Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 7/4 and Beyond

We're in July, arguably the most summery of the summer months, and of course we're kicking it off with fireworks galore! It's the 4th of July weekend and there are so many amazing things to do this weekend from concerts at our favorite venues, great movies throughout the city, markets, art exhibitions, and much more just waiting for you! Don't let these fantastic events pass you by; start planning your perfect weekend in Chicago!

Now, let's get on with your Chicago Curated Weekend!

ART GALLERIES & SPECIAL EVENTS

THIS WEEKEND!

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, JULY 5 - JULY 7 (& BEYOND)

The Neo-Futurists’ The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Friday and Saturday 10:30pm, Sunday 7:00pm, 16+
WHAT: Quick plays live and online!
SO WHAT: The Neo-Futurists are back! Their Infinite Wrench is an  ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience. Now it’s actually a live audience that will be enjoying the performance in person!
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $20!  The Infinite Wrench Goes Viral will be continuing til February (and possibly beyond) over at their Patreon

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JULY 5 & 6

Weekend Shows @ Lincoln Hall & Schubas, 2424 N Lincoln Ave & 3159 N Southport Ave, various times, 18+
WHAT: A full weekend of amazing shows at Schubas and Lincoln Hall!
SO WHAT: Lincoln Hall and Schubas are some of our favorite venues in the city and they always have something great going on. Check out what's going this weekend at these great venues

NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!

SATURDAY, JULY 6

Summer Fireworks @ Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, 10:00pm – 10:10pm
WHAT: Enjoy the spectacle of fireworks all summer long
SO WHAT: Take a trip to Navy Pier and check out their dazzling display of fireworks! Each show features dramatic and popular music soundtracks with some special occasion soundtracks sprinkled throughout the season. It’s the first fireworks show of the year so kick off summer with this explosive tradition.
NOW WHAT: It’s free!  Just make your way to Navy Pier, find a spot, and enjoy the show !

THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND

31st African/Caribbean International Festival of Life / 42nd Chicago Music Awards @ Washington Park, 5531 S. King Dr., Noon – 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A fantastic festival that puts the spotlight on African/Caribbean culture
SO WHAT: The African/Caribbean International Festival of Love is bringing a little bit of everything to Washington Park for four days of fun! Enjoy wonderful Afro-Caribbean food, games, crafts and amazing music from the likes of Teejay "Drift", Rose Royce, BLue Magic, and many more.
NOW WHAT: One day admission is $35 in advance ($18 for seniors),  3-Day ticekts are $140 in advance. VIP passes are also available! Children under the age of 12 are free to enter!

Rose on the River @ Salt Shed, 1357 N Elston Ave, 4:00pm - 10:00pm
WHAT: A four-day festival in one of the best outdoor venues in the city!
SO WHAT: Rose on the River brings four days of incredible music to the Salt Shed to kick off July! Seriously, each day feels like a perfectly curated day with a taste of indie rock, soul, funk hip-hop, and jam bands ready to blow your mind. Check out the lineups below and get ready for a fantastic way to spend you Fourth of July!

  • July 4
    • My Morning Jacket
    • Neal Francis
    • Andy Frasco & The U.N.
    • Hans Williams
  • July 5
    • Tash Sultana
    • Flying Lotus
    • Tank and the Bangas
    • Karina Rykman
  • July 6
    • Thundercat
    • BADBADNOTGOOD
    • DOMi & JD Beck
    • CARRTOONS
  • July 7
    • Vulfpeck
    • Celebration of The Meters featuring George Porter Jr., Leo Nocentelli, and Dumpstaphunk
    • Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
    • Giacomo Turra

NOW WHAT: Tickets start at $89 for GA and 159 for GA premium!

ChiTown Movies @ Pilsen Neighborhood, 2343 S. Throop St, Various Times, All Ages
WHAT:
An old school experience for the modern age
SO WHAT: Take a trip back in time and head out to a drive-in movie with ChiTown Movies. Ever since the pandemic started and shut down traditional movie screening, a few pop up drive-ins have arrived and ChiTown Movies has persevered, offering up modern movies in this retro setting. Check out their lineup below for showings this weekend and in the future!

NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 per car for these movies, so bring the family for a safe movie watching experience

Movies on the Big Screen and Home @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, various times
WHAT:
A great way to support a great local theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre is ready to fill that art house need in you with some excellent movies like Kinds of Kindness, A Place in the Sun, Thelma, MaXXXine, midnight screenings of The Room & Fantastic Planet; and more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theatres in the city!

Chicago Humanities: New Talks and Video Archives @ Various Locations & Chicago Humanities Festival YouTube channel, your favorite browser or YouTube app, any time you want some inspiration, All Ages
WHAT: Interesting conversations with interesting people!
SO WHAT: Chicago Humanities Festival always brings some of the best ideas to the surface with entertaining programming that captures your imagination. Their year may be over, but certainly be on the lookout for updates for next year's season as their website is constantly updated with new talks.

NOW WHAT: Head over to take a look at their past events here! You should also sign up for their email list to get updates on upcoming talks in 2023

University of Chicago Folk Festival @ Your favorite spot in your home, All Ages
WHAT: A fantastic folk festival
SO WHAT: University of Chicago Folk Festival might have come and gone but their digital presence is still around, making sure the wonderful music reaches as many people as possible! You can check out the past few years of performances on their Facebook page and their YouTube channel any time you want! This past year's performers included The Price Sisters, Brian Conway, Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton, Ruby John, Sean "Mack" McDonald, and many more!
NOW WHAT: Head over to their Facebook page and their YouTube channel and enjoy the show! We highly encourage you to donate to help support this fantastic folk festival!

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Julian Ramirez