June 2019 events calendar for Chicago

Do Division, the street shindig booked by Empty Bottle and Subterranean, kicks off the summer festival season during the first weekend of June. Spanning several city blocks, the annual celebration brings a selection of local vendors and restaurants to Division Street, as well as a petting zoo for the kids, a sidewalk sale and a runway fashion show. This year's music lineup includes Why?, the Meat Puppets, Mikal Cronin, Pile, Ryley Walker and Laura Stevenson, as well as local acts like Russian Circles, the Cool Kids, Makaya McCraven and Paul Cherry.

Not to be confused with Mayfest in Lakeview, the traditionally German neighborhood of Lincoln Square celebrates Oktoberfest in the summer with all the beers, cheers, oompah, Lederhosen and pretzels you'd expect. Swing by to check out the maypole, hoist a stein and eat your fill of schnitzel.

A newcomer to Chicago's crowded convention circuit, Comic Con Revolution brings more than 200 exhibitors to Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center for a two-day celebration of comics, movies, games and toys. The guest list is stacked with comic talent, including Deadpool co-creator Fabian Nicieza, Nightwing artist Tim Seeley and Harley Quinn artist Amanda Conner. You can also expect cosplayers and plenty of long boxes of back issues to dig through.

For readers of independent comics and small press publications, there's no event more sweet than CAKE (short for the Chicago Alternative Comics Expo). Each year, the convention brings underground creators and fans to the Center on Halsted for two days of panels, workshops and shopping. If you've ever wanted to see what's possible with a pen, some paper, a stapler and a little imagination, this is one of the city's finest showcases of DIY ingenuity.

Chicago Loop Alliance's pop-up party series returns to alleys and other unexpected downtown locations this summer, giving you a good reason to hang out on a street after work. Joining the city's celebration of the Chicago Year of Theater, all four ACTIVATE events will be centered around the local performing arts community, including drag performers, lighting designers, stage decorators, comedians and circus acts. The location of each party is typically announced a few weeks before the event takes place. Don't forget to RSVP for ACTIVATE to receive a complimentary drink ticket (good for beer, wine or cocktails) when you show up.

Experience the life of Alexander Hamilton at this stand-alone exhibition, created by the team behind the hit musical Hamilton. Debuting in Chicago, "Hamilton: The Exhibition" takes visitors on a journey from a trading post in St. Croix to the New Jersey hilltop where the Founding Father was shot in duel, using imaginative environments (created by the Broadway production's set designer David Korins) to immerse guests in the historical tale. Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda serves as the exhibition's narrator (via a high-tech headset), fleshing out details as you make your way through the display and listen to rearranged music from the Broadway show. Highlights of the 20,000 square-foot experience include a moving sculpture representing the hurricane that brought Hamilton to America and a 70-foot parchment map of Manhattan circa 1772 outfitted with scale models of key locations, like Fraunces Tavern and King’s College.

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.

Head to Lincoln Park Zoo for this after-hours tasting event, featuring beers, food pairings, live DJs and prime views of the venue's animal residents. This year, attendees can choose from two evening sessions, each offering more than 120 craft beers to taste. If you've ever wanted to drink a beer within eyeshot of a rhinoceros, this is the place to make your dreams come true.

Taking place on the same street occupied by some of Chicago's best-known restaurants, this West Loop fest boasts six blocks of food, drinks and music. You'll find food from more than 16 restaurants (on Randolph Street and beyond) being served as well as two stages packed with performances throughout the day. This year's lineup include indie rockers Real Estate. R&B act Anderson East, synth-pop duo Holy Ghost!, Vulfpeck guitarist Cory Wong and New York rockers Cults. Donations made at the entrance to the festival support the West Loop Community Organization.

Each summer, stages, tents and food trucks spring up around the Illinois Centennial Monument for a weekend that celebrates local art, food, beer and music. The Logan Square Arts Festival is one of the neighborhood's most beloved events and a reminder of the importance of community in an area of the city where demographics are changing as rapidly as new condos and high-rises can be built. In addition to a full slate of local artists, printers and makers, this year's festival will feature sets from Philadelphia rockers Hop Along, New Zealand indie-pop group the Beths, Brooklyn electronic act Future Generations and more.

True to its name, you won’t drink a beer that was packaged more than one week before this expansive tasting event, organized by local craft brewing blog The Hop Review. Each ticket includes 20 tasting of fresh creations from the likes of Dovetail, Half Acre, Marz, Noon Whistle and more than 15 other breweries.

Do Division, the street shindig booked by Empty Bottle and Subterranean, kicks off the summer festival season during the first weekend of June. Spanning several city blocks, the annual celebration brings a selection of local vendors and restaurants to Division Street, as well as a petting zoo for the kids, a sidewalk sale and a runway fashion show. This year's music lineup includes Why?, the Meat Puppets, Mikal Cronin, Pile, Ryley Walker and Laura Stevenson, as well as local acts like Russian Circles, the Cool Kids, Makaya McCraven and Paul Cherry.

Taking place on the same street occupied by some of Chicago's best-known restaurants, this West Loop fest boasts six blocks of food, drinks and music. You'll find food from more than 16 restaurants (on Randolph Street and beyond) being served as well as two stages packed with performances throughout the day. This year's lineup include indie rockers Real Estate. R&B act Anderson East, synth-pop duo Holy Ghost!, Vulfpeck guitarist Cory Wong and New York rockers Cults. Donations made at the entrance to the festival support the West Loop Community Organization.

Do Division, the street shindig booked by Empty Bottle and Subterranean, kicks off the summer festival season during the first weekend of June. Spanning several city blocks, the annual celebration brings a selection of local vendors and restaurants to Division Street, as well as a petting zoo for the kids, a sidewalk sale and a runway fashion show. This year's music lineup includes Why?, the Meat Puppets, Mikal Cronin, Pile, Ryley Walker and Laura Stevenson, as well as local acts like Russian Circles, the Cool Kids, Makaya McCraven and Paul Cherry.

The street in front of St. George Greek Orthodox Church hosts three days of gyros, spicy feta spread, dancing, traditional music and more during Lincoln Park's annual celebration of Hellenic culture. Show up to feast on Greek delicacies, shop for gifts at the craft fair or catch a set from the Ormi Orchestra.

Get your fill of tacos, torta, burritos, tamales and more delicious Mexican dishes at this culinary celebration in Little Village. More than 20 local restaurants and vendors will fire up the grills and serve food throughout the three-day event, accompanied by live bands and a festive array of carnival rides. We recommend waiting to order enchiladas until after you've taken a spin on the Tilt-a-Whirl.

You'll never go too long without a good beer fest in Chicago, thanks to Chicago Ale Fest. With both winter and summer renditions, drink up the best craft beers in the greater Chicago area every six months. The summer edition is held at Grant Park's Butler Field and will feature more than 150 craft beers, live music, games and food trucks.

The oldest juried craft fair in Hyde Park features paintings, sculptures, jewelry and ceramics from more than 200 artists. The event features pop-up artist talks as well as an artist-at-work area, where attendees can observe the process of creation. Attendees can shop for artwork created in a variety of mediums, including glass, jewelry, leather, photography, printmaking, painting, sculpture, wood, ceramics or fiber.

Dubbed the "Granddaddy of American Art Festivals," Gold Coast sets up the work of 300 artists in Grant Park. Live demos and speed-painting take place throughout the weekend and there are three food, music and beer oases spread throughout the park. Plus, this year you'll be able to head to Butler Field to check out the Chicago Ale Fest on Saturday, June 1.

Hot beats and cold beers unite at the Hyde Park Brew Fest, which brings a stacked lineup of DJs and breweries to the neighborhood. Admission to the event is free, but you'll need to purchase some beer tickets if you want to drink your way through 50 beers from the likes of Half Acre, Middle Brow, Illuminate Brew Works and more.

Chicago Loop Alliance's pop-up party series returns to alleys and other unexpected downtown locations this summer, giving you a good reason to hang out in the area after work. Joining the city's celebration of the Chicago Year of Theater, all four ACTIVATE events will be centered around the local performing arts community, including drag performers, lighting designers, stage decorators, comedians and circus acts. The location of each party is typically announced a few weeks before the event takes place. Don't forget to RSVP for ACTIVATE to receive a complimentary drink ticket (good for beer, wine or cocktails) when you show up.

Some of the city's best food trucks park in Pilsen for two days of music accompanied by dishes from 5411 Empanadas, Pierogi Wagon, Giordano's and more. Guests can purchase a $20 sampler ticket to try sample-sized portions from six of the trucks. Stick around through the afternoon to catch sets from local DJ duo TRQPiTECA, Puerto Rican pop duo Los Wálters, indie-pop band Rose of the West and more.

Get your lit fix as the city's historic former bookmaking hub hosts the Midwest's biggest free outdoor ode to literature. Begin your day by shopping at the outdoor marketplace, which features more than 100 booksellers offering everything from used paperbacks to newly published works. Head inside to sit in on conversations with authors like Alex Kotlowitz and Valerie Jarrett, take in readings of theatrical works with members of the Steppenwolf and Goodman Theatre ensembles or attend a cooking demo from Rick Bayless and Todd Richards. Kids can get in on the fun by visiting the festival's Arts & Poetry tent or dressing up as their favorite literary character and marching in the Storybook Parade on Saturday morning.

Get ready to dance around the Maypole at Andersonville's annual celebration of its Swedish heritage. The LGBTQ-friendly event showcases international performers, Nordic cuisine and an array of family activities. Skål!

Head to North Center to dig into more than 50,000 pounds of ribs and BBQ and don't forget to grab some napkins. The annual celebration of saucy pork brings together more than 30 vendors, lounges where you can sit down to eat and live music to keep you entertained while you're digesting your second rack of ribs.

Get outside and eat some tacos at Lincoln Park's latest festival, which brings together some of the city's best tortilla-wrapped dishes and drinks made with tequila. Admission includes a margarita as well as access to live music from the likes of Alan King and Xonic//Ayoo. 

Head to Lincoln Park Zoo for this after-hours tasting event, featuring beers, food pairings, live DJs and prime views of the venue's animal residents. This year, attendees can choose from two evening sessions, each offering more than 120 craft beers to taste. If you've ever wanted to drink a beer within eyeshot of a rhinoceros, this is the place to make your dreams come true.

Taking place on the same street occupied by some of Chicago's best-known restaurants, this West Loop fest boasts six blocks of food, drinks and music. You'll find food from more than 16 restaurants (on Randolph Street and beyond) being served as well as two stages packed with performances throughout the day. This year's lineup includes indie rockers Real Estate. R&B act Anderson East, synth-pop duo Holy Ghost!, Vulfpeck guitarist Cory Wong and New York rockers Cults. Donations made at the entrance to the festival support the West Loop Community Organization.

While it may not set any world records with its attendance, this annual bash at Old St. Patrick's Church is a beast of a block party, benefiting the institution's social justice and outreach programs. World's Largest Block Party fills a parking lot near the church with food, beer, a bags tournament and music from local cover bands 16 Candles and 7th Heaven. Lock down your ticket before June 10 to score a free drink upon arrival or show up between 5 to 6pm on June 21 for free entry to the event.

Prep for Chicago's annual Pride Parade with this massive block party, now a highly anticipated, two-day tradition of its own. Situated in the heart of Boystown, the event offers food and drinks from local vendors as well as musical entertainment with strong queer followings.