1. Strut
At the risk of sounding like your grandma, we suggest comfortable shoes for Lollapalooza, aka the sprawling, mega-music fest materializing like a desert mirage this weekend in Grant Park. (And if the fest’s arrival this year is news to you, welcome to the geezers club.) But considering the fest grounds cover 115 acres—and you will rack up more steps in one day than you thought possible for an iPod-toting bipod—we say: take care of those feet. Oh yeah, and: hydrate.
Headliners: Lorde, MUSE (Thursday), Blink-182, The Killers (Friday), The xx, Chance the Rapper (Saturday), Justice, Arcade Fire (Sunday).
Details: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Sunday at Grant Park. Main entrance: Michigan Avenue and Congress Parkway; North entrance: Columbus Drive and Monroe Street. Information here about verified resale tickets and VIP tickets. | MAP
2. Mingle
For party bands and neighborhood fare on a smaller scale, head to the 18th annual Jeff Fest on the Northwest Side. The family friendly bash includes live music, arts and crafts, pony rides, bounce houses and more. Music lineup: Covergurl, Too White Crew (Friday), The Buckinghams, 16 Candles (Saturday), Stache, 97Nine (Sunday).
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday; 2-10 p.m. Saturday; 2-9 p.m. Sunday at Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long Ave. $5; free for kids ages 12 and under when accompanied by an adult. | MAP
3. Primp
Two stages along Broadway bookend the fifth annual EdgeFest, which showcases local musicians and food and retail vendors. New this year: a pet parade gets underway before the main event Saturday (gather at 10:45 a.m.; parade steps off at 11 a.m.); and four contests offer a chance to show off your pet’s costume, trick, size or face (specifically: how much it looks like yours). A kids area features inflatables, games and more.
Music highlights: Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press, The Boy Band Night (Saturday); 16 Candles, 7th Heaven (Sunday).
Details: Noon-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday along Broadway, from Thorndale to Ardmore avenues. $5 suggested donation; $10 registration for pet parade. | MAP
4. Roll
It’s not an auto show, organizers say, but the driving force behind the sixth annual Slow & Low Community Lowrider Festival is, well, vehicular. Celebrate the craftsmanship, innovation and vision of the lowrider subculture as an expected 150 cars and bikes are expected to roll into Pilsen’s industrial corridor for the arts and culture fest. With food and drink vendors, local DJs, folkloric performances, family friendly programming and more.
Details: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday at Loomis Street and Cermak Road. $5; free for kids under age 13. | MAP
5. Believe
The ability (and desire) to distinguish truth from fiction is an oft-discussed topic these days, but sometimes it’s fun to be tricked outright. The interactive one-man show “Communion: An Evening of Magic” features sleight of hand and “psychological suggestion” with actor and magician Brett Schneider, who the Washington Post called “captivating.” The trio of performances run 70 minutes each.
Details: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday at the Den Theatre’s Bookspan Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. $20. | MAP
6. Sip
Craft beer gets its day in the (suburban) sun at the annual Wheaton Brew Fest. Tickets include a commemorative pint glass, program and a total of 32 2-oz. samples. Extras: Live music and food vendors. VIP tickets ($75) include early access, a T-shirt and food buffet. Participating breweries include Angry Orchard, Dogfish Head, New Belgium Brewing, Abita, Tallgrass Brewing Co., Burnt City Brewing and more.
Details: 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton. $45; $20 “designated driver” tickets available. | MAP
7. Celebrate
The annual five-day summer bash that is Northbrook Days Festival kicks off Wednesday. Stop by for live music, a beer and wine garden, food vendors, carnival rides and games, kids entertainment, a bocce ball court and a $20,000 grand prize raffle (the winner is announced at 8:45 p.m. Sunday). Main stage headliners: Hillbilly Rockstarz (Wednesday), Dick Diamond & The Dusters (Thursday), Mr Blotto (Friday), Tributosaurus as The Talking Heads (Saturday) and Joe Cocker Tribute Band (Sunday).
Details: 6-10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 6-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; 1-9 p.m. Sunday at Village Green Park, 1311 Shermer Road, Northbrook. Free admission. | MAP
8. Pig out
A North Side neighborhood promises a “swine time” for its annual Rogers Pork Barbecue, Arts & Music Festival. Two stages of live music, artists and food and drink vendors line a two-block stretch of Jarvis Avenue, so you can fill up on barbecue from R Public House—or a veg-friendly kale burger—while browsing jewelry, photography and more. VIP tickets ($20) include a glass of rose and reserved seating.
Details: Noon-9 p.m. Saturday along Jarvis Avenue, between Ashland and Greenview avenues. Free admission. | MAP
9. Feast
A monthlong celebration of indie films exploring the black experience worldwide kicks off this weekend. The opening night celebration of the 23rd annual Black Harvest Film Festival is sold out, but the fest continues Sunday with the shorts program “Family Matters” and the Chicago premiere of “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities” (watch the trailer below). Many screenings are followed by discussions with filmmakers, directors, actors and others. Fest runs through Aug. 31.
Details: Various screening times Saturday through Aug. 31 at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. $55 festival pass; $11 single film; special event tickets vary. | MAP
10. Bear down
The Chicago Bears’ first 2017 practice at Soldier Field takes place Saturday afternoon—and you’re invited. The team’s 3 p.m. practice is the highlight of the annual Bears Family Fest, which also includes a chance to run the 40-yard dash (after practice), collect alumni autographs, meet Staley Da Bear, play games and more. Hello Weekend performs live outside the stadium.
Details: 11 a.m. Saturday (outside activities); gates open 1 p.m. at Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Drive. $8; $22 parking fee. | MAP
Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.