Summer is in full swing so get ready to soak up some rays at this season’s hottest events! Start the celebration with July 4th festivities like at the Berwyn Firework show or Oak Park Parade. Keep the party going and boogie on over for a lively summer concert at Brookfield Zoo’s Concerts for Conservation. Don’t let the music stop, come enjoy some local tunes at a fantastic farmers’ market while you shop for fresh foods and handmade goods. After your dancing shoes are tapped out, meet us for a terrific tour walking through Olmsted’s Historic Riverside. Discover the best of July below!
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American Music Festival
June 30 - July 3, 2023
Born in 1981, FitzGerald's American Music Festival has grown from a three-band barbecue night to a critically acclaimed four day affair drawing thousands of music lovers each year. With a particular nod to both New Orleans, LA and Austin, TX this celebration of Roots Music and backyard cooking serves die-hard music fans, families, and foodies alike. It’s the annual culmination of all that they do and care about, and it’s an unbelievably great time.
Location: Fitzgeralds, Berwyn
Event Website
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Haymarket Martyrs' Monument & Radical Row Tour
July 1, 2023
Join the Historical Society of Forest Park for an hour-long tour of the Haymarket Martyrs Monument & Radical Row Tour. Learn the story of the Haymarket Affair, the monument, and those who choose to be buried near this monument to the 8 hour day and those who died for it.
Location: Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park
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Oak Park Farmers' Market
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023
The Oak Park Farmers’ Market will be held from 7am to 1pm every Saturday from May 20 through October! The Market is located in the Pilgrim Church parking lot, one block west of Ridgeland Avenue. Come early and don't miss the fan-favorite Donuts (often sell out before noon). Market patrons can sit at a table and enjoy fresh donuts while listening to live bluegrass music provided by local musicians.
Location: Pilgrim Church, Oak Park
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Brookfield Farmers' Market
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023
The Brookfield Farmers Market located on the west side of Brookfield Village Hall. They are entering their 16th season in 2023. Each week you will find a variety of fresh locally grown vegetables, fruits, honey, bakery goods, sauces, soaps, and unique artisan pieces. Each week there are special events for the family. Join us for shopping and stay for a picnic in the park. Our market runs Saturdays from June 3rd through October 14th from 8am-1pm.
Location: Market, Brookfield
Pedal Oak Park
July 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30, 2023
Oak Park is home to the world’s largest collection of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Explore its picturesque historic neighborhoods on a guided bicycle tour of 21 Wright-designed structures. Wright sites featured on this tour include Wright’s Home and Studio, Frank Thomas House, Heurtley House, Cheney House, Furbeck House and more. Bring your own bike or one can be provided (included in tour admission).
Location: Home and Studio, Oak Park
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Wright Around Oak Park
July 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30, 2023
The most comprehensive tour of Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park is an all-inclusive tour limited to eight persons. Begin your Oak Park experience with an expanded tour of Wright’s Home and Studio, the birthplace of Wright’s vision for a new American architecture. Step ahead of the crowd and trace Wright’s early years, from his Studio where the Prairie style was conceived, to Oak Park’s beautifully preserved private Prairie homes.
Location: Home and Studio, Oak Park
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Side Yard Sounds
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023
Join at Compound Yellow for Side Yard Sounds all month long featuring artists like Kouri Hall, Paul Ashford, Magic Carpet, and many more! Compound Yellow is so excited to be featuring these talented individuals. Suggested donations are encouraged at this free event to support the arts and programing that keeps this event accessible for all in our community.
Location: Compound Yellow, Oak Park
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Concerts at the Park
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2023
Join us at Scoville Park in Oak Park all summer long for a lovely live music series. With more than 10 performances throughout the summer, and plenty of local bands, there is something for everyone! Live music starts at 6pm but get there early to set up your seat! So grab your favorite blanket and lawn chair and get ready to kick back and relax to some terrific tunes!
Location: Scoville, Oak Park
Event Website
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July 4th Fireworks
July 3, 2023
Meet us at Morton West in Berwyn for a fantastic firework show for fourth of July! The show kicks off at sunset but get there early to reserve your seats! Lucky audience members receive free t-shirts thrown into the the seating area. The World's Largest Laundromat is proud to continue to provide Berwyn and the surrounding area with July 4th fireworks.
Location: Morton West, Berwyn
Event Website
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Riverside Independence Day Celebration
July 3-4 2023
Riverside’s Independence Day celebration will play out over two days, starting on July 3 with the Friends of the Fourth’s Concert in the Park at Guthrie Park. The park opens at 5 p.m., with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. July 4 begins early in Riverside with the 45th Annual Independence Day 5K, which steps off at 7:30 a.m. from Centennial Park. Runners will head north up Longcommon Rd before finishing near the water tower.
Location: Riverside
Event Website
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July 4th Parade
June 4, 2023
The annual Independence Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. on July 4 from Longfellow Park at Ridgeland Ave and Adams St. The parade marches north on Ridgeland to Augusta St, turning east to disperse near Whittier Elementary School at Harvey Ave. Among the entries scheduled to march are social and special interest groups, community groups, businesses, animal lovers with their pets, musical groups and more!
Location: Oak Park
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July 4th Parade and Park Party
June 4, 2023
The parade will step off from the intersection of Grand Blvd and Garfield Ave at 10am and move down Grand Blvd through Veterans Memorial Cr and then into downtown Brookfield before heading east on Brookfield Ave past the stand in front of the historic Grossdale Station. After the parade, gather up your cooler, lawn chairs, and blankets to head over to Kiwanis Park for the Party in the Park, which begins at noon and is highlighted by a performance by The Redmonds!
Location: Brookfield
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July 4th Parade
June 4, 2023
It's BIG, it's BACK, and it's BETTER THAN EVER! Make a plan to celebrate America Elmwood Park style! An entire day of fun and good times starting with our annual parade at 9 AM. Call your friends and family and save get ready for a fabulous 4th of July! The Parade kicks off on Fullerton Ave and 78th Ave and heads east before heading north towards Diversey Ave and finishing at the Village Hall on Grand Ave.
Location: Parade Map, Elmwood Park
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July 4th Parade
June 4, 2023
Come join us to celebrate America in Westchester! The Independence Day parade will kick-off at 9:30am at Mayfair Ave and Dorchester St. After the parade, join us at Community Park at 10201 Bond St for Refreshments and an exciting community hangout!
Location: Westchester
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Riverside Farmer's Market
July 5, 12, 19, 26, 2023
The Riverside Farmers Market is a great way to spend some time outdoors any Wednesday afternoon from June through October. Located just off the train, under Riverside’s iconic Water Tower, you’ll find sparkling white tents set up in Centennial Plaza from 2:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Just follow the path reminiscent of the curvilinear streets of Riverside to find everything you need for dinner . . . and then some!
Location: Centennial Plaza, Riverside
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Thursday Night Out
July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2023
Downtown Oak Park’s popular dine-around series Thursday Night Out is back! Thursday Night Out runs every Thursday June 1st to August 31st from 5 to 9pm. Downtown Oak Park restaurants offer a variety of drinks, appetizers, entrees and desserts on the Thursday Night Out menu and allow diners to eat inside or carry out. Tables are also set up outside for patrons to enjoy dining al fresco.
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La Grange Farmers Market
July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2023
The La Grange Farmers Market will run rain or shine every Thursday 7 am - 1 pm through October and will feature 30 local and regional small batch vendors. It's located on Harris Avenue between La Grange Road and Sixth Avenue. Convenient free parking is available nearby. The market will provide fruits, vegetables, flowers, breads and other items. The juicy produce is picked the day before you buy it, when it's ripe and ready to eat.
Location: La Grange
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Riverside Arts Center Exhibitions
July 9, 2023
The Riverside Arts Center is pleased to present three new exhibitions with opening receptions. The Annual Members Exhibition opens at the Freeark Gallery, the Annual Kid’s Show opens at the FlexSpace, and Joe Fournier’s solo exhibition opens at Riverside Town Hall. Light refreshments will be served in the sculpture garden with a private happy hour for adults across the street at the Quincy Street Distillery.
Location: Riverside Arts Center, Riverside
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Oak Park & River Forest Gangster Tour
July 9, 2023
Immerse yourself in the history of organized crime in Chicago, focusing on the lives and careers of many of Chicago’s most famous gangsters. The tour focuses on gangster history in Oak Park and River Forest as you visit the exteriors of 13 houses that were once owned by major Chicago hoodlums, including Tony Accardo, Paul Ricca, Sam Giancana, “Tough Tony” Capezio, and “Machine Gun” Jack McGurn.
Location: Oak Park, River Forest
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Franklin Park Summer Concert Series
July 11, 18, 25, 2023
Every Tuesday evening join the Park District of Franklin Park at their annual Summer Concert Series. The concerts are held at the baseball fields at North Park. The bands will start playing at 7:00pm. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets for comfortable seating during a night of musical entertainment!
Location: North Park, Franklin Park
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Shop Outdoor Sidewalk Sale
July 13-16, 2023
The Downtown Oak Park and Hemingway District businesses in Oak Park are joining forces for this end-of-season sidewalk sale! Shop the summer's hottest sales at 15+ fantastic retailers all within walking distance. Check below to see the full list of participating retailers and a sneak peak at what they're offering!
Location: Oak Park
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Thursday Night Summer Concert Series
July 13, 2023
You can’t spell grooves without Roos, and we’re gonna be movin’ and groovin’ at the Roos Pavilion on select Thursday nights this summer at the Park District of Forest Park Summer Concert Series. These free concerts will take place from 6:30-8:00pm with Mr. Myers playing June 22, The Flat Cats playing July 13, and HiFi Superstar playing August 10!
Location: Roos Pavilion, Forest Park
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Berwyn Concerts in the Park
July 13, 2023
Rock out this summer with us in Berwyn for their Concert in the Park music series! Enjoy the sweet sounds of the summer in the most beautiful park in Berwyn at Proksa Park! Bring a chair, picnic basket, and relax to some of the most magical music in all of western Chicagoland.
Location: Proksa Park, Berwyn
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Elmwood Park Summer Concert Series
July 13, 27, 2023
Meet us in the Elmwood Park Circle all summer long for lovely live music at their Summer in the Circle Music Series. The music starts at 7pm but get there early to get your spot. The July 13th performer is Chicago Tribute Anthology: a tribute to Chicago and the July 27th is Anthem's Grand Illusion: a tribute to Styx.
Location: Elmwood Park Circle, Elmwood Park
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A Midsummer Night's Dream
July 13, 2023
Shakespeare’s timeless fantasy follows three separate but intertwining stories–the Lovers, the Mechanicals, and the Fairies–over the course of a single night. As each thread mingles with the next, the forest becomes an enchanted playground in which affections are misdirected and the limits of love are tested before order is restored. Experience this joyful production as it was truly meant to be performed…outdoors under the canopy of beautiful Austin Gardens.
Location: Austin Gardens, Oak Park
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Friday Night Concert Series
July 14, 21, 28, 2023
Bring your coolers, blankets, and chairs to Brookfield every Friday throughout the summer for magical music that plays into the night! The picnic pavilion at Kiwanis Park is a great setup for live music and with a variety of musical performances. Bands start at 7pm and will play until 8:30pm but get there early for the best seat in the park
Location: Kiwanis Park, Brookfield
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In Ernie's Footsteps
July 14, 28, 2023
A 90-minute outdoor tour explores young Hemingway’s connections to Oak Park. Sites to be visited include the Birthplace Museum, Boyhood home, Oak Park & River Forest High School, Oak Park Public Library, Congregational Church and WWI War Memorial in Scoville Park. You will be guided by Dr. Nancy Sindelar, author of Influencing Hemingway: The People and Places That Shaped His Life and Work. Included with the tour is a copy of the book, Influencing Hemingway.
Location: Hemingway Birthplace Museum, Oak Park
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Franklin Park Street Dance
July 14, 2023
You don’t want to miss this unforgettable annual Summer event! Live music, local food vendors, children’s activities and much more will fill the street. Bring your family out to Franklin Avenue and a fun-filled summer night with your Franklin Park friends and neighbors.
Location: Franklin Park
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Concerts for Conservation
July 14-15, 21-22, 2023
This July, Brookfield Zoo will host their summer concert series, Concerts for Conservation! Enjoy four incredible evenings of live music while relaxing in their beautiful park surrounded by wildlife and nature. Get ready to bring your appetites, blankets, lawn chairs, family, and friends! This year's lineup includes Soul Asylum with The Verve Pipe, Macy Gray, the Plain White T's and more!
Location: Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
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Historical Society of Forest Park
July 15, 2023
Join us and the Historical Society of Forest Park on Saturday, July 15th from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm as beautiful outdoor spaces and gardens of Forest Park are showcased. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of the event. Guidebooks are picked up the day of at Centuries and Sleuths at 7419 Madison St.
Location: Forest Park
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La Grange Craft Fair
July 15-16, 2023
Come explore the hand-crafted items from dozens of vendors from throughout the Midwest. Named one of the top 200 craft shows in the country, the 49th annual La Grange Craft Fair will offer a broad range of hand-made wares, from original paintings and yard art to handmade clothing, jewelry, soaps and accessories. Located along La Grange Rd and Harris Ave, the Craft Fair will take place from 10am - 5pm each day.
Location: La Grange
Event Website
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Bubble Works
July 15-16, 2023
Wonder Works Children’s Museum will host an outdoor festival to celebrate the magic and science of bubbles. For two days, children and their families can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities involving bubbles in all shapes and sizes. Tickets to this outdoor festival will include admission to Wonder Works. In addition to access to all 8 museum exhibits, Bubble Works activities will include a giant foam pit with a foam cannon, making different size bubble wands, and much more!
Location: Wonder Works, Oak Park
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Sunday Funday Yoga Brunch
July 16, 2023
Start your Sunday relaxing at Cheney Mansion with an all-levels, one-hour yoga practice on the grounds with one of the Park District's expert instructors. As a reward, enjoy and socialize with your fellow classmates during a lovely brunch on the patio. In the event of rain, yoga and brunch will take place inside Cheney Mansion. Delicious, yet healthy savories and just enough sweet not to make your feel guilty. Two drinks are included in your registration.
Location: Cheney Mansion, Oak Park
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Summer Nights Hillside
July 18, 25, 2023
Join us for Summer Nights in Hillside. A summer night filled with live music, classic cars, fantastic local food, a makers market, and much more ever Tuesday starting July 18th going until August. All festivities are in the Hillside Commons and start at 5:00pm with the concerts starting at 5:30pm and 7:30pm.
Location: Hillside Commons, Hillside
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Bonfire and Brews
July 20, 2023
Are you interested in supporting local breweries and learning about their businesses and their passions? Come to the patio of Cheney Mansion throughout Spring and Summer to sample what they have brewing! Mix, mingle and chat with the local brewers around the fire pits at Cheney Mansion as you taste what's brewing. Snacks will be available to help with your tastings.
Location: Cheney Mansion, Oak Park
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Park Party
July 20, 2023
Spend an evening with your neighbors and meet Park District staff as you enjoy a free barbeque. Staff bring bubbles, chalk, and other play equipment. These casual gatherings are part of a four year park tour where every park in the district has a party. Staff hand deliver invitations to each neighborhood.
Location: Little Pearl Park, Franklin Park
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Movies in the Park
July 21, 2023
Movies in the Park are back this summer in Forest Park! Join us for a Friday in June , July, and August, as we hang out on the Administration Building front lawn and enjoy a movie on the big screen. They'll bring the popcorn, you bring the snacks (concessions will also be open), grab your blankets and chairs and get ready for a Friday night out. July's feature film is the Bad Guys. This event is totally FREE and registration is not required.
Location: Park District, Forest Park
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Movies in the Park
July 21, 2023
Join us for a summer full of some of the best flicks out there! Grab a blanket, dinner or snacks and join us under the stars to enjoy action, fun and song! Movies are all free and open to the public – no pre-registrations needed, simply show up and enjoy! July's feature film is Jurassic World Dominion.
Location: Scoville Park, Oak Park
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Intelligentsia Cup - Brookfield
July 26, 2023
Cycle Brookfield is bringing competitive cycling to Brookfield with the Cycle Brookfield Criterium. As part of the Intelligentsia Cup Series, the Cycle Brookfield Criterium is a one-day, all day event expected to welcome upwards of 1,000 amateur and professional cyclists, and race fans from around the world to Brookfield on Wednesday, July 26. Racing starts at 11am!
Location: Directions, Brookfield
No Glove Nationals Softball Tournament
July 27-30, 2023
Get ready to experience one of Chicago's most unique sports, with a history that goes back to the late 19th century! The No Glove Nationals Tournament in Forest Park, is an annual tournament that celebrates the game of softball. Regarded as one of the top softball tournaments in the country, the No Gloves Nationals is known for the quality of competition and the tradition of playing Chicago’s game without gloves.
Location: 16" Softball Hall of Fame, Forest Park
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Beats & Brews
July 28-30, 2023
Join us for an inaugural weekend festival where local music, art, makers, & craft beer take center stage! Imperial Oak Brewing is partnering with their neighbors at Vines and Vinyl to showcase over a dozen local musical acts under their big top! They'll also have an amazing lineup local vendors all three days with a larger market happening Sunday produced by Bead Streetz. Check the full music lineup below!
Location: Imperial Oak, Brookfield
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Uncorked
July 28, 2023
Summertime is the best time to enjoy an evening of music and drinks outdoors at the Oak Park Conservatory. Celebrate summer in the Rubinstein Garden with friends under the night sky. Admission includes two drink tickets and an appetizer! Music will be played by Tim Coan accompanied by local artist, Olive and Well as well as food prepared by Mulata Kitchen.
Location: Oak Park Conservatory, Oak Park
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Summer Concert Series
July 28, 2023
Each month this summer join us in the Vial House Museum Park. Bring your chair, food, and beverage and enjoy the concert! Take some time to enjoy this year’s museum exhibit too! All donations & tips will go The La Grange Area Historical Society. Back again this summer are The Stone Cats playing something for everyone including rock, blues and jazz from all eras.
Location: Vial House, La Grange
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World Nature Conservation Weekend
July 29-30, 2023
Spend the weekend in beautiful Riverside enjoying nature!
Events (free and paid) are planned throughout Saturday and Sunday. Birding, arboretum tours, kayaking and other activities will showcase the natural beauty of the landscape. There’s something for all interest and ability levels. Some events require registration.
Location: Riverside
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Historic Olmsted Walking Tour
July 30, 2023
The Fredrick Law Olmsted Society offers regular monthly tours. Join us for the first of season on May 25! Come see the preservation of Olmsted’s vision for Riverside and catch a glimpse of his concern for humanity, nature, sense of community and the innovative and thoughtful essence of his work.
Location: Riverside Train Station, Riverside