Use the days of summer to have some fun in the Chicago suburbs, northwest Indiana

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
Caroline Kubzansky / Pioneer PressThe 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.

Read more here.

Get some culture at art shows
Amdur Productions has run art shows for more than 40 years in the Chicago area. (Amdur Productions)

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.

Read more here.

Quench your thirst at brew fests
The Will County Beer and Bourbon Fest, held this year on June 8 at Hollywood Casino in Joliet, is a fundraiser for the Will County Habitat for Humanity. (Red Photography by Michelle)

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.

Read more here.

Make a splash at water parks
Kids enjoy cooling off in the summer at Splash Country in Aurora. (Mary Beth Nolan)

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.

Read more here.

Have a bite at area farmers markets
Formerly known as the Artisan Market, the Highland Park French Market runs Sundays through Sept. at The Lot in Highland Park. Open-air markets can be found in abundance this summer. (The Lot)

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.

Read more here.

Chicago Tribune , 2024-06-20 12:00:38

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