10 reasons Chicago is the ultimate city for summer celebrations

Chicago’s lineup of street festivals is so large and varied that it can be hard to keep track of everything that’s going on. You can hear Americana musician Pokey LaFarge perform at Square Roots (July 13–15), shop for artisan-made items at the Renegade Craft Fair (June 17), celebrate one of the city’s iconic dishes at Chicago Hot Dog Fest (Aug 10–12) or feast on gyros at Taste of Greektown (Aug 24–26).

Time Out tip: Head for Hyde Park for the four-day African Festival of the Arts–which celebrates everything from music to textiles–on August 31 to September 3.

The 606, our favorite path for cruising between Logan Square, Humboldt Park and Wicker Park, throws itself a party on June 23, beginning with a timed 2.7-mile run on the trail. In the afternoon, family-friendly activities and live music take over nearby Humboldt Boulevard, and the day concludes with a beautiful illuminated procession on the elevated path.
Time Out tip: Once the party is over, walk to the west end of the trail and head to Weegee’s Lounge, where you can sip an Old Fashioned on the relaxed patio.

Summer is when Chicagoans head for Lake Michigan. Its long stretches of sand offer a place to swim or lounge, while action-minded folks can try stand up paddle boarding, kayaking or even snorkelling. We enjoy spiking volleyballs at North Avenue Beach, taking in the skyline views from Oakwood Beach and catching up on summer reading at the less-crowded Loyola Beach.

Time Out tip: While dogs aren’t welcome at many beaches, you can bring fido along to Montrose Beach—there’s a section of sand on the north end that is entirely dog-friendly.

You may associate aerial explosions with Independence Day, but during the summer in Chicago, it’s a twice-weekly occurrence. Navy Pier lights up the sky on Wednesdays at 9:30pm and Saturdays at 10:15pm through Labor Day (and including the Fourth of July, naturally).

Time Out tip: To see the display from a new perspective, book a ticket on one of the many late-night fireworks cruises that depart from the pier.

Take the movie theater experience outdoors during Chicago’s warmest months, as parks throughout the city screen recent blockbusters and classic films. The city’s Movies in the Parks series provides the most options, but the Millennium Park Summer Film Series (from June 5 to August 21) and the Music Box Theatre Movies at Gallagher Way also offer some great flicks (including Space Jam).

Time Out tip: While there are vendors on-site, you can pack your own snacks (and maybe a couple of beers) when seeing a movie in Millennium Park.