What's on Dec June 23, 2016
Follow me on facebook.com/BillyDec and twitter.com/BillyDec as I also share more EVENT INFO and FREE TICKETS as they come to me during the week. Enjoy!
Details: Cheesecake! Ribs! And Churros! Oh, my! Get your taste buds ready for every flavor Chicago has to offer, get a Taste of the windy city. Stock up on food tickets and grab bites at your favorite Chicago spots, and try out some places you just haven't made it to yet. While noshing at the multiple booths enjoy live music and drinks. Celebrity Chefs come together for "Chef du Jour" for a 3 course dynamite sit-down meal!
CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO TASTE OF CHICAGO'S CHEF DU JOUR!
Naperville RibFest, Friday July 1st- Monday July 4th, Knoch Park, $20-100
Details: The annual Naperville Ribfest is almost here, and this year the fest has even more to offer Huge musical acts! 3 Doors Down, Sister Hazel, Sheryl Crow, Gin Blossoms and more! Loads of delicious food, beer and wine, fireworks, and more will be offered at this year's fest!
CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO NAPERVILLE RIBFEST!
"Six Pack" Model Volleyball Games, Saturday June 25th, North Avenue Beach, 11am, $20-60
Details: Summertime in Chicago just got hotter, you don't want to miss this. Chicago Sport & Social Club has teamed up with Model Games Chicago in the sexiest tournament of the summer between Ford Models, Factor|Chosen and 10 MGMT in the 'Six Pack' Model Volleyball Tournament. Come cheer on the players and enjoy live music, competition, food and drinks and fun in the sun.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO THE SIX PACK MODEL GAMES!
Details: Over 300 vendors will be on site (indoor and outdoor) offering one of a kind home goods, art, antiques, jewelry, fashion, and more. Featured vendors include Sugar Creek Furniture Co, Vault Furniture, Hello Good Buys Antiques, Laura Barry Antiques, Mark Schuster Antiques, Rezak Antiques, Marco's Vintage, Wolfemusic, This Old Book, Ink & Loom, Atira Jewelry, Beltshazzar Jewels and many more.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO RANDOLPH STREET MARKET'S RED, WHITE AND COOL!
Details: Wine distributors will be sampling their wines inside retail businesses throughout Lakeview East. Sweets shops in the neighborhood will also be sampling sweets and treats along the routes. In this event's inaugural year, we will be featuring two routes, North and South. With the purchase of a Wine & Sweets Stroll ticket you will receive a commemorative wine tasting glass, over 24 different wine samples, delicious local sweets and two Laugh Factory tickets. Enjoy exclusive retail discounts only offered to participants during the event.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO WINE AND SWEETS STROLL!
LPGA's UL International Crown Tuesday July 19th-Sunday July 24th, Merit Golf Club, $20-$205
Details: Top female golfers from across the world compete over four days at the Gurnee Mills course. The Crown brings international golf stars like Lexi Thompson, Minjee Lee, Ariya Jutanugarn and Charley Hull to Chicago...this is not your typical hushed tournament, fans are encouraged to clap, cheer and support their favorite players!
CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO LPGA'S UL INTERNATIONAL CROWN!
Night Heist, Friday June 24th, The Art Institute Chicago, 9pm-12pm, $130-$175
Details: Dress in your most fab 1930s cocktail attire for an evening of art, live music, and drinks. The night will feature the exhibition America after the Fall: Painting in the 1930s with work from Edward Hopper, Grant Wood Georgia O'Keeffe and more. The art will focus on the economic, political and aesthetic climate of the time period. Proceeds from the night benefit the Art Institute of Chicago.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO NIGHT HEIST!
FitzGerald's 34th Annual American Music Festival, Friday July 1st-Sunday July 4th, $35
Details: Calling all music lovers! The unique American roots festival is back, with an amazing line up. The four-day festival focused on any and everything American- jazz, bluegrass, rock, soul and so much more will certainly find a place in your soul. The festival is held on the grounds of the club with performances held in the club, Sidebar and the outside stage. Festival goers will have access to a full bar, BBQ food, and seating for the best experience.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO FITZGERALD'S 34TH ANNUAL AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL!
Details: It's the complete, unofficial parody recap of HBO's hit series Game of Thrones, abridged. "We've crammed all of the characters, plots, sex, drama and battles of the first 5 seasons into a single show. We dare to kill the characters that George R.R. Martin let's live." After the show, join us for a drink after the show, location TBA
CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO GAME OF THRONES' A SWARM OF SPOILERS!
Pride Parade, Sunday June 26th, Noon, Broadway & Montrose, FREE
Details: "Solidarity Through Pride" is the theme of the 47th annual Pride Parade. Come and celebrate the equality of everyone, with a mind-blowing parade with floats from business and groups around the area, marching band and performance groups. It'll be a party you won't want to miss!
The Chosen Few DJs Music Festival, Saturday July 2nd-Sunday July 3rd, Jackson Park, $25-1500
Details: Responding to fan demand for more music, ground-breaking DJ/production collective The Chosen Few DJs today announced details of its inaugural Chosen Few DJs Music Festival. Originally called the "Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic"-and nicknamed the "Woodstock of House Music" for its family reunion vibe-the event began in 1990 as a small gathering of friends that has grown to draw more than 40,000 fans each year, making it one of the world's oldest and largest events dedicated to house music.
Fourth of July Fireworks, Monday July 4th, Dusk, Various Towns, FREE
Details: Enjoy the tradition of fun and festive fireworks this 4th! Some of the best shows in the Chicagoland area are Arlington Heights, Navy Pier, Evanston, Glenview, Itasca, Lake Forest, Naperville and Skokie!
Country Beach Party, Saturday June 25th, North Ave Beach,11am-6pm, $10-$30 (Giveaway)
Details: Slide into your cowboy boots and get ready to party! Get ready to take over North Ave Beach with BBQ, Beer and your favorite country jams. Tickets ($30) include DJ, games, and six vouchers for food or drink and general admission tickets ($10) are good for entry only. Don't miss the "merica reppin, BBQ eating and Beer drinking party of the summer.
Details: Festival of Life is a diverse community summer event that attracts tourist from various destination and is widely embraced by all nationalities since its inception in 1993. IFOL showcases, the many diverse cultures and music from many nations. A special Earth, Wind and Fire tribute in memory of R & B legend Maurice White will be performed.
B96 Pepsi Summer Bash, Sunday June 26th, Allstate Arena, 6:30pm, Prices Vary
Details: A Chicago summer staple! Enjoy the tunes of Ariana Grande, Calvin Harris, Meghan Trainor, Charlie Pluth, Mike Posner and Daya performing their greatest hits!
TechWeek Chicago, Thursday June 23rd-Saturday June 26th, Multiple Locations FREE-$200
Details: Calling all techies! Techweek Chicago is back! This is your chance to see new technologies, meet fellow technologist, and hear speakers from some of the top companies. So grab your iPad and get ready to get your mind blown.
Paradise Pride Pool Party, Friday June 25th, Soho House, 2pm-10pm, RSVP Required
Details: Sweat it out to sexy R&B, disco and dance hall sets with Kristen, Tess, Audio Jack and special guest Hijo Prodigo (Chances Dances) set in a tropical dreamscape on Soho's roof. Tropical attire is highly encouraged; prizes for the fiercest looks.
Bitter Jester Battle of the Bands, Friday June 24th, Navy Pier, FREE
Details: Grab your pals and get ready to ROCK! Head to Navy Pier to check out 25 of Chicagoland's talented future rock stars, competing for more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. One member of the band must either be in high school or a recent graduate (ages 13-19). Winners chosen by a panel of judges will play their hearts out in the final competition July 4th at Wolter Field in Highland Park.
Details: Jimmy Buffett is well known for his amazing live performances, but his latest concert tour - "Welcome to Fin Land" - is a relief to many of his fans. Feel the islands all around you, just don't forget your grass skirts, Hawaiian shirts and coconut bras!
River North Challenge, Tuesday June 28th, 5pm-9:30pm, River North Hotels, $45-$480
Details: Put on your thinking caps and grab your sneakers! The River North Challenge is back, teams of four (teams should be equally "thinkers" and "sneakers") will take part in a series of challenges scattered around River North Hotels. At each checkpoint teams are required to complete physical and or mental challenges- the winners will win the ultimate River North prize basket.
Frontier Days Festival, Thursday June 30th-Monday July 4th, Arlington Heights, FREE
Details: Come one, come all to Frontier Days! From carnival rides to funnel cakes, this is one festival not to miss. Bring the entire family for live music from bands like the Plain White T's and The Wallflowers, the Arts & Crafts marketplace, Pottery, Volleyball and Soccer tournaments, face painting, and so much more- there's something for everyone!
OakFest, Thursday June 30th-Monday July 4th, Oak Forest, FREE
Details: OakFest is the fest you've been waiting for! From live music to food to bingo there's something for everyone. Sign the family up for the bean bag tournament or watermelon eating contest. Check out the bands playing every night and Monday don't miss the firework show! Grab your family, friends and neighbors chow down on funnel cake and get ready for fun!
Windy City RibFest, Friday July 1st-Sunday July 3rd, W. Lawrence Ave & Broadway, Donation
Details: Rib lovers rejoice! Ribfest is back and saucer than ever! National Ribbers create sauces that will blow your mind! While your hands are covered in delicious sauce jam out to Cowboy Mouth and Liquid Soul. RibFest will also have activities for the kids such as arts and crafts and an activity area. Make sure to try ribs from Aussom Aussie Australian BBQ, BBQ King Smokehouse, Chicago BBQ Company, and more!
Mystic Blue Boathouse, Beginning June 20 on Weekdays and Sundays, from Navy Pier, $14.95-$29.90
Details: It's Boathouse Cruise Season! Perfect for families, tour groups, lunch dates or an afternoon getaway! On board entertainment includes DJ music and dance floor, super-sized Jenga and Connect Four, shuffleboard and other games. Food and beverages are available to purchase as well!
Lisle's Eyes to the Skies Balloon Festival, Friday July 1st- Sunday July 3rd, FREE
Details: What's better than a carnival for your family, that benefits charities? Come out and enjoy a fun filled day with the family. From the craft fair, to the local bands, funnel cake, and the hot air balloon launches, everyone in the family will have something to do.
Details: Adele released her third album 25 on November 20th and it went straight to #1 in over 100 countries around the world. In the U.S., Adele's 25 is the only album to sell over 3 million copies in one week and the only album to sell over a million albums in 2 separate weeks. 25 is the #1 album in the U.S for three consecutive weeks since its release.
Mount Prospect Lions Club Festival, Thursday June 30th-Monday July 4th, Melas Park, FREE
Details: 5 full days of food, bands and rides and of course, fireworks! Celebrate our nation's Independence Day with friends and family during this 78th annual fest!
Northwest Fourth-Fest, Tuesday June 30th -Sunday July 5th, Hoffman Estates, FREE
Details: Family friendly fun for all ages! Arts and crafts, a rock-climbing wall, face painting, petting zoo, zip line and so much more. Enjoy two nights of fireworks as well!
Details: The nation's only free, outdoor classical music series of it's kind. Each summer, the fest presents 10 weeks of free classical concerts to all of Chicago!
Details: The 16th annual Movies in the Parks series kicks off June 4th, and features more than 250 outdoor screenings of current and classic movies in parks across the city. Bring a picnic basket, blanket, and your friends and family and enjoy a movie in the parks. All movies begin at dusk, weather permitting.
Bob Dylan Concert, Friday June 24th, Ravinia, 7:30pm, $49-160
Details: Grammy, Golden Globe and Academy Award winning Bob Dylan is back at Ravinia for the first time since 1964 (back then, he was billed as Robert Dylan!) His folksy music has spanned over 5 decades and is enjoyed by many!
Millennium Park Summer Film Festivals, Tuesday July 5th-August 30th, 6:30pm, FREE
Details: Grab a seat in the pavilion or bring a picnic for the Great Lawn and enjoy the free outdoor movies at Chicago's architectural gem, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
Jazzin' at the Shedd, Wednesday July 6th-Sept 14, Shedd Aquarium, 5pm, $18-20
Details: You don't have to be blue- we have beluga whales and blues music! Enjoy an evening at the Shedd Aquarium with drinks, critters and music.
Details: The festival boasts multiple stages for music, dance, fun contests, a children's area, cultural exhibits throughout the building, shopping, as well as the staples of any good festival;
beer and food! It's a great weekend for the whole family.
Color in Motion 5K, July 9th, 9AM, Montrose Beach, 9am, $30
Details: As you sprint, jog, waddle, or leisurely stroll along the course you will be bombarded with bright colors that transform a group of ordinary runners into a moving rainbow!
http://www.colorinmotion5k.com/#!chicago/eqjnd
Tour de Fat, July 9th, Palmer Square, 10am, Free-$15
Details: Since its inception, Tour de Fat has raised more than $4 million, and raised over $600,000 dollars last year alone. The events kick off with a costumed bicycle parade that winds through city streets, ending in a city park. That's when eclectic entertainment takes over from musical acts to yo-yo performers, bike contests and even vaudeville acts.
Details: July isn't the only thing that's sizzlin' hot, the burgers are too! The grills are fired up and ready to char some juicy meat! Bring the entire family for fun, in addition to burgers, the fest will have a kids zone, live music and of course beers!
Arts and Crafts Festival, Saturday July 9th-Sunday July 10th, DuSable Museum, FREE
Details: A celebration of creativity in African American heritage that begins and ends with an artistic explosion. Our signature weekend long celebration, marking many different contributions from the African American community to a global cultural landscape. Entertainment line-up, to be announced.
Tournament of Champions, Sunday July 10th-Tuesday July 12th, McCormick Place, $40
Details: Now entering its 16th season, the Tournament of Champions in Chicago has long been considered the most competitive NCAA observation event in the country. Held since 2013 at McCormick Place - the largest convention center in North America - the tournament is now the largest single venue team event for boys or girls in the world. It routinely attracts more college basketball coaches than any event of its kind, drawing an actual 661 in 2015 (counting across all NCAA Divisions, NAIA, and NJCAA). The tournament is also a stop for Nike's prestigious Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL), and is one of just four Nike-sponsored girls' events in the United States.
Details: Offering an exciting line-up of 18 free outdoor concerts every Monday and Thursday. This series has been reimagined to feature a wider variety of genre-defying music from top local, national and international artists - both established and emerging.
Health and Fitness Expo, Friday July 15th- Saturday July 16th, McCormick Place, Times Vary, FREE
Details: Two-day expo featuring the latest in running technologies, fitness apparel, health and nutrition info and interactive displays!
Windy City Smokeout, Friday July 15th-Sunday July 17th, 560 W. Grand, $30-475, Times Vary
Details: The foremost BBQ and country music festival in the Midwest! In it's 4th year, more than 40,000 guests come out for a weekend-long event where attendees enjoy BBQ, craft brews and some of country music's biggest names!
Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon, Friday July 15th-Sunday July 17th, Course along the Lake, $15
Details: Humana Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon returns for its 8th year in 2016. Prepare for a weekend of running fun starting with a health and fitness expo on Friday and Saturday, with experts, tips and gear. On Saturday, run a 5K - the perfect shake out before Sunday's half marathon and 10K. Plan to run both days and earn the bonus Remix Challenge medal!
Concussion Legacy Foundation 2016 Chicago Honors, Thursday June 23rd, 6pm, University Club, $125
Details: The Chicago Concussion Coalition invites you to the 2016 Chicago Honors in downtown Chicago as they honor Dr. Steve Devick for his continued dedication to solving the concussion crisis. Also featuring a panel discussion and Q&A with Super Bowl Champion Gary Fencik & Friends.
Phish Concert, Friday June 24th & Saturday June 25th, Wrigley Field, 7pm, Prices Vary
Details: Jam out at Wrigley with a classic American band known for musical improvisation, extended songs, blending of genres and a VERY dedicated fan base!
