The sun is beginning to set on another Chicago summer, but there’s still plenty to do before fall officially begins.
Aug. 1: Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Guided Interior Tour
951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park
Take a guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s home, or click here to discover additional tours of Robie House, The Rookery, Bach House and Unity Temple. You can even go on a tour throughout Oak Park and Chicago on foot or bike.
Aug. 2: Rush Hour Concerts: Lyric Shorts
St. James Cathedral, 65 E. Huron, Chicago
Spend your Tuesday evenings through Aug. 30 at free classical music concerts. On Aug. 2, singers from Lyric Opera’s Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center will perform.
Aug. 3: Festival of Flight
Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield
Whenever you make it out to Brookfield Zoo this summer, plan to attend this free interactive show that includes birds from around the world.
Aug. 4-13: Fitzfest
Collaboraction’s Pentagon Theatre in The Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
Fitzfest is First Floor Theater’s literary festival featuring eight world-premiere plays written by playwrights inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Aug. 5-7: Chicago Hot Dog Fest
Stockton and LaSalle Drive, Chicago
Chicago History Museum’s ode to the Chicago hot dog returns with food and drink vendors, live music, a Kids’ Area, Pup Tent and lectures by hot dog historians.
Aug. 6-7: Art at The Glen
The Glen Town Center, 1800 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
This popular (and free) art festival features music, food, art activities, performances by The Marriott Theater and more.
Aug. 8: Skydeck
Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago
Be a tourist in your own city and get some amazing photos above Chicago. Visit the Skydeck website for upcoming events, deals and more.
Aug. 9-28: Chicago Musical Theatre Festival
Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Throughout the month, enjoy musicals (including eight world premieres) about everything from dating to the apocalypse to the Righteous Brothers.
Aug. 10: Indie Concert Series
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Valslist has teamed up with CBG to bring concerts to the garden. On Aug. 10, don’t miss Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers.
Aug. 11-21: Illinois State Fair
Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., Springfield
Head down to our capital city for performances by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Melissa Ethridge, Meghan Trainor, Little Big Town, Kiss, and more, plus the Illinois Wine Experience, the Butter Cow, horse shows and more.
Aug. 12-14: Retro on Roscoe
2000 W. Roscoe St., Chicago
For 20 years, this festival has been taking Chicagoans back in time as bands play oldies while visitors shop, dine and visit the family area and Antique and Classic Car and Motorcycle Show.
Aug. 13-14: Northalsted Market Days
North Halsted Street, between Belmont and Addison, Chicago
This outdoor street fest celebrates 35 years this summer and the $10 suggested entrance donation will benefit the neighborhood and The Legacy Project, an outdoor museum featuring historical LGBTQ icons.
Ends Aug. 14: “The Velveteen Rabbit”
The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire
Keep kiddos entertained as this beloved story comes to life at Marriott.
Aug. 15: Broadway in Chicago’s Summer Concert
Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
This free annual concert is back with performances from “Aladdin,” “The Bodyguard,” “Finding Neverland,” “Fun Home,” “Phantom of the Opera” and more.
Aug. 16: The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma
Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park
Tickets are still available for this Ravinia concert.
Aug. 17: Wednesdays, Woods & Wine
The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
Visit the Morton Arboretum on Wednesdays through Sept. 7 for live music and wine among the trees.
Ends Aug. 18: Ravinia District Artisan Market
Jens Jensen Park, St. Johns and Roger Williams avenues, Highland Park
This new market featuring live music and more than 20 local food, craft and drink vendors every Thursday night ends Aug. 18.
Aug. 18-21: Festa Italiana
Taylor Street, between Ashland Avenue and Racine Street, Chicago
Dine on gnocchi, risotto, bruschetta, cannoli, tiramisu and other delicious treats from area restaurants as you make your way to three music stages.
Aug. 20-21: Chicago Air & Water Show
North Avenue Beach, 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
One of the summer’s biggest events happens above you. Before you go, find travel tips, hotel deals, best sightlines and more here.
Aug. 21: Priscilla Presley: An Open Conversation
Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
Get a glimpse into Priscilla Presley’s life during this interview and Q&A session.
Aug. 22: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
Spend a day at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, where new butterflies are released in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven every day at 2 p.m. and kids can explore exhibits like “Weather to Climate: Our Changing World” and “Nature’s LunchBox.”
Aug. 23-27: Chicago Dancing Festival
Various locations
This annual festival will showcase dance around Chicago at venues like the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Navy Pier.
Aug. 24: Garlic Fest
Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood
This Highwood festival is a garlic enthusiast’s dream. Try everything from pastas and bread to ice cream, cupcakes and cocktails, all using garlic.
Aug. 25: Rockin’ in the Park
MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont
Grab a lawn chair or blanket and spend your Thursday nights through Sept. 1 with bands like Heartache Tonight (Aug. 11) and Think Floyd (Aug. 25). Rosemont restaurants will also serve food and drinks.
Aug. 26: Ashley Prentice Norton Author Event
Lake Forest Bookstore, 662 N. Western Ave., Lake Forest
Ashley Prentice Norton, author of “The Chocolate Money,” is back with her next book, “If You Left.”
Aug. 27-28: Port Clinton Art Festival
Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave., Highland Park
This festival is one of the top five in the country and features works from more than 260 artists.
Aug. 29: Illinois Resident Discount Day at Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Visit the Shedd for their special exhibit, “Amphibians,” and meet the newly-named Kukdlaa, Shedd’s newest dolphin calf. Find more discount days here.
Aug. 30: DuSable Museum of African American History
740 E. 56th Place, Chicago
The DuSable Museum’s current exhibits include “The DuSable Masterworks Collection Series I: Paintings” (open through Jan. 16, 2017), “DRAPETOMANIA: Grupo Antillano and the Art of Afro-Cuba” (open through Oct. 16, 2016) and “Freedom, Resistance, and the Journey Toward Equality.”
Aug. 31: Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
3001 Central St., Evanston
Explore the Mitchell Museum, where kids can visit the Teaching Lodge and activity tables throughout the first floor. “Contemporary Native Women Opening Doors to Change” opened in June and “Pottery—A Timeless Tradition” closes in September.
Sept. 1-4: Chicago Jazz Festival
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago; Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
Spend Labor Day weekend with some of the best jazz musicians in the world.
Sept. 2-3: Great American Lobster Fest
Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
The Midwest’s largest lobster and seafood festival features lobster flown in from the East Coast, shopping, carnival games, live music, Navy Pier’s fireworks on Saturday night and more. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Mr. Bones & Co., an animal welfare nonprofit.
Sept. 5: Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers
U.S. Cellular Field, 333 W. 35th St., Chicago
Spend the unofficial last day of summer at the ballpark as the White Sox take on the Tigers.
Find even more fun things to do with the rest of our 99 Days of Summer series:
