Gospel Music Festival, Savannah Bananas, WNBA All-Star Game, Disability Pride Parade, and Fulton Market Grand Prix Headline Weekend Special Events in Chicago

Summer Safety Resources for Social Media, Newsletters, and More

CHICAGO - With many festivals, concerts, and athletic events this weekend, the City of Chicago is advising residents and visitors to be aware of street closures, additional crowds, increased traffic and to plan accordingly.  The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is reminding residents and visitors of security measures in place and stresses the importance of always being aware of your surroundings and to report suspicious activity to on-site event security or by calling 9-1-1.  

The City of Chicago will have citywide deployments for the weekend to ensure the safety and security of the public.  The OEMC will also coordinate security efforts and resources amongst the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department and City of Chicago infrastructure departments, city agencies and private partners 

Report Suspicious Activity: If you See Something Say Something. The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities. City of Chicago :: If You See Something, Say Something 

Residents and visitors are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC app before heading out. The app is a great tool to receive alerts, safety tips, the weather forecast, street closures, event information and more. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit Chicago.gov/OEMC

Gospel Music Festival

Friday, July 24, 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Saturday, July 25, 12:00 p.m. - 9 p.m.

This free inspirational music festival brings audiences of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate the power of music. Enter at Michigan Avenue & Washington Street, Michigan Avenue. & Madison Street, Randolph Street or Monroe Street. For more information, please visit: City of Chicago :: Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Chicago Disability Pride Parade

Saturday, July 25 11:00 a.m.

Chicago's 23rd annual Disability Pride Parade begins on Saturday morning with a procession along Dearborn from the Harold Washington Library to Daley Plaza, then a celebration in the plaza with music, food, accessibility information, child-friendly activities, and more. For more information, please visit: 23rd annual Chicago Disability Pride Parade

WNBA All-Star Game

Saturday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.

The City of Chicago has been selected to host the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game, marking the second time the Windy City will welcome the league's premier midseason event. The 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game will take place on Saturday, July 25 at the United Center.

In addition to the game, fans will enjoy a multi-day lineup of events and activations across the city, including:

• The 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge, which will take place on Friday, July 24^th at Wintrust Arena, home of the Chicago Sky.

• WNBA Live, the league's interactive fan festival featuring player appearances, performances, and celebrating the WNBA's intersection with fashion, music and culture, will take place at McCormick Place.

• Community impact events highlighting the WNBA's commitment to youth engagement around Chicago and at the Sky's brand-new practice facility in Bedford Park.

Savannah Bananas at Wrigley Field

Friday, July 24, 7:00 p.m., Saturday, July 25, 4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 26, 3:00 p.m.

The Savannah Bananas have announced that their upcoming Banana Ball World Tour will include three separate shows at Wrigley Field in 2026! Their performances at the Friendly Confines are scheduled for Friday, July 24, Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, 2026. For more information, please visit: The Savannah Bananas at Wrigley Field | Chicago Cubs

Jack White at Salt Shed

Friday, July 24, 5:30 p.m.

Musician Jack White plays The Salt Shed on Friday night. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. For information, please visit: THE SALT SHED

Wicker Park Fest

Friday, July 24, 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Saturday, July 25, 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Sunday, July 26, 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Wicker Park Fest celebrates the neighborhood's rich musical heritage, vibrant nightlife and top-notch restaurants across three days. Milwaukee Avenue from Division Street to North Avenue will be closed for the fest. For more information, please visit: Wicker Park Fest - Wicker Park & Bucktown Chamber of Commerce

Chinatown Summer Fair

Saturday, July 25, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., Sunday, July 26, 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

The 46th Annual Chinatown Summer Fair is one of the most ethnically unique outdoor events in Chicago and the Midwest. Attracting more than 40,000 people from throughout the region, Chinatown Summer Fair is a true celebration of Far East beauty and culture including food, art and music located on Wentworth Avenue from Cermak Avenue to 24th Place in Chicago.  Admission is free. For more information, please visit: Summer Fair - Chicago Chinatown Community Foundation 芝城華埠基金會

Randolph Street Market

Saturday, July 25, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 26, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Randolph Street Market Festival returns to Chicago's West Loop on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., transforming 1341 W. Randolph St. into one of the country's most beloved treasure hunt destinations. For more information, please visit: Randolph Street Market - Chicago Antique, Vintage, & Designer Festival

Taste of Lincoln Avenue

Friday, July 24, 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Saturday, July 25, 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Sunday, July 26, 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The 42^nd annual Taste of Lincoln Avenue kicks off this Friday through Sunday. The Taste of Lincoln Avenue goes north on Lincoln Avenue from Fullerton, with the main entrances at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue, Fullerton Avenue, and Halsted Street. The festival is conveniently located just off the Fullerton CTA Red, Brown and Purple lines as well as near the #8 Halsted and #74 Fullerton buses. For more information, please visit: TASTE OF LINCOLN AVENUE CHICAGO - Chicago's Best Street Festival & Fundraiser

Fulton Market Grand Prix

Sunday, July 26, 8:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

For 14 years, Chicago Grit has brought high-speed criterium racing to neighborhoods across Chicagoland. Each course and town is unique, and our races are spectator-friendly with local vendors, music, block parties, and festivals. The race-course begins at Morgan Street and Fulton Market Street, then goes east to Sangamon Street, south on Sangamon to Lake Street, west on Lake to Racine Avenue, north on Racine to Fulton Street, and back to the starting line at Morgan Street. For more information, please visit: Home - Chicago Grit

Navy Pier Summer Fireworks

Saturday, July 25, 10:00 p.m.

Experience Navy Pier's free, award-winning fireworks with dazzling displays over the lake and iconic skyline views. Enjoy the spectacular display every Wednesday at 9 PM and Saturday at 10 PM, free from May 23rd to September 5th. For more information, please visit: Summer Fireworks | Navy Pier

Pole Markers/Location Identifiers

For public safety on the lakefront, event and concert attendees are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area as well as along DuSable Lake Shore Drive from 5700 North to 6600 South and various points along the lakefront trail. The pole markers help reference their location within the park to event security and first responders if there is an emergency.

Motorists in the areas where events are happening should be prepared for heavy traffic and possible reroutes. There will be some street closures in effect for larger events to ensure public safety. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at events citywide to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic. Public transportation is encouraged. For more information on CTA services and reroutes, visit transitchicago.com or call 312-836-7000 from any area code/1-888-YOUR-I CTA.

Weather and Public Safety 

OEMC will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. We encourage residents to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date weather information, please tune into local media or download a weather app.   

OEMC will issue any alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.  Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org. OEMC also issues TEXT alerts for lakefront notices and issues affecting businesses: 

• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT "CHILAKE" to 7-8-0-1-5 

• CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT "CHIBIZ" to 6-7-2-8-3 

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook(facebook.com/ChicagoOEMC), TikTok (ChicagoOEMC), X (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and Threads (@chicago_oemc_911).