August may be one of Chicago's hottest months but it is still full of fun events. There is a street festival each weekend; Lollapalooza at Grant Park; fireworks at Navy Pier every Wednesday and Saturday evenings, and Jammin' at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Temperatures in August average 82°F during the day and 65°F at night. Check out our list of top things to do this August in Chicago. More events to be added so check back often.
Lollapalooza - August 3 - 5, 2012: Lollapalooza comes back to Chicago's Grant Park in August.
Chicago Air & Water Show - August 18 & 19, 2012: Considered to be the oldest and largest show of its kind in the country, Chicago's Air & Water Show attracts millions of spectators each year and features several high-flying acts, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the Bill Stein Airshows Zivko Edge 540. The Air & Water show also features water-based performers including the Chicago Fire Department Air and Sea Rescue Team.
Taste of Tall Ships - All Summer 2012: Enjoy dockside boarding, sail aways, and more abroad Tall Ship Windy at Navy Pier.
Jammin' at the Zoo - August 24, 2012: Each summer, the Lincoln Park Zoo puts on its Jammin' at the Zoo concert series, which features bands once a month in June, July, and August. Held on the zoo’s Main Mall, Jammin’ at the Zoo is a chance for Chicagoans and visitors to enjoy outdoor fun and music while the zoo's animals are just steps away.
SummerDance in Grant Park - Through September 16, 2012: This free dance series offers an introductory one-hour dance lesson by professional instructors followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a 4,900 square-foot, open-air dance floor made out of 100% recycled materials.
Labor Day Weekend - August 30 - September 6, 2012: Technically, Labor Day is not the end of summer (that day occurs on September 21) but it is when things start to wind down in Chicago. The parks and beaches are less crowded, and many of Chicago's street festivals and outdoor concerts come to an end. Check out our top picks for things to do in Chicago Labor Day weekend. More events will be added so check back often.
Remember: Take in the city’s 26-mile lakefront along Lake Michigan by spending the day at one of Chicago’s 23 swimming beaches, which are open through September 3. Admission is free and open to the public, with lifeguards on duty from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily. Enjoy a number of other outdoor activities including biking and running along the 18-mile long lakefront trail, as well s fishing, sand volleyball, soccer, and golf. You can also explore the 8,100 acres of green space that includes bird sanctuaries, nature conservatories, historic lagoons, and harbors.
