Summer is heating up—and so is Chicago’s calendar! ☀️🌆

July in Chicago brings nonstop action, flavor, and family fun. And the HEAT. Whether you’re grooving to live tunes in Lincoln Square, catching an outdoor movie, or biting into the best burgers at Roscoe Village’s Burger Fest, there’s something for every kind of summer lover this month.

We’ve gathered The Chicago Good Life’s Top Picks for July 2025—a curated list of can’t-miss events across the city. From festivals and food crawls to neighborhood markets and music series, these are the experiences that make summer in Chicago truly unforgettable.

• Gallagher Way Movie Nights – most Wednesdays, May 21- Sep 17. Such a great family night activity! July movies are Wicked, Top Gun: Maverick, and The Little Mermaid.

• Lincoln Square Summer Concert Series – Thursdays, Jun 12-Aug 14

• Tuesdays on the Terrace at MCA – Tuesdays, Jun 24 – Aug 26

• Maria’s Tuesday Patio Jam – Tuesdays, May 27-Sep 30

• Millennium Park Summer Film Series – Tuesdays, Jul 1-Aug 19

• 4th on 53rd Parade – July 4

• NASCAR Street Race – Jul 5-6

• Hyde Park Summer Music Series – Jul 10

• Windy City Smokeout – Jul 10-13

• Southport Art Fest – Jul 12-13

• Roscoe Village Burger Fest – Jul 18-20

• Sheffield Garden Walk – Jul 19-20

• Andersonville Vintage Market – Jul 20

• Summer Wine Fest at LP Zoo – Jul 25

• Taste of Lincoln Avenue – Jul 25-26

• Wicker Park Fest – Jul 25-27

• Chinatown Summer Fair – Jul 26-27

• Chicago Water Lantern Festival – Jul 26

For more summer inspiration, see my bucket list here! Have a great month!

Christine