Searching for what to do in Chicago in July? Here are the best things to do in Chicago in July (from a local) – from fun outdoor activities and attractions to the best July events and festivals.
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as I will be updating it regularly with new events and activities.
Chicago in July
July is a popular month to visit Chicago. The weather is usually hot and sunny and locals and visitors are happy to spend time outdoors enjoying the many summer attractions, activities, events and festivals.
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What to Pack for Chicago in July
For out of town visitors, please note that the weather in Chicago in July can somedays get very hot and humid.
Here are some things to pack if you are visiting Chicago in July for the first time:
• Comfortable walking shoes – Chicago is a very walkable city so you will do a lot of walking
• Reusable water bottle – It can get very hot so it is important to stay hydrated
• Sunglasses
• A hat
• A travel umbrella– It does occasionally rain in July
• Light sweater (and scarf) – For cooler nights and cold air conditioned places
• Waterproof case – For your phone if you plan to go kayaking
• Bathing suit and other beach essentials (if you are planning to spend time at the beach)
• External battery for your phone – it will be hard to find an outlet to recharge your phone’s battery when you are outdoors
If you forget to bring something essential, don’t worry. There are many drugstores located close to the popular tourist attractions if you need to pick something up.
Best Things to Do in Chicago in July
Below are the top things to do in Chicago in July including all of the best July events and festivals.
Take an Architecture River Cruise
Chicago has amazing architecture and the best way enjoy it is by going on an architecture river cruise.
Take a Lake Cruise
July is one of the best months for a lake cruise as the cool breeze on the water is refreshing on a hot day. While you don’t get to see the buildings up close like on a architecture river cruise, you do get to enjoy skyline views especially around sunset. Lake cruises depart from Navy Pier or the Michigan Avenue bridge.
If your time is short, you can do a combination river and lake cruise.
Watch Fireworks
You can see free fireworks in Chicago all month, not just on the 4th of July. Navy Pier puts on free fireworks shows every Wednesday (9:00-9:10 pm) and Saturday night (10:00-10:10 pm). You don’t have to visit Navy Pier to enjoy the fireworks, you can see them from various spots along the lakefront.
If you enjoy guided tours, you can join a fireworks segway tour.
One of the best and most relaxing ways to see the fireworks is on a fireworks lake or river cruise which will stop on the water for passengers to enjoy the show.
Have Fun at Navy Pier
Navy Pier is a must do if you are visiting Chicago with toddlers or young kids.
Check out the new Flyover Chicago, an immersive flyover experience.
Other fun attractions at Navy Pier including a large Ferris wheel (click here to purchase a fast pass ticket and skip the long line), restaurants, shops and the Chicago Children’s Museum.
Make sure to come back or stay for the free fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday night.
In addition to Navy Pier’s attractions, visitors in July can enjoy free events and programs including Live on the Lake!, an outdoor live music series featuring free live music every weekend in the Navy Pier Beer Garden.
Listen to Concerts Under The Stars
Enjoy music concerts on a rooftop. Concerts Under The Stars taking place this July include:
ABBA Under the Stars at AIRE
Amy Winehouse Under The Stars
90’s Unplugged Under the Stars featuring Nirvana at the Aire Rooftop
Piano Men: A Billy Joel & Elton John Tribute at the Aire Rooftop
You can find the full list of Concerts Under The Stars here.
Attend a Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s Candlelight Concerts is a series of special classical music concerts that take place in beautiful venues bathed in candlelight. Some of the concerts taking place this July include:
A Tribute to Adele
A Tribute to Coldplay on Strings
A Tribute to Queen
Best of Metal on Strings
The Best of Hans Zimmer
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience
The Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience is ending its limited time run in Chicago next month. This immersive experience brings you face-to-face with the fearsome and spectacular dinosaurs that dominated the animal world for 140 million years. From the turkey-sized Velociraptors to the mighty T-rex, interact with life-sized, moving animatronics of a large variety of species and see these magnificent creatures in their natural Jurassic habitat. Kids can enjoy a “Budding Experts” interactive space, where they can become paleontologists and tame the most iconic dinosaurs.
Where: Exhibition Hub Art Center Chicago, 2367 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
Cost: Price varies. Children ages 3 and under enter free of charge. Click here for full prices and to purchase tickets in advance.
Hang Out on the Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk is one of the best spots in Chicago for boat and people watching. There are also restaurants, bars, shops and spots to sit and relax along the way.
Where: Along the south bank of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago from Lake Michigan to west of Franklin Street. You can see a map of attractions on the Riverwalk here.
Hours: Open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Take a Kayak Tour in the River
A fun way to explore the city is to go kayaking in the Chicago River. There are several companies that offer kayaking tours in Chicago including Urban Kayaks, Kayak Chicago and Wateriders. They even offer evening tours including fireworks tours for those that want to avoid the summer heat and sun.
You can rent kayaks at Ohio Street Beach here.
Please note that you will get a little wet so bring a waterproof case for your phone and water-resistant or quick-drying clothing.
Explore the Lakefront Trail
Chicago’s Lakefront Trail is a paved path on a 18-mile-long stretch along Lake Michigan. In the summer and especially on weekends, the lakefront is packed with locals and visitors walking, running and riding bikes. Walking or biking all or part of the trail is a great way to see Chicago skyline, people watch and get some exercise. Here is a map of the trail as well as its access points.
Hang out at the Beach
Most people don’t think of Chicago as a beach destination but Chicago has many beaches on Lake Michigan. Oak Street Beach and Ohio Street Beach are conveniently located close to the major tourist attractions. The popular North Avenue Beach, located close to Lincoln Park, has great skyline views and has more of a party vibe.
If you are thinking of swimming or dipping in the water to cool down, you can check swimming conditions here.
Look for Street Art
Chicago is full of street art and there are always new murals popping up. One of the most famous Chicago murals is “Moose Bubblegum Bubble” (pictured above) by Jacob Watts which located at 33 E. Ida B. Wells Drive (formerly 33 E. Congress Parkway). It is part of the Wabash Arts Corridor which is walking distance to Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and other well known tourist attractions. You can find more detailed mural walks in the Loop here.
Another famous mural is The Greetings From Chicago Mural at 2226 N Milwaukee Ave, in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. You can see this mural and other street art on this street art tour.
Splash in Crown Fountain
July tends to be really hot and humid making it a perfect time to splash in the water from the Crown Fountain (which is also located in Millennium Park).
Listen to Free Music in Millennium Park
A great Chicago activity in July is listening to free concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
The Millennium Park Summer Music Series (Mondays and Thursdays starting July 1) features a wide variety of music from established and emerging artists at the iconic Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
The annual Grant Park Music Festival is the only free outdoor classical-music concert series in the US. It features the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Grant Park Chorus along with guest performers and conductors.
Watch Free Movies in Millennium Park
Watch free movies outside in Millennium Park presented on the state-of- the-art, 40-foot LED screen as part of the Millennium Park Summer Film Series. Guests may take a seat at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion or lounge on the Great Lawn.
When: Tuesdays starting July 16 at 6:30pm (except July 16 double feature starts at 6pm) (Gates open at 5pm)
Where: Millennium Park, located at 201 E. Randolph Street.
Enjoy the Views from 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
360 CHICAGO, the observatory on the 94th floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue (the former John Hancock Building), has one of the best views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. (Click here to buy a skip the line ticket).
Watch a Baseball Game
Chicago is known for their love of their sports teams, so if you are visiting in July you might want to attend a baseball game. Chicago has two MLB baseball teams (Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox).
You can find the Chicago Cubs schedule here and the Chicago White Sox schedule here.
Museum of Contemporary Art Tuesdays on the Terrace
The Museum of Contemporary Art hosts the popular Tuesdays on the Terrace this summer. Enjoy free music highlighting artists from Chicago’s internationally renowned jazz community at at MCA’s Anne and John Kern Terrace Garden. This year’s series includes house, Guatamalan marimba, electro-pop, and more, while maintaining a set of jazz performances.
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Cost: Free.
Jazzin’ at the Shedd
Listen to live jazz music at the Shedd Aquarium this summer. The popular midweek Jazzin’ at the Shedd series combines great Jazz music, the city skyline, fireworks and animals. Relax with a drink on the breezy terrace and take in their unbeatable city view or stroll the aquarium.
Where: Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Cost: Adult $39.95 ($19.95 for Chicago residents), Children (3-11) $29.95 ($14.95 for Chicago residents), Members $14.95
Walk The 606
The 606 is Chicago’s version of The Highline in NYC, an elevated trail goes through 2.7 miles of the city’s northwest side neighborhoods: Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Logan Square. It is a bit off the beaten tourist path but it great place to walk, run or bike. There are several access points so you can get off the trail to explore the various neighborhoods.
Eat or Drink on a Rooftop
Chicago has several rooftop bars and restaurants with amazing views of Chicago. Here are some of the best rooftops in Chicago:
Cindy’s (12 S Michigan Ave) – Restaurant and bar on the rooftop of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel located across Millennium Park which offers panoramic instagram worthy views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. This is a popular spot and the wait for the elevator can be long but if you visit around the time it opens you can enjoy the great views without the crowds.
LH ON 22 (85 East Wacker Drive) – Enjoy classic cocktails and small bites from the outdoor LH terrace of LondonHouse Chicago which offers great views of the Chicago River, Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile.
The J. Parker (1816 N Clark St) on the rooftop of the Hotel Lincoln with great views of Lincoln Park.
Kennedy Rooftop (1551 W North Ave) on top of the Hyatt Place Wicker Park, has amazing skyline views.
See Famous Works of Art at the Art Institute of Chicago
Want to escape the heat and head indoors to cool off? The Art Institute of Chicago (111 S Michigan Ave) is one of best indoor attractions in Chicago. It is one of the largest art museums in the United States and is frequently found on lists of the top museums in the world. You must purchase your ticket online in advance.
Click here to buy a fast pass ticket if you want to avoid long lines.
Titanic: The Exhibition
Titanic: The Exhibition is only in the Chicago area for a limited time. This interactive experience allows you to step inside recreations of the Titanic’s interior. Immerse yourself in the stories of its passengers, see hundreds of artifacts, and discover the tale of the design, creation, launch, maiden voyage, and tragedy of the historic ship.
Where: 4963 Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie, IL 60077 (about 17 miles from downtown Chicago)
Cost: Price varies. Click here for full prices and to purchase tickets in advance.
Attend an Outdoor Festival
Do you enjoy live music, food, drinking and people watching? July is the busiest month for outdoor festivals and events in Chicago from family friendly neighborhood events to popular alcohol fueled music festivals. Outdoor festivals taking place in Chicago in July include: Chicago Craft Beer Fest (July 5-7), Southport Art Fest (July 6-7), Windy City Smokeout (July 11-14), Jeff Fest (July 12-14), Square Roots Fest (July 12-14), West Fest Chicago (July 12-14), EEEEEATSCON (July 13-14), Edgewater Greek Fest (July 13-14), Miche Fest at Oakwood Beach (July 13-14), 3rd Annual Wild Mile Block Party (July 13), Horner Brew Fest (July 19,), Roscoe Village Burger Fest (July 19-21), Taste of River North (July 19-21), Tacos y Tamales Fest (July 19-21), Volleywood (at North Avenue Beach) (July 20), Ravenswood On Tap (July 20-21), Chicago Margarita Festival (Pilsen) (July 20-21), Chicago Food Truck Festival (July 20–21), Sheffield Garden Walk (July 20–21), Taste of Lincoln Avenue (July 26-28), Wicker Park Fest (July 26-28) and Chinatown Summer Fair (July 27-28).
More Chicago July Events
In addition to the festivals and activities mentioned above, other Chicago July events include: NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race (July 5-6, 2025), Sundays on State (July 14), Sumo + Sushi (July 19-21), Water Lantern Festival (July 20), Summer Wine Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo (July 26), Summer Tequila Tasting Festival (July 27), Faces of Fitness: Chicago’s Fitness Festival (July 27-28) and Navy Pier Summer Block Party (July 31).
For more events in July check out my post on the best things to do in Chicago this weekend which is updated weekly.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago in July. If you are looking for more things to do in Chicago in July or the rest of the summer, see my list of the Best Things to do in Chicago in the Summer.
Planning a trip to Chicago? Check out my Chicago guides and itineraries:
