Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 7/18 and Beyond

We just had another July week that started off with an intense storm! Hopefully it wasn't too intense in your area and you're ready for the very busy weekend, 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!

THURSDAY, JULY 18

Taco Crawl @ 6950 N. Clark St., 3:00pm to 6:00pm
WHAT: Celebrate the delicious culinary masterpiece that is TACOS!
SO WHAT: This taco-themed food crawl will let you experience a huge variety of filled tortilla goodness! The crawl will take place along two fantastic routes, allowing you to partake from 16 participating restaurants serving their signature tacos! Check out the full lineup of restaurants over at their website!
NOW WHAT:Tickets are $30! Online sales are sold out, but there will be a limited number of tickets the day of the event! Tickets can be purchased in person on Thursday, July 18 starting at 3 p.m. at 6950 N. Clark St First come, first served!

FRIDAY, JULY 19

Horner Brew Fest 2024 @ Horner Park, 2741 W Montrose Ave., 6:00pm – 10:00pm
WHAT: Brews for a good cause
SO WHAT: Horner Brew Fest is a beer-centric fest bringing tons of incredible breweries, food trucks and live music from Bumpus all to support the sustainability initiatives of the Horner Park Advisory Council! Enjoy the warm weather, over 40 varieties for beer, and great festivities as they raise sufficient funds to treat and preserve 79 critically endangered ash trees!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are sold out! But a limited number of tickets may be available at the door to cover cancellations. Tickets will be $60 and include a tasting glass and samples from all the breweries! There are also $15 tickets for designated drivers!

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, JULY 19 - JULY 21 (& BEYOND)

Pitchfork Music Festival @ Union Park, 1501 W Randolph St, Noon – 10:00pm
WHAT: A music festival focused on some of the best music you can find today
SO WHAT: Pitchfork have been the taste-makers in the just-under-the-mainstream community for a while and they know how to put on a good festival. This year is no different with a stellar lineup including headliners like The Smile, Big Thief, and Bon Iver! Check out the full lineup here !
NOW WHAT:  Single day passes are $134 and 3-day passes for $254!

El Gran Festival Colombiano – Chicago 2024 @ Northeastern Illinois University, 3702 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Friday 3:00pm –10:00pm, Saturday & Sunday  Noon – 10:00pm
WHAT: A celebration of Colombian culture
SO WHAT: Head over to the Northeastern Illinois campus to experience Colombia’s culture from its cuisine, dance, its cumbia and vallenato music. Enjoy the explosive colors, festival carnival costumes, wonderful music and joyous celebrations. El Gran Festival Colombian is celebrating its 10th anniversary and will have a live main stage with international artists (including Grupo Niche, Jorge Celedon, Fruko Y Sus Tessos, Christain Alicea, and more), food, drinks,and plenty of fun for the whole family!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now!

Tacos y Tamales Festival @ Pilsen, S Peoria St & W 16th St., Friday 5:00pm – 10:00pm, Saturday Noon – 10:00pm, Sunday Noon – 9:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Some Latin American staples highlighted in this fun fest
SO WHAT: Discover authentic and delicious tacos and tamales from several regions of Latin America at this great looking street festival. In addition to all the great food you’ll get a chance to experience local art installations, buy some goods from vendors, and enjoy some Latin music and dance performances! And let’s not forget a nice beer garden from Modelo!
NOW WHAT: Entry is free but $10 donations are encouraged and benefit the local Pilsen Arts & Community House, Frida Kahlo Community Group, and Opportunities For All.

Roscoe Village Burger Fest @ Belmont and Damen, 2000 W Belmont Ave, Friday 5:00pm – 10:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:00am – 10:00pm, all ages
WHAT: Fire up the grills for a good ole burger party!
SO WHAT: Roscoe Village Burger Fest returns for its 17th mouth-watering year of delicious burgers! This year’s vendors include Byron’s Hot Dogs, Bust Outs, Chicago Dog House, Epic Burger, Fatso’s Last Stand, Lola’s Coney Island, Recliamed Bar & Restaurant, Reggies Chicago, Robinson’s, Select Cut Steakhouse, Tandoor Char House, and The StopAlong. Add in two stages of music featuring (Mucca Pazza, Phillip-Michael Scales and more), arts and crafts, and the action-packed “Kids Zone” area, and you got yourself a certified good time! Weekend visitors even have the opportunity to vote for Chicago’s Best Burger!
NOW WHAT: The $10 suggested donation benefits the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.

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

SATURDAY, JULY 20

Volleywood @ North Avenue Beach, 1600 North Lake Shore Drive, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, 21+
WHAT: A 2-day beachfront music festival
SO WHAT: Immerse yourself in Volleywood, a day full of Chicago’s skyline views, breezy beats, full-service bars, and local food. The festival will feature music from Troyboi, Knocks, Surf Mesa, and more!
NOW WHAT: Tickets start at $60 for this fun beach affair!

Wave Wall Wax & Summer Fireworks @ Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, 5:30pm – 10:10pm
WHAT: Enjoy the spectacle of fireworks and great music 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. Plus before the fireworks the fantastic Wave Wall Wax event will be dishing out some incredible tunes!

  • July 20 | 5:30PM-10PM
    • Steve Miggedy Maestro, J. Lektro & Jesse De La Pena
  • July 27 | 5:30PM-10PM
    • Zeetus Lapetus & DJ Ca$h Era
  • August 3 | 5:30PM-10PM
    • Gabriel “Rican” Rodriguez, Juan “Too Big” Perez & DJ Cool Carlos
  • August 10 | 5:30PM-10PM
    • Oliver Fade, DJ Film 42 & Janesita B2B Czboogie
  • August 17 | 5:30PM-10PM
    • Axsent, DJ Lego & Charlie Glitch
  • August 24 | 1PM-10PM (LatiNxt)
  • August 31 | 5:30PM-10PM
    • Ron Carroll & Ariana DJ

NOW WHAT: It’s free!  Just make your way to Navy Pier, find a spot, and enjoy the show !

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 20 & 21

Ravenswood on Tap @ Ravenswood Corridor, Ravenswood and Berteau Avenues, Saturday Noon – 10:00pm, Sunday Noon – 6:00pm,
WHAT: Craft brew from Malt Row!
SO WHAT: Discover some new drinks or enjoy old favorites at Ravenswood on Tap! You’ll get the chance to try brews from Malt Row including some special tappings, experience some KOVAL Distillery cocktails, test your skills at some axe throwing, live music, local artisans, and some of Chicago’s favorite food vendors. Live music acts include French Police, She's Crafty, Serengeti, Bnny, and more! Check out the full details of this excellent street fest at their website!
NOW WHAT: There is a suggested donation of $10 to enter the event!

Chicago Food Truck Festival @ 2300 S Indiana Ave, 11:00am – 7:00pm, All ages
WHAT: Chicago Food Truck Festival is ready for a fall gathering of delicious food~
SO WHAT: Join the Chicago Food Truck Festival as they start up their 10th season with a nice variety of mobile chefs! Try a little bit of everything as you enjoy some fun games alongside a refreshing drink!
NOW WHAT: Admission is free with event reservation here!

The Fifth Annual IL Hot Sauce Expo @ 121 N Chicago St, Joliet, 11:00am – 11:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The intersection of tasty pleasure and indescribable pain
SO WHAT: Come to The IL Hot Sauce Expo 2024 for two days of fiery foods to get the ultimate endorphin rush. The weekend promises to be like no other. There will be hot sauce tastings from around the world, an epic amount of challenges including the Guinness Book of Records Reaper Eating Contest, wrestling, craft beers, specialty cocktails & tons more! Check out everything going on at this devilish tasty event!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now! General admission is $10! The Craft Beer Package includes 3 Craft Beer Tokens, Limited Edition Expo Poster & Bottle of High River Hot Sauce for $35! The Ultimate VIP pass includes an All-Access Back Stage Pass into their exclusive VIP area, which features an open bar with cocktails and spirit/craft beer tastings, Limited Edition Expo Poster & Bottle of hot sauce, & VIP Gift bag stuffed with sponsorship goodies for $100!

THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND

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, MaXXXine, Seven Samurai, High and Low, Mantrap, and midnight screenings of Oddity and Hundreds of Beavers and more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theatres in the city!

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!

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