Summer in Chicago is the best time of year. Whether you’re a local or just visiting for a weekend, there’s always something to do to enjoy the city (and nice weather). Plenty to keep your calendar full! Read below for things to do in Chicago this summer, May through September! This post will be updated as events are announced.
May 2023 Events
Green City Market
- Date: May – November 2023
- Location: Lincoln Park, West Loop, Avondale
- Cost: Free admission, vendors selling items for a cost
Pixar Putt
- Date: May – September 2023
- Location: Polk Bros Park outside Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.)
- Cost: $22-$33 per ticket
- View my 2022 Pixar Putt Chicago recap post
Harry Potter Magic at Play
- Date: May – September 4, 2023
- Location: Water Tower Place (835 Michigan Ave.)
- Cost: $42.50 per ticket, treats & souvenirs available for purchase
- View my Harry Potter Magic at Play recap post
Sueños Music Festival
- Date: May 27-28, 2023
- Location: Grant Park
- Cost: $179+ per ticket, view lineup
Millennium Park Summer Workouts
- Date: May 27 – September 2, 2023
- 8–8:45am Pilates (no classes 7/1)
- 9–9:45am Yoga (no classes 7/1)
- 10–10:45am Cardio Kickboxing (no classes on 6/10, 7/1, 9/2)
- 11–11:45am Zumba® (no classes on 6/10, 7/1, 9/2)
- Location: Great Lawn in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.)
- Cost: Free admission
The Exhibit House
- Date: Indefinitely
- Location: Water Tower Place (835 Michigan Ave.)
- Cost: $30 per ticket
- View my The Exhibit House recap post
June 2023 Events
Malibu Barbie Cafe Chicago
- Date: June 7 – September 15, 2023
- Location: TBA, Downtown Chicago
- Cost: $35 for kids, $49 for adults (each ticket includes reserved seating, entree & side item)
Heatwave Music Festival
- Date: June 10-11, 2023
- Location: Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
- Cost: $99+ per ticket, food & drink available for purchase
Grant Park Music Festival
- Date: June 14 – August 19, 2023
- Location: Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.)
- Cost: Free seating, first come first serve
Millennium Park Summer Music Series
- Date: Mondays & Thursdays, June 22 – August 21, 2023 – 6:30-9pm (Gates open at 5pm)
- Location: Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.)
- Cost: Free admission
Pride in the Park Chicago
- Date: June 23-24, 2023
- Location: Grant Park
- Cost: $75+ per ticket, food & drink available for purchase
- View my 2022 Pride in the Park Chicago recap post
Joffrey Ballet’s “Joffrey for All Celebration”
- Date: June 25, 2023 – 5:30pm
- Location: Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.)
- Cost: Free public performance
Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s “Concert for Chicago”
- Date: June 27, 2023 – 6:30pm
- Location: Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.)
- Cost: Free public performance
July 2023 Events
NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend
- Date: July 1-2, 2023
- Location: Grant Park (337 E Randolph St.)
- Cost: $269+ per ticket
Millennium Park Summer Film Series
- Date: Tuesdays, July 11 – August 29, 2023 – 6:30pm (Gates open at 5pm)
- Location: Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.)
- Cost: Free admission
Windy City Smokeout
- Date: July 13-16, 2023
- Location: United Center parking lot
- Cost: $55+ per ticket, food & drink available for purchase
- View my 2022 Windy City Smokeout recap post
Chicago SummerDance
- Date: July 15 – September 10, 2023
- Location: Grant Park & Millennium Park
- Cost: Free admission
Sad Summer Festival
- Date: July 21, 2023
- Location: Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
- Cost: $49.50+ per ticket, food & drink available for purchase
Pitchfork Music Festival
- Date: July 21-23, 2023
- Location: Union Park (1501 W Randolph St.)
- Cost: $109+ per ticket, food & drink available for purchase
August 2023 Events
Lollapalooza
- Date: August 3-6, 2023
- Location: Grant Park
- Cost: $125+ per ticket, food & drink available for purchase
Stan’s Donut 5k
- Date: August 19, 2023
- Location: Solider Field
- Cost: $40 per registration
- View my 2022 Stan’s Donut 5k recap post
Chicago Air and Water Show
- Date: August 19-20, 2023
- Location: North Ave Beach & along the Lakefront
- Cost: Free admission, reserved viewing at certain businesses for a cost
September 2023 Events
Chef BBQ at Green City Market
- Date: September 7, 2023
- Location: Lincoln Park (1817 N Clark St)
- Cost: TBD, tickets required
- View my 2022 Chef BBQ recap post
Taste of Chicago
- Date: September 8-10, 2023
- Location: Polk Brothers Park (600 E Grand Ave)
- Cost: Free admission, food available for purchase
Chicago Gourmet
- Date: September 21-24, 2023
- Sep 21: Tacos & Tequilas
- Sep 22: Hamburger Hop
- Sep 23: Grand Cru
- Sep 24: Prost! In the Park
- Location: Harris Theater Rooftop (205 E. Randolph St.)
- Cost: TBD, tickets required
- View my 2019 Chicago Gourmet recap post
Things to Do All Summer
Chicago Attractions
- Navy Pier
- 360 Chicago
- Skydeck Chicago
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- Chicago Riverwalk
- The Chicago Theatre
- The Bean (Cloud Gate)
- Wrigley Field
- United Center
- The Second City
- Garfield Park Conservatory
- Chicago River Architecture Tours
Chicago Museums
- Adler Planetarium
- Shedd Aquarium
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- The Field Museum
- Chicago History Museum
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
- Chicago Cultural Center
- WNDR Museum
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
- Chicago Sports Museum
- Museum of Illusions Chicago
- American Writers Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Photography
[…] Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE event was fleeting, but luckily there are many upcoming summer events in Chicago to look forward to. From festivals to pop-ups to concerts, you certainly won’t be bored. Out […]