The top events taking place across Chicago, Cook County, and Will County next week deliver an action-packed week of entertainment from Monday, August 3 to Sunday, August 9, 2026. Highlights include massive stadium rock shows like the Foo Fighters at Soldier Field, the 97th Annual Bud Billiken® Parade, Northalsted Market Days, high-stakes Cubs vs. Dodgers baseball, and elite WNBA action at the United Center.
“People, Places and Things in The City.” Welcome to the Travelution.
Experience Top Events in Chicago Next Week: August 3–9, 2026)
Must-Attend Festivals and Parades
The Chicagoland area hosts some of the nation’s largest outdoor cultural gatherings during the second week of August.
Northalsted Market Days 2026
- Dates: Friday, August 7 – Sunday, August 9, 2026 (Starts 10:00 AM Friday)
- Venue: Northalsted Neighborhood, Chicago (Cook County)
- Admission: $20 suggested donation (VIP options available)
Northalsted Market Days stands as one of the largest outdoor street festivals in the Midwest. The annual celebration features multiple live music stages, hundreds of local craft vendors, and high-energy performances spanning half a mile in Lakeview.
97th Annual Bud Billiken® Parade & Festival
- Date & Time: Saturday, August 8, 2026 | 10:00 AM
- Venue: Steps off at 35th & King Drive, ending in Washington Park, Chicago (Cook County)
- Admission: Free
The Bud Billiken® Parade is the largest African American parade in the United States. It celebrates youth, education, and back-to-school season with high-stepping marching bands, dance troupes, and custom floats, followed immediately by the “It Takes A Village” family festival in Washington Park.
Durango Fest
- Date & Time: Sunday, August 9, 2026 | 12:00 PM
- Venue: Plaza Garibaldi, Chicago (Cook County)
- Admission: Tickets start at $50
Durango Fest brings top-tier regional Mexican and Durango-style music to Plaza Garibaldi. Headline acts for 2026 include Montéz De Durango and Patrulla 81.
Major Concerts and Live Music
From downtown stadiums to lush suburban park lawns, live music takes center stage across Cook County next week.
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| MAJOR CONCERTS AT A GLANCE |
+-------------------+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Artist / Event | Venue | Date |
+-------------------+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Foo Fighters | Soldier Field | Saturday, August 8, 2026 |
| Kehlani | Huntington Bank Pavilion | Sunday, August 9, 2026 |
| Hugh Jackman | The Pavilion at Ravinia | Sunday, August 9, 2026 |
+-------------------+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
Foo Fighters at Soldier Field
- Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Venue: Soldier Field, 1410 Special Olympics Dr, Chicago (Cook County)
- Admission: Tickets start at $98 on secondary markets
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Foo Fighters headline a stadium spectacle at Soldier Field. Direct support includes Queens of the Stone Age and indie-punk sensation Mannequin Pussy.
Kehlani Live at Northerly Island
- Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
- Venue: Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Chicago (Cook County)
- Admission: Tickets start around $41
R&B powerhouse Kehlani performs along the Chicago lakefront. The open-air show features special guests Durand Bernarr and Isaia Huron.
Hugh Jackman at Ravinia
- Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
- Venue: The Pavilion at Ravinia, Highland Park (Cook/Lake County border)
- Admission: Varies by pavilion or lawn seating
Multitalented superstar Hugh Jackman brings an evening of theatrical hits and symphonic showstoppers to the historic Ravinia Festival grounds.
Pro Sports Matchups
Chicagoland sports fans can catch elite Major League Baseball and professional women’s basketball action this week.
Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
- Dates: Monday, August 3 – Thursday, August 6, 2026
- Venue: Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St, Chicago (Cook County)
- Admission: Tickets start as low as $29
The Chicago Cubs host the Los Angeles Dodgers for a four-game series at historic Wrigley Field. Daytime and evening games offer great summer baseball viewing options.
Indiana Fever at Chicago Sky
- Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Venue: United Center, 1901 W. Madison St, Chicago (Cook County)
- Admission: Resale tickets start at $66
The Chicago Sky welcome their Midwest rivals, the Indiana Fever, to the United Center for an intense WNBA matchup featuring the league’s top talent.
Food & Community Celebrations
Local foodies can savor regional culinary specialties while supporting community initiatives across the area.
| Event Name | Date(s) | Venue Location | Key Highlight |
| Taste of Orland Park | Aug 7–9, 2026 | Orland Park Civic Center | Local suburban eateries & family games |
| Blues, Brews & BBQ | Aug 9, 2026 | Toons Bar & Grill (Chicago) | Championship pitmaster buffet for charity |
- Taste of Orland Park: Runs Friday through Sunday at the Orland Park Civic Center (14750 S. Ravinia Ave). Features signature dishes from premier local restaurants, family activities, and nightly live music with free admission.
- Blues, Brews & BBQ: Takes place Sunday at 3:00 PM at Toons Bar & Grill (3857 N. Southport Ave). Admission is $25 for an all-you-can-eat buffet hosted by championship pitmasters benefiting Operation BBQ Relief, accompanied by live music from the Dave Herrero Trio.
To explore more regional entertainment options across Chicagoland, check out our guide on how local storytelling shapes Chicago culture.
Week at a Glance Event Density
[Mon-Thu] ========= Cubs vs. Dodgers (Wrigley Field)
[Friday] === Northalsted Market Days Kickoff
=== Taste of Orland Park Opens
[Saturday] === Foo Fighters (Soldier Field)
=== Bud Billiken® Parade (35th/King Dr)
=== Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever (United Center)
[Sunday] === Kehlani (Northerly Island)
=== Hugh Jackman (Ravinia)
=== Durango Fest (Plaza Garibaldi)
=== Blues, Brews & BBQ (Toons)Get More Events:
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