The best things to do in Chicago today

During the summer, spending more time indoors than absolutely necessary feels almost sacrilegious. The Music Box Theatre gets it—and fully embraces the season by inviting movie lovers into its charming outdoor garden. Grab a specialty cocktail (each one cleverly named after an iconic film) and settle in for a night of cinema under the stars. Highlights of this year’s lineup include The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the 2003 remake, for the horror purists out there), Dirty Dancing and The Goonies.

From June through September this year, dozens of movies will screen in parks all over Chicago as part of the city's annual Movies in the Parks program. From recent blockbusters like Barbie and Wonka to classics like Black Panther and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, you're sure to find good something to watch (for free!) beneath the stars this summer. Screenings typically begin at 8:30pm, or dusk, each evening. Take a look at the full list of movies and participating parks.

You’ve probably seen a Shakespeare play before, but never like this. Five professional actors come together for each performance of Drunk Shakespeare. The twist? One of them has had five shots before the show and is trying to stay on track while the other four actors do their best to hold the performance together.

Tuesdays on the Terrace returns to the Museum of Contemporary Art's Anne and John Kern Terrace Garden this summer for free weekly concerts. This year's series again expands beyond jazz to include house, Guatamalan marimba, electro-pop and more. Grab a cocktail or a glass of wine from a bar on the museum's upper terrace and hear tunes from artists like Corey Wilkes, Tromblau & Friends, plus tons of others from the local community.

With its latest exhibition, the Chicago Botanic Garden showcases the patterns and prints that adorn the natural world. Through meticulously planted gardens and nature-inspired art installations, Patterned by Nature highlights the intersection between graphic design and horticulture. Exhibition highlights include colossal embroidered flowers by Raquel Rodrigo, a collection of upcycled fashion sourced from garden materials by Columbia College Chicago’s School of Fashion and a paisley patterned succulent garden. 

The oldest music festival in North America plays host to more than 100 shows throughout summer, featuring big-name headliners like Janelle Monáe, Lenny Kravitz and James Taylor. Check out the full schedule of artists coming to Highland Park this year and don't forget to pack a picnic.

Founded on the belief that anyone can build furniture with the right tools and training, the Little Craft School offers Chicagoans the chance to design and construct their own wooden masterpieces. While classes are usually offered in a group format, founding teachers Lesley Jackson and Daniel Rosa are flipping the script this summer with a special workshop-for-two format, available through the end of August. Participants will learn how to design, build and paint their own tables—walking away with a priceless, handcrafted addition to their home.

This one’s for the birders out there! Stop by the Newberry Library this August and September for a free guided tour of "Winging It: A Brief History of Humanity's Relationship with Birds,” an exhibit exploring the cultural and environmental resilience of birds across eras and civilizations. The tour ends in one of the library’s cozy reading rooms, where you can chat about what you’ve learned or dive into everything else the Newberry has to offer. (Spoiler alert: it’s a lot.)

Bonsai & Brew Studio sprouted from co-founder Carmeanna Eberly’s childhood obsession with The Karate Kid. After hearing Mr. Miyagi explain meditation through a bonsai tree metaphor, she began amassing her own collection of pint-sized shrubs. Fast forward a couple decades, and Eberly now brings that love for bonsai to bars, breweries and cafes throughout Chicagoland.  During a two-hour workshop, Bonsai & Brew attendees choose their own bonsai tree and learn how to plant and prune like a pro. Attendees of the Konbini & Kanpai workshop are eligible for an exclusive treat: you can add a sake tasting to the bonsai experience for just $25.