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When the Cubs are away, the area outside Wrigley Field is still buzzing with summer activities. The weather is finally, finally sunny and warm after weeks of rainy, gray drudgery—and with the return of higher temperatures this week comes the return of free activities at Wrigleyville's Gallagher Way.
Starting May 11, you can catch free outdoor movies every other Wednesday evening at Gallagher Way in partnership with Lakeview's vaunted Music Box Theatre. This year, they're going for a music theme, with everything from kid-friendly musicals to star-studded biopics to nostalgia faves. Whether you're a former theater kid with a soft spot for campy movie musicals, a parent whose kids won't stop singing "We Don't Talk About Bruno" or an elder millennial nostalgic for the golden age of cinema (the release of the 2001 film Josie and the Pussycats, the very peak of film as a medium), there's something in the lineup for you. Admission is free (VIP seats are available for $30), and while there's concessions on-site, you're welcome to bring your own refreshments or go for a takeaway picnic from Smoke Daddy, Big Star, Shake Shack or one of the countless other Wrigleyville restaurants nearby. Gates open at 6pm, with showtimes at 7:30pm.
Check out the movie schedule below:
May 11: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
May 25: Rocketman
June 8: Mamma Mia!
June 22: Josie and the Pussycats
July 6: Dirty Dancing
July 20: School of Rock
July 27: Pitch Perfect
August 3: Grease
August 17: Encanto
August 31: Almost Famous
September 14: Selena
September 21: Bohemian Rhapsody
But wait, there's more! If the idea of belting "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" in a crowd of strangers doesn't quite appeal to you (you're lying to yourself, but OK), there's a bunch more free outdoor programming at Gallagher Way starting this week. For the wellness-focused early riser, Five Keys Yoga is offering free morning yoga classes at 7am every Tuesday and Thursday morning starting May 10 (participants will need to sign a waiver, and it's BYOM—bring your own mat). For the kids, there's Golf Day from First Tee on Saturday, May 14, featuring mini golf, blow-ups, putt-putt challenges and live golf on the video board.
If you're looking for another option for a casual after-work hang with friends or something else for the kids, the Gallagher Way French Market kicks off on Thursday, May 12 from 4–8pm and runs every other Thursday through mid-September. At the market, explore vendors selling a variety of goods, including baked goods, imported cheeses, jams, candles and soaps. If you're bringing the kids, Kidcreate Studio is offering a craft activity corner, and crafty adults can partake in a relaxing terrarium-making workshop from Indigo & Violet on May 12 (the latter is a ticketed event and costs $35). The market also features free live music from 5–7:45pm from local artists across a variety of genres, including Chicago reggae icons Akasha (June 9), Latin jazz from the Roy McGrath Menjunje Quintet (July 28) and even a Beatles cover band (Dr. Mark and the Sutures, September 1). A full lineup can be found here.