There’s nothing quite like summer in Chicago. All season long, you can play beach volleyball on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, kayak through a skyscraper canyon, have the time of your life at a music festival, sip cocktails from rooftop bars with skyline views — the list goes on and on. Here’s your guide to making the most out of summer in Chicago.

Enjoy Chicago beaches

Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz

Chicago is blessed with miles and miles of stunning lakefront beaches where you can swim, play volleyball, kick back in the sand, or enjoy a cocktail at a beachfront bar.

Looking to plan your perfect beach day? Let the kids run and play at Foster Beach, rent a beachfront cabana at North Avenue Beach, or enjoy the skyline views at Rainbow Beach.

If you’re looking to get active on the water, you can rent a jet ski, kayak, paddleboard, or fly board at Chicago Water Sport Rentals at 31st Street Harbor. Or embark on a kayak tour or paddleboard class with Urban Kayaks at Monroe Harbor.

Check out our guide to Chicago beaches for more ways to soak up the sun.

Visit the Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk comes alive each summer, when this bustling stretch of riverfront is filled with walkers, diners, and kayakers enjoying jaw-dropping views of the water and surrounding skyscrapers.

Here are a few ways to enjoy the Chicago Riverwalk in the summer:

Discover more in our guide to the Chicago Riverwalk. 

Explore major summer festivals and events

It’s not really summer in Chicago until you check out one of our legendary summer events, ranging from major music festivals to bucket list happenings. Here are a few of the top festivals and events to check out in Chicago this summer:

Summer music festivals in Chicago

  • Lollapalooza: Fans travel from around the world for this four-day extravaganza in Grant Park.
  • Windy City Smokeout: Beer, booze, and barbecue come together for an epic summer weekend.
  • Chicago Blues Festival: The largest free blues festival in the world is a summertime staple in Chicago.
  • Chosen Few Picnic: This laid-back festival celebrates Chicago-born house music in Jackson Park.
  • Chicago Jazz Festival: Close out summer with this free festival that brings jazz stars to Chicago’s Millennium Park.
  • Millennium Park Music Series: These popular free concerts bring local and national artists to the stunning Pritzker Pavilion.

Top summer events in Chicago

Chicago neighborhood festivals this summer

  • Puerto Rican Fest and Parade: This annual parade celebrates Puerto Rican culture and heritage in the Paseo Boricua area of Humboldt Park.
  • Chinatown Summer Fair: Immerse yourself in Chinese culture with traditional performances, music, food, art, and more.
  • African/Caribbean International Festival of Life: This family festival features music, food, arts, crafts, games, and more in Washington Park.
  • Ravenswood On Tap: Sip your way through Ravenswood, one of Chicago’s top craft beer neighborhoods and home to many small craft producers.
  • Old Town Art Fair: A long-standing Chicago staple, this open-air market has been showcasing artists from all mediums for 75 years.

Explore more: Check out our full summer festival guide for even more epic events all season long.

Get out on a boat

Each summer, Chicago’s many boat cruises set sail on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. There are tons of different Chicago boat cruise options for a variety of interests, from leisurely dinner cruises to fascinating architecture tours to high-speed thrill rides.

Hop on a Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise to hear the stories behind the city’s iconic architecture and historic buildings. Seadog Speedboat Ridesbring fast-paced thrills, Wendella offers a classic family-friendly cruise, and City Experiences has elegant dinner cruise options for an unforgettable evening.

You can also rent all types of boats, from small electric vessels to pontoon party boats, on the lake and river.

Explore all your options with our guide to Chicago boat cruises and tours.

Rent a kayak or paddleboard

If you’re looking to get your heart pumping, don’t miss kayaking in Chicago on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. You can join a guided your tour or rent a kayak to paddle at your own pace — both will offer jaw-dropping skyline views.

You can also check out paddleboard rentals and classes on the lakefront. For a unique experience on the water, check out Neon Paddle‘s lit-up evening tours featuring motorized paddleboards. Tours depart from Ping Tom Park in the Chinatown neighborhood.

See a movie under the stars

Millennium Park Pritzker Pavilion
Abel Arciniega :: @tequilagraphics

The free Millennium Park Summer Film Series is held at the soaring Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Tuesdays from July through August.

Take a seat in the Pavilion or lounge in the grass on the Great Lawn while old favorites and new blockbusters are presented on a state-of-the-art, 40-foot LED screen. Bring a blanket, a picnic, and enjoy the show!

You’ll find free events at Millennium Park all summer long, including the popular Millennium Park Music Series, when you can kick back and soak in the sounds of live music on a summer evening.

Catch a baseball game

Chicago Cubs
Wrigley Field; photo by Matt Alaniz

There’s no better place to spend a summer afternoon than one of Chicago’s iconic ballparks. The city is home to two MLB teams — the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs — that play their regular season from April through September.

The Chicago Cubs play their home games at Wrigley Field, one of the oldest and most iconic stadiums in the country. The Chicago White Sox take the field at Rate Field in Bridgeport, where you’ll find tailgating and fireworks displays.

Find waterfront and rooftop dining

Offshore Rooftop Bar
Offshore Rooftop Bar

Chicago is home to a wealth of outdoor dining options, whether you want to sip wine on a riverfront patio or enjoy a pina colada with your toes in the sand.

Or just stroll through any neighborhood in Chicago, and you’ll have plenty of stellar alfresco spots to choose from.

See a summer museum exhibit

Marvel's Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry; photo by Josep hEley

Summer brings a wave of blockbuster museum exhibits to Chicago’s acclaimed cultural institutions. Plus, it’s the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day. Check out what’s happening at Chicago museums this summer:

Enjoy the lakefront at Navy Pier

Navy Pier Shoreline Boats

Navy Pier is one of the city’s most popular attractions — and for good reason. There’s something for everyone to enjoy at this historic lakefront spot. Here are just a few of the many things to see and do there during the summer:

Check out our guide to Navy Pier for more all-ages fun.

Explore a city park

The Chicago Park District oversees more than 600 parks, with open space in just about every corner of the city. Millennium Park’s Lurie Garden is an urban oasis in the heart of the Loop. Also nearby, you can let the kids climb, skate, and play at the sprawling Maggie Daley Park.

Head to our neighborhoods for even more green space — work up a sweat with a bike ride or jog along The 606, admire the Japanese garden at Jackson Park, and meander down the nature boardwalk at Lincoln Park’s South Pond.