Taste of River North, Roscoe Village Burger Fest, Colombian Festival, Tacos y Tamales, and Navy Pier Fireworks Headline Weekend Special Events in Chicago

Summer Safety Resources for Social Media, Newsletters, and More

CHICAGO - With many festivals, concerts, and athletic events this weekend, the City of Chicago is advising residents and visitors to be aware of street closures, additional crowds, increased traffic and to plan accordingly.  The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is reminding residents and visitors of security measures in place and stresses the importance of always being aware of your surroundings and to report suspicious activity to on-site event security or by calling 9-1-1.  

The City of Chicago will have citywide deployments for the weekend to ensure the safety and security of the public.  The OEMC will also coordinate security efforts and resources amongst the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department and City of Chicago infrastructure departments, city agencies and private partners 

Report Suspicious Activity:  If you See Something Say Something. The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities. City of Chicago :: If You See Something, Say Something 

Motorists in the areas where events are happening should be prepared for heavy traffic and possible reroutes. There will be some street closures in effect for larger events to ensure public safety. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at select events citywide to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic. Residents and motorists should be aware of the following large events:

Taste of River North

Friday, July 17, 5:00 p.m. - 10: 00 p.m., Saturday, July 18, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Taste of River North takes place on Friday and Saturday this weekend on Wells Street between Ontario and Chicago. For more information, please visit: HOME | Tasteofrivernorth

Roscoe Village Burger Fest

Friday, July 17, 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Saturday, July 18, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., Sunday, July 19, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Roscoe Village Burger Fest returns for its 19th year this weekend on Belmont Avenue from Damen to Oakley. For more information, please visit: Roscoe Village Burger Fest - Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce

Tacos y Tamales Festival

Friday, July 17, 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Saturday, July 18, 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Sunday, July 19, 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Modeled after a traditional Tianguis market, Tacos y Tamales Festival celebrates Chicago's rich Hispanic & Latin cultures with three days of endless authentic food options, street cantinas, live music, dance performances, a variety of vendors, art, and more. The festival takes place on Blue Island Avenue between Wolcott and Ashland. For more information, please visit: Tacos y Tamales Festival - Chicago's Top Taco Fest

Colombian Fest Chicago

Friday, July 17, 3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Saturday, July 18, 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Sunday, July 19, 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

The 12th Annual Colombian Fest Chicago (aka El Gran Festival Colombiano) is held in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and celebrates Columbian food, culture, art, dance & music. This event coincides with Colombian Independence Day on July 20. The festival is held inside Humboldt Park at North Avenue and Kedzie. For more information, please visit: FESTIVAL | Colombian Fest Chicago

Renegade Chicago

Saturday, July 18, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sunday, July 19, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Founded in 2003 as a craft art fair for artists, by artists, Renegade Chicago will be in Logan Square on Kedzie Blvd. between Fullerton Avenue and Palmer Square. For more information, please visit: Renegade Craft - Chicago Summer

Ravenswood On Tap

Saturday, July 18, 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Sunday July 19, 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Enjoy beers from Malt Row breweries, KOVAL Distillery cocktails, special tappings, and live music from an incredible roster of original, independent Chicago musicians. There'll be delicious street food, local artists and artisans, mini golf, swordplay demos, and more. The festival will be on Ravenswood and Berteau Avenues, the Ravenswood Corridor. For more information, please visit: Ravenswood On Tap Craft Beer & Music Fest | July 18-19, 2026

Navy Pier Summer Fireworks

Saturday, July 18, 10:00 p.m.

Experience Navy Pier's free, award-winning fireworks with dazzling displays over the lake and iconic skyline views. Enjoy the spectacular display every Wednesday at 9 PM and Saturday at 10 PM, free from May 23rd to September 5th. For more information, please visit: Summer Fireworks | Navy Pier

Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago Cubs

Friday, July 17, 7:05 p.m., Saturday, July 18, 1:20 p.m., Sunday, July 19, 1:20 p.m.

The Minnesota Twins come to Wrigley Field for a weekend series against the Cubs. For more information, please visit: https://www.mlb.com/cubs

Pole Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, event and concert attendees are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area as well as along DuSable Lake Shore Drive from 5700 North to 6600 South and various points along the lakefront trail. The pole markers help reference their location within the park to event security and first responders if there is an emergency.

Public Transportation: As with all busy weekends and large-scale events citywide public transportation is encouraged. Public transit is the most affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to get to and from summertime events. For more information, visit CTA at TransitChicago.com and Metra.com.

Weather and Public Safety 

Air Quality: The National Weather Service issued a Red (Unhealthy) Forecast Air Pollution Action Day for Friday, July 17. This is in addition to the Purple (Very Unhealthy) Forecast in effect for today.

If you or someone you know belongs to a vulnerable population, OEMC urges you to check the air quality at AirNow.gov or sign up for air quality alerts here: EnviroFlash - Sign-Up, and check in on family, friends, and neighbors.

Extreme Heat: Hot and humid conditions are forecasted to continue into the weekend with heat indices near 100 degrees.

OEMC will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. We encourage residents to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date weather information, please tune into local media or download a weather app.   

OEMC will issue any alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.  Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org. OEMC also issues TEXT alerts for lakefront notices and issues affecting businesses: 

• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT "CHILAKE" to 7-8-0-1-5 

• CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT "CHIBIZ" to 6-7-2-8-3 

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook(facebook.com/ChicagoOEMC), TikTok (@ChicagoOEMC), X (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and Threads (@chicago_oemc_911). 

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About the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) 

Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) oversees a number of functions that support public safety and provides assistance to residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The OEMC manages the following operational areas for the city: 9-1-1 call taking and dispatch; the 3-1-1 call center; emergency management; and traffic management. The OEMC coordinates with departments citywide, including the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department, in addition to various other local, state, and federal agencies as it relates to public safety planning and coordination for everything from large-scale special events to public safety emergencies and disasters. OEMC is committed to closely partnering with local, regional, state, and federal partners to achieve seamless integration and complementary missions.