Things to Do in Chicago in June
June is when things really get into full swing in Chicago and in many ways, it’s the ideal month to plan a visit. Between free dance parties, free concerts and outdoor movie showings, concerts at Ravinia, and neighborhood festivals on every weekend, it seems there is always something happening in Chicago in June. Here are few of the highlights.
June 1-2, 6-9 – Free Admission at the Museum of Science and Industry
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Free admission at the Art Institute from 5pm to 8pm and free admission at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum all day
June 2-5 – Lincoln Square Mayfest – German food, beer and entertainment are the hallmarks of this annual, and much beloved, all ages festival.
June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 – Free tours of Half Acre Beer Company at 1pm. RSVP required.
June 4-5 – Do-Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale – With live music, food and drink, craft vendors, and art, this is so much more than your average craft sale.
June 4- 5 – Chicago Tribune Printer’s Row Lit Fest – Billed as the largest free literary event in the Midwest, the event features new, used, antique and specialty books for sale, author readings and signings, panel discussions, storytelling for kids and more.
June 5, 12, 19, 26 – DuSable Museum of African American History from noon – 5pm
June 5, 12, 19, 26 – Free admission at the Chicago History Museum
June 7, 14, 21, 28 – Free admission at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
June 10 – Pilsen 2nd Friday Artwalk. One of my favorite monthly events, the Artwalk is held at galleries in Pilsen, around 18th and Halsted. Free wine and cheese and great art make this is an excellent (and low-cost) night out. 6pm-10pm
June 10-11 – Ribfest is a celebrate of ribs (over 2 dozen restaurants will serve over 65,000 pounds of ribs over the course of the fest) including it’s complements – live music and good drinks.
June 10-12– Chicago Blues Festival – The largest free blues fest in the world, this event offers five stages of music and welcomes over 600,000 fans.
June 11-12 – The Old Town Art Fair welcomes over 250 nationally-acclaimed artists to sell their wares to the over 50,000 attendees who come to this annual fest, now in it’s 62nd year.
June 11-12 – Andersonville Midommarfest – This 45 year old traditional Swedish fest features a dance around maypole, family-friendly entertainment, craft vendors, and lots of food and drink.
June 24 – July 3 – Taste of Chicago – The undisputed king of summer festivals, the Taste of Chicago is huge. Hundreds of thousands of people, hundreds of food vendors, and dozens of free musical performances and cooking demonstrations held in Grant Park over 10 days.
June 26– June is Gay Pride Month in Chicago, which culminates in a weekend long party in the Boystown hood, including the Gay Pride Parade, held on June 26th.
Photos by adriangonsalves, Brandon Cirillo