CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Chicago Loop, Lincoln Square, Evanston

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Mark your calendars for Wicker Park Fest! This is one of Chicago’s most anticipated summer festivals. From July 26-28, you’ll enjoy 3 days of fun and music! This festival reflects Wicker Park’s rich musical heritage, vibrant nightlife, and acclaimed restaurants. You can see over 50 bands on 4 stages, eat great local food, participate in arts and crafts, take your kiddos to a kids’ area, and shop at retail vendors. Click here for more information.

Lakeview: Cook great food and watch a comedy show- all in one night! Cooking & Comedy is Friday, June 21 at 7 pm. You’ll cook amazing recipes and watch 2 great comedy sets by local artists in between courses. You’ll be making Blue Cheese Bruschetta and Honey Bourbon Pulled Chicken Mini Sandwiches on homemade Rosemary Garlic Bread. Dessert is Chocolate, Cherry Cheesecake Crispy Wontons. You can also BYOB! Tickets are $59 per person and can be purchased here.

Lincoln Park: Beach Party is Chicago’s ultimate summer celebration! On Thursday July 18 at 6 pm, join PAWS Chicago for a luau you’ll never forget! Located on the Castaways beach yacht at North Avenue Beach, you’ll sip on frozen cocktails, soak up the sun, dance the night away, enjoy an open bar, have a fabulous dinner dinner, participate in live and silent auctions, take your pets for pet space services, participate in raffles, and more. Buy your tickets here now!

Chicago Loop: Celebrate 50 years of Pride in Chicago at Chicago Pride in the Park! On Saturday June 29 from 1 to 9 pm, this all-new fest will celebrate June’s Pride Month and will feature national and local performers. Featured performers include Iggy Azalea, Steve Aoki, Tamar Braxton, Taylor Dayne, Toddrick Hall and more. There will be fireworks at dusk, food and drink vendors including Bar Siena, Public House, and more. Pride in the Park will be at Butler Field in Grant Park, just north of Buckingham Fountain. Find more information about this fantastic event here

Lincoln Square: The summer edition of Damen at Night is here! On Friday June 21 from 5-9 pm, the businesses of Damen Ave are coming together to offer you an evening of shopping, drinks, entertainment, and discounts. It all happens right off the Damen brown line stop, between Eastwood and Argyle. Street musicians will be performing all along the route! Participating pop-up vendors include Hazel, Lena Rose Beauty, Sacred Art, Three Letter Birds, and more. In-store participants include Amy’s Candy Bar, Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits, One Key Yoga, Ravensgoods, and more. Check out the event map here.

Evanston: Fourth of July is coming right up! Evanston has got it going on with their Fourth of July Celebration! At 9 am on Thursday, July 4, start the day off right with games and activities for all ages at nine playground sites throughout the city. At 12:45 pm, there will be a Fun Run along Central Street. Then at 2 pm, there will be a giant parade down Central Street! At 7:30 pm, you can enjoy a concert at the lakefront followed by the grand fireworks display at 9:30 pm. Find playground locations, sign up for the fun run, and more here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO