10 Events In July IL Residents Should Add To Their Calendars

The long Fourth of July weekend keeps Illinois families busy with local fireworks and parades, but residents are also looking for events to fill out the rest of the month.

July sits at the center of summer and is often a busy time for families before they shift to back-to-school mode in August. There are plenty of events to choose from, from a rodeo and county fair to secret garden walks and history-rich music festivals.

Ten July events worth adding to the calendar include the following:

Fields of Gold Pro Rodeo

• What: A three-day, professional rodeo competition with food and drinks, live music, yard games and nightly fireworks shows.
• When: July 2-4
• Where: Jo Daviess County Fairgrounds, 101 High St. in Warren

Windy City Smokeout

• What: A four-day festival all about award-winning BBQ that guests can indulge while listening to country music artists perform.
• When: July 8-12
• Where: Outside of the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. in Chicago

Gardener's Art Fest

• What: More than 40 local artists will showcase their work while live music plays and plein air artists paint amid the lush foliage of a botanical garden.
• When: 10 am. to 5 p.m. July 11
• Where: The Growing Place Garden Center, 25W471 Plank Road in Naperville

Big Greek Food Fest of Niles

• What: A three-day extravaganza featuring everything Greek: homemade food, live music, dancing, cooking classes, church tours and vendors.
• When: 5-11 p.m. July 17, 3 p.m. to midnight July 18 and 3-11 p.m. July 19
• Where: St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, 7373 N. Caldwell Ave. in Niles

Dearborn Garden Walk

• What: Once a year, homeowners in Chicago's glitsy Near North and Gold Coast neighborhoods open their secret garden havens to onlookers. Hosted by the nonprofit North Dearborn Association, the event is one of the oldest garden walks in the country.
• When: Noon to 5 p.m. July 19
• Where: Meeting at Latin Middle School, 45 W. North Blvd. in Chicago

Silver Room Sound System Bock Party

• What: A longtime South Side staple is returning this summer, except this time, it's taking over The Salt Shed. The event is a celebration of music, art and community. More than 40 performances are scheduled.
• When: July 18
• Where: The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. in Chicago

Tacos Y Tamales

• What: Modeled after a typical Mexican market, the summer food festival will give visitors a taste of all Pilsen has through offer while celebrating Chicago's Hispanic and Latino cultures.
• When: July 17-19
• Where: Blue Island Avenue between Wolcott and Ashland avenues in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood.

Chicago Gospel Music Festival

• What: The history of gospel music is deeply rooted in Chicago, and the city celebrates it with a free music festival in the glimmering Millennium Park. A genre-spanning lineup of musical acts are scheduled to perform at the two-day festival.
• When: July 24-25
• Where: Millennium Park in downtown Chicago

Lake County Fair

• What: The 97th annual Lake County Fair brings carnival rides, monster trucks, a demolition derby, a rodeo and livestock competitions to northern Illinois.
• When: July 29-Aug. 2
• Where: Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road in Grayslake

Lollapalooza

• What: Some of the biggest names in music are gathering in Chicago for the city's marquee four-day music festival. This summer's headliners are Lorde, John Summit, Charlie XCX, the Smashing Pumpkins, Olivia Dean, Jennie, Tate McRae and the XX.
• When: July 30-Aug. 2
• Where: Grant Park in downtown Chicago

Are you planning an event this summer? Feature it so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!