Weekend in Chicago: Festivals, Architecture, and Art Delights

Welcome to “Things to Do in Chicago” for Saturday, August 2, 2025! Whether you’re a local or just visiting, we’ve gathered the best ways to soak up the city’s buzz this weekend.

Chicago’s got that festival energy today. It’s a blue-sky Saturday, perfect for exploring—though some are noting the city’s notorious air quality, so if you’re sensitive, you might want to keep outdoor adventures brief[2]. But mostly, expect cooling breezes, crowds with big summer smiles, and a unique blend of art, music, and city life.

Let’s kick off with today’s can’t-miss happenings:

1. Lollapalooza 2025: Grant Park becomes music lover’s paradise this weekend. Day two is loaded with big acts like Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, the Creator, Sabrina Carpenter, and A$AP Rocky rocking nine stages until almost midnight[4]. Expect an electric vibe—plus the chance to discover up-and-comers between the headliners!

2. Three of Cups Theatre Company presents Macbeth: For theater lovers, don’t miss a fresh, compelling take on Shakespeare’s tale of ambition and fate, running its final performance today[1].

3. Chicago’s Best 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour: Beat the crowds but not the skyline. Glide down the river and marvel at Chicago’s iconic buildings in one of the country’s best-reviewed city tours[10]. It’s available in the afternoon—and perfect whether you’re a first-timer or a lifelong Chicagoan.

4. Franz West: Millennium Park: If you’d rather linger with art, check out new monumental sculptures set against the city’s most famous park. These interactive, quirky installations invite you to see public art in a whole new way[3].

5. InstaGreeter Walks: Want local insights in under an hour? Friendly volunteers lead free guided walks along the Riverwalk and through the downtown Loop, highlighting famous sights and hidden gems—no booking required[1].

Switching gears to city updates: Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square, which has been under construction, is set to reopen soon—expect smoother traffic ahead if you’re exploring the North Side[5]. Meanwhile, public transit is running its regular schedule, ideal for festivalgoers and city explorers alike. For the foodies, keep an eye out: several neighborhood blogs are buzzing about new restaurant openings around the West Loop, especially spots championing local and sustainable menus.

For today’s must-do list, even beyond the big events: consider visiting the Chicago History Museum for an immersive journey through the city’s past—perfect if you need an air-conditioned break[6]. The Garfield Park Conservatory, one of the world's largest, is vibrant and free—a tropical escape in the heart of the city[6]. And if you’re still energized, check out the Chicago Art Deco Walking Tour for a dash of history and architectural glamour[9].

Local tip: If you want to navigate Lollapalooza or the riverwalk crowds like a pro, use Chicago’s Divvy bikes to zip past traffic. And here’s a fun fact: The Chicago Cultural Center is home to the largest Tiffany stained-glass dome in the world—worth a peek (and a photo) if you’re downtown[6].

Before signing off, tomorrow brings more Lollapalooza, and Millennium Park will feature artist Franz West’s grand installations—plus look out for the Lamborghini Chicago City Cruise Tour for car buffs[7]. Don’t miss our rundown of Sunday’s top picks—tune in again to make the most of your Chicago weekend!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is your Things to Do in Chicago podcast. Welcome
to Things to Do in Chicago for Saturday, August second,
twenty twenty five. Whether you're a local or just visiting,
we've gathered the best ways to soak up the city's
buzz this weekend. Chicago's got that festival energy Today It's
a blue sky Saturday, perfect for exploring those Some are

(00:21):
noting the city's notorious air quality, so if you're sensitive,
you might want to keep out your adventures brief two.
But mostly expect cooling breezes, crowds with big summer smiles,
and a unique blend of art, music and city life.
Let's kick off with today's Camus Happenings one Lollapalooza twenty
twenty five. Grant Park becomes music lover's paradise this weekend.

(00:44):
Day two is loaded with big acts like Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler,
the Creator, Sabrina Carpenter, and aap rocky rocking nine stages
until almost midnight. Four. Expect an electric vibe plus the
chance to discover up and comers between the headliners. Two
three of Kupp's Theater Company presents Macbeth for theater lovers

(01:05):
don't miss a fresh, compelling take on Shakespeare's Tale of
Ambition and Fate, running its final performance today. One three
Chicago's best ninety minute Architecture Boat Tour. Beat the crowds
but not the skyline. Glide down the river and marvel
at Chicago's iconic buildings in one of the country's best
reviewed city tours. It's available in the afternoon and perfect

(01:29):
whether you're a first timer or a lifelong Chicagoan. Four
Franz West Millennium Park. If you'd rather linger with art,
check out new monumental sculptures set against the city's most
famous park. These interactive, quirky installations invite you to see
public art in a whole new way. Three five Instagreeter

(01:51):
Walks Want local insights in under an hour, Friendly volunteers
lead free guided walks along the River Walk and through
the Downtown Loop, highlighting famous site and hidden gems. No
booking required. Switching gears to city updates. Linking Avenue in
Lincoln Square, which has been under construction, is set to
reopen soon. Expect smoother traffic ahead if you're exploring the

(02:13):
north Side. Five. Meanwhile, Public Transit is running its regular
schedule ideal for festivalgoers and city explorers alike. For the feudies,
keep an eye out. Several neighborhood blogs are buzzing about
new restaurant openings around the West Loop, especially spots championing
local and sustainable menus. For today's must do list. Even

(02:33):
beyond the big events, consider visiting the Chicago History Museum
for an immersive journey through the city's past. Perfect if
you need an air condition break. Six. The Garfield Park Conservatory,
one of the world's largest, is vibrant and free, a
tropical escape in the heart of the city. Six And
if you're still energized, check out the Chicago Art Deco

(02:53):
Walking Tour for a dash of history and architectural glamour.
Nine local tip if you want to navigate Lollapalooza or
the Riverwalk crowds like a pro, use Chicago's Divvy bikes
to zip pass traffic. And here's a fun fact. The
Chicago Cultural Center is home to the largest Tiffany stained
glass dome in the world. Worth a peak and a

(03:14):
photo if you're downtown so before signing off. Tomorrow brings more.
Lollapalooza and Millennium Park will feature artist Franz West's grand installations.
Plus look out for the Lamborghini Chicago City Cruise tour
for Car Buffs seven, don't miss our rundown of Sunday's
top picks. Tune in again to make the most of
your Chicago weekend