Things to do in Black Chicago
Last update: 7.28.26 at 6:10 am CT - Events will be updated regularly.
🏢 Company (if different from venue) | 🎟️ Event + Ticket hyperlink | 📍 Venue
🛍️ Marketplace 🎤 Open Mic 🎉 Party/Social 🏀 Sports 🎭 Theatre ✈️ Travel 🌿 Wellness; NB=NonBlack
Experiences
🎶 Candlelight Concerts | Candlelight: Tribute to Lauryn Hill (You must purchase early; next show - Sep 5) | Congress Plaza Hotel
Fever Experiences
Unique experiences from immersive art exhibits and candlelight concerts to food events, comedy shows, pop-up experiences, and more.
Events
Featured Event
Summer Neon Days
A day party/social mixer that brings good vibrations from across Chicago for an afternoon of music, live art, interactive games, cocktails, and genuine connection.
This season, we're choosing high vibrations and making memories with people who feel like sunshine. This day is a reminder that joy, too, is a part of life’s plan.
Multiple Dates
🎆 Free summer fireworks every Wednesday at 9:00 PM and Saturday at 10:00 PM through Labor Day weekend (ending September 5, 2026).
🎨 Jul 24 - Aug 21: Revolutionary: The Exhibition | Viola Cafe and Events
🎫🎶Jul 30 - Aug 2: Lollapalooza Weekend | Grant Park
🎫🎶Jul 31 - Aug 2: Black Women's Expo f/ KeKe Palmer + Joy Ann Reid + Le'andria Johnson (tickets) | McCormick Place
🥩🎫 Jul 31 - Aug 2: Italian Beef Festival | 4822 N Long Ave, Chicago
Tue, Jul 28
🍿🌳 Free Outdoor Movie: Hamilton | Millennium Park
🎶 Tuesdays on the Terrace: Free live jazz on the museum terrace | MCA Chicago
🎶 Vernard Live: The R&B Revival | City Winery Chicago
🎫🎶 Neyo + Akon Live |Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
🎉 Sigma Chris | DND: Tuesdays are for Drake (every Tuesday night) | Bar Tabu
Wed, Jul 29
👜📚🌳 COACH | The Tabby Tour: Explore Your Story Edition | Millennium Park
🍿🌳 Movies in the Park: Black Panther | Gallagher Way
🎉 Lucid Dreams | Carbon Chicago
Thu, Jul 30
🎨 Beyond Me World x Spifster x MCA | COLOR ALCHEMY: Art Therapy Workshop (FREE) | Southside Sanctuary
📚 Meet Up & Read Up: Silent Reading Gathering | The Great Lawn of the Obama Presidential Center
🎶🥙🛍️ The Last Thursday Night Beats & Bites | Roosevelt Collection
🏐 Get Served Chi | Sun-Days at the Beach: Co-ed Volleyball + Music | 57th Street Beach
🎉 Friday, Jr. | Wellsey Tavern
Fri, Jul 31
🎨🎉 Art Battle Chicago | SPIN Chicago
🧴 Jergens Joy Club Tour | Pioneer Court (401 North Michigan Ave, Chicago)
🎫🎶Lollapalooza: Queen Key + Peter Cottontale + Little M.U. + Sherrion + Corr Kendricks | Titos's Stage (Grant Park)
😮💨🎉 Parle Fridays: Pass Me the Hookah | Arabia Cafe + Hookah Lounge (1046 N Milwaukee)
🍹🎉 Happy Hour | ETC Chicago
🎉🌍 JAMA! | AfroRave f/ Kwamzy: The Afro Electronic Music Experience | Zhou B Art Center
🎉 Icehaus Events | Some Sexy Fridays 4U | Hue Chicago
🎉 Aced Spade | Bom Tempo | The Revel Room
🎉 Off the Grid | All Summa | Blind Barber
🎉 DJ Kid Clay (no cover) | Punch House (downstairs)
🧛🏾🎉 That's So Rubes x The LinkUp Collective | Summerween: Summertime Costume Party Experience | 868 Events
Sat, Aug 1
🎉🌍 BLK Chicago | Summer Neon Days Social Mixer/Day Party (Neon colors encouraged) | Hoste Cocktails (Pilsen)
🏖️🎉 Icehaus Events | Ratio x Day Off Beach Party | Cafe Olivia at Ohio St. Beach
🏖️🎉 Elevate Social x Kevin White | Chicago Beach Bash | Whispers Beach
🎉 Strictly Vibez | Asake Night | Pearl Club
🎉 Neon Paddle | The Sunset Club | Aire Rooftop Bar
Sun, Aug 2
🎺🍲 Jazz x Gumbo: Jazz Funk On Vinyl | Sophy Hotel
😂 Riddles Comedy Club For R&B Bingo | Riddles Comedy Club
🚣🏾 Neon Paddle | Neon Sessions (A New Sound Every Sunday) | Ping Tom Park
Mon, Aug 3
🎉 Afrobeats on the Beach | Pier 31 Restaurant, 3101 S DuSable Lake Shore Drive
UPCOMING EVENTS
Aug 5 | BLK in the City | After Five: Happy Hour Meetup for Black Creatives + Professionals
For those who've outgrown the club but still love a good night out.
📍Wellsey Tavern, 613 N. Wells
5PM - 8PM
Live Music Band f/ Lauryn Hill Tribute
FREE (must RSVP)