33rd Annual Newberry Book Fair @ Newberry Library, 60 W Walton St., Thursday & Friday Noon - 8:00PM, Saturday & Sunday - 10:00AM - 6:00PM
WHAT: A huge book fair supporting the Newberry Library
SO WHAT: There is no such thing as too many books. Newberry Library knows this and their annual book fair is a great place to add one, two, or a dozen new books to your growing library. Whether it’s cookbooks, biographies, children’s literature or heartbreaking works of staggering literary genius; with over 120,000 books for sale there’s a good chance you’ll find it at the fair.
NOW WHAT: Make some room on your shelves for some new books because admission is free, and all proceeds support the Newberry. Also, Sunday is half priced day, so add even more books on that sale day!
45th Annual Fiesta del Sol @ Pilsen, 1400 W Cermak Rd.,Thursday 5:00PM - 10:00PM, Friday & Saturday 11:00AM - 11:00PM, Sunday 11:00AM - 11:00PM
WHAT: Join the Pilsen Community for the 45th annual Fiesta del Sol!
SO WHAT: Fiesta del Sol is an annual fundraising eventorganized by Pilsen Neighbors Community Council (PNCC), a non-profit organization located in the heart of Pilsen in Chicago, IL. Fiesta del Sol that celebrates the neighborhood’s culture with live entertainment, local art, a variety of food, carnival rides, a children’s area, educational resources for parents and youth, soccer games, and much more.
NOW WHAT: Admission is free for these great cultural festivities!
Fool’s Journey: A Misfit Circus Cabaret @ Chopin Theatre, 1543 W Division St., Thursday - Saturday at 8:00PM, Sunday at 5:00PM
WHAT: Five talented performers putting on a unique show!
SO WHAT: The Misfit Circus is a cavalcade of Tarot cards, quirky characters and stellar circus acts working together as a unit to create a fantastic show! Experience trapeze, contortion, juggling, a birthday song, a rope act, a hammock act, a hand balancing act, much appreciated live music, a pogo stick commercial break, more juggling, several dance numbers and a stunning tight wire finale. Check out Kim Campbell's wonderful review of the series!
NOW WHAT: Tickets range from $27-$36
THURSDAY, JULY 27th
Wet Hot American Summer Campout @ Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St., 7:00PM
WHAT: Take a break from the actual wet hot American summer and bask in the brilliance of David Wain and Michael Showalter's 2001 big screen debut at Thalia Hall's Wet Hot American Summer Campout!
SO WHAT: Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later, the latest series continuing the story of the amazing comedy, is coming to Netflix! Thalia Hall is celebrating the occasion with an absurd screening of the first two episodes of the prequel series Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp and the feature film Wet Hot American Summer! Bring your own camping/beach/lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the screening on the main floor. Thalia Hall will have a limited supply of inner-tubes, hammocks, and inflatable pools for your to relax in, but for the more traditional sitter, the balcony seating will also be open. Their will also be popcorn, candy, hot dogs, and a special spiked Bug Juice will be available!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are only $5 for this hilarious event
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, JULY 28th - 30th
Fed Up Fest @ Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S Morgan St., Doors open: Friday 5:30PM, Saturday Noon, Sunday 11:00AM
WHAT: An all ages, annual music festival dedicated to elevating the visibility of radical queer, trans, gender non-conforming, and intersex people in punk and hardcore scenes
SO WHAT: Fed Up Fest features music, art, and workshops working together under the idea of challenging oppression and abuse in punk and hardcore music scenes. The FUF collective aims to combat this culture by making punk a site of resistance to systemic oppression. The fest works to build and strengthen bonds between punk, queer, radical, and activist communities, and to center marginalized voices within these communities. Check out the full schedule here!
NOW WHAT: One day passes are $15 and weekend passes are $35
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 29th & 30th
Fool’s Journey: A Misfit Circus Cabaret @ Chopin Theatre, 1543 W Division St., Thursday - Saturday at 8:00PM, Sunday at 5:00PM
WHAT: Five talented performers putting on a unique show!
SO WHAT: The Misfit Circus is a cavalcade of Tarot cards, quirky characters and stellar circus acts working together as a unit to create a fantastic show! Experience trapeze, contortion, juggling, a birthday song, a rope act, a hammock act, a hand balancing act, much appreciated live music, a pogo stick commercial break, more juggling, several dance numbers and a stunning tight wire finale. Check out Kim Campbell's wonderful review of the series!
NOW WHAT: Tickets range from $27-$36
Wicker Park Fest @ Wicker Park, Milwaukee Ave from North Ave. to Paulina, Noon - 10:00PM
WHAT: An amazing festival in one of the cooler Chicago neighborhoods.
SO WHAT: It wouldn’t be a summer weekend in Chicago without a worthwhile festival taking place. Wicker Park Fest brings together great local food, arts and crafts, a kids’ area, local retail vendors, and an insane lineup of music. Headliners include Doomtree, Guided by Voices, Piebald, and Pokey LaFarge while the rest of the lineup looks just as strong with Campdogzz, Ratboys, JEFF The Brotherhood, Nnamdi Ogbonnaya, Post Child, and many more!
NOW WHAT: It’s only a $10 dollar donation which keeps this great festival going year after year, so it’s no excuse not to head to Wicker Park and have a great time.
SATURDAY, JULY 29th
The Fat Tire Tour de Fat @ Huntington Bank Pavilion 1300 S Linn White Dr., 4:00PM
WHAT: A party with The Roots and Fat Tire
SO WHAT: The Fat Tire Tour de Fat is a 33 city tour of beer, bikes, and bemusement. You’ll be able to costume up and party down with high-flying acts focusing on fun, music, dance and Fat Tire beers. This year the Chicago party will be led by the The Roots and the Tour de Fat ensemble cast of performers. It will be a mix of musicians, circus performers, vaudeville acts, magicians, comedians, and mind-blowing provocateurs.
NOW WHAT: This is an all ages event so get your costume ready for all the fun! Tickets are $25! A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to West Town Bikes, a local non-profit organization. Doors open at 4:00 PM.
Cap'n Jazz & Hop Along @ House of Vans, 113 N Elizabeth St., 7:00PM
WHAT: The final House of Vans/FYF House Party of the summer!
SO WHAT: The summer series that has made House of Vans on of the coolest venues in the city is coming to a close with a fantastic show. The reunited Cap’n Jazz will be headlining the night along with the always fantastic Hop Along! Check out our full preview here!
NOW WHAT: This 18+ show is free with RSVP. Doors open at 7:00pm, but entry is not guaranteed as the show is first come, first served until they hit capacity.
SUNDAY, JULY 30th
Mykele Deville / Jovan / Mother Nature @ Emporium Arcade Bar Wicker Park, 1366 N Milwaukee Ave., 8:00PM
WHAT: Three Chicago hip hop stars in one night!
SO WHAT: This is the perfect opportunity to see what Chicago’s hip hop scne has to offer! Mykele Deville leans to the more poetic side of rap, Jovan bursts through with intense energy, and Mother Nature’s flow and determination is as strong as their name sake.
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Go see some undeniably fun emcees under the glow of arcade lights!Cap'n Jazz & Hop Along @ House of Vans, 113 N Elizabeth St., 7:00PM
WHAT: The final House of Vans/FYF House Party of the summer!
SO WHAT: The summer series that has made House of Vans on of the coolest venues in the city is coming to a close with a fantastic show. The reunited Cap’n Jazz will be headlining the night along with the always fantastic Hop Along! Check out our full preview here!
NOW WHAT: This 18+ show is free with RSVP. Doors open at 7:00pm, but entry is not guaranteed as the show is first come, first served until they hit capacity.