A Vibrant Chicago Sunday: Improv, Chinatown Fair, and Cultural Exploration

Welcome to “Things to do in Chicago” for Sunday, July 27, 2025! Whether you’re a local or a visitor, we’re here to help you make the most of your day in the Windy City.

After a weekend of powerful thunderstorms and record rainfall that brought flash flooding to parts of the city on Friday, Chicago is shaking off the wet weather and buzzing with energy as festival season peaks. Be sure to keep an umbrella handy—while the skies are mostly clearing, some spots may still have standing water and scattered showers in the forecast[2][8]. The city feels vibrant, fresh, and just a little steamy, with a lively pulse fueled by art, food, and culture.

Top picks to make today unforgettable:

- Immerse yourself in global comedy at the final day of iO Fest, Chicago’s largest improv festival, featuring over 120 acts and headliners like 3Peat, 2Square, and Improvised Shakespeare. It’s all happening at the iO Theater in Lincoln Park—don’t miss your chance to see world-class improv in the city that invented it[4].

- Celebrate the 46th Annual Chinatown Summer Fair—a beloved street festival with a lion dance procession at 12:30 p.m., music and martial arts, arts and crafts, mouthwatering street food, and a bustling children’s area. Admission is free, and you’ll find it on Wentworth Avenue near Cermak. It’s a joyful, family-friendly event and one of Chicago’s most colorful neighborhood gatherings[7].

- For a cultural afternoon, step into “Blondell Cummings: Dance as Moving Pictures” at the Chicago Cultural Center. This free exhibition highlights the influential work of choreographer Blondell Cummings, connecting postmodern dance with the traditions of Black home life. It’s a unique way to experience movement, photography, and history all in one[10].

- Looking for fitness inspiration? River North is hosting the Faces of Fitness Chicago festival through early afternoon—a Lollapalooza for fitness fans with classes, demos, and wellness activities. Perfect if you want to kickstart your Sunday with some self-care[6].

- If you want spectacle and wonder, Teatro Zinzanni is back inside the Spiegeltent ZaZou downtown, dazzling guests with a mix of circus, cabaret, and creative cuisine[9].

In local news, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced he won’t propose a property tax hike for the new budget, instead pledging to pursue progressive revenue streams to cover the city’s $1.2 billion deficit—a move earning attention from both homeowners and renters[5]. On the food scene, keep your eyes open: several new restaurants are set to open later this month, especially near the Riverwalk and South Loop. Transit is running normally, but check for residual bus reroutes in areas hit hardest by Friday’s flooding[8].

No day in Chicago is complete without time on the Riverwalk or a stroll through Millennium Park. Snap a selfie by The Bean, explore the Franz West art installations, or grab a deep-dish slice at a local institution[3][6]. For something a bit off the beaten path, hop on a Big Bus Tour for a hop-on, hop-off adventure through Chicago’s landmark neighborhoods—an easy way to see the city like a pro[6].

Insider tip: When at the Chinatown festival, look for Mongolian beef buns at stalls near Cermak and 23rd—they’re a local favorite, and the lines move fast if you order before 2 p.m.

Before you go, mark your calendars for tomorrow! The Messi Experience Chicago continues—an immersive, interactive exhibition for soccer fans young and old[6]. Stay tuned for all the details on tomorrow’s hottest happenings. Thanks for joining us today, and happy exploring!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is your Things to Do in Chicago podcast. Welcome
to Things to Do in Chicago for Sunday, July twenty seventh,
twenty twenty five. Whether you're a local or a visitor,
we're here to help you make the most of your
day in the Windy City. After a weekend of powerful
thunderstorms and record rainfall that brought flash flooding to parts
of the city on Friday, Chicago is shaking off the

(00:20):
wet weather and buzzing with energy as festival season peaks.
Be sure to keep an umbrella handy. While the skies
are mostly clearing, some spots may still have standing water
and scattered showers in the forecast. The city feels vibrant, fresh,
and just a little steamy, with a lively pulse fueled
by art, food, and culture. Top picks to make today unforgettable.

(00:43):
Immerse yourself in global comedy at the final day of Iofest,
Chicago's largest improv festival, featuring over one hundred twenty acts
and headliners like three Peat, two Square and Improvised Shakespeare.
It's all happening at the Io Theater in Lincoln Park.
Don't miss your chance to see world class improv in
the city that invented It four celebrate the forty sixth

(01:06):
annual Chinatown Summer Fair, a beloved street festival with a
lion dance procession at twelve thirty pm, music and martial arts,
arts and crafts, mouth watering street food, and a bustling
children's area. Admission is free and you'll find it on
Wentworth Avenue near Sir Mac. It's a joyful, family friendly
event and one of Chicago's most colorful neighborhood gatherings. For

(01:29):
a cultural afternoon, step into Blondell Cummings Dances Moving Pictures
at the Chicago Cultural Center. This free exhibition highlights the
influential work of choreographer Blondell Cummings, connecting postmodern dance with
the traditions of black home life. It's a unique way
to experience movement, photography, and history all in one. Looking

(01:50):
for fitness inspiration, River North is hosting the Faces of
Fitness Chicago Festival through early afternoon, a lollapalooza for fitness
fans with classes, demi and wellness activities. Perfect if you
want to kickstart your Sunday with some self care. If
you want spectacle and wonder, Tiatro Zinsman is back inside
the Spiegel Tent Zazoo Downtown, dazzling guests with a mix

(02:12):
of circus, cabaret and creative cuisine. In local news, Mayor
Brandon Johnson announced he won't propose a property tax hike
for the new budget, instead pledging to pursue progressive revenue
streams to cover the city's one dollar and two cents deficit.
Amove earning attention from both homeowners and renters. On the
food scene, keep your eyes open. Several new restaurants are

(02:33):
set to open later this month, especially near the river
Walk and self Loop Transit is running normally, but check
for residual bus reroutes and areas hit hardest by Friday's flooding.
No day in Chicago is complete without time on the
river Walk or a stroll through Millennium Park, snap a
selfie by the bean, explore the Friends West art installations,
or grab a deep dish slice at a local institution.

(02:54):
Three six for something a bit off the beaten path,
Hop on a big bus tour for a hop on,
hop off adventure through Chicago's landmark neighborhoods. An easy way
to see the city like a pro insider tip when
at the Chinatown festival, look for Mongolian beef Bums at
stalls near Sermac in twenty third. They're a local favorite
and the lines move fast if you order before two

(03:15):
p m. Before you go, mark your calendars for tomorrow.
The Messy Experienced Chicago continues, an immersive, interactive exhibition for
soccer fans young and old. Stay tuned for all the
details on tomorrow's hottest happenings. Thanks for joining us today,
and happy exploring.