Chicago Weekend Guide Packs Blues Festival, Pokémon GO Fest and Cubs Games Into a Packed June Lineup
CHICAGO, IL — Chicago is heading into one of its busiest early-June weekends, with a mix of big-ticket festivals, free citywide celebrations and a full slate of concerts and sports. The lineup runs June 5 through June 7 and gives locals and visitors plenty of ways to fill a summer calendar.
From Grant Park to Northcenter to Hyde Park, the weekend ranges from barbecue and art fairs to electronic music, soccer and baseball. FOX 32’s roundup pulls together 35 events across the city and nearby suburbs.
Major festivals anchor the weekend calendar
Several marquee events are expected to draw the biggest crowds. The Chicago Blues Festival returns June 4 through June 7 with four days of free performances honoring the city’s signature sound, while Pokémon GO Fest Chicago brings players to Grant Park for an immersive experience with tickets starting at $33.
Ribfest Chicago is back in Northcenter for its 26th year, pairing barbecue with live music, bourbon tastings and family activities. Lincoln Park Greek Fest also returns June 5 through June 7 with food, dancing and cultural traditions at St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
For art fans, the 79th annual 57th Street Art Fair will feature more than 150 artists in Hyde Park, alongside live music, food vendors and family programming.
Concerts and sports add even more options
The music calendar is just as crowded. Venues around the city are hosting Bleachers Forever at The Salt Shed Outdoors, Joshua Bell at Martin Theatre, Iration with Tribal Seeds at Riviera Theatre, Loud Luxury at Radius and Conrad Tao at Orchestra Hall, among many others.
Melissa Etheridge will also perform Sunday night at Brookfield Zoo Chicago as part of the Roaring Nights series, with zoo admission, parking and rides included with concert tickets.
Sports fans have plenty to choose from too. The Chicago Cubs face the San Francisco Giants in a three-game series, the Chicago Sky meet the Connecticut Sun and the Chicago Wolves take on the Colorado Eagles. The U.S. Men’s National Team also plays Germany, adding a rare international matchup to the mix.
Families and weekend planners still have free or low-cost choices
Not every event on the list carries a ticket price or a stadium-scale crowd. The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is hosting a free Kickoff to Summer Picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday on its front lawn, with games, bounce houses, face painting, STE(A)M activities and giveaways.
That range is part of what makes the weekend stand out: Chicago’s early-summer schedule blends neighborhood festivals, museum programming, live music and pro sports into one dense weekend. For anyone looking to plan ahead, the city’s June 5 through 7 calendar is already full.
Chicago's music scene, one story at a time — Chicago Music Guide.
