event. In its 34th year, this popular food festival will welcome AWOLNATION, Janelle Monae, Gary Clark Jr. and Jeff Tweedy.
Photo courtesy of Taste of Chicago.
Begins July 9: Eat to the Beat: Super Stolie
Jewett Park Pavilion, 836 Jewett Park Drive, Deerfield
This music series is created with a younger audience in mind, and it all begins with Super Stolie. Purchase food, or bring your own.
July 10-13: Sidewalk Sale 2014
Central Street, Evanston
Find your favorite Central Street merchants outside selling clothing, jewelry, food and more at this annual sale through the heart of downtown Evanston.
July 12: The Great Bull Run
Hawthorne Race Course, 3501 S. Laramie Ave., Cicero
Calling all daredevils! You no longer have to visit Spain in order to run with the bulls. Once you’ve checked that off your bucket list, take part in the Tomato Royale food fight.
Photo courtesy of The Great Bull Run LLC.
July 12-13: Art in the Park
Village Green Park, Shermer and Meadow roads, Northbrook
Discover the work of more than 70 artists from around the country while enjoying live music, children’s activities and a young artists’ exhibit.
Ends July 14: Japan and Nature: Spirits of the Seasons
Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
This is your last chance to take part in a celebration of the seasons with traditional Japanese activities.
July 15: Starlight Concert: The Rhythm Rockets
Brummel Park, Brummel Street and Elmwood Avenue, Evanston
The Starlight Concert series takes place June 10 to August 19, but this particular concert features old school R&B and food trucks.
July 16: The Blue Planet In Concert
Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago
Part of the Grant Park Music Festival, this symphonic concert will complement underwater images from the BBC/Discovery Channel series.
July 17: A Glimmer of Glamor
Wilmette Historical Museum, 609 Ridge Road, Wilmette
Attention fashionistas! This exhibit takes a look at the change in women’s fashion before and after the Great Depression. Dresses, silk pajamas and other pieces of clothing will be on display through the end of the year.
July 18: Sleep Under the Skyscrapers: Outdoor Campout
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago
Your family can decide to spend just the evening or stay overnight, but either way you’ll have a chance to see the zoo’s animals after hours.
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Park Zoo.
July 19: Aerial Dance Chicago & Elements Contemporary Ballet
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
You’ll be amazed by aerial dancers performing above ballerinas in “Silk and Steel,” a world premiere collaboration between Aerial Dance Chicago and Elements Contemporary Ballet.
July 19-20: Chicago Craft Beer Festival
Sheffield Avenue between Webster & Fullerton, Chicago
Fans of microbrews will have the chance to sample more than 100 craft beers as bands perform. And don’t miss the Sheffield Garden Walk, taking place the same weekend in the same neighborhood.
July 21: The Steve Show: A Musical Revue
Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive, Northwestern University, Evanston
It’s all about Steve—Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz and Stephen Flaherty, that is. This show features an all-star Northwestern alumni cast that includes Brian Bohr, Lily Cummings, Zach Piser and more.
July 22: Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever
Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont
Cheer on Chicago’s WNBA team (and our May cover star, Elena Delle Donne).
July 23: Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres
Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago
Keep the sports fun going with a night game at Wrigley Field, which is celebrating its 100th birthday. Now that’s one party you don’t want to miss.
July 24: Sip & Shop
Old Orchard, 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie
Sip & Shop is all about food, drink, fashion and beauty from around the world. Enjoy retailer promotions, fashion shows and mini spa treatments, all while sipping on liquor, wine and beer and munching on light bites. This event will also take place June 26.
July 25: Chicago Women in Blues, Jazz and Popular Song
Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie
Not only is this a musical celebration by three Chicago women, but it’s also a celebration of music from around the world.
July 26: NLU’s Writers’ Week Workshops
National Louis University, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Interested in writing? Learn from top authors and columnists, including our very own Marjie Killeen. She’ll be joined by Dawn Turner Trice (Chicago Tribune), and additional workshops will be held with Nate Herman (“Saturday Night Live”) on July 19.
July 26-27: North Shore Festival of Art
Old Orchard, 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie
Before you shop your favorite stores, stop by this festival that will highlight the work of more than 120 juried artists from around the country.
July 27: John Fogerty
The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago
A true legend is coming to Chicago this summer to perform some of his greatest hits in this great venue.
Begins July 28: EAA AirVenture
Wittman Regional Airport, 525 W. 20th Ave., Oshkosh, Wis.
It’s worth a few hours in a car to visit the world’s largest aviation event. Take in a night air show (a combination of aerobatics and fireworks you won’t want to miss), help build a Zenith CH 750, go back in time with a flight aboard the B-17G Flying Fortress “Aluminum Overcast,” and much, much more through August 3.
Photo by USAF Sergeant Larry Reid Jr.
July 29: Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Tour
951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park
Take a guided tour through this famed local architect’s first home. The tour has been expanded to include Wright’s studio balcony.
July 30: Cirque Shanghai: Warriors
Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
“Imperial Thunder,” a steel-globe motorcycle troupe performing with other acrobatic acts, will blow you away. This show runs through September 1.
July 31: Live The Who
MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont
The Rockin’ in the Park concert series continues with this tribute band. Stick around for fireworks after the show.
