Searching for what to do next weekend? Below are the top things to do in Chicago next weekend (July 31 – August 2, 2026) including the best events and activities.
(You can find the best things to do this weekend here.)
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as I will be updating it regularly with new events and activities.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you make a booking using my links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Next Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are the best next weekend events in Chicago:
Lollapalooza – July 30-August 2, 2026
Italian Beef Fest (new!) – July 31 – August 2, 2026
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire – August 1-2, 2026
2000s Night at the Zoo – An Adults Only Evening at Lincoln Park Zoo (21+) – Saturday, August 1, 2026, 6:30-10pm – 21+ after-hours event with live music, a live DJ, karaoke and adult beverages.
More Next Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are more weekend events taking place next weekend in Chicago:
Chi Food Truck Fest – Friday, July 31, 2026, 11am-3pm
Kilbourn Park Summer Concert Series – Friday, July 31, 2026, 6-8pm | Free – Weekly concert series every Friday in July.
Dogs Night Out at Gallagher Way – Friday, July 31, 2026, 6–10pm | Free
Millennium Park Free Summer Workout – Saturday, August 1, 2026, 8-11:45am | Free
Bronzeville Smooth Jazz Festival – Saturday, August 1, 2026, 12-8:30pm
BWild x Wicker Park Farmers Market (WPFM) Free Summer Outdoor Yoga Series at Wicker Park – Sunday, August 2, 2026, 9-10am | Free
Vibes On Logan – Sunday, August 2, 2026, 2-7pm | Free
Before Utopia at Maggie Daley Park – Sunday, August 2, 2026, 2-3pm | Free
As You Like It at Touhy Park – July 31-August 2, 2026, 6-7:30pm | Free
Broadway In Chicago presents & Juilet – Through August 2, 2026
Iceboy! at the Goodman Theatre – Through August 16, 2026
SAW The Musical: The Unauthorized Parody of SAW – Through September 6, 2026
More Things to Do in Chicago Next Weekend
In addition to the weekend events listed above, below are more of the best things to do in Chicago next weekend:
Take an Architecture River Cruise
An architecture river cruise is a must do Chicago experience.
Take a Lake Cruise
Enjoy a cool lake breeze and admire the Chicago skyline from a lake cruise.
If your time is short, you can do a combination river and lake cruise.
Watch Fireworks
Watch fireworks at Navy Pier every Saturday at 10pm in the summer. The fireworks can be seen from various spots along the Lakefront including North Avenue Beach, Oak Street Beach and the Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk.
The best and most relaxing way to see the Navy Pier fireworks show is on a fireworks lake or river cruise.
If you enjoy guided tours, you can also see the fireworks and other attractions on this fireworks segway tour.
Kayak in the River or Lake
A fun way to explore the city is to go kayaking in the Chicago River or Lake Michigan. You can rent a kayak in the Chicago River here and Ohio beach here.
You can also join a guided kayaking tour in the downtown portion of the Chicago River including this history and architecture kayak tour and this sunset kayak tour.
Please note that you will get a little wet when kayaking so bring a waterproof case for your phone and water-resistant or quick-drying clothing.
Attend a Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s Candlelight Concerts is a series of special classical music concerts that take place in beautiful venues bathed in candlelight. Some of the concerts taking place next weekend include:
Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino & More
Tribute to the Beatles (Oak Park)
Tribute to Fleetwood Mac on Strings (Oak Park)
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
Titanic: A Voyage Through Time
Step into history at Titanic: A Voyage Through Time an extraordinary virtual reality (VR) journey into history’s most famous ship. Dive to the wreckage as it rests today, then travel back to 1912 to experience the Titanic as a passenger. Walk the Grand Staircase, meet the people who shaped its story, and witness history firsthand in this immersive adventure.
When: Through September 27, 2026
Where: 108 West Germania Place, Chicago, IL 60610
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to purchase tickets.
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue is an immersive adventure that lets you and your friends become heroes, fighting spiders, creepers, and skeletons on your quest to rescue villagers from a zombie attack. Explore eight interactive Minecraft rooms and gather resources for your quest in these interactive biomes. Practice your Minecrafting skills with a handheld Orb to chop down trees, collect resources, and fight mobs.
Where: 9900 Berwyn Ave, in the Pearl District, Rosemont, IL 60018
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to purchase tickets.
AirOtic Soirée
AirOtic Soirée is a bold, sensual and provocative cabaret-circus experience blending high-level acrobatics, seductive choreography and visual artistry. After sold-out runs across the U.S. and Europe, it is returning to Chicago for a full summer run. 21+ with valid ID.
Where: Experience 868, 868 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to purchase tickets.
Watch a Drunk Shakespeare Play
Join The Drunk Shakespeare Society for an unforgettable evening of Shakespearean revelry. Set within a speakeasy, five actors attempt to perform a Shakespearean play after one of them downs multiple shots of various alcohols. Every show is different depending on who is drinking and what they’re drinking. Must be 21+ with valid ID.
Where: The Lounge At The Lion, 182 North Wabash Avenue
Cost: Prices start at $29 per person. Click here to purchase tickets.
Take a Spray Paint ‘n’ Sip Urban Art Workshop
Grab some spray paint and unleash your inner street artist at a Spray Paint ‘n’ Sip Urban Art Workshop. This interactive spray paint workshop will teach you the ins and outs of working with spray paint and other elements of graffiti and street art as you create your own painted mural.
Where: Studio W.I.P. – Uptown, 1047 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Cost: $45 per person for adults. Click here to purchase tickets.
Wondra: Immerse yourself in the magic of nature
Looking for a fun activity for kids? Head to the suburbs for Wondra, where each space invites curious minds to discover hidden details, dazzling colors, and natural awe-scapes that spark imagination and evoke wonder. Experience nature’s wonders in a whole new light with this immersive journey.
Where: 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to see prices and purchase tickets in advance.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago next weekend. If you are looking for things to do during the week, here are more things to do in Chicago in July and Chicago in August.
