Summer is in full swing around Chicago, but don’t let the season pass you by — make plans to attend these events, including Taste of Chicago, North Shore Taco Fest, “Les Misérables,” and more.
Comedy
July 27: Chicago’s Finest Stand-Up
This show takes place on the last Saturday of every month at Ten Ninety Brewing Co. 1025 Waukegan Road, Glenview
Events
Tuesdays: Game Night
This new event brings games like cornhole, giant Jenga, Connect Four, and more to the lawn at Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District. 5501 Park Place, Rosemont
July 5-6: Northbrook Sidewalk Sale
Shop amazing deals, take part in the raffle, and more. Kids can also enjoy family-friendly activities. Corner of Church Street and Cherry Lane, Northbrook
July 6: Wrigleyville Art Market
This new event brings 50 artists and artisans to the park outside Wrigley Field. Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St., Chicago
July 10-14: Taste of Chicago
Dine on Chicago classics and outside-of-the-box fare as you listen to live music and take part in family-friendly activities. Grant Park, Jackson and Columbus, Chicago
July 12: Zoo Ball 2019
Support the Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo’s pledge to the Pride of Chicago campaign during this evening of dining and dancing. Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago
July 12-14: Windy City Smokeout
Music from headliners Chris Young, Old Dominion and Cole Swindell, plus barbecue from Peg Leg Porker (Nashville, Tennessee), Smoque BBQ (Chicago), Bub City (Chicago), Buxton Hall (Asheville, North Carolina), and more.
July 12-14: Square Roots Festival
This Lincoln Square festival highlights local food and craft beer as well as more than 70 bands. Lincoln Avenue between Montrose and Wilson, Chicago
July 13-14: Roscoe Village Burger Fest
Find your new favorite burger at this festival featuring live music, crafts, and a Kids Zone. Belmont and Damen, Chicago
July 14, 17: Summer Chalk Murals
11-13 year olds can create their own murals at Ice House Gallery this month. (This event will take place for 14-18 year olds in August.) 609 South Blvd., Evanston
July 18: Uncorked Wine Festival
Sample wine and food, shop, and meet Seth and Ryan from Nude Dude Food, all while supporting Fight2Feed, an organization working to fight hunger and reduce food waste. Westfield Old Orchard, 4905 Old Orchard Center, Skokie
July 18-21: Central Street Sidewalk Sale
Shop local during this annual summer sidewalk sale, which features deals from local businesses, food, and more. 1700-2200 blocks of Central Street, Evanston
July 20-21: North Shore Taco Fest
Local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks will share their best tacos during this festival taking place alongside Highwood Days (July 18-21). Highwood Metra Station, 317 Green Bay Road, Highwood
July 21: Chicago Red Stars vs. North Carolina Courage
Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, and more return to Chicago after the FIFA Women’s World Cup for this Red Stars matchup with the Courage. SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview
July 26: Moon Garden Plant Walk
Learn more about plants that bloom at night during this new event. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
July 26: Summer Wine Fest
Explore Lincoln Park Zoo after hours as you sample from more than 35 wines and listen to live music. 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago
July 27: Ice Cream Social
Enjoy live music, a magic show, frozen yogurt, and free admission to the Dawes House. Evanston History Center, 225 Greenwood St., Evanston
July 27-28: Glencoe Festival of Art
Shop the wares of more than 110 juried artists as you enjoy live music, food, an art scavenger hunt for kids, and more at this free festival. Downtown Glencoe, Green Bay Road and Park Avenue, Glencoe
July 27-28: Chicago Margarita Festival
Sample a variety of margaritas, dance along with live music, and more. Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
Film
July 21: CSO and “Ghostbusters” 35th Anniversary
Watch this movie starring Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, and Bill Murray as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs the score live. Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park
Music
July 10: Lady Antebellum
This Grammy Award-winning group makes their Ravinia debut this summer. Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park
July 20: An Evening with Michael Bublé
Don’t miss your chance to see this crooner in the flesh. Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont
Museums
July 7: Family Workshop: Upcycled Art
Learn more about animals through activities, animal encounters, and/or by exploring exhibits before creating an upcycled work of art. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
July 26: Doane at Dusk
View Jupiter and Saturn at Adler Planetarium’s Doane Observatory during this free after-hours event. 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Closes July 28: Open Access: Behind-the-Scenes of the Permanent Collection
Find out what happens behind the “Staff Only” signs. National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago
Ongoing: Silver Screen to Mainstream: American Fashion in the 1930s and ’40s
Visit the Chicago History Museum to view gorgeous dresses from designers like Chanel, Vionnet, and Howard Greer. Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago
Theater
July 5-14: “Hitler’s Tasters“
This play about the women who became Hitler’s food tasters won the 2017 Women Playwrights Series (WPS) Susan Glaspell Award, and the original New York cast will perform the play here in Skokie before going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
July 9-27: “Les Misérables“
This production features new staging and reimagined scenery for the classic musical. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago
Opens July 25: “A Kind of Love Story“
Mark and Ally are soulmates, but they just can’t seem to find each other. Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview
Closes Aug. 4: “SIX“
Extended due to popular demand, this musical has been called “pure entertainment” by The New York Times and “one of the must-see shows of 2019” by Chicago Reader. Plus, the soundtrack has already been streamed more than 17 million times. Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
Event Sponsorships
Better is proud to support this event:
- July 14: Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club’s Taste of Evanston, Charles Gates Dawes House, 225 Greenwood St., Evanston
Anna Carlson writes the weekly Weekend 101 column and monthly Recommended Events. A graduate of the University of Missouri, her work has been published in Chicago Parent, Inside Columbia Magazine, and Central California Parent Magazine. She is a proud supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
