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56 exciting things opening in Chicago in July

Written by
Laura Rote
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July in Chicago is hot. Temps are rising, and our calendars are full to overflowing. But hey, we’re not complaining. In fact, we’re bragging. But then again, being faced with such a wealth of options can be overwhelming, so get to planning. You might want to get your personal calendar out for this one. From Taste of Chicago, Tour de Fat and a myriad of beer, rib and other summer festivals to music at Mamby on the Beach, Pitchfork and Lollapalooza, you have no reason to wonder, “What should I do today?”

THINGS TO DO

Jul 4: Put on your best red, white and blue and celebrate the Fourth of July with the crowds at Navy Pier. Get there early!

Jul 4: Looking to celebrate USA off the beaten path? You'll find even more Fourth of July fireworks in and around the city.
Jul 11–Sep 7: Love a good jousting? Make the trek to Kenosha and get in the Renaissance spirit at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
Jul 11: Have a freakishly good time at Tour de Fat, the New Belgium Brewing event that combines a love of beer, bikes and, well, the circus in Palmer Square. 
Jul 13: Run a little more than three miles and then treat yo' self to some serious carbs as part of the Burgers and Beer 5K at Soldier Field. 

Jul 14: Il est une fête! Mark Bastille Day with French rock music, plus fine food, wine and entertainment at Daley Plaza. 
Jul 23–26: That bedside table is looking pretty weak. Stock up on used books across genres at the Newberry Library Book Fair
Jul 25: Run, jump, crash and splash at the Wipeout Run, inspired by the popular TV show, at U.S. Cellular Field. 

FESTIVALS

Jul 1–5: Light up your Independence Day with fireworks and balloons. Hot air balloons will fill the sky with color and whimsy during Eyes to the Skies in Lisle, just a short drive from the city.
Jul 3–5: Get your grub on and then dance the night away with live music at the Windy City Ribfest in Uptown.
Jul 3–5: Good vibes will be in full effect at the African Caribbean International Festival of Life, complete with art, food and plenty of dancing at Union Park.
Jul 8–12: Eat your heart out—the beloved Taste of Chicago returns to Grant Park.


Jul 10–12: Barbecue, beer, country music—Windy City Smokeout has everything you need in River North. 
Jul 10–12: No, there won't be any math at the Square Roots Festival in Lincoln Square, but there will be music—lots and lots of music—the whole family can enjoy. There's even an "instrument petting zoo" for the tots to try out the drums. 
Jul 10–12: Experience the luck of the Irish in Chicago at the Irish American Heritage Festival on the city's northwest side, where you can take in some bagpipes, Irish dance and more as 100+ performers take the many stages across the weekend.
Jul 11, 12: Hungry? Head over to the Roscoe Village Burger Fest and fill up on mouth-watering patties at this local street fest.

Jul 17–19: You could win $10K at BenFest. But even if you don't win the cash prize, you're still a winner for attending this family-friendly street festival that benefits the St. Benedict Parish.

Jul 18, 19: Peruse the eclectic mix of visual and performing arts at the Southport Art Festival near Wrigley Field. 
Jul 18, 19: Expand your drinking palate with more than 80 craft brews at the Chicago Craft Beer Festival in Lincoln Park.
Jul 24–26: Grab a beer and join the drum circle at Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival in Jefferson Park.
Jul 25, 26: Spice up your weekend with the inaugural Chicago Hot Sauce Fest in the city's Northwest Side.

RESTAURANTS

Early Jul: Goddess and the Baker will open its second location on Navy Pier.
Jul TBD:
 Bernie's Lunch & Supper will serve Mediterranean dishes, and an 80-seat rooftop patio is set to open in August for even more dining bliss.


Jul TBD: Jackson Tavern will serve craft beer and, of course, good old-fashioned bar food.

Jul TBD: Cafe Spiaggia reopens after a new design, as well as a new menu and wine list.

Jul TBD: Ampersand Wine Bar in Ravenswood is a new project from Charlie Trotter alum Darren McGraw.

Note: Restaurant openings are subject to change and can be delayed; call ahead before setting out.

MOVIES

Jul 1: Channing Tatum takes it off again in Magic Mike XXL, the sequel to the 2012 fan favorite.

Jul 1: He's back. Arnold Schwarzenegger takes over the big screen in the newest installment of the Terminator franchise, Genisys.

Jul 17: Paul Rudd stars in what's sure to be a hit this summer, Marvel's Ant-Man.

Jul 31: Tom Cruise stars in Mission: Impossible 5, with Alec Baldwin joining the cast as head of the CIA.

COMEDY

Jul 1: In England, Russell Howard is already a household name. Here's hoping his stop at Lincoln Hall makes American audiences fall in love with him too.

Jul 10-12: The Comedy Exposition, a DIY comedy festival organized by local comedians and producers, will take over Lakeview, Wicker Park and Old Town.

ART

Jul 1–Feb 1: The Art Institute shows off Edgar Degas' Impressionist paintings of ballet dancers and horse jockeys in "At the Track, On the Stage."
Jul 11–Nov 22: The Museum of Contemporary Art explores the artistic influence of avant-garde jazz through photos, sheet music and more in "The Freedom Principle: Experiments in Art and Music, 1965 to Now."


Jul 11–Feb 15: "Dionysos Unmasked: Ancient Sculpture and Early Prints" pairs Classical sculptures with the Art Institute's collection of Renaissance and Baroque prints.


Jul 23–Oct 4: "North Korean Perspectives" contrasts government imagery with works by journalists and artists within the reclusive nation. 

THEATER

Jul 2–Aug 30: Grand Concourse makes its Chicago debut at Steppenwolf in this tale of volunteer versus nun at a Bronx soup kitchen.
Jul 7–July 26: Cyndi Lauper's Tony-winning musical Kinky Boots returns to Chicago for a short summer engagement.
 
Jul 9–Aug 15: Steep Theatre stages the first U.S. production of Brilliant Adventures, about a teen with a physics-defying invention.

Jul 17–Aug 16: Charmingly meta, [title of show] tells the story of four friends making a musical in this intimately scaled production from the Brown Paper Box Co.
Jul 18–Aug 30: Frank Galati and Stephen Flaherty's musical adaptation of the works of Gertrude Stein, Loving Repeating, looks at the writer’s relationship with Alice B. Toklas. 
Jul 19–Aug 16: Chicago Shakespeare Theater launches its annual tour of city parks with a mashup of famous scenes and modern songs in Shakespeare's Greatest Hits.
Jul 29-Aug 9: The Broadway revival of Pippin, about a young prince seeking out his corner of the sky, comes to the Cadillac Palace this month and is infused with impressive circus elements.

DANCE

Jul 18–19: Thodos Dance Chicago celebrates 15 years of dance as part of the two-day show called New Dances 2015.

MUSIC

Jul 3–5: Trey Anastasio of Phish fills in for Jerry Garcia as the Grateful Dead reunites for three final shows at Soldier Field.
Jul 8: Weezer brings its dorky power pop (and, presumably, some "Pork and Beans") to the Taste of Chicago.
Jul 10–12: An expansive bill of Latin American rock groups take the stage at the inaugural RuidoFest in Pilsen.
Jul 11, 12: Passion Pit and Empire of the Sun hit the sand at new lakefront festival Mamby on the Beach.
Jul 16: Animal Collective noisemaker Panda Bear goes solo at Thalia Hall ahead of his set in Union Park.
Jul 17–19: Union Park hosts Wilco, Sleater-Kinney, Chance the Rapper and thousands of guys with beards during Pitchfork Music Festival.
Jul 18, 19: After taking a bite out of Apple Music, Taylor Swift headlines a two-night stand at Soldier Field.
Jul 24: The David Lee Roth-fronted lineup of Van Halen squeezes back into its leather pants in Tinley Park.
Jul 25: Rhythmic jazz trio Dawn of Midi brings its hyper-minimalist melodies to Constellation.
Jul 25, 26: Wicker Park Fest welcomes Blonde Redhead, Charles Bradley and Veruca Salt to the hipster-friendly street fest.
Jul 29: Country-pop megastar Shania Twain makes a comeback, playing Allstate Arena on her first tour in 11 years.
Jul 31–Aug 2: Paul McCartney, Metallica and Sam Smith headline another instantly sold out Lollapalooza

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