"Your Guide to a Vibrant Chicago Weekend: Festivals, Films, and Festivities Abound"

Welcome to “Things to do in Chicago” for Saturday, July 26, 2025! If you’re looking to soak up the city’s electric summer energy, you’re in the right place. Today, Chicago feels both vibrant and unpredictable: while highs hover around a muggy 86°F, the city’s still drying out from yesterday’s epic rain—over six inches in just two hours in parts of the metro area brought flash flooding, so streets may still be slick and caution is advised if you’re out and about[2][5].

Let’s dive into today’s must-see events, with a little something for everyone:

First up, it’s a big party weekend for Chicago’s neighborhoods. The 46th Annual Chinatown Summer Fair takes over Wentworth Avenue from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Expect lion dances, kung fu, live Asian performances, street food, and a bustling family-friendly kids’ area—all for free[7].

For book lovers and families, the 4th Annual Burst Into Books W.O.W. Lit Festival runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center, featuring more than 30 local vendors, readings, and hands-on activities for children and young adults[1].

Film buffs and culture seekers, don’t miss the Black & Brown Femme Film Festival (BBFF ’25) at the Logan Center for the Arts with groundbreaking screenings and creative networking until 9 p.m.[1]

If music, comedy, or tequila are more your vibe, you’re covered. The city-wide iO Fest 2025 draws improv comedy talent from around the globe to the iO Theater, running from 5 p.m. till midnight[1]. Meanwhile, the Chicago Summer Tequila Tasting Festival is pouring samples downtown from 2:30–6 p.m.—perfect for adventurous palates[1].

Tonight, Humboldt Park glows at the Water Lantern Festival, where families and friends gather to release lanterns onto the water beginning at 5:30 p.m. Don’t forget your camera for beautiful photos and a heartwarming experience[1].

Pop-up lovers can browse the late-night Big Park Picnic at Lake Shore Park (noon to 3 p.m.), or check out the trendy outdoor vendor market and food pop-ups described as “secret gems” by locals[4].

On the news front, both O’Hare and Midway airports are reporting weather-related delays due to heavy rain; be sure to check your flight status if you’re headed out of the city[5][8]. The city is also under a flood watch—drivers, use extra caution, especially under viaducts and on low-lying roads[2][5]. Transit is running, but allow a little extra time as streets dry out.

If you’re looking for personal recommendations, here’s a quick list:
- Wander through Millennium Park and snap a misty-morning selfie at The Bean (Cloud Gate).
- Duck into the Art Institute for shelter if another shower hits—you’ll be rewarded with world-class exhibitions.
- Stroll the Riverwalk with a to-go coffee, but watch for puddles!
- For a taste of neighborhood spirit, Chinatown’s Summer Fair or the Wicker Park nightlife scene are unbeatable.

Quick city tip: Most major attractions and events are easily accessible via public transit, and CTA bus drivers generally call out detours in real time—just ask! For a true Chicago experience, grab an Italian ice from a neighborhood stand to cool down between adventures.

Before you sign off, mark your calendar—tomorrow brings the second day of the Chinatown Summer Fair, outdoor fitness festivals, and more unique pop-ups citywide[1][7][4]. Tune in again for Sunday’s best picks, city secrets, and updates to make your weekend even better!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is your Things to Do in Chicago podcast. Welcome
to Things to Do in Chicago for Saturday, July twenty sixth,
twenty twenty five. If you're looking to soak up the
city's electric summer energy, you're in the right place. Today
Chicago feels both vibrant and unpredictable. While highs hover around

(00:20):
a muggy eighty six degrees fahrenheit. The city still drying
out from yesterday's epic rain. Over six inches in just
two hours in parts of the metro area brought flash flooding,
so streets may still be slick and caution is advised
if you're out and about. Let's dive into today's must
see events with a little something for everyone. First up,
it's a big party weekend for Chicago's neighborhoods. The forty

(00:43):
sixth annual Chinatown Summer Fair takes over Wentworth Avenue from
eleven am to ten pm. Expect Lion dances, cum fu,
live Asian performances, street food, and a bustling, family friendly
kids area, all for free seven for book lovers and families.
The fourth annual Burst into Books WoT Lit Festival runs
eleven a m. To six pm at the Drive Conrad

(01:06):
Roral Track and Field Center, featuring more than thirty local vendors, readings,
and hands on activities for children and young adults. One.
Film buffs and culture seekers don't miss the Black and
Brown Thumb Film Festival BBFF twenty five at the Logan
Center for the Arts, with groundbreaking screenings and creative networking
until nine pm. One You're covered. The city wide Iofest

(01:30):
twenty twenty five draws improv comedy talent from around the
globe to the Iotheater, running from five p m Till midnight. One. Meanwhile,
the Chicago Summer Tequila Tasting Festival is pouring samples downtown
from two thirty to six pm, perfect for adventurous pallettes.
One tonight, Humboldt Park glows at the Water Lantern Festival,

(01:50):
where families and friends gathered to release lanterns onto the
water beginning at five thirty pm. Don't forget your camera
for beautiful photos and a heartwarming experience. One pop up
lovers can browse the late night Big Park Picnic at
Lakeshore Park, or check out the trendy outdoor vendor market
and food pop ups described as Secret Gems by locals. Four.

(02:12):
On the news front, both O'Hare and Midway airports are
reporting weather related delays due to heavy rain. Be sure
to check your flight status if you're headed out of
the city. Five. The city is also under a floodwatch.
Drivers use extra caution, especially under viaducts and on low
lying roads. Transit is running, but allow a little extra
time as streets dry out. If you're looking for personal recommendations,

(02:34):
here's a quick list. Wander through Millennium Park and snap
a misty morning selfie at the bean Cloud Gate. Duck
into the Art Institute for shelter. If another shower hits,
you'll be rewarded with world class exhibitions. Stroll the River
Walk with a Togo coffee, but watch for puddles for
a taste of neighborhood spirit. Chinatown Summer Fair, where the

(02:55):
Wicker Park nightlife scene are unbeatable. Quick city tip. Most
major tractions and events are easily accessible via public transit
and CTA bus. Drivers generally call out detours in real time.
Just as for a true Chicago experience, grab an Italian
ice from a neighborhood stand to cool down between adventures.
Before you sign off, mark your calendar. Tomorrow brings the

(03:18):
second day of the Chinatown Summer Fair, outdoor fitness festivals,
and more unique pop ups city wide. Seven four Tune
it again for Sunday's best picks, city secrets, and updates
to make your weekend even better