Summertime … and the livin’ is easy.
For many, summer is the best season. The kids are out of school, the weather is warm and sunny, and there’s just so much to do! Vacations and sports take up some time, but what about those lazy dog days, where you have no plans? Well, we’ve got that covered. Here’s a one-stop guide to all the best ways to celebrate the summer of 2024 in the Chicago suburbs and northwest Indiana.
Festivals offer all types of outdoor fun
The Taste of Park Ridge will be held July 18-20 at Uptown Park Ridge. (Caroline Kubzansky / Pioneer Press)
Here’s a handy guide to area festivals in the Chicago suburbs and northwest Indiana. While we try our very best to be thorough, we may miss a few. If we miss your fest, email the details for wweber@tribpub.com and we can get it online.
Also, this year we say goodbye to a few longtime favorites — so long, LaGrange Park Summerfest and South Elgin World of Faeries Fest. So, it’s best to check your town’s website or social media to see what’s going on in your neck of the woods.
Get some culture at art shows
Amy Amdur has been presenting art shows through Amdur Productions for 41 years. She started with a single show with about 40 artists in Highland Park. This year, she’s got 21 festivals and works with about 2,000 artists a season.
“One of the things that’s really cool, when I look back, is that people who were in our youth art division have come back as adult artists,” she said.
Quench your thirst at brew fests
There’s nothing like a cold beer on a hot summer day and beer fests are a perfect way to try new varieties.
Grab your sunscreen, your pretzel necklace and any other accoutrements you might need and get ready to add some beer events to your summer bucket list.
Make a splash at water parks
While a day at the beach is everyone’s idea of a good time, it can’t happen every day.
But you’re in luck — there are dozens of water parks in the area, all ready to show you a good time this summer.
Grab your towels and your SPF 100 sunscreen and let’s show summer 2024 how it’s done.
Have a bite at area farmers markets
Fresh vegetables, eggs, flowers, locally sourced honey — all are quintessential trappings of a farmers market.
There are dozens and dozens of these little slices of Americana happening all over the Chicago ‘burbs this summer. All are free to attend (unless otherwise noted.) Many markets accept the Link card.
