Searching for what to do next weekend in Chicago? Below are the top things to do in Chicago next weekend (July 18-20, 2025) 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:
Roscoe Village Burger Fest – July 18-20, 2025
West Fest Chicago – July 18-20, 2025
Taste of River North – July 18-19, 2025
Tacos y Tamales Festival – July 18–20, 2025
Colombian Fest – July 18–20, 2025
William Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” performed by Midsommer Flight in Kelvyn Park – July 18-20, 2025 | FREE (reservations encouraged)
Ravenswood On Tap Craft Beer & Music Fest – July 19-20, 2025
Miche Fest – July 19-20, 2025
Renegade Craft Fair – July 19-20, 2025
World Fair US (Bridgeview) – July 7–28, 2025
Horner Brew Fest – Friday, July 18, 2025
Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac – Friday, July 18, 2025
Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Adele – Friday, July 18, 6:30pm
River Parade – Saturday, July 19, 2025 | FREE
Taste of Chicago (Pullman Park) – Saturday, July 19, 2025 | FREE Admission
Chicago Zine Fest at the Harold Washington Library – Saturday, July 19, 2025, 11am-4pm | FREE – Celebration of small press and independent publishers, with an annual festival of workshops and the big expo day where 70+ zinesters sell and trade their zines.
Volleywood (at North Avenue Beach) – Saturday, July 19, 2025
Boudoir Bingo at The Newport Theater – Saturday, July 19, 2025, 3pm
More Next Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are more weekend events taking place next weekend in Chicago:
Chi Food Truck Fest – Friday, July 18, 2025, 11am-3pm
Gorgon City at Navy Pier (18+) – Friday, July 18, 2025, 4pm – English electronic music production duo Gorgon City takes the stage with special guests Riordan, Jackie Hollander, Linska, and TASH.
3rd Fridays Free Admission Museum Night at Heritage Museum of Asian Art – Friday, July 18, 2025, 5–8pm
Kilbourn Park Summer Concert Series: Finom (duo performance) & Senite at Kilbourn Park – Friday, July 18, 2025, 6-8pm | FREE
DJ in the Park at Calumet Park – Friday, July 18, 2025, 7-10pm | FREE – Enjoy music of different genres from a live DJ.
Party Like It’s SUE-thousand (21+) – Friday, July 18, 2025, 7:30–9pm
– Join the Field Museum at Beauty Bar for a night of non-stop 2000s jams.
Sensory Feast: A Magical Dining Experience – July 18 & 19, 2025, 6pm & 8:30pm – Step into the land of Oz at Sensory Feast, a captivating dining experience. Cutting-edge projection mapping transforms your table into a living canvas where Dorothy’s adventures come to life—all while you enjoy a 3-course meal.
Phish Summer Tour at the United Center – July 18-20, 2025
Sheffield Garden Walk – July 19-20, 2025
Armitage & Halsted Sidewalk Sale – July 19-20, 2025, 11am-5pm
Open Studios (3rd Fridays) at Bridgeport Art Center – Friday, July 18, 2025, 7-10pm | FREE
BLACKPINK World Tour at Soldier Field – Friday, July 18, 2025, 8pm
West Loop Pizza Crawl – Saturday, July 19, 2025, 11am-2pm
The Bad Santa Bar Crawl – Saturday, July 19, 2025, 2-10pm – Celebrate Christmas in July at this River North bar crawl.
House Party at Shedd Aquarium – Saturday, July 19, 2025, 7-11pm – A local DJ will be spinning beats as guests come face-to-face with aquatic animals and captivating exhibits.
Dive In Movies: Anniversary Series at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile – Saturday, July 19, 2025, 8-10pm – Back To The Future showing hosted in the hotel pool, as part of 21+ Dive In Movies: The Anniversary Series featuring cinematic classics, canned cocktails and a fun evening of nostalgia.
Summer Fireworks at Navy Pier – Saturday, July 19, 2025, 10-10:10pm | FREE
Free Day at the American Writers Museum – Sunday, July 20, 2025, 10am-5pm
Andersonville Vintage Market – Sunday, July 20, 2025, 10am-4pm
Hyde Park Handmade Artisan Bazaar – Sunday, July 20, 2025, 11am-3pm
Summer Sundays at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel – Sunday, July 20, 2025, 12-4pm – Signature pool party series featuring sips from Peroni and Surfside.
Dearborn Garden Walk (Near North Side) – Sunday, July 20, 2025, 12-5pm
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
Chicago has amazing architecture and the best way to enjoy it is joining an architecture river cruise.
Go Kayaking
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.
Look for Street Art
See Chicago’s many murals by joining a street art tour.
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.
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.
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.
