July is packed with reasons to get out and explore Chicago.
We’ve rounded up a mix of free concerts, theater, exhibitions, and neighborhood celebrations worth bookmarking.
If you value our work or want to uplift the mission behind Chicago Southsider, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and pass this guide along to a friend.
July 2026 Chicago Southsider Summer Guide
Southside Critical Mass 1st Friday Bike Ride
Date: Friday, July 3rd
Location: Nichols Park Plaza, 1300 E. 55th Street (South end by the fountain)
Cost: FREE
Learn more about Southside Critical Mass 1st Friday Bike Ride here.
4th on 53rd Parade and Free Festival (Hyde Park Parade)
Date: Saturday, July 4th
Location: Hyde Park – 1355 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
Cost: FREE
Learn more about the 4th on 53rd Parade and Free Festival here.
Introduction to Meditation at Osaka Garden
Date: Saturday, July 4th
Location: Osaka Garden located within Jackson (Andrew) Park at 6401 S. Stony Island, Chicago, IL 60637
Cost: FREE
Learn more about Introduction to Meditation at Osaka Garden.
Pullman National Historical Park Walking Tour
Date: Sunday, July 5th
Location: Pullman Exhibit Hall, 11141 S. Cottage Grove Avenue
Cost: FREE
Learn more about Pullman National Historic Walking Tour here.
Jazzin’ at the Shedd
Date: Wednesdays in July
Location: Shedd Aquarium – 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605
Cost: Varies
Learn more about Jazzin’ at the Shedd here.
Windy City Smoke Out
Date: Wednesday, July 8th through Sunday, July 12th
Location: United Center Parking Lot C, 1901 W Madison St., Chicago, IL 60612
Cost: Varies
Learn more about the Windy City Smokeout here.
Taste of Chicago
Date: Wednesday, July 8th through Sunday, July 12th
Location: Grant Park, Columbus Avenue from Balbo to Monroe
Cost: Free Admission
Learn more about the Taste of Chicago here.
Gary Comer Youth Center Farmers Market Grand Opening
Date: Friday, July 10th
Location: 7230 S. Chicago Avenue
Cost: Free
Learn more about the Grand Opening: GCYC Farmer’s Market & Food Sovereignty Hub here.
Bronzeville Summer Nights
Date: Friday, July 10th, August 14th, and September 26th
Location: South Cottage Grove Avenue (Between 43rd and 45th Streets)
Cost: Free
Learn more about the Bronzeville Summer Nights here.
Dice Fest
Date: Friday, July 10th through Sunday, July 12th
Location: Ramova Loft @ 3520 S. Halsted Street
Cost: Free Admission
Learn more about the Dice Fest here.
Chosen Few DJs Picnic & Festival
Date: Saturday, July 11th
Location: Jackson Park, 63rd Street at Hayes Drive, Chicago, IL, 60637
Cost: Varies
Learn more about the Chosen Few DJs Picnic & Festival here.
Community Screening of When Everyone Swims
Date: Saturday, July 11th
Location: 3039 E. 91st Street
Cost: Free
Learn more about the Community Screening of When Everyone Swims here.
Beverly/Morgan Park Garden Walk
Date: Sunday, July 12th
Location: Beverly Arts Center, Roy Diblik Grden and Native Monarch Gardens, 2407 W. 111th Street
Cost: $30 for BAPA Members, $35 for non BAPA Members; Day of Tickets: $35 for BAPA Members, $40 for non BAPA Members
Learn more about the Beverly/Morgan Park Garden Walk here.
Summer Sunday Concert Series: Antoine Anthony & The Chicago Players
Date: Sunday, July 12th
Location: Nichols Park, 1355 E. 53rd Street
Cost: Free
Learn more about the Summer Sunday Concert Series here.
Hyde Park Summer Sidewalk Sale
Date: Thursday, July 16th through Saturday, July 18th
Location: Hyde Park Shopping Center, 1524 E. 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60615
Cost: Free parking while you shop in the Hyde Park Shopping Center
Learn more about the Hyde Park Summer Sidewalk Sale here.
Tacos Y Tamales Festival
Date: Friday, July 17th through Sunday, July 19th
Location: Blue Island Ave. by Ashland & Cermak, Chicago, IL 60608
Cost: FREE (suggested donation)
Learn more about the Tacos y Tamales Festival here.
Bevapalooza
Date: Saturday, July 18th
Location: Near the 99th and 103rd Metra Tracks
Cost: FREE
Learn more about the Bevapalooza here.
From The ‘Go Fest
Date: Saturday, July 18th
Location: DuSable Museum Campus, 740 E. 56th Place
Cost: FREE
Learn more about the From The ‘Go Fest here.
Tacos Y Tamales Festival
Date: Friday, July 17th through Sunday, July 19th
Location: Blue Island Ave. by Ashland & Cermak, Chicago, IL 60608
Cost: FREE (suggested donation)
Learn more about the Tacos y Tamales Festival here.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
Date: Friday, July 17th through Sunday, July 19th
Location: 2000 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Cost: $10 suggested donation
Learn more about the Roscoe Village Burger Fest here.
Advocate Trinity Hospital Gym Shoe Ball & Community Health Fair
Date: Saturday, July 18th
Location: Advocate Trinity Hospital, main parking lot 2320 E. 93rd Street, Chicago, IL 60617
Cost: FREE
Attendees will have access to free health services and education, including school physicals, blood pressure checks, CPR training, and more. This free event is open to all members of the community and will include distribution of more than 1,000 full stocked backpacks tailored to grade-level supply lists.
Fiesta Del Sol
Date: Thursday, July 23rd – Sunday, July 26, 2026
Location: West Cermak Road between Ashland and Morgan Avenues
Cost: FREE
Learn more about Fiesta Del Sol here.
WNBA Live presented by AWS
Date: Thursday, July 23rd – Saturday, July 25th
Location: McCormick Place, 2301 S. King Drive
Cost: Varies
Learn more about WNBA Live here.
Chicago Gospel Festival
Date: Friday, July 24th – Saturday, July 25th
Location: Millenium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph Street
Cost: Varies
Learn more about Chicago Gospel Fest.
Black and Brown Femme Film Festival
Date: Friday, July 24th – Saturday, July 25th
Location: Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th Street
Cost: Varies
Learn more about Black and Brown Femme Film Festival.
Anne and Emmett, A One-Act Play
Date: Friday, July 24th – Sunday, July 26th
Location: DuSable Black History Museum, 740 E. 56th Place
Cost: Varies
Learn more about Anne and Emmett, A One-Act Play
Taste of Bronzeville
Date: Saturday, July 25th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 3701 S. Martin Luther King Dr., Chicago, IL 60653
Cost: FREE
Learn more about Taste of Bronzeville here.
Pullman Railroad Days
Date: Saturday, July 25th
Location: Pullman National Historical Park, 610 E. 111th Street
Cost: FREE
Learn more about Pullman Railroad Days here.
Chinatown Summer Fair
Date: Saturday, July 25th and Sunday, July 26th
Location: 2200 S. Wentworth Avenue (Cermak & Wentworth)
Cost: FREE
Learn more about Chinatown Summer Fair here.
Get the Latest Opportunities
Every month, Chicago Southsider and our partners provide fellowships, scholarships, grants, leadership programs, and other resources to help you unlock your next level of success.
Subscribe to our newsletters to get your monthly insights.
Chicago Southsider – Get the latest events, solutions journalism, and Chicago history straight to your inbox.
Behind the Board – Learn how to position yourself for paid board opportunities
Wealthy Women Daily – A newsletter to help you build a stock portfolio that’s bigger than your shoe collection
