June 2016 events calendar for Chicago
Plan your summer with our calendar June 2016 events and things to do, including our picks for theater, art and music
Summer is finally here, Chicago beaches are open and snow-covered streets seem like a distant memory. June is one of the months that reinforces Chicagoans' civic pride, with the beginning of summer festivals, summer music festivals, outdoor theater and a whole lot more. Plus, it's Pride Month, which means Pride Fest is just around the corner, followed by the colorful Pride Parade. Start off summer with the help of our June events calendar for Chicago.
RECOMMENDED: Events calendar for Chicago in 2016
Featured events in June 2016
Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest
Get your lit fix as the city's historic former bookmaking hub hosts the Midwest's biggest free outdoor ode to literature. Publishers, booksellers, literacy and cultural organizations advocate books and related merchandise in different lanuages and genres, while authors participate in panels and discussion. The kiddies can enjoy special activities at the Lil' Lit Park.
Read moreFestivals in June 2016
Two Brothers Summer Festival
Every summer, the Two Brothers Brewing Company puts together a weekend full of beer and music while rasing money for charity. This year, the festival moves to RiverEdge Park in downtown Aurora, where Cold War Kids, Lord Huron, The Lone Bellow and PHOX will headline the two-day event. The festival will also host the release of Two Brothers Hop Centric Double IPA and Hop Centric Black.
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57th Street Art Fair
The oldest juried craft fair in Hyde Park features paintings, sculptures, jewelry and ceramics from more than 200 artists. This year's event will feature pop-up artist talks as well as an artist-at-work area, where attendees can observe the process of creation. Attemdees can shop for artwork created in a variety of mediums, including glass, jewelry, leather, photography, printmaking, painting, sculpture, wood, ceramics or fiber.
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Lincoln Park Greek Festival
Opa! The St. George Greek Orthodox Church hosts Lincoln Park Greek Festival, celebrating the food, culture and hospitality of ancient and modern Greece. Dig into a gyro or sample some hummus while taking in some of the event's live music lineup.
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Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest
Get your lit fix as the city's historic former bookmaking hub hosts the Midwest's biggest free outdoor ode to literature. Publishers, booksellers, literacy and cultural organizations advocate books and related merchandise in different lanuages and genres, while authors participate in panels and discussion. The kiddies can enjoy special activities at the Lil' Lit Park. Some of this year's headliners include chef Rick Bayless, journalist Kim Barker, actor Ethan Hawke and illustrator Greg Ruth.
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Chicago Gospel Music Festival
The city's annual celebration of gospel music welcomes national touring acts and up-and-coming local talent to Millennium Park for two days of uplifting songs and hymns. Visit the city's website for the full schedule.
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Ribfest Chicago
Head to Northcenter to dig into over 50,000 pounds of ribs and BBQ and don't forget to grab some napkins. The annual celebration of saucy pork will also play host to RibMania, the Midwest's only sanctioned rib-eating contest, which invites amateur and professional competitive eaters to chow down for a cash prize.
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Spring Awakening Music Festival
With the Copa América Centenario international soccer tournament taking over Soldier Field throughout June, Chicago's biggest EDM festival is moving to Addams/Medill Park this summer. In its new location, local promoter React Presents is planning the biggest Spring Awakening to date, featuring more than 100 acts, five stages and carnival rides. Headliners for the 2016 fest include Deadmau5, Steve Aoki, Flying Lotus, A-Trak more of the biggest and best electronic acts.
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Remix Chicago
Remix Chicago offers up repurposed crafts, workshops, music and food. Enjoy music, eco-friendly workshops, sustainable food options and cold berverages as you learn more about recycled art.
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Lombard Ale Fest
Lombard's annual craft beer festival showcases more than 100 seasonal beers from breweries across the country, including Central Waters, Lakefront Brewing and Stone Brewing Co. Thirsty attendees will gather in the downtown Lombard Metra station to sample brews and wash down savory dishes from Chicagoland food trucks.
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Pilsen Food Truck Social
More than 25 trucks will show up to sling sample portions of tasty grub on the street outside of Thalia Hall at the Pilsen Food Truck Social. A percentage of the proceeds benefits the Illinois Food Truck Owners Association, the St Procopius Church soup kitchen and food panty and local after school programs.
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Chicago Blues Festival
The largest free blues festival in the world brings living legends and local 12-bar regulars to Grant Park for three days of music. Those expecting Blues Brothers cover bands should steer clear (though you're likely to hear a few renditions of "Sweet Home Chicago")—past editions have brought artists such as Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, Shemekia Copeland and Syl Johnson to the stage. 2016's lineup is yet to be announced, but we're expecting something special.
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Andersonville Midsommarfest
Get ready to dance around the Maypole at Andersonville's annual celebration of its Swedish heritage. The LGBT-friendly event showcases international performers, Nordic cuisine and an array of family activities. Skål!
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World Naked Bike Ride
The annual clothing-optional bike ride takes over the streets of Chicago, attracting hundreds of scantily clad riders who help raise awareness about cyclists and positive body image. Check-in for the ride begins at 6pm in the West Loop and the ride usually runs from 8pm-11pm—for specific route details (typically announced the day of the event) check ChicagoNakedRide.org. Remember to wipe down your Divvy seat the day after.
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Wells Street Art Festival
See the work of more than 200 juried artists and bid on original photography, paintings, jewelry and more at the two-day silent auction in Old Town. Food options include fare from local restaurants.
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Old Town Art Fair
Old Town hosts another go-round this year, featuring the work of 250 juried artists. Other highlights of the festival include a self-guided tour through over 50 urban gardens, plenty of vendors, food from local eateries and a stage featuring live music.
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Brew to be Wild
Head to Lincoln Park Zoo for this after-hours spirit tasting event, featuring beers, food pairings, music and prime views of the venue's animal residents. The annual event has more than 75 beers to sample from local brewers.
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Fiestas Puertorriqueñas
When summer starts, the party in Humboldt Park never seems to end. The neighborhood’s fiesta season begins with this four-day Puerto Rican heritage festival. Originating in 1964, this celebration includes performances by Latin entertainers, carnival rides and food vendors.
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Chicago Ale Fest
Head to Buckingham Fountain for two sessions of beer tastings, featuring more than 200 different craft brews. Take in the skyline whicle knocking back drafts from 4 Hands Brewing, Southern Tier, Marz Brewing, Rogue and more. Each ticket includes 20 3oz samples. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Grant Park Conservatory.
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Taste of Randolph
On the same streets as some of Chicago's (and America's) best-known restaurants, this West Loop fest boasts six blocks of food, drink and music. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the event is welcoming 20 restaurants, including Belly Q, Gus's Fried Chicken, Publican Quality Meats and Cemitas Puebla. Swedish indie-pop act Peter, Bjorn and John, electro duo MS MR and Australian rockers Atlas Genius headline the music lineup.
Read moreFree events in June 2016
Chicago Blues Fest
In its 32st year, the Grant Park tradition brings in living legends and local 12-bar regulars. The theme this year is a tribute to Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon, with Billy Branch, Mud Morgenfield and more leading the charge. That all goes down on Sunday. If you're looking for just one day to attend: Buddy Guy headlines on Saturday at 8pm at the Petrillo Music Shell, after Taj Mahal warms up the stage. South Side soul underdog Syl Johnson headlines at the same place and time on Friday, which should be hot. Those with an even looser definition of the blues might want take note of hunky, bruised crooner Hozier, who hits Pritzker Pavilion on June 10.
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Movies in the Parks
From June through September, more than 240 movies will screen in parks all over Chicago as part of the city's annual Movies in the Parks program. From recent blockbusters like Maleficent and Gravity to classics like E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Space Jam, you're sure to find good something to watch (for free!) beneath the stars this summer. Screenings typically begin at 8:30pm each evening. Take a look at the full list of movies and participating parks.
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World Naked Bike Ride
The annual clothing-optional bike ride takes over the streets of Chicago, attracting hundreds of scantily clad riders who help raise awareness about cyclists and positive body image. The route and start time won't be revealed until the day of the event, so make sure to check ChicagoNakedRide.org if you're interested in participating in or observing the ride. Remember to wipe down your Divvy seat the day after.
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Chicago Pride Parade
Chicago's LGBT community comes out to celebrate with a parade that attracts over one million attendees. You'll want to head to the parade route early to grab a spot before the procession starts rolling down Halsted and Broadway between Montrose and Diversey.
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