The 21 Best Outdoor Concerts Coming to Chicago This Summer

Every Chicagoan is familiar with a handful of traditions — street festivals, Malört shots and telling everyone who will listen that “next year is definitely the Bears’ year.”

And of course, there’s the ultimate Chicago tradition: cramming as much fun into your summer as possible to make the winter slightly more bearable.

There’s still time to make your summer one to remember by taking in an outdoor concert (or 21!). These are our top picks.

July

Because all roads in Chicago somehow lead to Lollapalooza …
Lollapalooza at Grant Park, July 29 – August 1

Because there’s no fancier excuse than “Sorry, I’m busy tonight — I’m going to the symphony” …
Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia, July 29

August

Because we still don’t have an answer to “if I go crazy, then would you still call me Superman?” …
3 Doors Down at Tinley Park Amphitheater, August 5

Because there are two types of people in this world: Ben Harper fans, and people who haven’t listened to Ben Harper yet …
Ben Harper at Canal Shores Golf Course, August 7

Because for better or worse, they just don’t make music anymore like they did in the early 2000s …
The Hella Mega Tour at Wrigley Field, August 15

Because you feel like rehashing the “NSYNC or Backstreet Boys?” debate for the first time in a decade …
The Boy Band Night at NEWCITY, August 19

Because it’s like a trip to the beach without having to deal with sand getting everywhere …
The Beach Boys at Ravinia, August 21 and August 22

Because there’s no such thing as too much time at Ravinia …
Lake Street Dive at Ravinia, August 26

Because you still think of Marina City as the “Wilco Towers” …
Wilco and Sleater-Kinney at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, August 28

Because even if you don’t own a pick-up truck, you can still listen to music like you do …
Zac Brown Band at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, August 28

Because who doesn’t want to see Adam Levine’s move like Jagger IRL? …
Maroon 5 at Wrigley Field, August 30

September

Because you’ll drive all the way to Milwaukee to see Chicago’s Sweetheart …
Chance the Rapper at Summerfest, Sept. 3

Because Lollapalooza’s too mainstream …
North Coast Music Festival, Seatgeek Stadium, Sept. 3-5

Because five words: Neko. Case. At. A. Brewery. …
Neko Case at Temperance Beer Co., Sept. 4

Because deep down, you’re pretty sure you could sing as well as John Legend if you really tried …
John Legend at Ravinia, Sept. 5

Because what’s a better match than the King of Funk and award-winning beer? …
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic at Temperance Beer Co., Sept. 5

Because you still aren’t totally sure what is and isn’t ironic …
Alanis Morissette at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Sept. 11

Because it’s time for you to get your annual photo with The Bean …
Angel Melendez and 911 Mambo Orchestra, Millennium Park, Sept. 13

Because that tie-dye shirt isn’t gonna wear itself …
Dead and Company at Wrigley Field, Sept. 17-18

Because where else can you see New Found Glory and Run the Jewels on the same weekend? …
Riot Fest, Douglass Park, Sept. 17-19

Because omigod, ’80s music is still, like, totally tubular …
New Order and Pet Shop Boys, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Sept. 30