June 2018 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 ten city blocks, the annual celebration brings a selection of local vendors and restaurants to Division Street, as well as family activities, a sidewalk sale and a runway fashion show. Indie rock veterans Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, garage rockers La Luz and afrobeat band Antibalas headline the music lineup at this year's fest.

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.

Hot beats and cold beers unite at the Hyde Park Brew Fest, which brings a stacked lineup of DJs and breweries to the neighborhood. Attendees will enjoy samples of more than 50 beers and ciders, including selections from 5 Rabbit, Whiner and Middle Brow. DJ Jazzy Jeff (best known for his collaborations with Will Smith) will headling the music stage on Sunday, while a selection of local DJs will be spinning tracks throughout the weekend.

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!

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, including Austin’s Texas Lightning, BBQ Supply Co, Real Urban Barbecue, Blackwood BBQ and Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro. After you pig out, stick around for live music, activities and more.

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.

In the heart of restaurant row, on the same streets as some of Chicago's (and America's) best-known restaurants, this West Loop fest boasts six blocks of food, drinks and music. This year, R&B crooner Allen Stone, Americana trio the Devil Makes Three, psychedelic soul group Chicano Batman and neo-soul singer Mayer Hawthorne headline the festivities.

Set your taste buds on fire at this inaugural expo, featuring spicy sauces from more than 40 different vendors, a cocktail competition and amateur wrestling. Guests will be able to put their heat tolerance to the test with samples of fiery foods and participate in extreme events like the “Death Wing Eating Challenge" or the "Slaytanic Burrito Challenge." You'll also get to watch someone eat a bunch of super-hot Reaper peppers—hope you're a heat seeker.

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.

In Lisle, the Fourth of July features plenty of airborne eye candy, including fireworks and hot air balloons. Balloons launch daily, filling the sky with colorful inflatables of all shapes and sizes. In the evening, the balloons come down and the fireworks begin. Attendees can also check out the festival's carnival, kids area, live music and craft fair.

New Belgium Brewery brings its annual celebration of bikes and beer to Humboldt Park this year, setting up a stage by the park's iconic boathouse. L.A. alt-rock duo Best Coast headline the event, which features live entertainment, a bike pit filled with DIY creations and lots of New Belgium's signature beers available for purchase. The day will kick off with Tour de Fat's bike parade, which allows cyclists to take a slow ride through the surrounding neighborhood.

Do Division, the street shindig booked by Empty Bottle and Subterranean, kicks off the summer festival season during the first weekend of June. Spanning ten city blocks, the annual celebration brings a selection of local vendors and restaurants to Division Street, as well as family activities, a sidewalk sale and a runway fashion show. Indie rock veterans Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, garage rockers La Luz and afrobeat band Antibalas headline the music lineup at this year's fest.

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 Fiel and more than 200 craft beers from more than 100 breweries. Knock back drafts from 4 Hands Brewing, Southern Tier, Marz Brewing, Rogue and more while enjoying views of the skyline. Each ticket includes 20 3oz samples and a portion of proceeds benefit the Grant Park Conservatory.

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 creators and fans to the Center on Halsted for two days of panels, workshops and, of course, shopping. 

Hot beats and cold beers unite at the Hyde Park Brew Fest, which brings a stacked lineup of DJs and breweries to the neighborhood. Attendees will enjoy samples of more than 50 beers and ciders, including selections from 5 Rabbit, Whiner and Middle Brow. DJ Jazzy Jeff (best known for his collaborations with Will Smith) will headling the music stage on Sunday, while a selection of local DJs will be spinning tracks throughout the weekend.

It's Oktoberfest (even though it's June), as the traditionally German neighborhood of Lincoln Square throws down with all the beers, cheers, oompah, Lederhosen and pretzels you'd expect.

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.

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!

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 languages and genres, while authors participate in panels and discussion. The kiddies can enjoy special activities at the Lil' Lit Park.

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, including Austin’s Texas Lightning, BBQ Supply Co, Real Urban Barbecue, Blackwood BBQ and Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro. After you pig out, stick around for live music, activities and more.

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.

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.

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.

When summer starts, the party in Humboldt Park never seems to end. The neighborhood's celebration begins with this four-day Puerto Rican heritage festival, which bring tasty food, carnival rides and live Latin music to the park. On Saturday, June 16, the community-organized Puerto Rican People's Parade marches down Division Street from Western to Sacramento Avenue.

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. Check out the full music lineup below.

In the heart of restaurant row, 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. Lineup to be announced. 

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.

Prep for the following weekend's annual Pride Parade with Chicago's LGBT community at this celebration. The event offers musical entertainment and food and drinks from local vendors, right in the heart of Boystown. 

World's largest? Um, don't call Guinness. Old St. Patrick's Church hosts this beast of a block party to benefit social justice and outreach programs. The two-day event takes over a parking lot near St. Pat's in the West Loop, complete with food vendors, a bag tournament and plenty of tasty macrobrews. Stay through the evening to see cover bands like Mike and Joe, 7th Heaven and Dave Matthews tribute act Trippin Billies.

Summertime in Chicago means one thing: Spending as much time as humanly possible out in the sun. While hanging on patios and hitting up summer music festivals are excellent choices, don’t forget about Chicago’s glorious beaches. With sandy lakefront hangouts dotting our city’s eastern border, you have no excuse not to throw on a suit and soak up the sun.