21 Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend: Navy Pier Fireworks, Pride South Side And More

CHICAGO — The city is heading into a holiday weekend packed with activities.

People can enjoy Fourth of July traditions and celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday with fireworks at Navy Pier, parades in Hyde Park and North Center or a daylong celebration in Winnemac Park. Check out Block Club’s full list of July 4th activities here.

Plus, Pride South Side is back at the DuSable Museum this weekend with live music, local art and more.

You can also beat the heat with a new comedy-drama at the Steppenwolf Theatre, enjoy Korean music at Constellation, listen to jazz at the Bridgeport “L” station, check out the offerings at the Argyle Night Market, go on a walking tour of Graceland cemetery or the Pullman historic district and dance to all genres of music at Podlasie Club.

Here’s a roundup of 21 things to do in Chicago this weekend:

All Weekend

Bag O’ Books Summer Sidewalk Sale

10-4 p.m. Friday-Sunday

New Book Joy, 5512 W. Devon Ave., Edgebrook

People can stock up on summer reads with New Book Joy as it hosts a weekend-long book sidewalk sale. The women-owned bookstore will sell market string bags which customers can fill with five “lightly loved” books for $25. The bookstore is also offering other book bundles for a summer full of reading.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

‘Women Off-Colour’ Comedy Show

7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday

Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St., Lincoln Park

A comedy show whose debut nearly sold out at Red Orchid’s incubator program, “Women Off-Colour” blends drama and comedy in a performance that invites women to be “offensive, wrong and unapologetic” through a Gen Z perspective. Catch the show this weekend as it takes the stage at the Steppenwolf Theatre.

Tickets are $23. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Thursday

Red Line Jazz Project

4-6 p.m. Thursday

Sox-35th Station (Rate Field), 142 E. 35th St., Bridgeport

The Mandala Arts Red Line Project is taking to the Red Line Sox-35th “L” station ahead of the holiday weekend for another installment of its public jazz series. Luciano Antonio’s Trio, Marcel Reimão and Hector G Garcia will activate the public space with an exploration of the jazz genre.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Argyle Night Market Opening

5-9 p.m. Thursday

West Argyle Street between Kenmore Street and Sheridan Road, Uptown

The Argyle Night Market is back in Uptown for its 12th season starting Thursday. Enjoy a wide range of street food, live music, cultural performances and various vendors throughout the summer.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Friday

Dunham Park Picnic & Fireworks

5 p.m. Friday

Dunham Park, 4638 N. Melvina Ave., Portage Park

Unique Sweets and No Apology Events are joining forces for an evening picnic to enjoy the Dunham Park fireworks. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy free hot dogs and snacks alongside neighbors.

This is a free event. Learn more and RSVP here.

Southside Critical Mass 1st Friday Bike Ride

5:45 p.m. Friday

Nichols Park Plaza, south end by the fountain, 1300 E. 55th St., Hyde Park

Southside Critical Mass, a community bike group, is hosting its first Friday gathering ride this week. Join the group of bikers for an evening 15- to 20-mile ride throughout the South Side, focused on making Chicago’s neighborhoods more bikeable and livable. Bring your own helmet, water, bike lock and other essentials.

This is a free event. Learn more and reserve a spot here.

Korean Music Fridays

8:30 p.m. Friday

Constellation Chicago, 3111 N. Western Ave., Lakeview

The Korean Performing Arts Institute presents Korean Music Fridays, an annual concert series that explores the depth and diversity of Korean music. This week’s edition will be held at Constellation with emerging artists and masters of the genre for an evening spanning a wide range of Korean music.

Tickets are $25.91. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Backbeat 007 Dance Party

9 p.m. Friday

Podlasie Club, 2918 N. Central Park Ave., Avondale

The Backbeat dance party is headed to Podlasie Club for an evening of community, intention and dance in this all-genre DJ display. DJs gum.mp3, Initial G and more will take attedees through a journey of dance music past, present and future.

Tickets can be bought at the door for this 21-and-older event. Learn more here.

Saturday

Introduction To Meditation

10-11 a.m. Saturday

Osaka Garden, 6200 S. Cornell Ave., Hyde Park

Enjoy time outdoors while learning the fundamentals of seated meditation led by Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple while soaking in the surroundings of Osaka Garden, a Japanese garden on the grounds of Jackson Park.

This is a free event. Learn more and reserve a spot here.

Annual 4th Of July Cookout

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

The Beer Temple, 3173 N. Elston Ave., Logan Square

The Beer Temple is cooking up burgers and brats for this Fourth of July celebration. Attendees can enjoy food, cheap beer and try their hand at a giveaway to win a mystery cooler full of prizes.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Denim N Dance Party

3-9 p.m. Saturday

Epiphany Center For The Arts: The Courtyard, 201 S. Ashland Ave., West Loop

Dance into the night outdoors as Epiphany Center for the Arts hosts its July 4th celebration alongside the closing reception of six of the center’s gallery shows. There will be music by Swan Drama, DJ Gay Bash and Madeline, along with drag performances and refreshments throughout the evening. Come dressed to dance.

This is a free event. Learn more and RSVP here.

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‘This Is Not A Country’ Art Opening

5-10 p.m. Saturday

Lot’sa, 4150 N. Elston Ave., Irving Park

“What is freedom when it is delated, denied or distorted?” Photographers Marcus Darling and Erika Grey will dive into this question in the “This Is Not A Country” photo exhibit opening, which explores the narrative of freedom. The opening will include refreshments, barbecue and live music.

This is a free event. Learn more and RSVP here.

Nuestra Lírica: Hip-Hop De Pe-Erre & The Chi

8-10 p.m. Saturday

Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4048 W. Armitage Ave., Hermosa

Discover hip-hop sounds from Chicago and Puerto Rico as the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center hosts an evening of music, community and self-determination. Enjoy performances by rapper Siete Nueve and DJ and finger drummer MC El S. Chicago’s poet laureate, Mayda Del Valle, and hip-hop artist Pinky Ring will also host a conversation about how poetry and music shape identity and challenge injustice.

Tickets start at $8.24. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Navy Pier Fireworks

10 p.m. Saturday

Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Loop

The iconic Navy Pier firework show is back to celebrate the Fourth of July. The 15-minute fireworks show over Lake Michigan will feature twice as many fireworks as in previous years to mark the country’s 250th birthday. Attendees should arrive in advance to secure a spot on Navy Pier, or people can watch along the Lakefront Trail.

Learn more here.

Sunday

Graceland Cemetery Walking Tour

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday

Graceland Cemetery, 4001 N. Clark St., Uptown

Attendees can explore the vast Graceland Cemetery alongside tour guide, historian and author Adam Selzer during this special Independence Day tour. Explore the gravesites of abolitionists, suffragists, revolutionaries and more while learning more about Chicago history.

Tickets are $24.25. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Art Institute Excursion & Community Picnic

Noon-3 p.m. Sunday

Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Loop

Catch the “Korean National Treasures: 2,000 Years of Art” exhibit at the Art Institute before it closes. Through Sunday, 140 works are on view, covering everything from a 6th century gilt bronze Buddhist sculpture to contemporary paintings. After the exhibit, join Chicago Koreatown for a community picnic in Millennium Park catered by 82 Kimbap where attendees can enjoy kimbap, ramen and more.

Tickets are $39.24 and include admission to the Art Institute. Learn more and buy tickets here.

New Wave Matinee

Noon-3:30 p.m. Sunday

Cary’s Lounge, 2251 W. Devon Ave., West Ridge

Ann Marie Klacko, aka Aunty Party, will be joined by a lineup of other DJs for a new wave extravaganza. Enjoy new wave classics and deep cuts in an all-vinyl set with a local lineup of DJs, delicious drinks and more.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Pullman National Historical Park Walking Tour

1 p.m. Sunday

Pullman Exhibit Hall, 11141 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Pullman

Get a glimpse into Chicago’s first national park in this walking tour of Pullman, one of the country’s most influential industrial communities. The 1-mile tour will explore the neighborhood, showing how it helped to transform industry and reimagine urban planning.

Tickets are $17.85 for adults and free for children younger than 12. Learn more and buy tickets here.

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Sleeping Village Staff Yard Sale

1-5 p.m. Sunday

Sleeping Village, 3734 W. Belmont Ave., Avondale

The staff of Sleeping Village are hosting their own yard sale with everything from clothes and accessories to vinyl and furniture. There will be a surprise tattoo artist making an appearance, plus food from Kaya Grill & Gyoza.

This is a free event. Learn more here.

Pride Outside

1-6 p.m. Sunday

DuSable Black History Museum, 740 E. 56th Place, Washington Park

Stop by the DuSable Black History Museum for a family-friendly outdoor South Side Pride celebration. Families can enjoy tug-of-war, relay races, a water balloon toss, volleyball and more while celebrating Black joy, queer freedom and LGBTQ+ pride. There will be a cooling zone with ice baths, massage therapy, recovery stations and hydration stations.

This is a free event. Learn more and reserve a spot here.

Pride South Side Festival

2-9 p.m. Sunday

DuSable Black History Museum, 740 E. 56th Place, Washington Park

Pride South Side is celebrating the Black LGBTQ+ community. There will be live music, local art, resource hubs and more.

This is a free event. Learn more here and reserve a spot here.

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