THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – It’s a Four Day Fourth of July Weekend!
As usual, Chicago’s Fourth of July Weekend will be jam-packed with fireworks, festivals, ballgames, and so much more. Here’s a few of the top things to do on this four day Fourth of July Weekend!
For the first time ever, Chicago welcomes the NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend this Saturday and Sunday as it takes over Grant Park (337 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop. Come check out the sights, sounds, and speed of NASCARs going 120 miles per hour down Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue, Columbus Drive, and select surrounding thoroughfares for a 2.2-mile street course with 12-turns. The NASCAR Cup Series Street race will take place on Sunday while an additional sanctioned series race will run on Saturday. Plus, enjoy full sets from top music artists The Chainsmokers, The Black Crowes, Miranda Lambert, and Charley Crockett as well as driver autographs, Q&A sessions, interactive displays, and much more!
The 30th annual African/Caribbean International Festival of Life returns to Washington Park (55th St. and Cottage Grove Ave.) with this year’s theme, “One Beat. Many Nations.” highlighting the diversity of the African and Caribbean communities celebrating their collective cultural influence. This festival is going to be a four-day cultural explosion featuring world renowned performers, local artists, popular DJs playing the hottest sounds, art vendors, crafts, games, and more! Plus, this year’s festival will offer the best in savory and spicy international dishes with the Jerk, Seafood, and Vegan Festival all combined into one. It’s known to be a transformative experience for the whole family!
Experience the holiday on one of Chicago’s many Fourth of July boat cruises being offered by City Experiences Lake Cruises (choose from premier brunch, lunch, and dinner Fourth of July cruises); Shoreline Sightseeing Lake and River Cruises (learn all about Chicago’s architecture); Chicago Seadog Lake and River Cruises (get your adrenaline pumping as Seadog offers high-speed boat rides as well as a special Fireworks Cruise on Lake Michigan); and Wendella Boats (choose from a variety of flexible cruise options).
The Hyde Park neighborhood will be hosting its 4th on 53rd Parade and Free Festival on Tuesday the 4th of July. The parade will kick-off on 53rd Street at 11 a.m. featuring floats, marching bands, community groups, and kids on decorated bikes/scooters ending at Nichols Park (1355 E. 53rd St.) where a free festival will be held from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. featuring performances, bouncy houses, a magician, face-painting, a petting zoo, and more!
Interested in a baseball game? Here’s who’s in town for the Fourth of July Weekend: Chicago Cubs host the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday (6:15 p.m.) and Sunday (1:20 p.m.) at Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood; Chicago Dogs host the Sioux Falls Canaries on Saturday (6 p.m.) at Impact Field (9850 Balmoral Ave.) in Rosemont (Elvis Night and Fireworks will be presented by Wintrust); and Chicago White Sox host the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday (7 p.m.) at Guaranteed Rate Field (333 W. 35th St.) in the Bridgeport neighborhood along with post-game fireworks!
Finally, end the long holiday weekend with viewing Fourth of July Fireworks, both in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, as the night sky is filled with explosions of dazzling colors!
Have a Happy & Safe Fourth of July!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
