Summer arts 2025: All you need to know for movies, concerts, food festivals and more

Here are all of the Tribune’s guides and critics’ picks for summer 2025. Our writers and critics make their Top 10 lists and recommendations for this season’s TV, movies, music, theater, books, dance events, concerts, food festivals and more.

Theater for summer 2025: Our top 10 from ‘42 Balloons’ on Navy Pier to Amy Morton back at Steppenwolf

Charlie McCullagh and ensemble in the musical "42 Balloons" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. (Kyle Flubacker)

What’s on Chicago stages this summer? Our list also includes “Billie Jean” at Chicago Shakespeare and a new play by Kristofer Diaz. Read more from Chris Jones here.

Chicago’s museums for summer 2025: ‘Reptiles’ at the Field, brews at the zoos and ‘Spider-Man’ the exhibit

The new exhibition "Reptiles Alive!" opens on June 20 at the Field Museum in Chicago. (Provided by the Field Museum)

Experiences, not exhibitions, are coaxing folks off their couches and into cultural institutions. Read more from Hannah Edgar here.

Art for summer 2025: Top 10 exhibitions from Impressionists to protest art

A visitor views a Romaine Brooks self-portrait from 1923 at "The First Homosexuals" exhibit at Wrightwood 659 in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) — A visitor views a Romaine Brooks self-portrait from 1923 at "The First Homosexuals" exhibit at Wrightwood 659 in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

The Art Institute has a big summer show on Gustave Caillebotte, the Intuit Art Museum has reopened and “The First Homosexuals” at Wrightwood 659 is not to be missed. That’s just for starters. Read more from Lori Waxman here.

TV for summer 2025: 15 shows coming up, including the return of ‘The Bear’

From left: Ayo Edebiri as Sydney Adamu and Jeremy Allen White as Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto in "The Bear." (FX)

A look at 15 shows on tap in the summer months, when streaming is your best bet for new and returning series. Read more from Nina Metz here.

Top 10 summer movies: ‘Fantastic Four,’ meet ‘Jurassic Park 7’ and the new man from Krypton

An 11-year-old boy imagines an intergalactic journey, and then gets one, in Pixar's "Elio." (Disney/Pixar)

A new “Superman,” a new “Jurassic Park” sequel, plus a few genuinely new un-franchised hopefuls fill the summer 2025 movie calendar. Read more from Michael Phillips here.

Classical and jazz for summer 2025: From concert halls to the open air of Millennium Park

Giancarlo Guerrero, here as a guest conductor, leads the Grant Park Orchestra in works by Joan Tower and Dmitri Shostakovich at Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion on July 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) — Giancarlo Guerrero, here as a guest conductor, leads the Grant Park Orchestra in works by Joan Tower and Dmitri Shostakovich at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion on July 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago summer looks to be as busy as ever, with classical and jazz programming packed with blockbusters. Read more from Hannah Edgar here.

Dance for summer 2025: Our top 10 includes ‘Superbloom’ at Botanic Gardens, tap and a super Joffrey premiere

Sterling Harris (center) leads a rehearsal of "Chicago Tap Theatre at 20: Tempo, Rhythm and Time" on Feb. 6, 2023, at the Visceral Dance Center in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

There’s also Cerqua Rivera, a weekend for emerging choreographers and the annual Dance for Life gala. Most of our selections are indoors, though you can find dance in the open air. Read more from Lauren Warnecke here.

Summer books 2025: Get lost among these 25 shelves, from Chicago to spiritual to just weird

Summer reading books top to bottom, "Pan" by Michael Clune, "Clam Down" by Anelise Chen, "King of Ashes" by S.A. Cosby, "Charlottesville" by Deborah Baker, "Spent" by Alison Bechdel, "So Far Gone" by Jess Walter, and "Murder Takes a Vacation" by Laura Lippman. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) — Summer reading books top to bottom, “Pan” by Michael Clune, “Clam Down” by Anelise Chen, “King of Ashes” by S.A. Cosby, “Charlottesville” by Deborah Baker, “Spent” by Alison Bechdel, “So Far Gone” by Jess Walter, and “Murder Takes a Vacation” by Laura Lippman. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

“Someday, when I open a bookstore and the big bucks roll in, I’ll display titles in narrow categories, ensuring no one finds anything and has to wander,” Christopher Borrelli writes. “This summer survey will be my trial run.” Read more here.

100 concerts for Chicago summer 2025 — starting with music this weekend

Alexandra Wimley / Chris Sweda / Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune

Charli XCX performs during Lollapalooza in Grant Park in 2017 (from left), Angus Young leads AC/DC at Wrigley Field in 2015 and Lil Baby performs at Lollapalooza in 2022. (Alexandra Wimley, Chris Sweda and Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Our picks for live music have the boldface names — Beyoncé, AC/DC, Lady Gaga and Oasis — as well as club dates and music festivals. Read the full list here.

Guide: 30 Chicago food and drink festivals for summer 2025

Morgan Schwerin, left, and Aerin Moberg eat Black's Barbecue while attending the final day of the Windy City Smokeout festival outside the United Center on Aug. 7, 2022, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) — Morgan Schwerin, left, and Aerin Moberg eat Black’s Barbecue while attending the final day of the Windy City Smokeout festival outside the United Center on Aug. 7, 2022, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Festivals are one of the best parts of summer in Chicago, ranging from blowout concerts to small neighborhood parties. Read more from Samantha Nelson here.

Patio guide: 25 patios in Chicago for 2025

Outdoor seating at il Carciofo in Chicago's Fulton Market, May 23, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) — Outdoor seating at il Carciofo in Chicago’s Fulton Market, May 23, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

The Tribune Food team dives into patios across the city that are worth exploring, from recently opened spots to patios featuring pizza under sparkling lights. Read the full list here.