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Chicago’s July Calendar of Events

The best things to do in Chicago in July 2022 including neighborhood festivals, music festivals, and food events.

Things to Do in Chicago in July:

Millennium Park Summer Film Series

When: Tuesdays from July 12 through August 30
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Millennium Park

Attendance is free and guests can sit in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion or on the Great Lawn. *The films have not been announced yet.

African/Caribbean International Festival of Life

When: July 2-4, 2022
Neighborhood: Washington Park
Address: Washington Park, 55th and Cottage Grove

This event features reggae, pop, gospel, blues, jazz, African, and Latin music plus food, arts, crafts, and games.

Chosen Few DJs

When: July 2, 2022
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Address: Jackson Park

A house music festival scheduled to take place on July 2, 2022 in Jackson Park. This massive event with 40,000 attendees celebrates Chicago as the birthplace of house music.

Jazzin’ at the Shedd

When: Wednesdays from June 15 through August 31, 2022, 5 pm – 10 pm
Neighborhood: Museum Campus
Address: The Shedd Aquarium

The Shedd Aquarium hosts top local jazz ensembles on the terrace which offers incredible views of the city skyline and the Wednesday night fireworks. The aquarium exhibits are open during the event.

Taste of Chicago

When: July 8-10, 2022
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Grant Park

A large festival with food, drinks, and live music that takes place in Grant Park each July.

Square Roots

When: July 8-10, 2022
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square
Address: Lincoln Square

This festival showcases local and regional craft breweries and has 50+ live entertainment on four stages, a kid zone, and a parade.

Spring Awakening

When: July 8-10, 2022
Neighborhood: West Loop
Address: United Center
Cost: $199 and up for 3 day passes

A three-day music electronic music festival.

Flatts & Sharpe Music Festival

When: July 8-9, 2022
Neighborhood: Rogers Park
Address: Flatts and Sharpe Music Store, 6749 North Sheridan Road

An all-ages rock show featuring music studentshttps://flattsandsharpe.com/music-festival/.

Freedom Fest

When: July 9, 2022
Neighborhood: Avondale
Address: 3340 North Kedzie
Cost: $40

Hosted by Revolution Brewing, Freedom Fest is a party in the brewery’s parking lot that showcases their Freedom Session Sours. Fifteen different Freedom variants are tapped at this event plus there are live DJ sets and food from several local restaurants and food trucks. There is even a mullet competition! * This event is 21+.

West Loop Summer Fest

When: July 9-10, 2022
Neighborhood: West Loop
Address: Washington and Sangamon
Cost: $10 donation

This street fest promises to have sand, yacht-rock, tropical-inspired tribute bands, food, and drinks.

Southport Art Fest

When: July 9-10, 2022
Neighborhood: Lakeview (Wrigleyville)
Address: Waveland and Southport
Cost: Free

An art festival displaying works from diverse artists working in all mediums. A special kid’s area will have interactive games and activities.

West Fest

When: July 8-10, 2022
Neighborhood: West Town
Address: Chicago Avenue between Damen Avenue and Wood Street

This event brings local restaurants, retailers, and artists together and includes a Pet Fest and a Kid Fest. Live music is curated by Empty Bottle and there is a DJ stage.

Bucktown Garden Walk

When: July 9-10, 2022
Neighborhood: Bucktown
Address: Bucktown

This event features tours of neighborhood gardens, live music, activities for children, and a block party.

Millennium Park Summer Music Series

When: July 14, 2022
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Millennium Park
Cost: Free

Performers to be announced.

The Joffrey Ballet presents Rita Finds a Home

When: Thursday, July 14 at 6:30 PM
Neighborhood: Pilsen
Address: Harrison Park, 1824 S Wood St
Cost: Free

A free 45-minute family-friendly ballet that tells the story of an artist who searches for the meaning of “home” after her family relocates.

Zoo Ball

When: July 15, 2022
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Address: Lincoln Park Zoo
Cost: $1,000 and up

This black-tie event is the Zoo’s largest fundraiser. The 2022 theme is Birds of Paradise.

The Joffrey Ballet presents Rita Finds a Home

When: Friday, July 15 at 6:30 PM
Neighborhood: Clearing
Address: Hale Park, 6258 W 62nd St
Cost: Free

A free 45-minute family-friendly ballet that tells the story of an artist who searches for the meaning of “home” after her family relocates.

Horner Brew Fest

When: July 15, 2022
Neighborhood: Irving Park
Address: Horner Park
Cost: $45

An event with local brewers, live music, and food trucks. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.

Pitchfork Music Festival

When: July 15-17, 2022
Neighborhood: West Loop
Address: Union Park
Cost: $99 and up

This three-day July festival has a wide range of artists and more emerging acts. The 2022 lineup includes The Roots, The National, Mitski, Spiritualized, and Japanese Breakfast.

Mas Flow

When: July 15-17, 2022
Neighborhood: East Side
Address: Calumet Park
Cost: $100 and up

A Reggaeton festival presenting over 40 bands.

Tacos y Tamales Festival

When: July 15-17
Neighborhood: Pilsen
Address: 16th Street and Peoria

A fest offering authentic Mexican tacos and tamales plus art installations, Latin music, dance performances, and a beer garden.

Millennium Art Festival

When: July 15-17, 2022
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Lake Street and Michigan Ave
Cost: Free

An art festival that includes over 120 juried artists and artisans working in all mediums.

Heat Wave

When: July 15-17, 2022
Neighborhood: North Lawndale
Address: Douglass Park

A new music festival that will offer three unique environments inspired by iconic Pop Art. The lineup includes Tiësto, Above & Beyond, Zeds Dead, and RL Grime. Purchase tickets online in advance.

Sound System Block Party / Silver Room Block Party

When: July 16-17, 2022
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Address: Oakwood Beach, 3900-4100 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive

An annual summertime block party hosted by The Silver Room featuring food, drinks, community vendors, and music. This party is considered to be THE event of the year in Hyde Park.

The Joffrey Ballet presents Rita Finds a Home

When: Saturday, July 16 at 3:00 PM
Neighborhood: Albany Park
Address: Eugene Field Park, 5100 N Ridgeway Ave
Cost: Free

A free 45-minute family-friendly ballet that tells the story of an artist who searches for the meaning of “home” after her family relocates.

Volleywood

When: July 16-17, 2022
Neighborhood: Gold Coast/Old Town
Address: North Avenue Beach
Cost: $45 and up

Chicago’s only beachfront music festival will host 10 artists. The headliners are San Holo and Cash Cash. *This event is 21+.

Andersonville Vintage Market

When: July 17, 2022, 10 am – 3 pm
Neighborhood: Andersonville
Address: Catalpa Street between Ashland and Clark

During the Andersonville Vintage Market the neighborhood’s vintage and antique stores take over a stretch of Catalpa Street between Ashland and Clark.

Millennium Park Summer Music Series

When: July 18, 2022
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Millennium Park
Cost: Free

DakhaBrakha, a global folk-fusion quartet from Kyiv and the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra will perform.

Sheffield Garden Walk + Music Festival

When: July 16-17, 2022
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Address: the intersection of Webster and Sheffield

This events combines garden tours and a street fest with live music, food, and drinks.

Roscoe Village Burger Fest

When: July 15-17, 2022
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village
Address: 2000 West Belmont
Cost: $10 donation

Over a dozen restaurants participate in this burger-centric event. In addition to burgers, the event has two stages of music and entertainment plus a kids zone. Attendees get to vote for Chicago’s Best Burger.

Millennium Park Summer Music Series

When: July 21, 2022
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Millennium Park
Cost: Free

Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and The People’s Music School will perform.

Taco Crawl

When: July 21, 2022
Neighborhood: Rogers Park
Address: North Clark Street between Devon and Rogers Avenues

The Rogers Park Business Alliance hosts this event where restaurants along Clark Street serve a variety of tacos. It is best to purchase tickets for this event in advance.

Taste of Lincoln Avenue

When: July 22-24, 2022
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Address: Lincoln Avenue and Fullerton

A summertime street festival that features food and drinks from neighborhood restaurants and live music.

Wicker Park Fest

When: July 22-24, 2022
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Address: Milwaukee between Damen and Wolcott
Cost: $10 donation

This street festival has a music lineup curated by Suberranean, dozens of retail vendors, and food from several local restaurants. With four stages of music and over 50 bands performing, this is a music-centric event. There is even a special lineup of music for kids at Wicker Park Fest Kids Fest.

Columbian Festival

When: July 23-24, 2022
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park
Address: Humboldt Park

An event honoring Columbian independence with live music, dance performances, a carnival, and food and drink vendors.

Chicago Margarita Festival

When: July 23-24, 2022
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Address: Navy Pier
Cost: $20 (as of 2021)

Try different types of margaritas and dance to live music at this event. *This is a 21+ event.

Pizza City Fest

When: July 23-24, 2022
Neighborhood: West Loop
Address: Plumbers Hall, 1395 West Randolph Street
Cost: $59 and up

This pizza-centric event brings together 18 of the region’s best pizza makers. The ticket price includes all-you-can-eat pizza and live music.

Bantu Fest

When: July 23-24, 2022
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Address: Midway Plaisance

A multi-cultural festival with food, music, and culture from over 30 countries.

Millennium Park Summer Music Series

When: July 25, 2022
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Millennium Park
Cost: Free

Hip-hop producer Cookout Chris and Blues drummer Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith are presenting a musical program to show how blues and hip hop are connected.

Sundays on State

When: July 24, 2022, 11 am – 6 pm
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: State Street Between Lake and Monroe
Cost: Free

An interactive block party with shopping, outdoor dining, art, entertainment, and recreation.

Malt Row on Damen Beer Stroll

When: July 27, 2022
Neighborhood: Ravenswood
Address: Ravenswood Corridor, Ravenswood and Berteau Avenues

An annual event taking place in July that gives an opportunity to sample brews, spirits, and wines created on Malt Row. The event coincides with the Ravenswood Farmers Market and will take place on July 27, 2022

Lollapalooza

When: July 28-31, 2022
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Grant Park
Cost: $125 and up

A massive four-day eight-stage summer music festival featuring over 170 bands. The 2022 lineup includes Metallica, Green Day, Due Lipa, Jane’s Addiction, Dashboard Confessional, and Lil Baby.

Summer Fair

When: July 30-31, 2022
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Address: Wentworth Avenue

A large two-day neighborhood street fair on Wentworth Avenue featuring Asian food, art, dance, and music. A lion dance procession kicks off the event and a main stage has kung-fu demonstrations, a breakdancing contest, a dumpling eating contest, and K-pop entertainment.

Fiesta del Sol

When: July 28-31, 2022
Neighborhood: Pilsen
Address: Cermak Road
Cost: Free

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Fiesta del Sol is a free and family-friendly street festival that showcases Mexican cuisine and local businesses. There are two stages for live music and performances and a Ferris Wheel.

Jeff Fest

When: July 29-31, 2022
Neighborhood: Jefferson Park
Address: Jefferson Memorial Park

A family-friendly festival with live music, food, drinks, and a Kid’s Zone with activities.