(Marcelo Ikeda Tchelão / Pixabay)
1. Toast
Raise a glass to sudsy drinks and the return of festival season at the Chicago Craft Beer Festival. More than 40 specialty beers are on tap to sample, including options from Metropolitan Brewing, Deschutes Brewery and Sketchbook Brewing Co.
Details: Sessions available 5-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. Friday; noon-2:30 p.m., 3:30-6 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 205 N. Peoria St. $29.99 / MAP
2. Splash
Soak up the sun at one of Chicago’s beaches, which were closed last year because of the pandemic. Be sure to BYOB of water – drinking fountains remain shut off. Concessions, indoor/outdoor dining and recreational activities are also back.
Details: 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. for swimming through Labor Day. Various locations
3. Gather
A history lesson, drum circles and dance lessons are on tap for the Juneteenth Family Festival & Black Business Crawl 2021. Shop artisan vendors and enjoy live entertainment while supporting Black businesses. Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are available. Send an email to [email protected] to sign up for a shot.
Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday at W. 110th Place and S. Longwood Drive. Free / MAP
4. Chomp
Get your fill of fresh fruits, veggies and plant-based goodies at Vegan Paradise, an all-vegan farmers market featuring local plant-based chefs, cruelty free crafters and local farmers. Be sure to pack a mask – they’re required inside the market.
Details: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at The Plant, 1400 W. 46th St. Free / MAP
5. Discover
Put on your comfiest shoes to check out the latest downtown street art via the Loop Mural Walk. Choose your own adventure by picking one of three mural routes that wind through alleys and venture off the beaten path. If you post to the Gram or Facebook, make sure you use the hashtag #LoopMuralWalk – you could snag a $100 gift card to The Dearborn.
Details: Various locations in the Loop through July 4. Free
(Credit: Chicago Loop Alliance)
6. Reflect
The 9th Annual Juneteenth Celebration commemorates the end of slavery with two days of festivities. Friday’s lineup includes a panel discussion and caravan parade from Malcom X College to the Pullman Porter Museum honoring the Great Migration trail. On Saturday, catch live music, drummers and entertainment at the Pullman Porter Museum.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday at Malcom X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd. Free (MAP) / 2-9 p.m. Saturday at the National A. Philip Randolph Porter Museum, 10406 S. Maryland Ave. Free (MAP)
7. Gaze
Turn your eyes to the skies for Astronomy in the Parks to learn about the cosmos from astronomer Joe Guzman and his astro crew. Spot stars and galaxies through a telescope. Masks are required and participants should practice social distancing.
Details: 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday at West Lawn Park, 4233 W. 65th St. Free / MAP
8. Shop IRL
Tired of looking at the same batch of posters, paintings and to-do lists adorning your walls? Freshen up your collection at the Burr Ridge Art Fair, where you’ll find paintings, ceramics, sculptures, jewelry and more.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 701 Village Center Drive, Burr Ridge. Free / MAP
9. Help out
Keep the city’s green spaces clean at Pitch in for the Parks. Trash bags and gloves are provided. BYO trash picker or grabber, if desired. Event is rain or shine.
Details: 9-11 a.m. Saturday at Horner Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave. Free, registration requested / MAP
10. Pose
Comics fanatics, this one’s for you: Snap a selfie with life-size replicas of Black Panther and Spiderman at the Museum of Science and Industry’s “Marvel: Universe of Superheroes.” More than 300 artifacts are on display, including some of Marvel’s most iconic costumes, props and original art. Bonus: Saturday the museum is free to Illinois residents, but you’ll still need to pay to see the exhibit ($18; $14 for kids; $9 for members).
Details: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through Oct. 24 at the Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive. $18; $14 for kids; $9 for members plus general admission: $21.95; $12.95 for kids; free for members / MAP
(Credit: Museum of Science and Industry)
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.
