Summer Chicago Traditions in August

It’s August in Chicago, and that means summer is almost near its end, but there are so many fun traditions to look forward to during this beautiful, festive month. Whether it’s an outdoor festival, music, art shows, or dining in the city, there are several things to do outdoors in the warmth and sunshine to soak it all up before winter appears.

If you keep these activities in mind and marked on your calendar each year, you already know how spectacular they are. And if you haven’t experienced yet but have heard great things, this is your summer to set the date and join in on the fun. Here are a couple of great summer Chicago traditions that happen in August each year.

The Air and Water Show

The largest FREE show in America, the Air and Water Show should not be missed. You can see the show along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the center from Aug. 17 to Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3p.m. For this year’s 2019 show, there are numerous performances, such as U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights.

For tips for planning your visit, you can visit online and learn more about parking, transportation, and other logistics.

Movies in Millennium Park

What better way to enjoy a film than in the glorious outdoors, amidst a crowd, and watching from a 40-foot screen on Tuesday evenings in all of August in Chicago? At 6:30p.m. each week, you can snag a spot on the lawn and watch a movie in an out-of-this-world experience you can’t find at home on your couch. (Plus, there are several other ways to enjoy Millennium Park in the summer, such as through the Summer Music Series or Summer Dance.)

Check the calendar for movies and dates, but you will be able to see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (PG13) on Aug. 13 and My Big Fat Greek Wedding (PG) on Aug. 20.

Jazzin’ at the Shedd

Spend a night with sea creatures at Shedd Aquarium while listening to jazz music from live musicians. Every Wednesday night in Aug. you can head to the Shedd and listen to three top-picked jazz performers and indulge in delicious food and drinks. It’s free for members and costs $19.95 for Chicago residents and $24.99 for nonresidents. The event goes from 5p.m. to 10p.m.

North Coast Music Festival

In addition to Lollapalooza, another festival that takes place the first weekend in August each year and is known to bring a crowd of all ages (notable performers for this 2019 lineup were Ariana Grande, Flume, 21 Pilots, and The Chainsmokers, among others!), North Coast Music Festival also appeals to all music-lovers and take place over Labor Day weekend, this year from Aug. 30 to Aug. 31.

Head to Northerly Island to rock out to electronic, indie rock, pop, and hip-hop from your favorite artists all weekend long.

If you haven’t already taken advantage of these fun August activities, it’s time to start now! Or you can even tackle all of them—sneaking in every last bit of Chicago’s beautiful summer. We bet you’ll enjoy yourself so much that you’ll add them to your own list of summer traditions for years to come.

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