Leery of Lollapalooza? Here are 10 weekend alternatives

SHARE Leery of Lollapalooza? Here are 10 weekend alternatives
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The Fiesta Del Sol music and art fest in Pilsen attracts more than 1 million visitors each year. | Chicago Sun-Times

Intimidated by Lollapalooza’s extra day this year? If you didn’t grab your tickets to the four-day music fest that starts Thursday, there are plenty of fun weekend alternatives throughout the Chicago area.

1. PARTY IN PILSEN

Head to Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood July 28-31 for Fiesta del Sol, the Midwest’s largest Latino festival. Featuring live music, locally produced art, carnival rides and a health booth, the family-friendly fest attracts more than 1 million visitors each year. Local vendors and food trucks like Churro Factory and La Bomba will provide authentic cuisine. Fiesta del Sol is located at 1000 W. Cermak and charges no admission fee. Details: Fiestadelsol.org.

The Peacemaker cruises along the Chicago skyline on the first day of the 2013 Tall Ships event. | Melissa Klauda for Sun-Times Media

The Peacemaker cruises along the Chicago skyline on the first day of the 2013 Tall Ships event. | Melissa Klauda for Sun-Times Media

2. SHIPS AHOY

A five-day celebration of more than 13 international ships, Tall Ships Chicago runs July 27-31 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. The festival kicks off on Wednesday with a free Parade of Sail event, and the weekend features live music, fireworks, educational exhibits and cruises aboard the ships for additional charge. Single-day tickets for Thursday-Sunday begin at $10. Details: Navypier.com.

3. A NEW DAWN, A NEW AGE

New Age instrumentalist Yanni will perform at the Sears Centre Arena (5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., Hoffman Estates) 7:30 p.m. July 30. Most known for his albums “Dare to Dream” and “In My Time,” both nominated for Grammy Awards, Yanni has been composing and performing across the globe for more than 30 years. Tickets begin at $55. Details: Searscentre.com.

The original North American Tour of Broadway’s “Newsies” show.  | ©Disney. Photo by Deen van Meer

The original North American Tour of Broadway’s “Newsies” show. | ©Disney. Photo by Deen van Meer

4. EXTRA! EXTRA!

Broadway’s hit musical “Newsies” premieres July 28 at Cadillac Palace Theatre and runs through Aug. 7. The kid-friendly show won the 2012 Tony Awards for best score and best choreography, and tells the tale of newspaper delivery boys taking down a New York media tycoon. Tickets begin at $32. Details: Broadwayinchicago.com.

5. JEFF FEST

Head northwest to the Jeff Fest Arts & Music Festival July 29-31 at Milwaukee and Higgins in Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood. The festival features live music, art, craft beer and a kids’ area. Jeff Fest admission is $5; no pets allowed. Details: Jeffersonpark.net.

Country music star Miranda Lambert had fun on stage at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Wisc. | Michael Stonacek/Staff Photographer

Country music star Miranda Lambert had fun on stage at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Wisc. | Michael Stonacek/Staff Photographer

6. A COUNTRY AFFAIR

Country music singer and songwriter Miranda Lambert will take the stage July 29 at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. Included in her long list of accolades are two Grammy Awards, for female country vocal performance for her 2011 hit single “The House That Built Me” and best country album for “Platinum” in 2015. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets begin at $30. Details: www.livenation.com.

7. DANCE WITH THE STARS

Brothers and stars of ABC’s hit show “Dancing With the Stars” Maksim and Valentin Chmerkovskiy bring their Maks and Val Live On Tour dance show to the Chicago Theatre (175 N. State) July 29. Latin ballroom dance champion, choreographer and Broadway performer Maks danced on the TV show for 14 seasons before serving as a guest judge. His brother is a 14-time U.S. National Champion and joined “Dancing With the Stars” in 2011, quickly becoming a fan favorite. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets begin at $30. Details: Thechicagotheatre.com.

Left to right, Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings, Aston Irwin and Michael Clifford of Australian boy band 5 Seconds of Summer pose during a photo shoot at the Intercontinental Hotel in 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Richardson/Newspix/Getty Images)

Left to right, Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings, Aston Irwin and Michael Clifford of Australian boy band 5 Seconds of Summer pose during a photo shoot at the Intercontinental Hotel in 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Richardson/Newspix/Getty Images)

8. ROCK IT OUT

Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer will play Tinley Park’s Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (19100 Ridgeland Ave) July 30. The group opened for One Direction in the popular boy band’s 2013-2015 tours, and is known for its “5 Seconds of Summer” and “Sounds Good Feels Good” albums. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $22. Details: Hollywoodcasino.amptinleypark.com.

9. Y2K REVISITED

Go back in time with the MY2K Tour featuring iconic, turn-of-the-century musical acts on July 30 at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd. in Rosemont. The tour features 98 degrees, O-Town, Dream and Ryan Cabrera, and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets begin at $27.50. Details: Rosemont.com.

Lef to right, Justin Jeffre, Jeff Timmons, Nick Lachey and Drew Lachey of 98 degrees perform on NBC’s “Today” show in 2012 in New York. | Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Lef to right, Justin Jeffre, Jeff Timmons, Nick Lachey and Drew Lachey of 98 degrees perform on NBC’s “Today” show in 2012 in New York. | Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

10. MARGARITA MAYHEM

Sip the day away at the Chicago Margarita Festival from noon-8 p.m. July 30-31 at the South Shore Club, 7059 S. Shore Dr. The festival features live music, $7 margaritas, food trucks and outdoor games. Visitors must be 21 and older (ID required at the door) and single-day tickets begin at $15. Details: Chicagomargaritafestival.com.

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