Enjoy your time off with a trip to Barrington for their art festival, now in its sixth year, or stay closer to home with fireworks and a music festival in Chicago. You can even ride your bike along Lake Shore Drive. Plus, Chicago Botanic Garden’s outdoor butterfly garden will open for the season.

And stay tuned for 99 Days of Summer, launching in our Sunday Better Letter.

Barrington Art Festival

May 23-24
Barrington

Visit Barrington (celebrating its 150th anniversary) this weekend for their free art festival with more than 130-juried artists. The event will also include live music, a graffiti wall, daily drawings and more.

Aon Summer Fireworks

Begin May 23
Chicago

Spend a day downtown and end the night with fireworks at Navy Pier Wednesdays and Saturdays through Labor Day.

Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival 2015

May 23-24
Chicago

This Lakeview fest featuring tribute bands from the Midwest kicks off Chicago’s street festival season. And of course there will be plenty of food and drink to consume and artwork to browse.

Bike the Drive

May 24
Chicago

Wake up early (you can sleep in on Monday!) for the chance to ride your bike down Lake Shore Drive. After your ride, stop by the festival in Grant Park for an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, vendor booths and live music. Register here.

Butterflies & Blooms

Opens May 23
Glencoe

You’ll be able to see up to 500 butterflies from South America, Asia, Africa and Illinois during a visit to this Chicago Botanic Garden exhibition.