The River North Design District announces this year’s annual River North Fall Gallery Walk, presented by Daniel Kinkade Fine Art, on September 9. The walk comprises 22 locations with special events throughout River North, featuring 31 artists and 20 designer vignettes. The Gallery Walk’s phi…

Greektown Chicago’s popular Taste of Greektown festival returns for its 32nd year this summer with one of the city’s largest celebrations of Hellenic cuisine and culture. The event will take place Friday, August 26 through Sunday, August 28, along Halsted Street from Adams to Van Buren. The …

Hi there! I’m WINDEE, the official mascot for Chicago Star, and I’m so excited to share my adventures with YOU!

The Cause: Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) hosted its annual Giordano Legacy Ball at the Ravenswood Event Center recently. The event honored Homer Hans Bryant, former GDC Assistant Artistic Director and former principal dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and now Founder/Artistic Director o…

Schedules are subject to change. Call venues to confirm event information. To submit events or advertise on this page, email info@chicagostarmedia.com

To some, New Buffalo, Mich., a quiet escape an hour east of Chicago, could be labeled as quaint. But quaint doesn’t quite do the town justice. Not when you factor all the wonderful lodging and dining experiences that await you in this peaceful lakeshore town.

Waiting for the corn stands to open, anticipating friend-filled picnics in the American Legion Park and visiting with former classmates at my No-Class Reunion are just a few of the many activities I look forward to every summer in my little hometown of Dupo, Illinois, nestled near the banks …

2022-2023 will be an ambitious and exciting season for Music of the Baroque, the ensemble’s 52nd.  The season marks the 20th anniversary of the appointments of Music Director Dame Jane Glover and Principal Guest Conductor Nicholas Kraemer and features the St. Matthew Passion, the monumental …

Chicago’s historic Printer’s Row neighborhood sets the stage for the South Loop’s most hip and cool art fest! The Printer’s Row Art Fest, in conjunction with the South Loop Neighbors and the Greater South Loop Association, celebrates its fourth year on Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14.  

Get ready for a first look at fall fashion at “Cinema Paradiso,” this year’s chic fashion show, popularly known as “The Day on the Terrace,” and benefiting The Service Club of Chicago. This exciting runway presentation (produced by ZZAZZ Productions) and luncheon, will take place on Monday, …

Green Tie Ball XXX is BACK at a new venue and with an exciting new theme, “Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes”! Join co-chairs Meg Newton Satherlie and Joanna DePorter as they team up to bring this always popular fundraiser to benefit Chicago Gateway Green, a nonprofit dedicated to the greening and …

The Community Marketplace on the Chicago Riverwalk, a popular local destination for recreation and dining, has reopened to the public, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfood announced Wednesday.

The Millennium Art Festival, a top-ranked three-day show, will pop up in the heart of Chicago’s vibrant downtown (Lake Street at Michigan) on July 15, 16 and 17. This jam-packed fair will feature the art of 130 juried artists from across the country.

The River North Design District announces this year’s annual River North Fall Gallery Walk on September 9. The walk is comprised of 22 locations with special events throughout River

Judging from the jam-packed, well-heeled crowd at Le Colonial Lake Forest, its grand opening was a great success! The beloved restaurant has slowly opened with some family and friends nights leading up to the official opening on Wednesday, July 6, at 655 Forest Avenue. Tucked into a charming…

The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), welcome back one of the city’s favorite summertime festivals, Taste of Chicago, July 8-10 to Grant Park. See ALL details and music schedules below.

Navy Pier wil host the world premiere of Joffrey Ballet’s “Rita Finds Home,”on Saturday July 9 – Sunday, July 10 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Navy Pier Lake Stage, located in Polk Bros Park. The family-friendly ballet performance is free for all to attend.

The City of Chicago and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will present the 2022 Chicago Air and Water Show, August 20 and 21 along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach serving as show center from 10am to 2pm daily. Established in 1959 an…

Saddle up this summer, grab your friends, throw on your boots and cowboy hat, and head outdoors to the largest immersive cowboy experience in downtown Chicago, Jack's Big City Ranch Pop Up! Ride the mechanical bulls, throw some axes, race a go-karts, take your best mini-golf shot, or kick ba…

Here’s some food for thought: there are over 7,000 restaurants in Chicago, each competing for your taste buds. With so many restaurateurs hungry for your business, many have discovered that it’s not just what you eat—it’s how you eat it, and mastered the art of combining delicious delectable…

Looking for a way to cool down this summer? Chicago has over 50 free outdoor pool and splash venues. Lots of these pools have separate splash pads and water playgrounds, and a few even have water slides, a la Wisconsin Dells.

The Cause: Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation hosted Bear Tie Bash, a fanciful fundraiser held at Wintrust’s Grand Banking Hall in the Loop. Themed “Magic in Bloom,” the event attracted nearly 400 colorfully clad guests and raised over $500,000 to support families and kids battling…

I’ll meet you at the AMC 21 this Friday or maybe over at Webster theater, Archlight or the Icon theater—whichever is more convenient. Wait a minute, I think the Archlight Theaters went under and the AMCs are nearly bankrupt. Actually I can’t go this Friday after all ‘cause I’m still binge wa…

Summer in Chicago is magical and one of the best ways to experience our majestic city is on the water. With 28 miles of Lake Michigan Lakefront and the Chicago River cutting through the middle of our city, water is the heart of Chicago.

What touring attraction is 32 ft. tall, holds its own DJ and goes “Boing?” Why, the world’s biggest bounce house, of course! Guinness-certified as the world’s largest bounce house, The Big Bounce America rolls into Chicago July 22-24 and 29-31 at Busse Forest Park.

Check out Chicago Star’s top event picks. (If you have an event you would like us to include, please send info to: info@chicagostarmedia.com.)

Chef Steve Coppolillo began his culinary career early, at age 14, in his home kitchen in Dyer, Indiana. His mother’s homemade dishes became a canvas for his inspiration. He took the recipes he learned and challenged himself to find unusual, out-of-the-box ways to turn them into something ext…

There was double star power on stage for the Gene Siskel Film Center’s 50th anniversary celebration last night, June 25, at the Center at 164 N. State. And, even though it was a virtual event, it was LIVE and oh-so exciting! The crowd filled two theaters for the presentation of the annual Re…

The Chicago Food Truck Festival returns for Season 9, a taste of Chicago culture, food trucks, foodies and safe fun. The event on June 25/26 will feature some of Chicago's top gourmet food trucks, games and live music.  

Porchlight Music Theatre broke previous records for revenue and attendance for its annual fundraiser concert last month at the Museum of Contemporary Art. This year’s event, "Chicago Sings Stephen Sondheim," celebrated the life and work of Stephen Sondheim, a legend in the world of musical t…

The highly-anticipated, third permanent museum from Color Factory officially opens in Chicago this Friday, June 17th. The beloved destination will immerse Chicagoans in art and color with experiences that engage all the senses including 15 new installations and exciting artist partnerships a…

Louvre Fantastique: The Exhibition is making its world premiere in Chicago this July! The world's most famous art collection comes to life in this dynamic, interactive exhibit from the creators of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition and The Art of Banksy: "Without Limits." See the …

The 29th annual “Artists of the Wall Festival” is returning to Rogers Park for Father’s Day weekend. The free interactive festival will hit Loyola Beach June 18 with 160 vibrant murals, 12 live bands, dance performances and kids’ activities.

A new public art installation featuring large-scale portraits of people "wearing" Chicago icons will be unveiled June 21 when Pinstripes presents "Chicago Looks Good on You" at its Chicago River East location. The public is invited to attend the celebration and take part in interactive activ…

The annual Strawberry Festival, a decades old tradition in downtown Long Grove, is returning in all its sweet summertime glory following a couple years hampered by the pandemic. The same full-scale event that has inspired so many thousands to turn out to the historic town year after year for…

Chicago Sport and Social Club will host its annual Volleywood festival, which is expanding this year to two days, July 16/17, of live music, food and interactive experiences on the sands of North Avenue Beach (it's one of the city's last remaining beachfront music fests).

On Fridays and Saturdays in July, Brookfield Zoo will host its summer concert series, Twilight Tunes! Enjoy 10 evenings of live music while relaxing in their beautiful park surrounded by wildlife and nature. Get ready to bring your appetites, blankets, lawn chairs, family, and friends!

Celebrating 10 years, “Night Out in the Parks” returns to locations across Chicagoland on Saturday, June 11 through Friday, June 17.  Parks across the city will come alive with robust cultural events – bringing neighbors together to laugh, dance, sing, and engage. New events are added regula…

Navy Pier is sounding the call for Chicago music-lovers with the return of its annual “Chi-Soul Fest” in celebration of African American Music Appreciation Month. The two-day music festival celebrates Chicago soul music and traditions at two lakeside, outdoor settings, the Navy Pier Beer Gar…

Simply From The Heart, a nonprofit that provides free in-hospital care services for seriously ill patients, will host its 2nd annual fashion show fundraiser on Wednesday, June 22, 6:30 pm, at Medinah Country Club (6N001 Medinah Rd., Medinah, IL).  The event will be co-hosted by Rob and Linds…

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum will be commemorating its 14th birthday on June 25 with a (ticketed) party for the public, featuring music, film and a classic car. It will be the first event held in the historic 1926 John B. Murphy Memorial Auditorium since the Museum acquired it earlier this year.

The Fairmont Chicago has been busy planning all sorts of summer fun including its ongoing Lakehouse, a delightful experience that provides the ultimate in-town getaway (through mid-September), and now, it's latest activation--Drag Me to the Fairmont!

Check out Chicago Star’s top event picks. (If you have an event you would like us to include, please send info to: info@chicagostarmedia.com. )

Rooftop venues offer great views, fun and games

The Fields of Michigan, a glamping—glamorous camping—resort located just outside South Haven, Mich., and just two hours from Chicago, is an epic outdoor experience to add to your summer plans this year. Irene Woods, founder of the Fields of Michigan, has built a space for her guests to conne…

Illinois’ largest waterpark, Raging Waves, will open to the public on Saturday, June 4, just in time for summer! Guests will be able to experience various attractions including 32 water slides, a wave pool, three kiddie pool areas, relaxing lazy river, 43 private cabanas, and more. Thrill se…

Color Factory Chicago, an interactive art museum, will open Thursday, June 16 at the Willis Tower, lower level 2 (233 S. Wacker).  Since the 2017 opening of its first pop-up in San Francisco, Color Factory has grown into a series of flagship locations in New York and Houston, and now with a …

Chicago's best loved treasure hunt, Randolph Street Market, will return (at last) to where it all began in the West Loop/Fulton Market neighborhood (1341 W. Randolph),  July 30+31, 2022. In its 19th season, minus the years of Covid prohibition on large gatherings, this mid-summer extravaganz…

Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district will host the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance June 4-5 for “Rosemont Uncorked,” an annual event that celebrates music, food and wine.