Searching for what to do this weekend in Chicago? Below are the top things to do in Chicago this weekend (July 19-21, 2024). (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:
Fiesta del Sol (Pilsen) – July 25-28, 2024
iO Fest (new comedy festival) – July 25-28, 2024
Taste of Lincoln Avenue – July 26-28, 2024
Wicker Park Fest – July 26-28, 2024
Chinatown Summer Fair – July 27-28, 2024
Faces of Fitness: Chicago’s Fitness Festival – July 27-28, 2024
Bantu Fest – July 27-28, 2024
Summer Wine Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo – Friday, July 26, 2024
Wicker Park After Dark – Friday, July 26, 2024
Taste of Chicago Neighborhood Pop-Up: Marquette Park – Saturday, July 27, 2024
GhanaFest – Saturday, July 27, 2024 11am-10pm
FreakShow & Tell LIVE! – Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 8pm
Candlelight Concert: A Tribute to Coldplay on Strings – Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 8:45pm
More Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are more events taking place this weekend in Chicago:
Scheherazade at Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park – July 26 & 27, 2024
Ginza Holiday – July 26-28, 2024
Summer Games Watch Party (at Gallagher Way) – Friday, July 26, 2024 – 12-6 pm | FREE
Fridays on Fulton – Friday, July 26, 2024 from 5:00 – 10:00 PM PM | FREE
9am: Rise and Rosé – Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 9am
Summer Tequila Tasting Festival – Saturday, July 27, 2024
Skyline Sessions (at Navy Pier) – Friday, July 26, 2024 5:00-9:00 pm | FREE
Millennium Park Summer Workout – Saturday, July 27, 2024 from 8-11:45am | FREE
Design Museum of Chicago presents Field Day at Navy Pier – Saturday, July 27, 2024 10:00 am – 3:00 pm | FREE
Live on the Lake (at Navy Pier) – Saturday, July 27, 2024 2:00 pm – 11:10 pm | FREE
Wave Wall Stage (at Navy Pier) – Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 4PM & 4:30PM | FREE
Wave Wall Wax Performance: DJ Ca$h Era (at Navy Pier) – Saturday, July 27, 2024 5:30PM-10PM | FREE
Golf Day at Gallagher Way – Sunday, July 28, 2024 – 10:00 am – 1;00 pm | FREE
Live on the Lake (at Navy Pier) – Sunday, July 28, 2024 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm | FREE
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:
Watch Free Fireworks at Night
If you are not yet tired of fireworks from the 4th of July, Navy Pier puts on a free fireworks show on Saturday night at 10pm.
While you can watch the fireworks show from Navy Pier, you can also watch the show from various spots along the Lakefront.
If you enjoy guided tours, you can see the fireworks and other must see attractions on this fireworks segway tour.
Another great option for watching the fireworks is a lake or river cruise which will stop on the water for passengers to enjoy the show.
Take an Architecture River Cruise
Chicago has amazing architecture and the best way to enjoy it is joining an architecture river cruise.
Take a Lake Cruise
If you enjoy being on the water, a lake cruise is a fun activity whether in the day, around sunset and in the evening. While you don’t get to see the buildings up close like on a architecture river cruise, you do get to enjoy skyline views and a refreshing cool lake breeze. If your time is short, you can do a combination river and lake cruise. Lake cruises depart from Navy Pier or the Michigan Avenue bridge.
Look for Street Art
Chicago is full of street art and there are always new murals popping up. One of the most famous Chicago murals is “Moose Bubblegum Bubble” (pictured above) by Jacob Watts located at 33 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. It is part of the Wabash Arts Corridor which is walking distance to Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and other tourist attractions.
Another famous mural is the Greetings From Chicago Mural at 2226 N Milwaukee Ave. You can see this mural and other street art on this street art tour.
Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience
The Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience (Exhibition Hub Art Center Chicago, 2367 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647) is in Chicago for a limited time this summer. This immersive experience brings you face-to-face with the fearsome and spectacular dinosaurs that dominated the animal world for 140 million years. From the turkey-sized Velociraptors to the mighty T-rex, interact with life-sized, moving animatronics of a large variety of species, and see these magnificent creatures in their natural Jurassic habitat. Kids can enjoy a “Budding Experts” interactive space, where they can become paleontologists and tame the most iconic dinosaurs. Children ages 3 and under enter free of charge.
Bouncy Games
The Bouncy Games (Exhibition Hub Art Center Chicago, 2367 W Logan Blvd) is another limited time experience in Chicago for kids. This large inflatable course is full of giant slides and obstacle courses for kids 3+.
Purchase a bundle ticket to both Dinos Alive and Bouncy Games for less here.
Check Out the New Flyover Chicago at Navy Pier
Flyover Chicago, an immersive flyover experience, is Chicago’s newest attraction.
Other fun attractions at Navy Pier include a large Ferris wheel (click here to purchase a fast pass ticket and skip the long line) and other rides and games.
Navy Pier is also home to the Chicago Children’s Museum which is perfect for toddlers and younger kids.
Titanic: The Exhibition
Titanic: The Exhibition is ending its limited time run in the Chicago area in a few weeks. This interactive experience allows you to step inside recreations of the Titanic’s interior. Immerse yourself in the stories of its passengers, see hundreds of artifacts, and discover the tale of the design, creation, launch, maiden voyage, and tragedy of the historic ship.
Where: 4963 Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie, IL 60077 (about 17 miles from downtown Chicago)
Cost: Price varies. Click here for full prices and to purchase tickets in advance.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago this weekend. If you are looking for things to do during the week, here are more things to do in Chicago in July.