Searching for what to do this weekend in Chicago? Below are the best things to do in Chicago this long holiday weekend (July 11-13, 2025) including the best events and activities.
(If you are planning ahead, you can also find the best things to do next weekend here.)
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as it is updated 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.
Best Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are the best weekend events in Chicago:
Chicago Gospel Music Festival (Millennium Park) – Saturday, July 12, 2025 | FREE Admission
Windy City Smokeout – July 10-13, 2025
Square Roots Fest – July 11-13, 2025 – Live music & craft beer street fest on Lincoln Avenue between Montrose & Wilson in Lincoln Square.
African Caribbean International Festival of Life – July 11-13, 2025
Southport Art Fest – July 12-13, 2025
Fiestas Patronales Puertorriqueñas (Humboldt Park) – June 12-15, 2025
Edgewater Greek Fest – July 12-13, 2025
World Fair US (Bridgeview) – July 7–28, 2025
William Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” performed by Midsommer Flight in Nichols Park – July 11-13, 2025 | FREE (reservations encouraged)
25th Annual Barrio Arts Festival at The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture – July 12-13, 2025
Bed By 10pm – Saturday, July 12, 2025, 3pm – A clubbing experience designed for the 30+ crowd, dance to the best hits of the 80s, 90s & 2000s and be in bed by 10pm.
4th Annual Wild Mile Block Party – Sunday, July 13, 2025, 3-8pm | FREE
Come Together: The Ultimate Beatles Tribute at the Aire Rooftop – Sunday, July 13, 2025, 5pm & 8:30pm
Frida Kahlo’s Month in Paris: A Friendship with Mary Reynolds at Art Institute of Chicago – Through July 13, 2025
More Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are more events taking place this weekend in Chicago:
Full Moon Jam at Foster Beach – Thursday, July 10, 2025, 6-10pm | FREE
Meet a Scientist: The SUE Project at the Field Museum – Friday, July 11, 2025, 11am–1pm – Celebrate the Summer of SUE with a special Meet a Scientist event highlighting the story of SUE the T. rex.
Chi Food Truck Fest – Friday, July 11, 2025, 11am-3pm
Fresh Fest – Friday, July 11, 2025, 11am-9pm | FREE – Navy Pier’s free annual showcase celebrating young performers.
Grant Park Music Festival: Brahms Symphony No. 2 at Millennium Park – Friday, July 11, 2025, 6:30pm | FREE
Kilbourn Park Summer Concert Series: Ganser and Plum at Kilbourn Park – Friday, July 11, 2025, 6-8pm | FREE
BAPA Porch Concert Series – Friday, July 11, 2025, 6:30-8:30 pm | FREE
Bingo Loco: The Ultimate Bingo Party – Friday, July 11, 2025, 8pm
Kalapriya’s 3rd Annual Summer Mela at Chicago Women’s Parks & Gardens – Saturday, July 12, 2025, 12-8pm – South Asian music, dance, food, and crafts.
Ritmo del Mar at the Shedd Aquarium (21+) – Saturday, July 12, 2025, 7-11pm – Enjoy a night of music, cuisine, culture and animals with an aquatic backdrop. Dance to the sounds of salsa, cumbia, merengue and Latin jazz. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
World Naked Bike Ride – Saturday, July 12, 2025, 8pm
Summer Fireworks at Navy Pier – Saturday, July 12, 2025, 10-10:10pm | FREE
Maxwell Street Market – Sunday, July 13, 2025, 9am–2pm | FREE Admission
Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Garden Walk – Sunday, July 13, 2025, 10am-3pm | FREE – Showcases exceptional private gardens and public spaces.
Roscoe Village Garden Walk – Sunday, July 13, 2025, 12–4pm | FREE
Edgewater Glen Garden Walk – Sunday, July 13, 2025, noon-5pm
Bastille Day – Sunday, July 13, 2025, 12-6pm | FREE – Family-friendly event which honors French culture and community with an evening of live music and entertainment.
Chicago Vintage Festival – Sunday, July 13, 2025, 12-6pm | FREE
Grant Park Music Festival: CenterStage: Inbal Segev at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion – Sunday, July 13, 2025, 2pm | FREE but reservation required
Chicago Latin Jazz Festival – July 11-12, 2025
Sensory Feast: A Magical Dining Experience – July 11 & 12, 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.
Bucktown Garden Walk – July 12-13, 2025
Markets for Makers Summer Market at Artifact Events – July 12 + 13, 2025, 11am-5pm – Independent artists and makers specializing in home decor, fashion, art, design, food and more.
Collected Con at Navy Pier – July 12-13, 2025 – Designer toy convention.
Bon Odori – Japanese Folk Dance Workshop at the Japanese Culture Center – July 12-13, 2025 | FREE
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Cadillac Palace Theatre – July 9–August 2, 2025
Titanique the Musical – Through July 13, 2025
You Will Get Sick by Steppenwolf Theatre Company – Through July 13, 2025
More Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend
In addition to the weekend events listed above, below are more of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend:
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:
Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More (Evanston)
Candlelight: Tribute to The Beatles (Oak Park)
Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay on Strings (Oak Park)
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
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.
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.
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 this weekend. If you are looking for more things to do in the Chicago area, you can find the best things to do in the suburbs here. If you are looking for things to do during the week, you can find more things to do in Chicago in July.
