99 Days of Summer 2016: July

Grant Park Music Festival

Our 99 Days of Summer series continues with even more festivals, museum exhibits, shows, concerts and more fun that will fill your calendar through Labor Day. So get going! Summer, unfortunately, will be over before we know it.

July 1-3: Windy City RibFest
Lawrence and Broadway, Chicago

Windy City RibFest
Photo courtesy of Special Events Management.

The Uptown neighborhood once again plays host to this annual festival, complete with live music, arts and crafts, a kids’ activity area and, of course, lots of ribs.

Ends July 2: “The Secret Garden”
The John and Nancy Hughes Theatre, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest

The new Lake Forest Theatre opens its first season with “The Secret Garden.”

July 4: Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers With Special Guest Gill Landry
City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago

Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
Photo courtesy of The Silverman Group, Inc.

Spend the Fourth of July with Grammy winner Bruce Hornsby and his band.

July 5: Chicago Cubs versus Cincinnati Reds
Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago

The Cubs take on a division rival and you could take home an Anthony Rizzo “Tarp Catch” Bobblehead.

July 6: Movie Night: Charlie Chaplin’s “City Lights”
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago

The Grant Park Music Festival is already in full swing, but don’t miss this showing of “City Lights” with a soundtrack performed live by the Grant Park Orchestra.

July 7: “The Marvin Gaye Story (Don’t Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend)”
Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago

Black Ensemble Theater presents this look at the successes and struggles of the man behind “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Inner City Blues.” The show runs through July 10.

July 8: Old-Fashioned Campfire
Millard Park, 35 Ravine Drive, Highland Park

Take a hike, play some games and roast a marshmallow or two as you enjoy a summer night outdoors.

July 9-10: Roscoe Village Burger Fest
Clybourn Avenue (Diversey to Leavitt)

This year’s burger vendors include Butcher & the Burger, Hackney’s, Dive Bar, Square Bar & Grill and more.

July 11: Women of Vision: National Geographic Photographers on Assignment
The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

Women of Vision: National Geographic Photographers on Assignment at The Field Museum
Nujood Ali stunned the world in 2008 by obtaining a divorce at age 10 in Yemen, striking a blow against forced marriage. (Photo: © Stephanie Sinclair/National Geographic)

This special exhibit features photos from around the world taken by 11 female photographers and is open through Sept. 11.

July 12: Toys: The Inside Story
Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview

Get out of the heat with this fun and educational exhibit kids will love.

July 13: Chicago Fire versus Sporting Kansas City
Toyota Park, 7000 Harlem Ave., Bridgeview

Chicago Fire
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Fire and by USA Today Sports Images.

The Fire take on Matt Besler, Graham Zusi and the rest of the Sporting Kansas City club.

July 14: International Dance Experience
Ragdale Ring, 1230 N. Green Bay Road, Lake Forest

Dancers from Ruth Page Civic Ballet and guest performers from Chicago and Cuba will show off their skills during the Ragdale Ring Performance Series, which continues on Aug. 18.

July 15-17: Windy City Smokeout
560 W. Grand Ave., Chicago

This festival is all about barbecue, bands and beer.

July 17: Chinatown Summer Fair
Wentworth Avenue from Cermak Road to 24th Place, Chicago

Chinatown Summer Fair
Photo courtesy of Special Events Management.

This day will be packed with the Lion Dance Procession, martial arts demonstrations, Old and New World music, a children’s museum, petting zoo, contests like “hot legs” for men and “cutest baby,” and more.

July 18: Ladies’ Night at Monday Night Car Shows
Westfield Old Orchard, 4905 Old Orchard Center, Skokie

Monday Night Car Shows at Old Orchard
Photo courtesy of Monday Night Car Shows.

This car show takes place every Monday night through Labor Day and includes additional theme nights like British/Foreign Night (June 6), 70s Night (June 27) and Chevy Night (July 25).

July 19: “Company”
Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe

"Company" at Writers Theatre
Photo by Saverio Truglia.

Writers Theatre opened this Sondheim musical on June 15. “Company” follows a single thirty-something whose couple friends just can’t help but share their thoughts on relationships, forcing him to reconsider his bachelorhood.

July 20: “A Red Line Runs Through It”
e.t.c. Theater, 1608 N. Wells St., Chicago

The Second City e.t.c.’s 40th Revue hops a train to cover everything from new motherhood to black girl magic.

July 21: Millennium Park Summer Music Series
Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago

This series takes place Mondays and Thursdays and ends Aug. 25. On July 21, Heritage Blues Orchestra and Toshi Reagon take the stage.

July 22-23: Long Grove Craft Beer Festival
Downtown Long Grove

Long Grove hosts its first craft beer festival with Founders, Goose Island, Church Street, Upland, Schlafly and more.

July 23-24: GreenBuilt Home Tour
Various

Tour some of the greenest homes in Illinois and see the latest available technology up close.

July 25: Millennium Park Family Fun Festival
Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago

This family-friendly event takes place at Millennium Park from June 20 to Aug. 21. Activity Zone partners include the Museum of Science and Industry (July 25-31), the Art Institute of Chicago (Aug. 1-7) and the Swedish American Museum (Aug. 15-21).

July 26: U.S. Mailboat Tour
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

U.S. Mailboat is celebrating 100 years of mail service to homes on Geneva Lake. Take a two-and-a-half-hour tour daily through Sept. 15.

July 27: Twilight Safari
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago

Explore Lincoln Park Zoo after-hours. On July 27, the safari will focus on the Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond and Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo.

July 28: “Deathtrap”
Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace

This Tony Award-nominated mystery hits the Drury Lane stage through Aug. 14.

July 29-31: Jeff Fest
Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long Ave., Chicago

The Jefferson Park neighborhood hosts this arts and music fest packed with food, local and national acts, a Kids Zone, and more.

July 31: Bloody Mary Fest
Everts Park, 130 Highwood Ave., Highwood

Pick your favorite Bloody Mary and help support NSSRA, this year’s festival beneficiary.


Find even more fun things to do with the rest of our 99 Days of Summer series: 

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