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Chicago in Summer

· Updated · BootsnAll

Chicago is never better than in summer. June through August is the height of tourist season, and it's also when the city has the most going on. There are neighborhood street festivals nearly every weekend, free concerts in Grant Park, farmers markets, boat tours, 22 swimming beaches and a lakefront full of people who spent five months waiting for this. You'll have no trouble filling a long weekend in Chicago.

Summer weather

By the National Weather Service's 1991-2020 normals for O'Hare, June averages a high of 80.4°F and a low of 60.8°F, July 84.5°F and 66.4°F, and August 82.5°F and 65.1°F. July is the hottest month of the year. O'Hare averages about 17 days a year at 90°F or above, and humid heat waves push the heat index well past that, so most nights stay warm and sticky.

June and August are wetter than July, with a little over 4 inches of rain each on average. Summer rain mostly comes as short, loud thunderstorms in the late afternoon that clear the air, not all-day washouts. Early summer has one quirk worth knowing. Lake Michigan is still cold in June, so when the wind comes off the water, the beaches and Streeterville can feel a lot cooler than the forecast. Our Chicago weather page has all the numbers.

What to wear

Summer style in Chicago is all about comfort. Shorts, jeans and casual dresses are the norm, even at most good restaurants. Pack a swimsuit, sunscreen and sunglasses, plus a light cardigan or long-sleeve layer for cool evenings by the lake and aggressively air-conditioned theaters and museums. If the forecast calls for storms, bring an umbrella. More in what to wear in Chicago in summer.

Crowds and costs

Summer is when hotel rates are highest, and the big festival weekends push them higher still. Lollapalooza weekend and the Air and Water Show weekend are the two to watch. If you're flexible, weekdays cost less and the museums and beaches are calmer. For exact festival dates, check the city's festival dates page before you book, and see where to stay in Chicago and how to save money on your trip.

Beaches and the lake

The Chicago Park District has lifeguards on its beaches from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, 11am to 7pm, and entry is free. North Avenue Beach is the party beach, Oak Street is the one with the skyline view down Lake Shore Drive, and 12th Street pairs well with a museum day. Check the flag before you swim. You can also rent a bike or run the Lakefront Trail, or get out on the water on an architecture cruise or a lake tour (see sightseeing tours in Chicago).

Grant Park and Millennium Park

Most summer visitors end up in Grant Park at some point, and it's where the city throws its biggest parties. Buckingham Fountain runs its water shows on the hour, with lights and music after dark. At the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, the Grant Park Music Festival plays free classical concerts through the summer, and the city adds its own free summer music and film series. Bring a blanket and get to the lawn early. See free summer events in Millennium Park and Grant Park.

Festivals, month by month

June. The Chicago Blues Festival opens the big-festival season in early June, free, in Millennium Park. June is also Pride Month, and the Chicago Pride Parade runs on the last Sunday of the month through Lakeview and Northalsted (see gay Chicago). Street fests like Andersonville's Midsommarfest and the Old Town Art Fair fill the weekends.

July. The 4th of July means fireworks and packed beaches. Taste of Chicago is no longer tied to the Fourth. It's now a free, five-day festival in Grant Park, and in 2026 it was held in mid-July, but its dates have moved around in recent years, so check first. You pay for food and drink. Wicker Park Fest and Square Roots in Lincoln Square are two of the best street fests of the month, and SummerDance runs free dance lessons and live music through July and August.

August. Lollapalooza takes Grant Park for four days in late July or early August. The Air and Water Show fills the lakefront around North Avenue Beach in mid-August, and it's free. Northalsted Market Days and the Bud Billiken Parade on the South Side round out the month. Read our tips on attending the Air and Water Show.

The full calendar is on our holidays and events in Chicago page.

When it's too hot or it rains

Beat the heat in the city's museums, which are cold inside and big enough to fill a day, or see the city from a bus or boat tour. On nice days, pack a picnic. If a storm rolls in, try our list of things to do on rainy days.

More on each summer month

More summer reading: what to do in Chicago in summer and plan a summer long weekend in Chicago.

Photo by The West End