National Sugar Cookie Day

National Fashion Day

National Dimples Day

National Call of the Horizon Day

National Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Omelet Day

La Cuisine Family Meal Delivery: Did you know Chicago has a local, chef-driven meal delivery service preparing fresh, scratch-made family meals from its kitchen in Albany Park? La Cuisine Family Meal Delivery is prepared by real Chicago chefs who create a brand-new menu of 20–25 dishes every week, then deliver everything fully prepared right to your doorstep.

Not only is this meal delivery service locally owned, there are no subscriptions, contracts or long-term commitments. You can order week-to-week, skip a week if you're traveling or have dinner plans, then jump right back in whenever you're ready. Take a look at a few of their recent sample weekly menus.

Weekly meal packages start at $295 and include three entrées, three sides and approximately nine pounds of fully prepared food, which is generally enough for about three weeknight dinners for a family of four or four to five dinners for a couple. Their all-in pricing includes delivery across Chicagoland and tax, so there are no surprise costs.

If you're looking to save time during the week while supporting a locally owned Chicago business, fill out their contact form to learn more and get started.

Taste of Chicago: Chicago's biggest food festival has officially begun in Grant Park. Running through Sunday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This year, Taste of Chicago features 60 vendors, 20 food trucks, two live music stages with performances from Common, Babyface, Julieta Venegas and Original Koffee, plus a drone show, fireworks, dance lessons, karaoke and more. Check out the caption of our post for full event details.

Windy City Smokeout: Chicago's biggest country music and barbecue festival, Windy City Smokeout, is underway outside the United Center through Sunday, July 12. The five-day event features 22 pitmasters from across the country alongside headlining performances from Hootie & the Blowfish, Lainey Wilson, Jordan Davis and Blake Shelton. See the full lineup. Gates open at 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Chicago Earthquake: If you thought you felt the ground shake yesterday afternoon, you weren't imagining it. A rare 2.9 magnitude earthquake occurred beneath Lake Michigan just before 2:40 p.m., with its epicenter about 14 miles northeast of Evanston. Earthquakes are relatively uncommon in the Chicago area, making this a pretty unusual occurrence.

Lollapalooza Aftershows: Lollapalooza announced another round of official Aftershows this week, adding performances from artists including Mike Posner, Louis the Child, Mustard, Sidepiece and Dombresky. See the full list of newly announced Aftershows and check out which artists will be performing at venues across Chicago during Lollapalooza weekend.

Navy Pier Ferris Wheel: If you were disappointed by Navy Pier's Fourth of July fireworks, here's some good news. Navy Pier is now offering free rides on the Centennial Wheel after 6 p.m. every Wednesday through Labor Day weekend as a way to make it up to guests after fog impacted the July 4 fireworks display. Guests can reserve up to four free tickets beginning each Thursday at 10 a.m. for the following Wednesday, though they appear to sell out quickly.

Most Beautiful City: Chicago has officially been named the most beautiful city in the U.S. and the fourth most beautiful city in the world in a new ranking from Time Out. The ranking was based on a survey of more than 24,000 people, with Chicago earning high marks for its architecture, lakefront, parks, walkability and overall scenery. See the full rankings and which city claimed the top spot.

Tokyo Flights: American Airlines is bringing back its nonstop flight from Chicago to Tokyo after a seven-year absence. Daily service from O'Hare to Tokyo Narita is scheduled to begin March 27, 2027, giving Chicago travelers another option for getting to Japan alongside existing service from United, ANA and Japan Airlines. The route will also make it easier to connect to destinations throughout Asia through American's partnership with Japan Airlines.

Colectivo Coffee: Colectivo Coffee officially opened its newest Chicago café yesterday in the former Schoolyard Tavern space at 3258 N. Southport Ave. A massive line formed before 7 a.m. for the grand opening of the Milwaukee-based coffee chain, which serves coffee, tea and an all-day breakfast menu featuring burritos, sandwiches and other café favorites. Another Chicago location is also coming soon to Roscoe Village at 2032 W. Roscoe St.

Schaumburg Boomers: Looking for a fun summer outing in the suburbs? The Schaumburg Boomers are back at Wintrust Field this weekend with Jurassic Night and postgame fireworks on Friday, Superhero Night and fireworks on Saturday and Bark in the Park on Sunday. Tickets start at just $12, parking is free and there's something for everyone with great food, a kids zone, themed nights, entertainment, fireworks, drone shows, running the bases after the game and more. Watch our video that shows it all off!

Esmero: Reservations are now open for Esmero, a new limited-run dining residency from The Alinea Group Chef Adair Canacasco. Opening July 31 at 816 W. Armitage Ave., the contemporary Mexican tasting menu is inspired by the chef's Mexican heritage, family memories and nearly a decade spent in The Alinea Group's kitchens.

Madurai Kitchen & Bar: Chicago's North Shore has a new spot serving authentic South Indian cuisine. Madurai Kitchen & Bar is now open at Glen Town Center (1831 Tower Dr., Glenview), bringing family recipes dating back to 1975 to a new full-service dining experience.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Hema and Karthik, the woman- and family-owned restaurant specializes in regional South Indian dishes made with proprietary housemade masalas passed down through generations.

The menu features everything from dosas and biryanis to kebabs, traditional thaalis and vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrées. There's also a full bar serving Indian-inspired cocktails like the Curry Leaf Martini, Maharaja Old Fashioned and Blushing Lotus.

If you're looking to try authentic South Indian cuisine made with spices imported directly from India, view the menu and make a reservation.

Square Roots: Square Roots returns to Lincoln Square this weekend from July 10–12. The free festival (with a suggested donation) features three days of live music, local restaurants and vendors, craft beer, cocktails and a Kids Zone with family-friendly activities. It's one of the neighborhood's biggest summer events and benefits the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and Old Town School of Folk Music.

Southport Art Fest: The Southport Art Fest returns to Lakeview this weekend, July 11–12, for two days of art, food and family-friendly fun. The free festival features more than 100 artists, live music, local restaurants, boutique shopping, a Kids Art Zone, face painting and plenty of activities for all ages along Southport Avenue. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

John Mulaney: A limited number of additional tickets were just released for John Mulaney's sold-out show at Wrigley Field this Saturday, July 11. The Chicago native will headline the first-ever comedy show at the Friendly Confines as part of his Mister Whatever Tour, with some tickets currently available for as low as $37.90.

Chosen Few Picnic: The 36th annual Chosen Few Picnic & Festival returns to Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island Ave., this Saturday, July 11, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. What began as a small gathering behind the Museum of Science and Industry in 1990 has grown into the world's longest-running house music festival. The family-reunion-style event features more than 12 hours of music from the legendary Chosen Few DJs. Tickets are required, though kids 12 and under are free.

Edgewater Greek Fest: Edgewater Greek Fest returns to St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church in Edgewater this Saturday and Sunday, July 11–12, from noon to 10 p.m. The free festival at 5649 N. Sheridan Rd. features authentic Greek food, pastries and drinks, live music, traditional dancing, vendors, activities for kids and more while celebrating the church's 100th anniversary.

Barrio Arts Fest: The 26th annual Barrio Arts Fest returns to Humboldt Park this Saturday and Sunday, July 11–12. The free festival at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, 3015 W. Division St., celebrates Puerto Rican arts and culture with local artisans, live music, food, cultural exhibits, workshops, a classic car show and family-friendly activities. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

50%: Beach/Pool

29%: BBQ/Party

16%: Fireworks

5%: Parade/Festival

Sunrise: 5:24 a.m. (5 minutes later)

Sunset: 8:27 p.m. (2 minutes earlier)