As summer embraces the city, the South Side of Chicago comes alive with electrifying music, delicious food, and a strong sense of community. This guide helps you navigate the diverse neighborhoods and summer festivities, while also highlighting other events throughout the city.
Chicago Southsider would like to thank our contributor, Sunny Rock, for compiling the events for July 2024. If you like our work or want to support the mission of Chicago Southsider, you can subscribe to our weekly newsletter and share this article with your network.
2024 Chicago Southsider Festival Guide
Navy Pier Independence Day Fireworks
Wednesday, July 3rd & Saturday, July 6th 2024, 9 pm
(Weekly throughout the summer)
Location: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave Chicago, IL 60611
Cost: FREE
Learn more about the Navy Pier Independence Day Fireworks here
31st Anniversary African/Caribbean International Festival of Life
Thursday, July 4th – Sunday, July 7th, 2024
Location: Washington Park – DuSable Museum Garden
55th Street & South Cottage Grove Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60637
Cost: Varies
Learn more about the 31st Anniversary African/Caribbean International Festival of Life here
4th on 53rd Parade – (Hyde Park Parade)
Thursday, July 4th 2024, 11 am – 3 pm
Location: Hyde Park – 1355 E 53rd St Chicago, IL
Cost: Varies
Learn more about the 4th on 53rd Parade here
NASCAR Chicago Street Race
Saturday, July 6th & Sunday, July 7th, 2024
Location: Grant Park
Cost: Varies
Learn more about the NASCAR Chicago Street Race here
Jazzin on the Steps – 2nd Tuesday Jazz Jam
Tuesday, July 9th 2024, 7pm – 10pm
Location: St. Moses the Black Parish Ministry Center, 7749 South Vernon Chicago, IL
Cost: FREE
Learn more about Jazzin on the Steps here
Pianos in the Park
Thursdays, July 11th & July 25th 2024
Location: Bessemer Park – 8930 S Muskegon (1-2pm) & Jackson Park – 6401 S Stoney Island, Chicago, IL (2:30 – 3:30pm)
Cost: FREE
Learn more about Jazzin on the Steps here
The United Colors of Robert Earl Paige at Hyde Park Art Center: A Landmark of Work; African Americans Decorative Arts
Thursday, July 11th 2024, 6 pm – 8 pm
Location: Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 South Cornell Ave Chicago, IL 60615
Cost: FREE
Learn more about The United Colors of Robert Earl Paige here
Artini @ Gallery Guichard
Thursday, July 11th 2024, 6 pm – 9pm
Location: Gallery Guichard, 436 E. 47th St. Chicago, IL 60653
Cost: FREE
Learn more about the Artini @ Gallery Guichard here
Windy City Smoke Out
Friday, July 11th – Sunday, July 14th 2024
Location: United Center Parking Lot – 1901 W Madison St Chicago, IL 60612
Cost: Varies
Learn more about the Windy City Smokeout here
Square Roots Festival
Friday, July 12th – Sunday, July 14th 2024
Location: Lincoln Square Chicago, IL
Cost: FREE (donations suggested)
Learn more about the Square Roots Festival here
Chicago Latino Festival – Miche Fest
Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14, 2024
Location: Oakwood Beach
Learn more about the Miche Fest here.
Mayor and First Lady of Bronzville Summer Fling Fun-Raiser
Saturday, July 13th 2024, 2pm – 5pm
Location: Gallery Guichard, 436 E. 47th St. Chicago, IL 60653
Cost: $50
Learn more about the Mayor and First Lady of Bronzeville Summer Fling Fun-Raiser here
Chosen Few DJs Picnic & Festival
Saturday, July 13th 2024
Location: Jackson Park, 63rd Street at Hayes Drive, Chicago, IL, 60637
Cost: Varies
Learn more about the Chosen Few DJs Picnic & Festival here
18th Annual Bronzeville Art District Trolley Tour 2024
Friday, July 19th, 2024, 6 – 9 pm (3rd Fridays throughout summer)
Location: Gallery Guichard, 436 E. 47th St. Chicago, IL 60653
Cost: FREE
Learn more about the Bronzeville Art District Trolley Tour here
Blues in the Parks – Joe Pratt and the One Source Band feat. New Orleans Beau
Friday, July 19th 2024, 6 – 8 pm
Location: Avalon Park, 1215 E. 83rd St. Chicago, IL
Cost: FREE
Learn more about the Blues in the Parks here
Tacos Y Tamales Festival
Friday, July 19th & Sunday, July 21st 2024
Location: S Peoria St. & W 16th, Chicago, IL 60608
Cost: FREE (suggested donation)
Learn more about the Tacos y Tamales Festival here
Pitchfork Music Festival
Friday, July 19th – Sunday, July 21st 2024
Location: Union Park, Chicago, IL
Cost: Varies
Learn more about the Pitchfork Music Festival here
Chicago Food Truck Festival
Saturday, July 20th & Sunday, July 21st 2024
Location: South Loop, Chicago, IL
Cost: FREE to Varies
Learn more about the Chicago Food Truck Festival here
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
Friday, July 19th – Sunday, July 21st 2024
Location: 2000 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL
Cost: FREE
Learn more about the Roscoe Village Burger Fest here
Taste of Chicago: Neighborhood Pop-Up
(Grant Park Main Festival Moved from July to Sept 6-8th, due to NASCAR and packed Grant Park schedule)
Saturday, July 27th 2024, 12 pm – 8 pm
Location: Marquette Park, 6743 S. Kedzie Ave Chicago, IL
Cost: FREE
Learn more about the Taste of Chicago here
Bantu Fest
Saturday, July 27th – Sunday, July 28th, 2024
Location: Midway Plaisance; 1130 Midway Plaisance Chicago, IL 60637 (Hyde Park)
Cost: $10-35
Learn more about the Bantu Fest here
36th Annual GhanaFest
Saturday, July 27th, 11 am – 10 pm
Location: Washington Park, 5600 Russell Drive Chicago, IL 60637
Cost: $20
Learn more about Ghanafest here
Jazzin on the Steps – 4th Sundays
Sunday, July 28th 2024, 4 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: St. Moses the Black Parish, 331 East 71st St
Cost: FREE
Learn more about Jazzin on the Steps here
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