Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of summer in Chicago — and the city knows how to celebrate. Each year, Chicago comes to life with spectacular fireworks displays, buzzing rooftop bars, scenic kayak tours, fun neighborhood festivals, waterfront restaurants with jaw-dropping views, and so much more. Here’s our roundup of just some of the top things to do in Chicago for Memorial Day weekend.

Check out Memorial Day festivals and events

A group of festival goers enjoy themselves while holding up a Puerto Rican flag at the Sueños Music Festival.
Sueños Music Festival

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of festival season in Chicago. Check out the top festivals, events, and markets happening during the holiday weekend.

  • Chicago Memorial Day Parade (May 23): Honor those who served during this downtown parade and wreath-laying ceremony.
  • Sueños Music Festival (May 23 – 24): Chicago’s reggaetón fest takes over lakefront Grant Park with a lineup of Latin hitmakers.
  • Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest (May 22 – 24): The lively Lakeview neighborhood hosts this Memorial Day weekend festival, with tribute bands, artisans, and beer and wine vendors.
  • Mayfestiversary (May 23 – 24): Enjoy live music, food trucks, and plenty of craft beer from beloved local brewers Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery.
  • Randolph Street Market (May 23 – 24): This European-style outdoor market showcases the best antique and vintage finds, including fashion, art, decor, and beyond.

Explore more: Check out our Chicago festival guide for more events throughout the year.

See the Chicago Memorial Day fireworks

Beautiful and colorful fireworks explode the boardwalk at Navy Pier and light up the night sky.

Navy Pier is known for its spectacular summer fireworks displays, which kick off on Memorial Day weekend. This year, the Memorial Day weekend fireworks show at Navy Pier will be held on Saturday, May 23 starting at 10 p.m.

While you’re there, make sure to save time to explore Navy Pier. This waterfront attraction features rides, restaurants, entertainment, and more. While you’re there, take a spin on the iconic Centennial Wheel, grab a drink at Offshore (the largest rooftop bar in the world), and check out more things to do at Navy Pier.

Take a boat cruise

A boat tour leader stands at the front of the boat with a microphone and speaks to a large group of people.

Chicago’s many lake and river cruises are a great way to see the city. Take a daytime river cruise to learn about our city’s groundbreaking architecture or set sail on a lakefront dinner cruise for dancing and dazzling views.

On Memorial Day weekend, there are plenty of cruises and boat tour options on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. Here are just a few:

You can also rent or charter a boat for your own private experience. Choose from yachts, retro two-seater vessels, tiki party boats, sailboats, and beyond.

Catch a Chicago sports team

A group of Chicago Fire fans get rowdy at a game wearing Fire jerseys while waving towels over their head.
Chicago Fire

There’s no better place to spend a summer afternoon than one of Chicago’s iconic stadiums.

This Memorial Day weekend, the beloved Chicago Cubs will play the Houston Astros on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Experience the electric energy of a day game at one of the nation’s oldest ballparks, filled with unique historic details like the hand-operated scoreboard.

This year, the Chicago White Sox will play a home game at Rate Field in the Bridgeport neighborhood on Memorial Day. Get your tickets to cheer on the White Sox as they face off against the Minnesota Twins. Get there early for pre-game tailgating and special giveaways.

Finally, the Chicago Fire FC will take the pitch at iconic Soldier Field on Saturday, May 23. The team will take on Toronto during the CFFC Soccer Celebration, which will include fan giveaways and a post-game Lupe Fiasco concert.

Hop on a kayak or paddleboard

A group of five Chicagoans kayak down the Chicago river in lime green kayaks during a sunny day.

Enjoy a unique vantage point of the Chicago skyline aboard a kayak or paddleboard. On the Chicago River, you can paddle through the heart of the city, where you’ll enjoy up-close views of the lively Chicago Riverwalk and some of the city’s most iconic buildings. Choose from rentals or guided tours.

You can also rent watercraft on the lakefront. Explore the waters of Lake Michigan with the skyline sprawled out before you, featuring picture-perfect views of landmarks like Grant Park, Navy Pier, the Lakefront Trail, and more. Join a tour or rent your own single or tandem kayak.

Explore more: Find more things to do outdoors with our guide to summer in Chicago.

Relax on sandy beaches

A Chicago beach on a beautiful sunny day filled with Chicagoans enjoying the nice weather as waves lap onto the beach.
Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz

Chicago has more than two dozen free public beaches, and they officially open for the summer season on Memorial Day weekend — so make sure to pack your swimsuit. Beachgoers in Chicago can swim, tan, paddleboard, jet ski, play volleyball, or head to a nearby beachfront bar to enjoy a cold drink with your toes in the sand.

Some of the city’s most popular beaches include:

  • North Avenue Beach: This beach volleyball hot spot is also home to multiple waterfront bars, jaw-dropping skyline views, and a buzzing atmosphere.
  • 31st Street Beach: Take advantage of water sports rentals, including jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, and more.
  • Montrose Beach: The city’s largest beach offers plenty of room to spread out, plus an adjacent fenced-in dog beach.
  • South Shore Beach: This scenic beach is nestled next to the historic South Shore Cultural Center and diverse natural areas.
  • Hollywood Beach: A popular LGBTQ+ hangout, this northern beach has a relaxed atmosphere and calm waters.

Check out our guide to Chicago beaches for more of the best places to soak up the sun along the city’s 26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Explore more: Chicago’s beaches are connected via the Lakefront Trail, a popular path for bikers and walkers.

See a show

Chicago audience members experience Theater of Mind, David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar’s one-of-a-kind immersive theater experience, directed by Andrew Scoville, produced as part of Goodman Theatre’s Centennial 100th Anniversary season.
Chicago audience members experience Theater of Mind, David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar’s one-of-a-kind immersive theater experience, directed by Andrew Scoville, produced as part of Goodman Theatre’s Centennial 100th Anniversary season.
Photos by Todd Rosenberg.

Chicago is known for its diverse live theatre scene, featuring everything from smash-hit musicals to the latest cutting-edge productions.

Grab tickets to experience it all for yourself, from Broadway in Chicago to neighborhood theatre groups. Here’s a preview of what’s coming to Chicago’s stages this Memorial Day weekend:

Check out more Chicago theatrical experiences over Memorial Day weekend.

Enjoy outdoor dining on Chicago patios

A woman sits in front of five margaritas and a platter full of tacos on the patio at La Vaca Margarita Bar during a sunnday.
La Vaca Margarita Bar

Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to hang out on a patio in Chicago, whether you want to eat alfresco by the waterfront or sip craft cocktails at a rooftop bar.

Or just stroll through any Chicago neighborhood, and you’ll find plenty of stellar alfresco spots, from charming sidewalk cafes to hidden garden patios.

Shop Memorial Day sales

A shopper sifts through a rack full of men's clothing at a boutique shop in Chicago.
Gemini

Don’t forget to take advantage of Chicago’s famous shopping scene as stores promote Memorial Day sales. From the big-name brands that line The Magnificent Mile to our locally owned neighborhood boutiques, start your summer with a fresh new wardrobe or snag the perfect Chicago souvenir.

Check out some of the city’s top shopping areas:

More things to do in Chicago this Memorial Day Weekend

A group of four friends bike on Chicago's Lakefront Trail with the water to the left and skyscrapers in the background.
Chicago’s Lakefront Trail; photo by Abel Arciniega, @tequilagraphics
  • Explore the Lakefront Trail, a paved 18-mile path that hugs the Lake Michigan shoreline and is a popular place for walkers, bikers, and runners.
  • Check out the blooming flowers at the Lurie Garden, an urban oasis in Millennium Park.
  • See the latest exhibits at Chicago’s top museums, featuring art, science, history, and beyond.
  • Go off the beaten path and dive into Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods, each offering its own unique vibe.
  • Explore the historic Garfield Park Conservatory and Lincoln Park Conservatory, home to hundreds of rare, native, and foreign plants.
  • Book a guided bicycle tour with Bobby’s Bike Hike, which offers fun options like a lakefront neighborhoods tour and a bites and brews tour.
  • Take a trip on the Chicago Water Taxi, which connects to popular locations like Chinatown and The Magnificent Mile.
  • Wander The 606, a 2.7-mile elevated trail that cuts through some of Chicago’s most hip and eclectic neighborhoods.