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AUGUST 14–16 · CHICAGO SUBURBS

This Weekend, Sorted.

Festivals, major concerts, FAN EXPO and a few genuinely unusual detours.

Hi Neighbors,

Here’s what looks worth your time around the suburbs this weekend. The strongest picks are up top, and the rest is organized by day so you can find something without digging through a dozen event pages.

Verified Thursday, August 13
START HERE

Five Worth Leaving the House For

01
DETOUR OF THE WEEK

Montgomery Fest

FRIDAY–SUNDAY · FRI 5 PM; SAT 10 AM; SUN 10 AM · MONTGOMERY

Three days of live music, carnival rides, food, family programming, car show, parade and Sunday-night fireworks along the Fox River.

Best forFamilies, mixed-age groups, festival people
Why it made the cutBest all-around festival of the weekend. It can carry a full afternoon or evening without needing another plan.
The catch: Parking near the grounds is limited; the free shuttle is the smarter move during peak periods.
02$25+

Naper Nights: Van Halen Experience + Epic Rock Covers

FRIDAY · GATES 5 PM; MUSIC 6–10 PM · NAPERVILLE

Dan Peters Band opens with epic rock covers before JUMP brings the David Lee Roth-era Van Halen show to Naper Settlement.

Best forClassic-rock fans, date night, groups
Why it made the cutOne of Friday’s strongest ready-made nights if classic rock is your lane.
The catch: Outdoor lawn-style setup; food and drinks are additional purchases.
03$25+

Naper Nights: Taylor Swift + Toby Keith Tributes

SATURDAY · GATES 5 PM; MUSIC 6–10 PM · NAPERVILLE

Sparks Fly covers Taylor Swift from 6–7:30, followed by Made in America’s Toby Keith tribute from 8–10.

Best forTaylor Swift fans, country fans, families with older kids
Why it made the cutA surprisingly useful split-bill for families and groups with very different music tastes.
The catch: It is an outdoor ticketed night, and food/drinks cost extra.
04$35+

Andy Grammer + Walk Off The Earth + Raynes

SATURDAY · GATES 5:30 PM; MUSIC 6 PM · NEW LENOX

Raynes opens, Walk Off The Earth plays at 7:30 and Andy Grammer headlines at 9 PM.

Best forPop fans, date night, teens and older kids who know the artists
Why it made the cutBest mainstream pop concert value in the suburbs this weekend.
The catch: General-admission lawn setup and rain-or-shine policy unless conditions become dangerous.
05Ticketed

FAN EXPO Chicago

FRIDAY–SUNDAY · DAILY SHOW HOURS VARY · ROSEMONT

Three-day pop-culture convention covering comics, sci-fi, anime, gaming, cosplay, celebrity guests and fan programming.

Best forComic, anime, gaming and cosplay fans; teens and adults
Why it made the cutThe biggest indoor wildcard of the weekend and worth including because people absolutely plan a day around it.
The catch: It can become an expensive full-day outing once tickets, parking, food and merch stack up.
THE FULL GUIDE

More Plans, Organized by Day

The featured five are not repeated below. The rest is split by day and price so you can get to a plan faster. Every event name opens the organizer’s current page.

AUG
14

Friday

Also featured above: Montgomery Fest, Naper Nights: Van Halen Experience + Epic Rock Covers, FAN EXPO Chicago.

FREE + NO TICKET LISTED
2 free/free-entry choices and 2 public events with no admission price published.
4 PICKS
TICKETED + MIXED PRICE
2 ticketed or mixed-price choices.
2 PICKS
International Gem & Jewelry Show
Fri noon; Sat 10 AM; Sun 11 AM · Schaumburg · $6 ONLINE; $8 AT SHOW (CASH ONLY); MILITARY MEMBERS AND IMMEDIATE FAMILY FREE WITH ID
AUG
15

Saturday

Also featured above: Montgomery Fest, Naper Nights: Taylor Swift + Toby Keith Tributes, Andy Grammer + Walk Off The Earth + Raynes, FAN EXPO Chicago.

FREE + NO TICKET LISTED
3 free/free-entry choices and 1 public event with no admission price published.
4 PICKS
TICKETED + MIXED PRICE
10 ticketed or mixed-price choices.
10 PICKS
Poi Dog Pondering
Gates 6 PM; show 8 PM · Aurora · $46 IN-PERSON GENERAL ADMISSION; ONLINE/PHONE FEES ADDITIONAL
International Gem & Jewelry Show
Fri noon; Sat 10 AM; Sun 11 AM · Schaumburg · $6 ONLINE; $8 AT SHOW (CASH ONLY); MILITARY MEMBERS AND IMMEDIATE FAMILY FREE WITH ID
40 Below Summer
Doors 6:30 PM; show 7:30 PM · Joliet · TICKETED; CURRENT PRICE VARIES BY TICKET SELECTION
AUG
16

Sunday

Also featured above: Montgomery Fest, FAN EXPO Chicago.

FREE + NO TICKET LISTED
3 confirmed free or free-entry choices.
3 PICKS
TICKETED + MIXED PRICE
5 ticketed or mixed-price choices.
5 PICKS
Totally Tubular Festival
Gates 5 PM; show 7 PM · Aurora · $45 IN-PERSON GENERAL ADMISSION; VIP $195; ONLINE/PHONE FEES ADDITIONAL
International Gem & Jewelry Show
Fri noon; Sat 10 AM; Sun 11 AM · Schaumburg · $6 ONLINE; $8 AT SHOW (CASH ONLY); MILITARY MEMBERS AND IMMEDIATE FAMILY FREE WITH ID