Best Summer Events in Chicago

For those who are already familiar with all Chicago has to offer and who’ve already paid multiple visits to the Navy Pier, the Willis Tower and the Science and Industry Museum, it can be a bit challenging to find new entertainment around town. However, the Windy City comes alive in the summer season, offering a multitude of exciting, fun and—most importantly—unique amusement options. Consider the following list to keep you busy until September.

1. Chicago Pride Parade

June has been declared Pride Month in the city of Chicago, and multiple events are hosted around town to celebrate diversity. The festivities culminate with the annual Pride Parade scheduled each year on the final Sunday of the month. No matter your orientation, you can celebrate your Chicago pride and stand up for LBGT rights by attending the parade and supporting its participants.

1. Chinatown Summer Fair

This annual celebration of all things Chinese is coordinated and produced by the Chinatown Special Events Committee. Held in mid-July, the fair provides all you’d expect from such an event, but with an Asian flair. Street vendors offer all manner of unique goods and delicious bites to eat, and there’s even a children’s area to keep the little ones occupied. Don’t miss the awe-inspiring Lion Dance Procession, which is bound to delight visitors of all ages.

1. Taste of Chicago

This event is usually held in mid-July and offers a wide world of culinary options and events for chefs, foodies and culinary novices alike. This wildly popular festival attracted 1.2 million visitors in 2012, all of whom no doubt delighted in the wide variety of restaurants—from Lou Malnati’s, the renowned deep dish pizza joint, to Kasia’s Deli, a venerable establishment known for its pierogis. Visitors can also catch a cooking presentation by the Celebrity Chef du Jour or a live music concert in the evenings; Jennifer Hudson and Death Cab for Cutie both made appearances in 2012.

1. The Chicago Air and Water Show

Admission’s free to this yearly show, which is the largest of its kind in the U.S. The best views can be found from North Avenue Beach, where spectators gather to witness the impressive fly-overs by civilian and military aircrafts. In 2013, the show will celebrate its 54th anniversary, making this one of the longest-running events in town. Grab a friend and some sunscreen and head to the lakefront to witness this spectacle first-hand.

1. Movies in the Park

As you wind down your summer, you may wish for a quieter evening out. Consider heading to one of the Windy City’s many beautiful outdoor sanctuaries for Movies at the Park, hosted throughout the summer months by the Chicago Parks District. Numerous films are screened at parks throughout the city; a wide variety of cinematic options will satisfy the whole gamut of film fans, from the preschool set (“The Smurfs” or “Dolphin Tale”) to the serious movie buff (“Raiders of the Lost Ark” or the Latino Film Festival). Bring a picnic and enjoy a relaxing evening under the stars.

No matter what your interests, you’re sure to find plenty of events to keep you busy and entertained throughout the summer in Chicago. With a little creativity and research, you can find new ways to stay engaged and renew your love of the Windy City all the way through Labor Day.