Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
Taste of Chicago
Yes, you’ll find dozens of food vendors at Taste of Chicago, but there’s much to explore between bites. Common, Babyface and Julieta Venegas top the lineup across two stages of music. Or you can try your own hand at performing: Sign up for karaoke or groove with Chicago SummerDance (free lessons available). Or test yourself with Chicago trivia. For families, check out art activities, bounce houses and the Ferris wheel. And for those whose Independence Day festivities were spoiled by rain, go to the Drone and Fireworks Spectacular at 9:15 p.m. July 10. Through July 12 in Grant Park, along Columbus Avenue between Balbo Avenue and Monroe Street; details on the free event at www.chicago.gov
Windy City Smokeout
If you prefer country music, head to the United Center parking lot for the Windy City Smokeout. Hootie & the Blowfish, Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton and Jordan Davis headline the five-day festival. Twenty-two vendors from the barbecue belt and beyond will serve up smoky treats. Through July 12 in the United Center parking lot, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $84.99 (kids 10 and under free) at windycitysmokeout.com
Lizzo with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Hear Lizzo play the flute with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra during its Grand Opening Night for the renovated Hunter Pavilion at Ravinia Festival. The program features Lizzo on Giulio Briccialdi’s “Carnival of Venice,” Léo Delibes’ “Sous le dôme épais” and her own “If You Love Me.” The orchestra will also perform Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to “Candide,” Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, Richard Strauss’ Suite from “Der Rosenkavalier” and the national anthem. 6 p.m. July 11 at Ravinia Festival, 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park; tickets from $40 at ravinia.org
Chosen Few Picnic
House music fans, Chosen Few Picnic has you covered all weekend. Start July 10 with Detroit in the House, a pre-festival party at Le Nocturne featuring Bruce Bailey, Glenn Underground and more. Then on July 11, head to Jackson Park for the main event, with DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Boolu Master, Barbara Tucker, Curtis “Move Your Body” McClain and more. An after-party follows at St. Patrick’s in Dolton. Finally, close out on July 12 at Soundbar with The World of House: Satellite of Love, featuring Chosen Few DJs Wayne Williams, Tony Hatchett, Alan King, Andre Hatchett, Terry Hunter, Mike Dunn and a special surprise performance. Picnic will be 8 a.m.-10 p.m. July 11 in Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island Ave.; details on all events and tickets at chosenfewdjs.com
Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band
The Steppenwolf actor, “Forrest Gump” star and musician Gary Sinise headlines Rockin’ for Our Vets at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, a fundraising event presented by the West Suburban Foundation for Disabled Veterans. The park opens at 2 p.m. and Sinise and company take the stage at 7 p.m. July 11 at Cantigny Park, 1S 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton; tickets $52.16-$103.61 and parking information at cantigny.org
Ella Mai
The Grammy Award-winning British R&B singer-songwriter Ella Mai performs at the Salt Shed. She’s touring with her third studio album, “Do You Still Love Me?” 7 p.m. July 10 at the Salt Shed Fairgrounds, 1357 N. Elston Ave.; tickets from $159.50 at saltshedchicago.com
Chuy Lizárraga and Julio Preciado
Known for their sonorous voices, Chuy Lizárraga and Julio Preciado join together to bring an evening of banda sinaloense to Allstate Arena. Expect big-brass arrangements and plenty of sing-alongs. 8 p.m. July 11 at Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont; tickets from $114.65 at rosemont.com
MUBI Fest Chicago
The indie streaming company hosts a film festival this weekend across the Salt Shed, Music Box Theatre and Gene Siskel Film Center. It opens with Jane Schoenbrun’s “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma,” starring Hannah Einbeinder and Gillian Anderson. It continues with screenings of cult classics (“Sleepaway Camp”); a scratch-and-sniff version of “The Substance” (starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley); a sing-along of Lonely Island’s “Popstar”; Kelly Reichardt’s “The Mastermind” accompanied by a live score; anniversary screenings (“The Fly,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “The Royal Tenenbaums”); a Q&A with filmmaker Alex Russell (“The Bear,” “Lurker”); a concert by Current Joys and more. Through July 12 at various venues in Chicago; tickets from $13 at mubifest.com
G-Fest 2026
It’s been 70 years since “Godzilla, King of the Monsters!” first premiered to American audiences. It was a heavily edited version of the 1954 Japanese original, now featuring scenes with Raymond Burr. But even after all these years, the monster’s atomic breath is pretty potent. Fans will gather this weekend in Rosemont to examine every facet of Godzilla specifically and kaiju more broadly. If you’re counting the days until “Godzilla Minus Zero” debuts in November, this is your event. (And even if Godzilla isn’t your thing, check out “Godzilla Minus One.” It’s a fantastic film by any measure.) Through July 12 at Hyatt Regency O’Hare, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr, Rosemont; tickets from $45 (children 5-12 $30, under 5 free) at g-festcon.com
“Symphony of Dance: Encore”
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert Hough (of “Dancing With the Stars” fame) return to Chicagoland with their stage show, “Symphony of Dance.” Some back story: During a performance of the show in late 2023, the couple knocked heads, initially thinking nothing of it. Hayley later collapsed due to a burst blood vessel requiring brain surgery and significant recovery. The story is chronicled in a documentary, also named “The Symphony of Dance,” that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. 8 p.m. July 10 at Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont; tickets from $65.75 at rosemont.com
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com
