11 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 1, 2016 4:14PM
Independence Day Fireworks are Monday on Navy Pier. Photo via Navy Pier's Facebook page.
There’s nothing like Fourth of July weekend in Chicago, and perfect summer weather is forecasted, so get out there and enjoy it. Since it’s a long weekend, we’ve got a roster of events through the holiday.
FRIDAY JULY 1
GUNS N ROSES: Slash is back. The band’s original lead guitarist, along with original bassist Duff McKagan, once again take the stage with Axl Rose at Soldier Field. Before surprising fans at Coachella and embarking on this “Not In This Lifetime” stadium tour, the trio of rockers hadn’t played together since 1993. They’ll play two shows, Friday and Sunday, with rock band Alice In Chains opening. Tickets start at $69.50.
WHISKEY RELEASE: Join Chicago’s whiskey bar Delilah’s as they release their 800th bottle of Whiskey on the Wall. To mark the occasion, they’ve created a custom Maker’s Mark Bourbon by adding a unique selection of toasted oak barrel staves to a still wet barrel of Maker’s, and then refilling it with bourbon to create a unique single barrel whiskey. Jane Connor from Maker’s Mark, who helped develop this new aging method, will also be in attendance. Free.
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF LIFE: Get a dose of African/Caribbean culture at the 24th Annual International Festival of Life this weekend in Union Park. The celebration has fun for the whole family with cultural performances, live reggae music and Caribbean cuisine. Tickets are $45 in advance for weekend passes, $15 in advance for single-day. Children under 12 are free with an adult.
POP-PUNK EXCELLENCE: Milwaukee's Direct Hit plays a show at Double Door on Friday to celebrate the release of their new album Waster Mind. Led by singer/guitarist Nick Woods, the collection of songs on the new LP may be some of the best pop-punk we've heard thus far this year; incredibly catchy while managing to also be lyrically complex. To sweeten the deal, Chicagoist favorites Archie Powell & the Exports are also on the bill. Tickets are $5.
WINDY CITY RIBFEST: Uptown plays host to Independence Weekend’s Windy City Rib Fest this Friday through Sunday. Aussom Aussie Australian BBQ, BBQ King Smokehouse and Chicago BBQ Company are among the “ribbers” providing the meat and some of Chicago’s favorite cover bands will provide musical entertainment, including Too White Crew and Think Floyd. Entry is $5 suggested donation.
SATURDAY JULY 2
MAMBY ON THE BEACH: The full-on music festival Mamby on the Beach takes over Oakwood Beach this Saturday and Sunday. Milky Chance, Chet Faker, Animal Collective and Chromeo are just a few of the big-name artists playing. Be sure to check out local acts like Wild Belle, MONAKR and Lupe Fiasco. There’s also a DJ mixing tent and silent disco to get your dance on. Perfect summer weather predicted means lots of beach wear and fashion on the horizon. Tickets are $130 for two-day passes, $69.50 for single day.
CUMBIASAZO FAMILY FEST: CumbiaSazo has teamed up with Nights Out at the Parks for their first ever Family Festival from 3 to 8 p.m. at Ping Tom Memorial Park. Music takes center stage at the festival with performances from Latinx & global-oriented acts like DJ collective Chulita Vinyl Club, electric neo-Latinx DJ/Producer Gio Chamba and Chicago Southside hybrid cumbia band Quinto Imperio. They’ll also have live visual artists, a vendors market and a play space with activities for the kids. Free.
Photo courtesy of Chosen Few DJs.
CHOSEN FEW DJS: The “world's biggest party” gets even bigger this year with a two-day music festival in Jackson Park. The Chosen Few DJs Picnic is a house music celebration with their traditional picnic happening on Saturday, and a special celebration of soul music planned for Sunday.The party started as a small gathering of friends back in 1990, and quickly grew into the festival that it is now. Roy Ayers, Cheryl Lynn, Monique Bingham, DJ Spinna and more are all scheduled to perform. Tickets are $50 for a two-day pass, $30 for single day.
SUNDAY JULY 3
FOOSBALL TOURNAMENT: When you’ve had your fill of encased meats, head to Emporium for more beer and a Foosball Tournament. Every Sunday they host beginner, doubles and singles tournaments. $5 buy-in for the beginner’s tourney at 3:30 p.m., $10 for the open tourney at 5 p.m.
MONDAY JULY 4: INDEPENDENCE DAY
NAVY PIER FIREWORKS: Independence Day isn’t complete without fireworks. See the big show at Navy Pier at 9:30 p.m. Get there early though, because when they reach capacity, the gates will close. You can see the fireworks from all along the downtown lakefront though, so you can set up camp somewhere besides the pier. The lakefront path along Museum Campus has a great view, or make friends with someone who has a downtown rooftop.
CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM CELEBRATION: During the day, head to Chicago History Museum for a little bit of education and a whole bunch of fun on the plaza. The 57th Annual Fourth of July Celebration has musical performances, face painting, a children’s parade led by the World’s Tallest Uncle Sam and much more from 10 a.m. to noon. Free.