(Courtesy Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events)
1. Deal
Rare coins, paper money, gold and silver are among the variety of currencies you’ll find in the Chicago World‘s Fair of money. More than 500 dealers will be buying and exchanging currency, along with experts offering free appraisals of the public’s old money.
Details: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday to Friday; 10am-4pm Saturday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road. $10/person, free for children under 12 and ANA members (also free on Saturday) / MAP
Find more festivals: 2022 Summer Festival Guide
2. Listen
Take a trip to the historic Joilet Old Jail and shake your hips as the Blues Brothers party at Blue Brothers Con. This two-day event features Dan Aykroyd and James Belushi as the iconic “Elwood” and “Brother Zee” in a one-and-a-half-hour performance on Friday, along with a collection of local blues music, a re-enactment of Maxwell Street Chicago Market. and more
Details: 2-11pm Friday; 10:30 am-11 pm Saturday at the Old Joliet Jail, 1125 Collins St. Two-day general admission for adults $60 and $20 for children/students / MAP
3. Shop
If you are looking for unique traditional paintings, sculptures, photographs or furniture to purchase for your home or personal collection, see Evanston Art & Big Forkwith over 130 juried artists from around the country selling their unique work.
Details: Friday noon-5pm; 10am-5pm Saturday-Sunday at 800 Church St. Free / MAP
4. Chew
Local barbecue masters are preparing 50,000 pounds of pork over the next three days to compete for the titles of “Best Chops” and “People’s Choice” at this year’s competition. Chicago Ribfest. While sampling the best ribs in town, festival-goers can enjoy live music from local and national indie acts, and kids can be entertained in the Kids’ Square with activities like bounce houses and miniature golf.
Details: Friday from 5 to 10 p.m.; Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday through Sunday at Lincoln, Damen and Irving Park Road, 4000 N. Lincoln Ave. Free entrance / MAP
(Courtesy Rib Fest Chicago)
5. Crowd
Latin American musicians ranging from punk, reggae, electronica, rock, hip-hop and more take over Union Park annually Noise Festival. Headliners include Cuco and Babasonicos (Friday), Los Fabulosos Cadillacs and Carla Morrison (Saturday) and Cypress Hill and Maldita Vecindad (Sunday).
Details: Doors open Friday at 3 p.m.; 1 p.m. Saturday through Sunday at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. General admission $99.99; $199.99 three-day general admission / MAP
6. Handicrafts
the annual Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest features more than 120 artists and 30 musicians coming together to offer an art fair, live music on multiple stages, art-making activities for children, and live demonstrations of performance art and art-making. Musicians include Chicago rapper Psalm One, Chicago‘Award-winning Indo-Afro-Caribbean music ensemble Funkadesi and more.
Details: 6-10pm Friday; 11am-9pm Saturday, 11am-7pm Sunday at Rogers Park, 6900 N Glenwood Ave. / 1400 W Morse Ave. Free / MAP
7. snack
Take the day off and explore the vegetarian options at Chicago-area restaurants in Highland Park‘s VegFestwith music, meditation/yoga sessions and cooking demonstrations.
Details: 11 am-7 pm Saturday at The Lot, 523 Central Ave. Free entrance / MAP
8. Chug
Join some of Illinois‘the best craft breweries, local musicians and food vendors as they celebrate Oak Park Microbrew Review‘s 15th anniversary and raise funds for Seven Generations Ahead, an organization focused on fighting climate change and promoting healthy and sustainable communities.
Details: 2-6pm Saturday on Madison St. between Lake and Pleasant. General Admission $60 / MAP
9. Fly
Hundreds of aircraft, including the US Navy’s iconic Blue Angels, will display a variety of aerobatic stunts this year‘s Chicago air and water samplereturning after two years.
Details: 10am to 2pm Saturday to Sunday at the beach on North Ave. and by the lake, free / MAP
10. Memorialize
Crafters and scrapbookers of all levels will have much to explore and learn Expo of stamps and scrapbooks in Schaumburg. The exo testament includes hands-on workshops and door prizes.
Details: From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $10 entry / MAP
Events listed are subject to change. We recommend checking times and locations before heading out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.
