Soak up Sun, Arts & Entertainment in Chicago's Vibrant Summer Itinerary

Welcome to “Things to Do in Chicago,” your go-to guide for what’s hot in the Windy City! Today is Sunday, August 3, 2025, and Chicago’s summer spirit is in full swing, despite lingering haze as air quality alerts continue following a lively Lollapalooza weekend[2]. With the city bathed in August warmth, the streets buzz with locals and visitors soaking up every bit of sunshine.

Let’s dive into today’s key happenings across town, promising something for everyone. Start your morning at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts’ free, all-ages Open House from 10 a.m., where dance, movement, and the arts take center stage[1]. Next, the iconic Soldier Field transforms for the Chicago Bears Family Fest beginning at 11:30 a.m.—a family-friendly football extravaganza with on-field activities, kids’ games, and photo ops with Staley Da Bear and the Monster Squad[4].

For lovers of outdoor theater, don’t miss “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” a charming, free Shakespeare-in-the-park experience at Touhy Park starting at 2:00 p.m. Bring a picnic, snag a shady spot, and enjoy a classic comedy under the summer sky[7]. Later, movie buffs can lounge at the Rooftop Cinema Club in Fulton Market, with “Love Jones” screening at 11:00 a.m., “The Greatest Showman” at 1:35 p.m., “10 Things I Hate About You” at 4:30 p.m., and “Brown Sugar” at 7:15 p.m.[1] For the night owls, wind down with “Interstellar” at 9:50 p.m.

If you crave a taste of something new, check out the recently opened Guinness Taproom in the West Loop, serving a fresh spin on the legendary brew and an inventive food menu in a lively, contemporary space[6]. For a cultural walk, stroll along the ever-vibrant Chicago Riverwalk with views, vendors, and patios perfect for people-watching, or dip into the ongoing “Women at War” exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center for a deeper artistic experience[3][9].

Public transit is operating on its standard Sunday schedule, but pack a handheld fan or a hat—it’s humid, and with ongoing air quality warnings, those sensitive to air pollution should plan more indoor activities[2]. Check your local CTA alerts for any last-minute changes, especially if you’re navigating around big events.

For today’s must-do mix: Walk Millennium Park’s lush gardens and snap a selfie at Cloud Gate (aka “the Bean”)[9]. Visit the Field Museum’s world-class exhibits for a cool, educational escape[3]. Seek out Wicker Park’s indie boutiques and coffee shops for local flavor[9], or hop on an architecture river tour for unbeatable skyline views.

Local tip: Savvy Chicagoans know that free outdoor art is everywhere. Don’t miss Art on theMART, where the river façade of Merchandise Mart glows nightly with the world’s largest digital art projection—just after sunset, right in the heart of downtown[6].

Before we sign off, here’s a peek at tomorrow’s lineup: look forward to more rooftop cinema under the stars, the next round of summer concerts, and a few surprise pop-ups still under wraps—so be sure to tune in again!

Whatever your style, Chicago’s doors are wide open. Get out there, explore, and make today unforgettable!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is your Things to Do in Chicago podcast. Welcome
to Things to Do in Chicago, your go to guide
for what's hot in the Windy City. Today is Sunday,
August third, twenty twenty five, and Chicago's summer spirit is
in full swing, despite lingering haze as air quality alerts continue.
Following a lively Lollapalooza weekend two. With the city bathed

(00:22):
in August warmth, the streets buzz with locals and visitors
soaking up every bit of sunshine, Let's dive into today's
key happenings across town, promising something for everyone. Start your
morning at the routh Page Center for the Arts, free
all ages open house from ten am, where dance, movement,
and the arts take center stage. One. Next, the iconic

(00:45):
Soldier Field transforms for the Chicago Bears Family Fest, beginning
at eleven thirty am, a family friendly football extravaganza with
on field activities, kids games, and photo ops with Stay
de Bear and the Monster Squad. Four. For lovers of
outdoor theater, don't miss Love's Labors Lost, a charming free
Shakespeare in the Park experience at two High Park starting

(01:08):
at two zero zero pm. Bring a picnic, snag a
shady spot and enjoy a classic comedy under the summer sky.
Seven later movie buffs can lounge at the Rooftop Cinema
Club in Fulton Market with Love Jones screening at eleven
zero zero am, The Greatest Showman at one thirty five pm,
Ten Things I Hate About You at four thirty pm,

(01:30):
and Brown Sugar at seven fifteen pm. One for the night,
Owls wind down with Interstellar at nine fifty pm. If
you crave a taste of something new, check out the
recently opened Guinness tap Room in the West Loop, serving
a fresh spin on the legendary brew and an inventive
food menu in a lively contemporary space. For a cultural walk,

(01:52):
stroll along the ever vibrant Chicago River Walk with views,
vendors and patreos perfect for people watching, or dip into
the on on going Women at War exhibition at the
Chicago Cultural Center for a deeper artistic experience. Three nine
Public Transit is operating on its standard Sunday schedule, but
pack a handheld fan or a hat. It's humid and

(02:13):
with ongoing air quality warnings. Though sensitive to air pollution,
should plan more indoor activities. Too. Check your local CTA
alerts for any last minute changes, especially for navigating around
big events. For today's must do mix, walk Millennium parks,
lush gardens, and snap a selfie at Cloudgate aka De Bean.
Visit the Field Museum's world class exhibits for a cool,

(02:35):
educational escape. Seek out wicker parks, indie boutiques and coffee
shops for local flavor nine or hop on an architecture
with the tour for unbeatable skyline views. Local tip. Savvy
Chicagoans know that free outdoor art is everywhere. Don't miss
Art on the Mart, where the river facade of Marchandise
Mark glows nightly with the world's largest digital art projection

(02:57):
just after sunset, right in the heart of downtown. Set
before we sign off, here's a peek at tomorrow's lineup.
Look forward to more rooftop cinema under the stars, the
next round of summer concerts, and a few surprise pop
ups still under wraps, so be sure to tune in again.
Whatever your style, Chicago's doors are ride open, get out there, explore,

(03:19):
and make today unforgettable.