Hey Chicago!
We covered June’s events last month, and now we’re back with everything happening next month in July, and there’s quite a bit going on. We know you don’t want to hear this, because it feels like summer hasn’t been around long enough, but we don’t have many weekends left to enjoy before fall arrives. Luckily, we’ve found a ton of things happening in the city that will fill up your July weekends.
Taste of Chicago is back in its traditional slot this year after several years of scheduling adjustments due to the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, and Lollapalooza closes out July from Grant Park. There are also neighborhood food fests running almost every weekend, a country music and barbecue event outside the United Center, and a house music picnic in Jackson Park for all the EDM fans.
If you’re new here, welcome! We’re the Ben Lalez Team, an award-winning real estate team in Chicago, helping people buy and sell homes across the city for over a decade. Although we’re known for our real estate expertise, we try to bring value to Chicago residents beyond just real estate. That’s why every week, we publish something useful or interesting about living here. Subscribe to our newsletter if you want these sent to your email every week so you don’t have to find them manually.
With that out of the way, here’s what July is bringing to Chicago. Let’s go!
| Date | Event | Location |
| July 4 | 4th on 53rd Parade | Hyde Park |
| July 4 | Navy Pier Independence Day Fireworks | Navy Pier |
| July 8 – 12 | Taste of Chicago | Grant Park |
| July 8 – 12 | Windy City Smokeout | United Center, Near West Side |
| July 11 | Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic | Jackson Park |
| July 11 – 12 | Southport Art Fest | Southport Corridor, Lakeview |
| July 17 – 19 | Tacos y Tamales | Pilsen |
| July 17 – 18 | Taste of River North | River North |
| July 17 – 19 | Roscoe Village Burger Fest | Roscoe Village |
| July 24 – 26 | Wicker Park Fest | Wicker Park |
| July 24 – 26 | Taste of Lincoln Avenue | Lincoln Park / Lakeview |
| July 25 – 26 | Chinatown Summer Fair | Chinatown |
| July 30 – Aug 2 | Lollapalooza | Grant Park |
| July 31 – Aug 2 | Chicago Italian Beef Festival | Jefferson Park |
4th on 53rd Parade
July 4
Dubbed as Chicago’s favorite 4th of July parade, the 4th on 53rd Parade is Hyde Park’s long-running Independence Day celebration, a neighborhood parade with family activities and local programming along 53rd Street on July 4.
Navy Pier Independence Day Fireworks
July 4
Navy Pier is doing an extended, choreographed fireworks show on July 4th at 10:00 pm for 15 minutes, billed as their biggest and longest display yet for America’s 250th anniversary. It’s part of the regular summer fireworks series (Wednesdays and Saturdays), but the July 4 show is explicitly branded as a special Independence Day event. You don’t want to miss this one, so make sure to be there on time!
Taste of Chicago
July 8 – 12
Taste of Chicago returns for its 46th annual edition, running July 8 to 12 in Grant Park from 11am to 9pm every day. The event brings food vendors from across the city, offering deep-dish and Chicago-style hot dogs, along with a range of dishes representing the city’s broader immigrant communities.
Windy City Smokeout
July 8 – 12
Windy City Smokeout runs its 13th annual edition outside the United Center, featuring a multi-day country music lineup and a barbecue competition with pitmasters from across the country. Tickets are required, with single-day passes and multi-day options available. This event will run on the same days as the Taste of Chicago, so make sure to plan accordingly if you’re attending both (and save room in your belly).
Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic
July 11
The Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic is Chicago’s annual outdoor house music celebration, held in Jackson Park. Legendary DJs perform throughout the day, and the event draws fans from around the world who travel specifically for it, treating Jackson Park as a homecoming to the city where house music originated.
Southport Art Fest
July 11 – 12
Southport Art Fest takes over the Southport Corridor in Lakeview, focusing on visual art, including painting, sculpture, photography, and jewelry. There will be live music and food vendors filling the surrounding blocks. The Southport Corridor is a walkable stretch of boutique retail and independent shops, so you’ll have an opportunity to explore the rest of the neighborhood.
Tacos y Tamales
July 17 – 19
Tacos y Tamales will be taking place in Pilsen, modeled after a traditional Tianguis market (think of an open-air street market). Food vendors bring tacos and tamales from neighborhood restaurants and other city participants, with tequila, mezcal, and beer alongside the food. Live music, including mariachi and cumbia, is featured throughout the weekend, along with a selection of vendors, art, and other activities.
Taste of River North
July 17 – 18
Taste of River North will shut down Wells Street between Ontario and Chicago on July 17 and 18, featuring food booths from the neighborhood’s restaurant and bar scene for the event guests. There will be a main stage playing music on both days, with an ABBA salute as the last act, featuring “Dancing Queen”.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
July 17 – 19
Roscoe Village Burger Fest is firing up the grills to celebrate its 19th year, with vendors fighting to impress you with their best burgers. There will be two stages of live music, arts and crafts, a kids zone, and of course, Chicago’s Best Burger Competition, where you can cast your vote for the city’s ultimate burger champion.
Wicker Park Fest
July 24 – 26
Wicker Park Fest is happening this year on July 24 through 26, with more than 50+ local and touring bands across multiple stages, over 200 small businesses and vendors, a dedicated Pet Fest area, and fun activities for the kids. You won’t have to buy a ticket, but donations are welcome to support the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce. Wicker Park Fest prioritizes music more than other Chicago street festivals, and past performers have included Grammy-nominated artists.
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
July 24 – 26
Taste of Lincoln Avenue has been running for more than 40+ years. This year, it’s back with food from local restaurants, art and craft vendors, and a multi-stage music lineup. On Saturday afternoon, there will be a whiskey tasting, and a dog parade earlier that morning. This is an iconic street fest, and always worth attending.
Chinatown Summer Fair
July 25 – 26
The Chinatown Summer Fair returns for its 46th year on July 25 and 26. The fair opens with a traditional lion dance performance and continues with Asian cultural performances, kung fu demonstrations, food from Chinatown restaurants and vendors, and retail booths throughout the weekend. Admission is free.
Lollapalooza
July 30 – August 2
Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park from July 30 through August 2. There will be four days across multiple stages, featuring major global headliners, dozens of supporting acts, and after-shows at venues around the city alongside the main festival. You can find the lineup here. Note that tickets are almost sold out, so if you’re planning to attend, get them as soon as possible. You can order tickets directly here.
Chicago Italian Beef Festival
July 31 – August 2
The Chicago Italian Beef Festival runs July 31 through August 2 in Jefferson Memorial Park, where you can enjoy some of the very best Italian beef sandwiches, alongside sides, drinks, and desserts. Live music and family activities run each day. If you’re a fan of Italian sandwiches, you absolutely can’t miss this.
Other Events Happening
The Millennium Park Summer Music Series continues through July, with free concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on most Mondays and Thursdays. Music is broad, ranging from jazz and classical to rock and world music, so there will be something for everyone’s musical tastes.
Also running July 17 through 19 is West Fest in West Town, a neighborhood street festival along Chicago Avenue featuring local bands and food from area restaurants.
Final Thoughts
We think we’ve covered most of the major events in the city, but don’t forget that there are also many smaller niche events and shows happening around Chicago in July. Make sure to check event calendars regularly, and support some of the smaller events when you can. Chicago regularly hosts big productions, but we’re still a city that’s proud of the independent neighborhood events and festivals.
In the meantime, if you’re attending a festival this summer and wonder what it’s like to live in that specific neighborhood, give us a shout! We don’t just know Chicago communities – we also know the individual streets and which one would be the best fit for you and your family.
We take great pride in this city and in the work we do to help families move in and out of every Chicago community. We’re the Ben Lalez Team, and we’re ready to serve.
Until next week, keep enjoying your summer, and we’ll see you out there at some of these events!
