Still haven’t locked in your weekend plans? Here are some suggestions sure to fill the bill:
FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZAS
It’s Fourth of July weekend and that means plenty of fireworks (check your local municipality or park district website for particular community’s festivities). Chicago’s official Independence Day sky show takes place July 2 at 10:15 p.m and July 4 at 9:30 p.m. at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. The fireworks are set to synchronized music, and the city’s skyline and lake are the backdrops. Word of advice: Arrive early as the Pier will “close” once attendance capacity is reached. Visit navypier.com. And if you’d like to catch all the Navy Pier fireworks from a different vantage point, check out Mercury Sightseeing Cruises for its annual Fourth of July lakefront cruise on Monday.
‘PARADISE CITY’ REUNION
Legendary hard rockers Guns N’ Roses — featuring lead singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan, and all the rest — arrive at Soldier Field with their Not in This Lifetime Tour for 8 p.m. concerts July 1 and 3. Until this tour, the trio had not played together since 1993 (save for a scant few special appearances). Tickets, $69.50-$250, are available at ticketmaster.com. Alice in Chains opens for the last time on this tour (they head out on their own road show beginning July 6).
TRUTH BE TOLD
Former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell makes his Ravinia debut when his Higher Truth Tour arrives at the Highland Park venue for a 6:30 p.m. concert July 3. NPR’s 2015 Tiny Desk Concert winner Fantastic Negrito opens. Tickets: $38-$130. Visit ravinia.org.
ROUSING ‘RAIDERS’ RENDITION
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is celebrating the 35th anniversary of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” with screenings at 7 p.m. June 30 and July 1 and 2 p.m. July 2 at Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan. The original adventure of Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) will be accompanied by the CSO, under the direction of guest conductor Richard Kaufman, playing the film’s Oscar-nominated score by John Williams. Tickets, $45 to $150. Visit cso.org.
And be sure to catch these area festivals this weekend:
Naperville Ribfest, July 1-4, 700 S. West St., Naperville; headliners include Lee Brice, 3 Doors Down, Sheryl Crow, Gin Blossoms, Ides of March and more; visit ribfest.net
Lisle Eyes to the Skies, July 1-3, 1825 Short St., Lisle; carnival June 29-July 3; visit eyestotheskies.org
Windy City Ribfest Uptown, July 1-3, 4700 N. Broadway; “Top local and national ribbers will again mix saucy slab offerings that are complemented with an eclectic music lineup at this 8th annual festival.” Visit chicagoevents.com
African/Caribbean International Festival of Life, July 1-4, Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph; “IFOL showcases the many diverse cultures and music from many nations.” Visit cityofchicago.org
Mamby on the Beach, July 2-3, Oakwood Beach, 4100 S. Lake Shore Drive; headliners include Chromeo, Lupe Fiasco, Animal Collective and more; visit mambybeach.com