(Special Events Management)
1. Nosh
Chicago eateries fire up their grills for the annual Roscoe Village Burger Fest, including Fatso’s Last Stand and Houndstooth Saloon. Sample the selections and cast your vote for Chicago’s best burger. Arts and crafts, a kids’ zone and live music round things out.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Belmont and Damen avenues. $10 suggested donation / MAP
2. Soak up
Puerto Rican culture, music and food are on display at the 28th annual Fiesta Boricua. Carnival rides and games, and a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic are also on tap. Bonus: The first 500 people ages 12-18 to be vaccinated will receive wristbands for free carnival rides all weekend.
Details: Noon-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday along Division Street between Western and California avenues. Free / MAP
3. Flock
Chicago’s favorite lovebirds make their big screen debut in “Monty and Rose 2.” The hourlong documentary about the piping plovers that nest on Montrose Beach is a follow up to a 2019 documentary short and chronicles the pair over five years.
Details: Screenings at 1 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Monday at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. $20-$25 / MAP
4. Sway
Music floods Millennium Park as the Chicago In Tune series kicks off with gospel music (Friday) and jazz (Saturday). The program is taking the place this year of those namesake annual music festivals. Performers include The Carson Sisters and Nicole Harris (Friday), and Ari Brown and Marquis Hill (Saturday).
Details: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday (gospel music); 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday (jazz music) at Millennium Park Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St. Free / MAP
Related: Find more fests in our 2021 Summer Festival Guide
Marquis Hill is scheduled to perform Saturday. (Courtesy of DCASE)
5. Putt
A round or two at Douglass 18 takes players through an avian-themed miniature golf course. The community-led, youth-designed course features obstacles and sculptures inspired by the 205 species of migratory birds that pass through Douglass Park each year.
Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Labor Day; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday through Oct. 30 at Douglass Park Miniature Golf Course, 1400 S. Sacramento Drive. $5 per game / MAP
6. Shake it
The NorthCoast Music Festival features an eclectic array of bands, from electronic and hip-hop to rock acts. Performers include Kaskade and Louis the Child (Friday), Griz and Ganja White Knight (Saturday), and Zeds Dead and Rezz (Sunday).
Note: If you decide to go, you must provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of attending the event.
Details: 2 p.m.-midnight Friday-Sunday at Seat Geek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem Ave. Bridgeview. $88.57 plus service fees / MAP
7. Groove
Dozens of musicians take to a pair of stages at the Rockwell Blues & Jazz Street Stroll, including the Mike Wheeler Band, Liz Mandeville and Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames.
Details: Noon-8 p.m. Saturday along Rockwell Avenue between Irving Park Road and Berteau Avenue. Free / MAP
8. Pedal
Lake Shore Drive will be free of cars from Bryn Mawr Avenue to 57th Street during the annual Bike the Drive event. Ride the entire 30-mile loop or opt for a shorter route. Organizers recommend starting no later than 7 a.m. Meet fellow riders at a post-ride festival (8 a.m.-noon) and enjoy live music. (Sorry, folks, post-ride pancakes were nixed this year due to COVID-19.) For more info, check out the Drive’s ride guide. Masks and social distancing protocols are required while inside the festival.
Details: 5:30-10 a.m. Sunday along Lake Shore Drive, with main festival at Grant Park’s Butler Field, Lake Shore Drive and Monroe Street. $60-$70; $18 for kids / MAP
(Active Transportation Alliance / Facebook)
9. Celebrate
The Naperville Jaycees’ Last Fling bids adieu to summer with carnival rides, live music, dance performances, eating contests and more. Headliners include 7th Heaven (Friday), Hi Infidelity (Saturday), Sixteen Candles (Sunday) and Libido Funk Circus (Monday).
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; noon-6 p.m. Monday in downtown Naperville along Jackson Avenue. Free / MAP
10. Say ‘Sláinte!’
Ladies and gents, bust out your Kelly-green garb and kilts for Irish Days. Bagpipers, folk bands, Irish dancers, a men’s kilt contest and Irish dog competition are among the attractions.
Details: 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday in downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Free / MAP
11. Relax
You can personalize your bath time by creating your own bath salt mixture at the Custom Bath Salts Bar. Don’t have a lot of time? No problem. Creating your own mixture only takes 15 minutes, according to organizers.
Details: Sessions available 12:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday-Monday at ReJuve Rejuvenation Suites, 520 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 227. $15 / MAP
12. Shop
Dozens of artists showcase their wares, from clothing and crafts to fine arts, at the annual Frankfort Fall Fest. Live music, a beer garden, carnival rides and a parade (1 p.m. Sunday) are also on tap.
Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday in downtown Frankfort at Oak and Kansas streets. Free / MAP
(Courtesy of Frankfort Chamber of Commerce)
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.
