This Week in West Loop: Windy City Smokeout Takes Over

Your week-ahead guide to the West Loop — 4 picks worth planning around

By Raj Singh · Published July 5, 2026.

The big one this week is the Windy City Smokeout, three days of brisket and country music in the United Center lot. Around it, Randolph Street keeps doing what it does best — eating well — with a food tour Sunday and comedy stretching into the weekend. Weather warms up nicely by midweek.

SUNDAY 7/5

Gateway to the West Loop Food Tour @ Formento's

A three-hour graze down Randolph's Restaurant Row, ducking into James Beard-nominated kitchens, breweries, and a dive or two. Kicks off at Formento's at 1 p.m.; $129 covers all the tastes.

If you've somehow still got room after, the cannoli at Formento's is the encore.

WEDNESDAY 7/8

Windy City Smokeout @ United Center Parking Lot

The two-time ACM-winning BBQ and country festival returns for its 13th year, running Wednesday through Friday in the United Center lot. Gates from 4 p.m. Wednesday; single-day passes start around $85.

Bub City runs the whole thing — get the brisket and a frozen rosé slushie and find some shade.

THURSDAY 7/9

Morgan's Laugh Lounge @ Morgan's on Fulton

A fast, loose Thursday comedy night in Fulton Market — the kind of low-key room where you catch names before they blow up. Show runs 6–9:30 p.m.; $20 at the door.

Order the wood-grilled wings and a spicy margarita at Morgan's bar and settle in.

FRIDAY 7/10

We the People: Public Art in Greektown

Forty outdoor and indoor artworks line Halsted for this free exhibit marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It's up all week — a Friday-evening stroll before dinner is the move.

Duck into Greek Islands afterward for the saganaki flambé — opa.

Plenty more where that came from — see more West Loop events.